Lavazza Troubleshooting

This well-known Italian brand not only imports coffee from different parts of the world to offer its great blends but also produces high-quality coffee machines. With its slogan “Italy’s favourite coffee”, Lavazza claims that millions of Italian families prefer its products.

More than 30 years ago, Lavazza launched its first automatic coffee machine with the Espresso Point system. Since then, it has specialised in manufacturing capsule espresso machines, with such success that its machines now compete with other major brands offering coffee pod systems.

Lavazza has got to where it is with innovation and quality. Their coffee machines are undoubtedly excellent, but you must know how to use and maintain them in good condition to prolong their useful life; if you don’t know how to do this, look at our guide to all the user manuals for Lavazza coffee machines.

As time goes by and your coffee machine gets used more and more, it is inevitable that some faults will appear, and you may not find all the solutions in the user manual. So, to make things easier for you, we have designed this complete troubleshooting guide to the most common problems with Lavazza coffee machines, which we hope you will find useful.

The power button on my Lavazza coffee machine doesn’t work

In this case, the problem is that, when trying to start the coffee machine, the power button is pressed, but it doesn’t always work; sometimes the machine turns on, and sometimes it doesn’t, and little by little, the problem worsens until it stops working completely.

Don’t throw away your coffee maker if it develops this fault; try to fix it first, as the solution may be much easier than you think. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Disassemble the coffee maker.
  2. Remove the machine’s top cover, leaving the power button connection visible.
  3. The lid will be held in place by the button, so you will need to remove the button to remove the lid completely. Use a screwdriver to remove it.
  4. The button only has a small clip at the bottom, which holds it in the holder, remove the clip and press down; the button will pop out of the plastic holder.
  5. You must completely disassemble the button until the card inside that makes it work is exposed.
  6. Test the card with a multimeter to verify continuity; if you find any parts obstructing the current, you should replace the button.
  7. Clean every little part inside the power button very well. Dirt will most likely prevent good contact between the parts.
  8. Reassemble all parts of the button.
  9. Connect the button to the top cover.
  10. Reassemble the coffee machine.
Repairing the power button on the Lavazza capsule coffee machine
Repairing the power button on the Lavazza capsule coffee machine

Related: Lavazza coffee machine button lights and their modes

My Lavazza Espresso Point coffee machine does not turn on

If you find that, even with the machine plugged in, your coffee machine does not switch on as if it is not receiving power, the electrical circuit to the control board is interrupted at some point. These coffee machines have different types of fuses that protect the machine. One of the most sensitive is the one located at the back of the machine, next to the power cord.

In our experience, the fuses at the back are responsible for the Espresso Point coffee machine’s ignition problems. Follow these steps:

  1. Switch off and unplug the machine.
  2. Turn the machine upside down; on the back cover, you will find the socket where the power cable is connected, and below it, you will find the fuse holder.
  3. With a small screwdriver or even with your fingers, push the fuse holder out of the box where they are located. You will find something like a small lid on it, open it, and then you will see the two fuses there.
  4. It would help if you pulled the fuses out. Push them out with the screwdriver or any small tool to get into the fuses’ openings.
  5. Once you have removed the fuses, check them, and if they are damaged, replace them with good ones.
  6. Put the new fuses in the fuse holder.
  7. Close the cover of the fuse holder and press it inwards so that it fits properly into the box.
  8. Insert the power cable into the socket.
  9. Connect the coffee machine to the mains and switch it on.
  10. Ready, the power to your coffee maker, should now be back on.
Lavazza Espresso Point coffee machine back side fuses
Lavazza Espresso Point coffee machine rear fuses

If, after repairing the fuses at the back of the machine, the machine still does not work, you should check the continuity of the electrical circuit up to the control board. If all components have continuity to the control board, pay special attention to this fuse soldered on the control board:

Lavazza Espresso Point control board fuse
Lavazza Espresso Point control board fuse
  1. Disassemble the coffee machine,
  2. Locate the control board and remove it.
  3. You will find the thermal fuses I am talking about; check them with a multimeter until you find the blown fuse that prevents the current from flowing.
  4. Replace the damaged fuse with a good one.
  5. Put the board back in place.
  6. Put the coffee maker back in place.

