Coffee is not creamy enough
Your coffee seems to have a coarse texture, or spouts out too quickly.
Grind the coffee more finely
If the texture of your coffee doesn't seem right, it may not be an issue with the barista. Simply grind the coffee beans more finely.
Coffee spouts out too slowly
Your barista is taking too long to make your drink.
Grind the coffee more coarsely
If your coffee is spouting out more slowly than expected, it may be due to the coffee beans used. Try grinding the coffee beans more coarsely.
Ready light won't turn on
The green ready light is not signalling that the machine is ready.
Power cord is not plugged in
Make sure that your barista is securely plugged into a power outlet.
Not heating up
If the machine does not achieve its optimal heat, it will not signal that it is ready for brewing. If you haven't used an anti-scaling agent within the last 3 months, there may be calcium buildup on the boiler. Run an anti-scaling agent through the water hose. The amount of time and anti-scaling agent necessary will vary depending on what kind of agent you use. (Avoid using alternative remedies as your anti-scaling agent. First try using a proper descaling agent.) This should help clear the boiler of calcium buildup.
Water won't flow through hose
There seems to be a blockage inside the machine preventing the water from flowing.
Bent hose
The water hose, located inside the machine, may be crimped or bent, blocking flow. In order to undo this, you will need to remove the outer casing of the machine. The water hose is clear and is one of the bigger tubes. Straighten the water hose that goes into water tank.
Pump needs priming
If the pump has been idle for a while it may become "airlocked" and not work.
- With the pump running alternatively turn the steam knob on and off.
- You can use a turkey baster/ear bulb or similar item to force the pump to prime. Fill the bulb with water and insert it into the water hose. With the pump running, squeeze water into the hose until the water flows easily. Then turn off the pump and place the hose into the filled water tank and resume priming.
Clogged steam wand
If your steam wand seems to be clogged, the water flow may be blocked within the steam wand itself. Try the following:
- Using a needle, poke through the end of the steam wand to unclog it.
- Using a crescent wrench, remove the steam wand and clean off any residue or obstruction that would cause it to clog.
GFI switch shorts out
You plugged the machine in and tried turning it on, but the GFI switch on the wall blew out.
Power cord damage
Visible deformities on your barista's power cord may be responsible for damage to the cable that caused the GFI switch to short. If the cord is damaged, it may need to be replaced.
Faulty outlet
This may be an issue not concerning the barista, but rather the outlet the power cord is plugged into. Try plugging in your machine into a different power outlet, or into an outlet at your neighbor's house, as the issue may be inadequate electrical service at your residence.
Boiler shorted
It's possible that your barista overheated and caused the internal heating element to rupture, which causes the boiler to short. To assess if this is the cause, remove the casing of the machine and check for continuity between the two heating contacts (the two prongs sticking out at 90 degree angles). If there is no continuity between the prongs, the boiler needs to be replaced.
32 Commenti
It should be noted that this machine has a "pressurized" porta-filter that has an issue of locking up and not letting the coffee through. I just pulled that device out and it works fine!
Thank you!
Ron - Replica
Mine was working.. then started tripping the gfci. I did the connectivity check and there is connectivity. So what could it be? TIA
Ramen Sarap - Replica
my shots are super bitter with this machine
is it the portafilter.
i bought a baritza grinder, changed the shower screen, spring and gasket, I use bottled spring water and locally roasted beans,
what could it be?
i see a lot of comments with the non-pressurized portafilters? is this better? i already took apart the pressurized portafilter and cleaned it, no change???
angelahortega - Replica
Ron, how do you remove "that device" you speak of?
Blondie - Replica
Had my Barista (the espresso machine, not the guy who makes my coffee) upside down and dry for about 2 years and had a helluva time priming the pump. Had to hold the feeder tube high above the machine, constantly shooting water into it from a large syringe/baster while alternating between the steam pipe and the coffee pathway. Took a good 40 min and about 50 alternations (and lots of swearing) but finally got enough water into the pump to prime it and am now good to go. So, if the pump is vibrating and making sounds don't give up too soon on it!
Michael Bradley - Replica
Tried the “Pump needs priming” suggestion on my Starbucks Barista machine that had not worked and had sat for over 2 years. Voila we are back in business. I was actually looking at used or refurbished Starbucks Barista machines and they are more than what we originally paid. Thanks for the help.
Ahh, now for some espresso
Ronald Gryn Sr. - Replica
After taking off the back cover and disassembling the pump I ran across this site and decided to give the priming a try. Sounds gross but I filled my mouth with water and pushed the water through the fill pipe under pressure alternating the steam on and off. Did the trick. Very well built machine, except that it does need to be primed when coming out of storage. I was worried about burning out the pump, however, it is an induction manual type, so it shouldn’t ever burn out. I marvel at the fact that you could buy such a quality machine at the time…
RenéandNoelle Ténière - Replica
My wife and i used a Ketchup dispenser, it fits on the pump tube perfectly, filled it up with water and was able to easily apply enough pressure to initiate the prime.
