Weak water flow from group head; shots run very slowly even with coarse grind and no coffee puck.

Safety: Unplug and allow the machine to cool before disassembly.

• Test flow without portafilter: Run water directly from the group. If flow is weak, the issue is upstream of the group.
• Clean group jet: Many Rancilio groups have a small jet or restrictor above the shower screen. Remove and soak in descaler, then flush.
• Descale system: Run a full descaling cycle through the brew circuit using an approved descaler. Repeat if heavy scale is suspected.
• Check pump performance: Listen for pump pitch changes. If the pump sounds strained and flow remains low after cleaning, test pump pressure with a gauge and replace the pump if below spec.