No water comes out of my Lavazza Espresso Point coffee machine

If your Lavazza does not dispense water, despite a full tank, and the indicator light does not flash, you should follow the steps described below to find the general problem. Usually, the problems with the lack of water have to do with the flow meter or the Ulka Pump. If either of these two components is faulty, they should be repaired or replaced.

  1. First, unplug the machine, and remove the water tank and the capsule drawer to use as a stand.
  2. Locate the back of the machine and remove the four screws holding the rear cover.
  3. Once the machine is open, you can see the flow meter and remove it by removing the small seal at the bottom of the metal base.
  4. Place a cup under the flow meter if water is in it so it does not spill out.
  5. Remove the two hoses connected to the flow meter.
  6. Once the hoses have been removed, disconnect the electrical cables connected to the flow meter and remove them from the machine.
  7. Open it by turning it anticlockwise, remove the rubber seal and clean it to remove any limescale build-up.
  8. Cover the flow meter again and check that it is secure by blowing on it and listening to see if the water inside moves smoothly.
  9. Something may be stuck inside if you do not hear the blades move when blowing the flow meter.
  10. Clean the nozzle using a small tool that allows you to push out anything clogging the blades.
  11. Reconnect the flow meter to the metal base.
  12. If this does not work, it may be completely faulty, in which case you will need to replace it with a good one.
Flow meter and Ulka Pump Lavazza Espresso Point
Flowmeter and Ulka Pump Lavazza Espresso Point

If you realise that the problem is not with the flow meter, go and check the Ulka Pump, as this is probably where the fault lies; in this case, continue with the following additional steps:

  1. Just above the flow meter, you will find the Ulka Pump.
  2. You should check if it is pumping water normally. To do this, disconnect the hose that carries the water from the pump, using a 10 mm spanner to unscrew it from the metal part.
  3. Turn on the coffee maker and check if water comes out of the hose you disconnected; if it does not, it will confirm the problem with the pump.
  4. Carefully remove the pump from the brewer, disconnecting it from the other parts.
  5. Replace the pump with a new one, and once it is installed, make sure to reconnect all the separate parts.
  6. Reassemble the brewer.
  7. Turn on the brewer and check that your machine is now dispensing water.
  8. Let the water run on its own, without coffee, several times to remove the air from the pipes.

My Lavazza Espresso Point is spitting too much steam from the coffee spout

If, when you go to prepare your regular coffee, the coffee machine sprays too much hot steam from the coffee spout, and the red light starts flashing as an alarm signal, this indicates that the boiler thermostat is faulty. This part, responsible for regulating the machine’s temperature, will need to be replaced.

Here is how to replace the thermostat on the Lavazza Point espresso machine:

  1. Disassemble the coffee machine.
  2. Locate the boiler where the thermostat goes.
  3. Before replacing the thermostat, it is advisable to use a heat-dissipating compound for the heat transfer of the sensor; you must be very careful with your skin when spreading this material, as it can cause injuries.
  4. Replace the thermostat with a good thermostat.
  5. Reassemble the machine.
Lavazza Espresso Point termostats
Lavazza Espresso Point termostats

The water indicator light keeps flashing on my Lavazza Espresso Point coffee machine

When the water indicator light on your Lavazza coffee machine keeps flashing, even if the water tank is full, it may mean a small problem that is easy to solve, so don’t be alarmed.

It will be necessary to check that the float device inside the water tank is working properly. If this device is damaged, the machine will not determine if the tank is full.

  1. First, test the machine by pouring water into the tank; immediately check the float device if the light keeps flashing, indicating that the tank is empty.
  2. Open the top of the espresso machine and remove the water tank.
  3. Inside the water tank, you will find the float device; check that the lid is on, as these two parts must always be connected and in the right position for the machine to work properly.
  4. Ensure that the magnet of the floatation device is touching the bottom of the tank, as this magnet indicates to the machine that there is water in the tank.
  5. Return the tank to the machine once the floatation device is securely inside.
  6. Pour water into the tank once more and check that the indicator light has stopped flashing, ensuring the tank is full.

Related:Lavazza compatible pods.