Coffee is very bitter or burnt-tasting compared to usual.

Safety first: Take care with hot water when adjusting settings.

• Check volume settings: Ensure you are using the correct cup size for the capsule or coffee dose. Increase volume slightly for very short, bitter shots.
• Clean the brew head and spout: Remove coffee oil build-up by running a cleaning cycle or using a cleaning capsule/tablet.
• Descale: Limescale can cause uneven heating. Run a full descaling cycle.
• Use fresh coffee: Replace old capsules or stale ground coffee, which can taste bitter regardless of machine settings.

If bitterness persists and the machine seems excessively hot or steamy, the temperature sensor or control board may be faulty and should be inspected.