Is your Breville Barista Express (BES870) not pumping water, not steaming, not grinding or leaking around the portafilter? These are the ten most common faults we see, with the first checks to make before booking a repair.
Many of these checks also apply to other Breville Barista models, but this guide is written for the BES870 / Barista Express.
🧼 1. Descale light will not turn off
The Barista Express has separate cleaning and descaling cycles. If you have completed the cleaning cycle but the descale light remains on, run the descaling cycle as well. Completing one cycle does not reset the other.
🎛️ 2. Machine turns on but will not do anything
Check the steam/hot-water selector is fully in the centre, off position. If it is pointing toward steam or hot water, the machine may not complete its normal start-up.
💨 3. No steam from the wand
Unscrew the steam-wand tip and clean the holes carefully with a pin or fine needle. A single blocked hole can dramatically reduce steam performance. Refit the tip before testing.
🌱 4. Grinder is not working
Remove and refit the bean hopper, turning it until you hear the audible click. The hopper operates a safety switch; if it is not locked in correctly, the grinder will not receive power.
💧 5. No water coming through
First, check the water tank is fully seated. A tank that looks fitted but is not pressing the valve correctly can stop water flow.
🫧 6. Still no water? Check the water filter
Remove the tank filter and test again. If a new filter has not been soaked and primed properly, it can restrict water flow.
🪨 7. Still no water? Run a descale
In Western Australia, mineral build-up is a common cause of restricted flow. Run the correct descaling cycle to clear potential calcium build-up. If the machine still will not pump water afterwards, it may need further diagnosis.
📉 8. Pressure gauge barely moves
Start with the coffee. For a consistent brew and a healthy pressure reading, use freshly roasted beans—ideally roasted within the last 30 days. Stale beans can make a good machine look like it has a fault. See our fresh coffee beans.
☕ 9. Watery coffee with little or no crema
Old beans are the most common cause. Buy fresh beans from a roaster, store them airtight and adjust the grinder only after changing to fresh coffee. If shots are still watery, check your dose, grind and extraction time.
🔄 10. Water leaking around the portafilter
If water is escaping around the edge of the portafilter during extraction, the group-head seal is usually worn, hard or damaged. Replacing it is often the fix. See the Breville Barista Group Seal for compatible models.
🧰 When to book a repair
If these checks do not resolve the issue—or there is an electrical smell, a major leak, no pump sound or the fault returns—stop using the machine and arrange a professional assessment. Our coffee machine repair team can help with Breville Barista Express repairs in Perth.
💬 Quick FAQ
Why is my Breville BES870 not pumping water?
Check the tank is seated correctly, remove the water filter to test for restriction, then run the correct descale cycle. Ongoing no-flow may need repair.
Why is my Breville Barista Express coffee watery?
Start with fresh coffee beans. Beans older than about 30 days from roast often produce weak, low-crema shots even when the machine is working normally.
Why does water leak around my portafilter?
A worn group-head seal is the most likely cause. Inspect the seal and replace it if it is hard, cracked, flattened or damaged.
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