Fix it
Soda Maker Not Working (2026)
Fixes for common soda maker problems: no fizz, weak fizz, leaking gas, and a bottle that will not fit.
Most soda maker problems come from an empty cylinder, a bottle that is not seated, or warm water. Work through the fixes below before assuming the machine is broken.
No fizz at all when I press the button
Check the cylinder first: unscrew or unclip it and check that it is not empty by its weight, since an empty cylinder feels light. Reseat the cylinder firmly, since a loose cylinder leaks gas instead of sending it into the bottle. Check that the bottle is clipped or screwed in fully, since a bottle that is not seated will not open the gas valve. If the machine is electric, check that the power adapter is plugged in and the socket is live.
The fizz is weak even after many presses
Chill the water first, since cold water holds gas far better than warm water. Fill the bottle only to the fill line, since an overfilled bottle leaves no room for the gas to mix. Press the button or hold the lever for a full burst rather than short taps, and wait a second between presses so the gas dissolves. If the fizz stays weak with cold water and a full cylinder, the cylinder may be nearly empty.
Gas leaks out around the bottle
Remove the bottle and check the seal on the machine nozzle for grit or damage, since a dirty seal leaks gas. Check that the bottle neck is not cracked and that the bottle is the right size for the machine, since a wrong bottle will not seal. Screw or clip the bottle in firmly until it stops, and do not carbonate a bottle that is past its date or visibly damaged, since a weak bottle can fail under pressure.
The drink foams over when I open the bottle
Release the pressure slowly, especially with juice or cocktails, since a fast release lets the gas escape at once and drags the drink with it. On a Drinkmate, use the two-stage release as designed, and wait for the hiss to stop before removing the cap. Chill the drink well before carbonating, since warm drinks foam more, and do not overfill the bottle, since a full bottle leaves no room for the foam to settle.
Questions, answered
How do I know the cylinder is empty?
The fizz gets weaker over several uses, then stops entirely, and the cylinder feels light. A full 60-litre cylinder is heavy for its size, while an empty one feels almost weightless. Keep a spare cylinder in the cupboard so an empty one does not stop the household drinking sparkling water.
Can I carbonate warm water?
You can, but the result will be weak, since warm water holds less gas than cold water. Chill the bottle in the fridge first for the sharpest fizz, and never carbonate hot water, since hot water can damage the bottle and the machine.
Why does my sparkling water go flat quickly?
Either the water was not cold enough, the bottle was opened and left open, or the fizz level was too low to start with. Carbonate cold water to a sharp fizz, cap the bottle at once, and keep it in the fridge. A bottle that is opened and closed several times loses its fizz faster than one that is finished in a sitting.