Troubleshooting your Saeco espresso machine

The coffee funnel is blocked by ground coffee.
To unblock the coffee funnel;
• Remove the brew group and clean the coffee funnel with a spoon handle.
• If there is no pre-ground coffee funnel, insert the spoon handle into the coffee funnel from below.
• If you have a Moltio or GranBaristo machine with a removable bean container, remove this container and disassemble. Remove any beans that are stuck in the two separate parts.

When error code 1, 3, 4, 5 or 14 is shown on the display, check the solutions below.
If any other code appears, we advise you to contact our Consumer Care Center for assistance.

E01
The coffee funnel is blocked by ground coffee.
To unblock the coffee funnel;
• Take out the brew group and clean the coffee funnel with a spoon handle.
• If there is no pre-ground coffee funnel, insert the spoon handle into the coffee funnel from below.

If only a few drops of coffee are being dispensed, there can be various causes and solutions.

 

1. The brew group is clogged or has not been properly greased.
   • Rinse the brew group with fresh water, paying particular attention to the filter.
   • Grease the brew group as described in the cleaning and maintenance section.
   
   
2. The coffee spout is clogged.
   • Clean the coffee spout with a needle.
   
   
3. Your water filter (e.g. AquaClean/Brita) has not been properly prepared or is clogged.
   • Remove the filter from the water tank and immerse it upside down in water.
   • Replace the filter and dispense 2-3 cups of hot water.
   • If the problem still persists, make a coffee without using the filter. If this works, you know that your filter is clogged and needs to be replaced.
   
   
4. The machine needs to be descaled.
   • Descale the machine with the Philips/Saeco decalcifier.
   

If the coffee is getting watery, there can be various causes and solutions.

 

1. During first-time use:
   • The Saeco adapting system is still adjusting. Brew a few more cups of coffee.
   
   
2. The brew group is clogged by dirt or not well greased.
   • Rinse the brew group with fresh water, especially the filter on the brew group.
   • Grease the brew group as described in Cleaning and Maintenance chapter
   
   
3. The coffee funnel is blocked by ground coffee. Unblock the coffee funnel;
   • Take out the brew group and clean the coffee funnel with a spoon handle.
   • If there is no pre-ground coffee funnel, insert the spoon handle into the coffee funnel.
   

If the coffee grounds container is emptied while the machine is switched off, the coffee cycle counter is not reset and the ‘empty coffee grounds container’ message does not disappear.

To make the message disappear:
• Remove the coffee grounds container while the machine is switched on, wait at least 5 seconds and then reinsert it.

If you cannot insert the brew group, the machine and brew group are not in the neutral position.

Follow the steps below to set the machine and brew group in neutral position:
1. Replace the coffee grounds container and the drip tray. Close the service door, but leave out the brew group.
2. Switch the machine off. Wait until it is completely switched off and you hear no more sounds (this can take up to 15-20 seconds).
3. Switch the machine back on. Wait again until it is completely switched on and you hear no more sounds.
4. Set the brew group to its neutral position. Watch the movie below for instructions.
5. Remove the coffee grounds container and the drip tray, open the service door and try again to insert the brew group.

If you cannot remove the brew group, the machine is not in the neutral position.

 

Follow the steps below in order to be able to remove the brew group.
1. Replace the coffee grounds container and the drip tray and close the service door.
2. Switch the machine off. Wait until it is completely switched off and you hear no more sounds (this can take up to 15-20 seconds).
3. Switch the machine back on. Wait again until it is completely switched on and you hear no more sounds.
4. Remove the coffee grounds container and the drip tray, open the service door and try again to remove the brew group.

Never remove the brew group during descaling. Always finish the descaling process first.

If the descaling light is still on then most probably you have not rinsed the machine with sufficient water after the descaling cycle was completed.
Rinse your machine using another full tank of water.

If you stopped the descaling procedure by switching off your machine and you don’t know how to resume, please contact our Consumer Care Center for assistance.

The lights on your espresso machine give you information on what to do as well as on the status of your machine.

The user manual contains a dedicated chapter on the meaning of the lights. Use this search function below to locate and download the appropriate user manual for your Philips or Saeco espresso machine.

Note: If all lights are blinking simultaneously, please contact our Consumer Care Centre for assistance.

Your drip tray is probably full, and water is therefore flowing over.
Empty your drip tray regularly; the ‘drip tray full’ indicator tells you when to do so.

If the milk carafe is not frothing the milk, there can be various causes and solutions.

1. The milk carafe parts are dirty.

• Detach all parts and clean them with warm water /washing-up liquid.

2. The milk carafe dispensing spout is not completely pulled out.
• Check that it is fully pulled out.

3. The milk tube is not properly connected to the frothing element.
• Attach the milk tube properly to the frothing element.

4. You’re not using the correct type of milk.

• Semi-skimmed or full-fat cow's milk, soy milk and lactose-free milk have been tested and proven to give good froth.