DE-SCALE
GE Appliances
Severe Mineral Scale Restricting Flow
Display shows “DE-SCALE” and brew time is significantly longer than normal or unit stops mid-brew.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Heavy limescale in heating element, Partially blocked inlet screen, Clogged internal silicone tubing, Restricted flow sensor
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the coffee maker and allow it to cool completely before descaling.
- 1. Perform an intensive descale: Use a commercial coffee machine descaler or a strong 1:1 white vinegar and water solution. Fill the reservoir and start a cleaning cycle. If the unit stops early, restart the cycle until the reservoir is empty.
- 2. Soak and repeat: For severe scale, run half a reservoir, power off, and let the solution sit inside the machine for 30–45 minutes. Then power on and complete the cycle. Repeat once more if flow is still weak.
- 3. Clean inlet screen: Remove the water reservoir and inspect the inlet screen or filter at the base. Rinse under running water and gently scrub with a soft brush to remove mineral deposits.
- 4. Flush with fresh water: Run at least 2–3 full reservoirs of clean water through the machine to remove descaler and debris.
- 5. If flow remains restricted: Internal tubing or the heater coil may be heavily scaled or partially blocked. Disassembly is required to access and replace the heater assembly or tubing; this is typically a technician-level repair.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Heating Element and Internal Tubing
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