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Espresso Machine Not Working? 4 Fixes (2026)
Espresso machine not brewing, weak shots, or not heating? Four common causes and fixes.
Espresso machine failures cluster around water flow, grind, heat, and scale. These four fixes cover the overwhelming majority of cases.
No water flowing through the portafilter
First check the tank is seated and filled. If water flows without the portafilter but not with it, the grind is too fine or the basket is overfilled: coarsen slightly and dose less. A completely blocked shower screen needs a backflush with cleaner.
Shots run too fast and taste sour
Under-extraction from too-coarse grind or too little coffee. Grind finer in small steps and ensure an 18-gram dose for a double basket. Sourness that persists across adjustments usually means the machine is not reaching temperature: let it heat-soak 15 to 20 minutes.
Machine not heating or taking forever
Heavy scale insulates the boiler or thermocoil. Descale according to the manual; in hard-water areas this is needed every 2 to 3 months. If descaling does not help, the thermostat or heating element may have failed, which is a service job.
Water leaking from the machine
Check the drip tray is not overflowing and the tank is seated correctly. Leaks from under the group head during brewing often mean a worn group gasket: a cheap part, and replacement is a standard maintenance task on machines like the Gaggia.
Questions, answered
Why is my espresso bitter?
Over-extraction: grind too fine, dose too high, or water too hot. Coarsen the grind slightly and keep brew ratios around 1:2 coffee to espresso by weight.
How often should I backflush?
With water after each session on machines with a 3-way solenoid like the Gaggia; with detergent weekly. Machines without a solenoid should not be backflushed with detergent.