Used coffee pucks are very wet, sludgy, or fall apart; dreg drawer fills with loose grounds.

Safety first: Unplug the machine before servicing the brew group.

Step-by-step checks:

• Adjust grind finer: While grinding, move the grind knob one step finer and test.
• Increase strength: Raise the coffee strength setting to increase dose.
• Clean and lubricate brew group: Ensure smooth movement so full compression can occur.

When to call a technician: If pucks remain very wet, internal brew group components or seals may need replacement.