Brew basket drips coffee onto the warming plate even when the carafe is removed.

Safety first: Allow the basket and contents to cool before handling to avoid burns.

• Remove and clean basket: Take out the brew basket and thoroughly clean the drip-stop mechanism with warm soapy water. Move the plunger repeatedly to free it.
• Inspect seal and spring: Check the rubber tip or seal at the end of the plunger and the spring. If the seal is cracked or the spring is missing/broken, the valve will not close properly.
• Reinstall correctly: Ensure the basket is fully seated and oriented correctly so the drip-stop aligns with the carafe lid actuator.
• Test with water: Run a small brew and remove the carafe mid-brew to see if dripping stops. A few drops are normal; a steady stream indicates failure.
• Replace basket if needed: If the drip-stop cannot be restored, replace the entire brew basket assembly.