Sometimes the water just stops flowing. That stall is a sign your grind is too fine, or you've poured too aggressively, packing the grounds down. It can also happen if your filter is clogged with fines.

The fix: back off on the grind size a touch, and pour in gentle circles rather than dumping water in the middle. If you're using a paper filter, give it a quick rinse before adding coffee—that removes paper dust and helps flow.