Dan Roessler - Replica
You commented that there could be a problem that the pump needs to be primed. Well, mine sounded just like that: lots of dry-ish noise, but no hot water despite plenty of water in the reservoir. This was after months of not using it. I removed the reservoir and turned it upside down for a while (surely less than 15 minutes), and when I flipped it back again, it worked perfectly. It seems like that primed the pump.
Rob Goldston - Replica
My machine sat on the shelf for over 5 years. I tried the priming suggestion and couldn’t get ANY water to flow into the pump. I tried compressed air also with no luck. I suspected a blockage in the pump itself so I took it apart. I found that one of the one way valves was stuck shut from calcium deposits. Once I freed the valve it worked like new. If you attempt this make sure you keep track of all of the o rings and small parts and the order of assembly. Also make sure that the machine is NOT PLUGGED IN TO AN OUTLET as all of the electrical parts are exposed.
SJones - Replica
Water is not coming out properly when I prime the steam wand. While I have it turned on it delicately comes out from the wand as water flows out from where the porta-filter goes. Where should I start to troubleshoot this issue. I have tried soaking the steam wand all day and then blasting it. Didn’t help plus it was still coming out from the porta-filter. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
Angela Roy - Replica
The brew head seems to be making espresso just fine, but the steam wand mostly comes out as water and kind of spits steam out periodically but not nearly enough. I had disassembled the machine to fix the brew head if that helps.
Dominic Saavedra - Replica
My dispersion screen is falling out on my Starbucks barista
Erin Brown-Schaefer - Replica
where does the over flow hose from the pump go?
Terry Pope - Replica
After I draw a shot the PF is still full of water is this normal?
Terry Pope - Replica
Can not remove basket that holds the grounds
violalorius - Replica
Coffee is pouring over sides of the basket .. ??!!
k
Karen Warren -
Our Starbucks masteria espresso machine is not working properly and water is not draining
Margot Toney - Replica
Water is filling up and overflowing
Margot Toney - Replica
Pump light stopped turning on and no pressure is available to steam milk or pump hot water through the ports filters coffee grounds. What repair needs to be done?
Bob - Replica
My starbuck barista was in storage and it was gifted to me, so I know nothing about it. When I plug it in it does nothing, no green light comes on nothing. Help
Nora Neese - Replica
As soon as I turn the machine on the pump starts running. Water comes out the coffee side. I can push the steam button in and wait for it to heat up. Basically I think the soffee cup switch isn’t doing anything.
Michael Messner - Replica
it seems to be an issue with the steam valve going past a stop
Michael Messner - Replica
I acquired a second hand Barista machine a couple of months ago that was exceptionally clean, not brand new, but clean. The pump draws water from the reservoir, and the boiler heats it up, producing steam from the wand, as well as hot water. Unfortunately, nothing flows through the brewhead. I have taken the machine apart, primed it (anyway, like I said, there’s no problem with the pump drawing water or the boiler heating it), decalcified the circulation system, and took apart brewhead to see if there was any obvious obstruction. There wasn’t. Any ideas?
J AR - Replica
J AR,
I have the same problem with mine. Have had any resolution???
david greene
David Greene -
Unfortunately, not yet. Still hoping, though!
J AR -
I see your comment is fairly recent so I will ask you if you found any resolution? I just got my machine out from sitting on the shelf for a few years. The steam wand works well, and you can hear the pump working, but the brew head doesn't--no water coming out, though the pump sounds like it is trying.
Beckie T. -
To add to what I said above, I went through an elaborate process of priming as suggested here: https://ifixit-guide-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.c.... Same story. The steam wand works fine. Water will flow through the brewhead so long as the portafilter isn’t attached, though it isn’t especially strong., and I notice a leak from the side of the machine that runs down the side of the reservoir. When the portafilter is attached, nothing happens, though the leak is stronger. I’ll add that the portafilter works well on another machine, so no problem with that. Ideas?
J AR - Replica
Starbucks serenade coffee machine not brewing chai late and hot chocolate any lead?
dineshapoojari - Replica
have had this machine FOREVER--and love it. However, my husband now says that the espresso tastes "burned". Is it possible to backflush this machine? We have been using the ILLY pods for years (same type), and never had this problem. BTW....ILLY pods make clean-up a snap!
kat - Replica
Try thorough cleaning with a descaler?
Greg Wutzke -
No resolution—I am betting it is not possible to back flush 😩
kat - Replica