Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Makers Error Codes

All LEDs flashing red

Machine will not start a cycle; all indicator LEDs flash red simultaneously when the power button is pressed.

General system fault / internal protection mode

Drip tray overflows quickly

Drip tray fills with water or coffee very quickly, even after a single beverage.

Excess bypass or leakage into drip tray

Green light on, automatic model dispenses wrong volume

On automatic Dolce Gusto models, the machine dispenses much more or much less liquid than the selected bar level.

Flow meter miscalibration or obstruction

Green light on, capsule explodes or bursts

During brewing, the capsule bursts, spraying coffee grounds inside the machine or into the cup.

Overpressure in capsule chamber

Green light on, coffee tastes burnt or very bitter

Coffee has a burnt or excessively bitter taste, different from normal flavor.

Overheating or over-extraction

Green light on, coffee temperature too low

Machine brews but the coffee is lukewarm or significantly cooler than usual.

Reduced heating performance

Green light on, lever moved, capsule remains dry

After a brew attempt, the capsule is still dry and unused; no puncture marks or water inside the capsule.

Capsule piercing / holder engagement failure

Green light on, lever moved, very weak trickle of coffee

Machine starts but only a very weak trickle or drops of coffee come out, taking much longer than normal.

Severe flow restriction in hydraulic circuit

Green light on, lever moved, water flows but capsule not pierced on top

Water flows around the capsule and into the drip tray; the top of the capsule shows no puncture marks.

Upper injector misalignment

Green light on, lever moved, water leaks around capsule holder

Water or coffee leaks around the capsule holder area and runs into the drip tray or front of the machine.

Brew head seal failure

Green light on, lever moved, water leaks from bottom of machine

During brewing, water drips or pours from the base of the Dolce Gusto machine onto the counter.

Internal hose or fitting leak

Green light on, machine shuts off mid-brew

Machine starts brewing but stops and powers off before the beverage is complete.

Overcurrent or thermal protection trip

Green light on, machine very noisy compared to before

Overall operating noise is significantly louder than when the machine was new.

Mechanical wear or hydraulic restriction

Green light on, machine vibrates excessively

During brewing, the machine vibrates strongly, causing the cup to move or rattle.

Excessive vibration from pump or unstable base

Green light on, no power to capsule LED bar (automatic models)

On automatic Dolce Gusto models with a volume selector bar, the bar LEDs do not light, though the main power light is on.

User interface LED / selector fault

Green light on, pump runs, water returns to tank

When brewing, you hear the pump but little or no water exits the spout; instead, water can be seen returning to the tank or leaking around the tank area.

Water circuit bypass / inlet seal failure

Green light on, pump very loud, no or little water

Pump noise is much louder than usual, with vibration, but little or no water exits the spout.

Airlock or cavitation in vibration pump

Green light on, strong plastic or burning smell

During operation, a strong plastic or burning odor comes from the machine.

Overheating or electrical insulation failure

Machine brews only cold water on hot setting

When the lever is moved to hot, the machine dispenses cold or room-temperature water.

Heating control failure

Machine brews only hot water on cold setting

When the lever is moved to cold, the machine still dispenses hot water.

Temperature control / valve logic fault

Machine drips for a long time after brewing

After brewing stops, the machine continues to drip coffee or water from the spout for an extended period.

Slow depressurization / residual flow

Machine turns off immediately after pressing power

Power button lights briefly then goes off; machine will not stay on.

Power latch / protection fault

No lights at all, machine dead

Machine does not power on; no LEDs light when the power button is pressed.

No power / primary supply failure

Power button flashing green continuously, no water output

Power button flashes green as if brewing, but no water comes out of the spout.

Dry-run / no water flow detected

Power button flashing orange (or yellow) instead of green

Power button flashes orange/yellow indicating descaling is due; machine may still brew but with reduced flow.

Descale reminder / flow restriction

Power button flashing red rapidly

Power button flashes red quickly and the machine does not heat or pump water.

Overheat or thermal cut-out activation

Power button flashing red/green alternately

Power button alternates between red and green and the machine does not start brewing.

Descaling required / scale protection mode

Power button solid red, no response to lever

Power button lights solid red but the machine does not start brewing when the hot/cold lever is moved.

User interface / lever position sensor fault

Power button stays red (never turns green)

After switching on, the power button remains red and does not change to green ready status; machine does not heat.

Heating circuit failure

Water in used capsule bin (on models with bin)

Used capsule container fills with water along with spent capsules.

Improper drainage / capsule holder leak

Water tank level not detected (some models)

On models with tank level detection, the machine refuses to brew or shows a tank warning even when the tank is full.

Water level sensor fault

Symptom

Capsule holder difficult to insert or remove

Mechanical obstruction in capsule chamber

Symptom

Handle or locking lever is loose or wobbly

Mechanical wear of handle mechanism

Symptom

Machine leaks from the back or side when not in use

Static leak from tank or inlet

Symptom

Machine makes gurgling or sputtering noises during brew

Air in hydraulic circuit or partial blockage

Symptom

Machine will not start brewing (no pump noise) even though the light is green and lever is moved

Pump activation / control fault

Symptom

Mold or slime visible in water tank or around seals

Biological contamination

Symptom

Unusual taste or smell in coffee (plastic, chemical, or stale)

Contamination or residue buildup

Symptom

Water tank difficult to remove or install

Mechanical interference at tank interface