A coffee maker can leak from a poorly seated reservoir, seal, drip tray, internal hose, or an overflow during brewing. Where and when the leak appears helps separate an accessible part from an internal fault; water near the electrical base means unplugging first.
Unplug if water reaches the base or cord
Do not keep brewing on a wet surface. Unplug only if you can do so without touching water around the receptacle and let the unit dry before any external inspection.
Check the reservoir, lid, and drip tray
Remove and reseat the reservoir, inspect for cracks, and clean any accessible valve as the manual allows. An overfull or misaligned drip tray can look like an internal leak.
Note when the water appears
Leakage before power-on points toward the reservoir or valve; during pumping it can involve tubing or seals; overflow from the top can come from the basket, filter, or grounds restricting flow.
Repeated internal leakage needs service
If water comes from the housing, returns with a properly seated reservoir, or reaches electrical components, stop using the coffee maker. Do not open an energized base or bypass sensors to continue testing.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Electrical Safety — Household electrical hazards and safe response to overheating, outlets, switches, and breakers.