The water icon is solid, and the grounds container icon is flashing. Your De’Longhi coffee maker will flash a red triangle warning light. That’s a sign of the water circuit being empty. Or it could be because the coffee grind is too fine and clogs delivery.
No worries. This is quite a common problem. It is very easily solved. It is usually solved by checking the tank seating or priming the system. Not often a broken part. No big deal. It is just air in the system or a clogged line.
How to Reset the Water Circuit
A flashing ground container icon with a solid water symbol and a flashing red triangle warning light means the water circuit is empty or the coffee grind is too fine.
First check the water tank. Pull the tank out a bit and then push it all the way back in. Does it click? If the seal is not tight, air gets in.
If the seal isn’t tight, air gets in, which causes air bubbles that disrupt the pump pressure. Even with water in there the machine believes it’s dry. Often simply reinserting the tank correctly will clear the error message. It’s the simplest thing to attempt first. No tools required. A lot of folks overlook this one, then they assume it’s a bad pump.
Next up is the steam knob. That’s the hot water valve. Turn it to position I and leave it there.
If the warning appears during brewing, stop immediately and set the knob back to zero. Water should start pouring out of the wand. Let it run until it’s done. That resets the water circuit. It clears all the air that might be in there.
That pressure reset is what the pump requires. Otherwise, it thinks the error persists. The machine is still confused. Water or no water? Turn the knob and make it check. The flow proves the line is clear. Turn the knob back to zero. You’re done. Repeat.
If you get the warning while brewing, stop right away.
Turn the knob down to zero.
Please wait.
Move the steam knob to I
Wait until the stream stops.
Zero it out again.
This clears the message.
Informs the system that the line is full. Each time you do this, the sensors calibrate. You must follow the process.
Knobting right back to I is imperative. Do not leave it in the middle. A definitive stop confirms the volume. After priming, if the error message remains, check your tank again. Make sure it’s fully seated
Vibrations cause a loose fit. It is particularly steam-heavy. Slight gap allows air in. Air creates a drop in pressure. Pump fights it. Machine reads it as empty. Protects itself. Shuts down.
Tank must be reseated. Firmly push down. No wobble allowed. Prime cycle one more time. Turn the knob to I. Wait until no flow. Knob back to zero. Often fixes it. No repair is required.
