The most common faults with automatic coffee machines are poor milk foam, coffee that suddenly tastes different, limescale build-up, noisy operation and error messages on the display. Most of them you can fix yourself with regular cleaning and descaling. Below I go through each fault one by one and show you what helps – and when it is time to call a service technician.
(Dis)advantages of automatic coffee machines
Simply choose your desired beverage on the display, press the button, and you have a cup of coffee ready in no time. Automatic coffee machines have a fully automated process that requires no experience to get a good tasting standard beverage.
Anyone can operate an automatic coffee machine. There is no need for any special experience or a lot of time. The preparation is fast and hassle-free because the coffee maker does everything for you.
However, it is important to take care of the machine and not to neglect its daily cleaning. Otherwise, sooner or later you will taste it in your cup. For some machines, cleaning is complicated and requires a maintenance expert or training.
It is the need for more frequent maintenance that limits the number of coffees you can brew each day. You also need to frequently change the milk and keep the components clean and working before starting again.
Bad milk foam
"After about 2.5 months, the coffee maker stopped making thick foam. I cleaned the container several times. Uncapped the coffee maker did all the maintenance as per the instructions and still nothing. Only warm unwhipped milk comes out."
If the machine gives you hot milk without milk foam, the coffee maker itself is usually fine. The fault is almost always in the milk froth regulator, which sits on the lid of the milk frother.
To whip the milk properly, the foam regulator needs a free slot to draw in and mix air. Even a tiny dried-on milk residue will block this channel, so rinse the milk system after every use. If everything is perfectly cleaned and dried and you still get no foam, there is likely a mechanical fault in the regulator itself.
One more tip: on many models, such as DeLonghi Magnifica or Saeco machines, you can adjust the foam consistency directly on the regulator, so check the manual before you suspect a defect. The milk matters too – cold milk with a higher protein content foams best, while warm or long-opened milk performs much worse.
Coffee doesn't taste like it used to
If your coffee doesn't taste that great anymore, the coffee maker isn't heating up, it's lacking the necessary pressure, or the milk nozzle isn't working, the fault is likely to be inadequate or poor cleaning.
It's not enough to clean the outside of the coffee maker – it's the inside that needs much more care. That's where all sorts of deposits of coffee oils and old grounds hide that we just don't want there.
Such deposits stick to the heating coils and this causes the water to slow down. Not to mention, they are also a breeding ground for bacteria.
That is why you should take out the brewing unit (if it is removable) about once a week and rinse it under lukewarm water, without washing-up liquid. Cleaning tablets will additionally dissolve the coffee oils you cannot reach by hand.
A limey coffee machine
You should descale your coffee maker regularly because over time it becomes clogged with limescale as well as other debris.
Limescale can have a direct effect on electricity consumption. When the heating coil in the coffee maker is clogged with limescale, more electricity is consumed when it heats up.
The life of the coffee machine can also be affected. If the coffee maker is extremely clogged with limescale, it may even happen that you simply can't turn it on one day. This is because limescale clogs the nozzles and other parts through which water flows when making coffee.
Last but not least, limescale affects the taste of the coffee – often it is an unpleasant, strongly acidic note that you don't want in your cup. On top of that, coffee from a limed machine can contain tiny bits of limescale, which is not ideal in terms of taste or appearance.
How often should you descale? As a rule of thumb, every four to eight weeks depending on your water hardness, or at the latest when the machine itself asks for it. A water filter extends the intervals considerably.
An error message on the display
If your coffee machine shows an error message, start with the classic move: switch it off, unplug it for a minute and restart. Many messages simply point to an empty water tank, a full grounds container or a badly seated brewing unit – fixed in a minute.
If the message stays on, look up the specific error code in your manual – DeLonghi, Philips or Siemens each use their own codes. Frequent causes are limescale, a blocked grinder or air in the system. If no coffee comes out at all, clogged pipes are usually to blame: descale first, then clean the brewing unit. Only when none of that helps is it time for the service centre.
The coffee maker makes too much noise
"I have a new coffee maker that is very noisy when making coffee.. the sound is like some small machine. I can't make coffee in the morning if someone is still sleeping."
Sometimes your coffee maker may make unusual noises. This can be annoying and disturbing to you and those around you. Several factors may explain why your coffee maker is so loud.
First, a loud coffee maker may mean that your coffee maker is clogged. Mineral deposits and debris can clog and block the pipes inside the machine. The solution is proper cleaning – thoroughly cleaning the inside of the coffee maker will remove the blockage in most cases.
Another reason why your coffee maker is noisy may be that debris has got trapped in its valves. Depending on the model, the valve sits in the aluminium tubing or sometimes in the container opening.
To help reduce noise, try lubricating the brewing unit with food grade lubricant and general maintenance, including lubricating the threaded rod on which the brewing unit moves. And if the machine stands on a thin worktop, a simple rubber mat underneath will dampen the vibrations noticeably.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is my coffee machine not frothing milk any more?
In most cases the air channel in the frother is blocked by milk residue. Take the milk system apart, rinse all parts thoroughly and check the froth regulator on the lid. If everything is clean and dry and there is still no foam, the regulator itself is probably faulty.
Why does my coffee suddenly taste bad or sour?
The usual suspects are coffee oil deposits inside the machine and limescale. Clean the brewing unit, run a cleaning tablet through the machine and descale it. A strongly sour note in the cup is a typical sign of a machine overdue for descaling.
How often should I descale my coffee machine?
Every four to eight weeks depending on water hardness, or whenever the machine prompts you. With a water filter you can stretch the intervals, but never skip descaling completely.
Why is my coffee machine so noisy?
Usually because of clogged pipes, debris trapped in the valves or a dry brewing unit. Clean the machine thoroughly, lubricate the brewing unit with food grade grease and put a rubber mat under the machine if it stands on a resonating worktop.
What should I do when my coffee machine shows an error message?
Most error messages point to everyday things: no water, a full grounds container or a badly seated brewing unit. Restart the machine first, then look up the code in the manual – each brand, whether DeLonghi or Philips, uses its own codes. Persistent errors often mean it is time to descale.
Even a simple home coffee machine can cause a lot of mischief, whether it's bad milk foam or a tasteless cup. The important thing is to take good care of your coffee machine and clean it regularly. This is the only way the machine will serve you well for years to come.
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