Maintenance
Common Espresso Machine Problems and Fixes
Most espresso machine complaints trace back to a small set of recurring causes, most of which are maintenance or technique issues rather than a mechanical fault.
Shot runs too fast or too slow
Most often a grind-size issue — see our guide on dialing in a new grinder — rather than a machine fault. Confirm your dose is what you think it is on a scale before assuming the grinder is the problem, since an under-dosed basket runs fast regardless of grind size.
Weak steam or slow heating
Often scale buildup on machines overdue for descaling, though it is worth confirming the machine has fully reached temperature before assuming a fault. A single-boiler machine steaming right after pulling a shot will also feel weaker simply because the boiler has not recovered yet — that is expected behavior, not a defect.
Sputtering or weak steam wand
Commonly a partially clogged tip from dried milk residue — see our steam wand cleaning guide before assuming a mechanical problem. A wand that was never purged after a previous session is the most frequent cause.
Water leaking from the portafilter
Usually a worn or hardened group head gasket rather than a loose portafilter — see our guide on group head gasket signs and timing, since this is a routine wear part on most machines, not typically a defect.
Inconsistent shots with no obvious cause
When nothing seems to have changed but results still vary, check for channeling first (uneven tamp or distribution — see our channeling guide) before suspecting the machine, since prep-related inconsistency is far more common than a mechanical intermittent fault, and it is much cheaper to rule out.