CLEAN
Mr. Coffee Scale Build-Up in Heating and Flow System

Display shows “CLEAN” and unit beeps; brew cycle may not start or stops early until cleaning is performed.

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Possible Causes

Limescale buildup in water reservoir outlet, Mineral deposits in heating element tube, Clogged internal water lines, Dirty drip valve under brew basket

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the coffee maker and let it cool completely before handling any internal parts.

This indicator is usually a maintenance reminder, not a failure, but heavy scale can cause overheating and flow issues.

  • Run a descaling cycle:
    • Fill the water reservoir with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water up to the MAX line.
    • Place an empty carafe on the warming plate and ensure the filter basket is empty.
    • Plug in the unit, power it on, and start a brew cycle. If your model has a dedicated CLEAN button, press and hold it as per the manual to start the cleaning cycle.
    • Allow the unit to run until about half the reservoir is empty, then press STOP and let it sit for 30 minutes to dissolve scale.
    • Restart and complete the cycle.
  • Rinse thoroughly:
    • Discard the vinegar solution and run 2–3 full cycles with fresh water only to remove odor and residue.
  • Clean the drip valve and basket:
    • Remove the brew basket and wash it with warm soapy water.
    • Inspect the spring-loaded drip-stop valve under the basket; press it several times under running water to clear coffee oils and debris.
  • Reset the CLEAN indicator:
    • On most Mr. Coffee models, the CLEAN light turns off automatically after a full cleaning cycle. If not, unplug the unit for 5 minutes, then plug back in.

If the CLEAN message returns immediately after proper descaling, internal scale may be severe and professional service is recommended.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Heating Element Tube
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