Troubleshoot by symptom
POD · DRIP · ESPRESSO · AUTOMATIC
Use these steps for a coffee maker that will not brew, has weak or no flow, shows a blinking light, or displays an error code. First identify the exact make and model; the right instructions depend on the machine in front of you.
Find your symptomModel-specific coverage: this site currently has 32 verified interactive guides across pod, drip, semi-automatic, and automatic machines from Nespresso, Bosch TASSIMO, illy, Moccamaster, Bonavita, OXO, SMEG, Breville / Sage, LELIT, and Profitec. The checks below are general owner-level guidance; use the official brand links for exact light meanings, reset sequences, cleaning cycles, and model instructions.
See all 32 verified model guidesSTART WITH THE SYMPTOM
Only try checks that apply to your machine and are allowed by its user manual. Light patterns and button combinations vary by model.
With the machine dry and switched off, check that the power plug is fully seated and the cord has no visible damage. If the outlet or breaker seems faulty, stop and ask a qualified person to check it. Do not use a machine with a damaged cord.
Find the maker's support pageCheck the display or indicator first. If your model has a removable water tank, pod holder, brew basket, grounds bin, or service door, confirm it is seated or closed as the manual shows. Refill the tank only if the message or manual calls for it.
Search by exact modelNote whether the machine is a pod brewer, drip maker, or espresso machine and when the flow stopped. Follow its own setup, rinse, or cleaning instructions. Do not try a generic priming or descaling sequence across machines.
Open official troubleshootingWrite down the light color, number of flashes, pauses, and any display text. Match that signal to the exact model's manual. A color or blink count on its own is not enough to identify the cause.
Look up your manufacturer's guideBEFORE YOU CONTACT SUPPORT
A model number and a clear description can make the next step much easier. Product labels may be on the base, back, or inside a service door, depending on the machine.
Include any letters, digits, and suffix after a slash or hyphen.
For example: no power, no brew, slow flow, leak, or an on-screen code.
Record color, blink count, pauses, and when it started.
Note only steps from the manual and whether the signal changed.
MANUFACTURER SOURCES
Choose your country or region when prompted, then search by the product name or model number printed on your machine.
Official support pages and model availability can differ by country. These links lead to manufacturer-owned support portals.
If you notice smoke, a burning smell, a damaged cord, water around electrical parts, or repeated breaker trips, stop using the machine. Disconnect power only if you can do so safely, and contact the manufacturer or qualified service.
COMMON QUESTIONS
No. The meaning depends on the make, model, and sometimes the machine's operating mode. Record the pattern and check the matching manual before trying a button sequence.
Read its display or indicator, then check only the external parts described in that model's manual, such as its water tank or brew basket. If an error remains, use the manufacturer's model-specific instructions.
Follow the exact manual. Reset and cleaning steps differ by machine, and a light can indicate something other than a cleaning cycle.
Look for the product label or rating plate. Depending on the machine, it may be on the base, back, or inside a service door. Manufacturer support pages often show label locations for each product family.
READY FOR AN EXACT SIGNAL GUIDE?
Choose the exact model printed on your machine to see its documented light patterns and symptoms.