Nespresso Vertuo Pop (GCV2 / ENV90) light blinks, machine not running

The light blinks but the machine is not running. The machine is reading the capsule and pre-wetting, or it cannot start.

Cause 1 of 3Code reading and pre-wetting take a moment before coffee flows. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 31

First checkWait a few seconds.

Causes and checks

Code reading and pre-wetting take a moment before coffee flows. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 31
1. Wait a few seconds.
Capsule, lever or water. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 31
1. Check a fresh capsule sits correctly, lock the lever, fill the tank and press the button.
Overheated after extensive use. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 31
1. Hold the button 3 seconds to switch off, press it again to switch on, then wait about 20 minutes.

If the checks above do not clear it, contact Nespresso, nespresso.com/us/en/. Contact Nespresso in your country. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 32

Orange 3 times, then steady white: Descaling is due. The machine can be used only a few more times before descaling becomes necessary.
1 blink and 1 pause: The water tank is empty or the lever is not locked.
2 blinks and 1 pause: The machine cannot start the current task: check the capsule, the lever and the water tank for the task you started.
Light blinks while running: Normal if coffee is flowing. If only water flows, a cleaning, descaling or emptying task you started is running. Otherwise the machine may be overheated after heavy use.
Steady light, does not start: The lever is not locked, or no capsule is in place for brewing (or a capsule is still inside for cleaning, descaling or emptying).
Blinking while heating: The machine is heating up; it is ready when the light is steady.
Turquoise blinking: Coffee Creations mode is on: the next brew is concentrated for recipes with milk, cream or ice.

Vertuo Pop user manual (21 languages; English pp. 2–33). Nestlé Nespresso S.A. (hosted by De'Longhi). Document De'Longhi asset 297263, revision PDF dated 2024-04-03, 2024-04-03, 643 pages, en. library.delonghigroup.com. Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.

Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.

Applies to: GCV2 (variant GDV2), ENV90 (variant ENV90.B), BNV120 (variant BNV150), XN9201 (variants XN9204; XN9205; XN9211), M800. Nespresso machine code.
Source: Vertuo Pop user manual (21 languages; English pp. 2–33), De'Longhi asset 297263 revision PDF dated 2024-04-03, 2024-04-03
Last verified: 13 November 2026
Handbook: Nespresso Vertuo Pop in Coffee and espresso machines; all Nespresso handbooks