Grinder Blocked
De'Longhi Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
The De'Longhi Grinder Blocked warning means the internal burr grinder has jammed and cannot grind beans. This almost always happens when oily, flavoured, or very dark-roasted beans stick to the grinder burrs. Emptying the bean hopper, using the machine's empty-grinder function, and switching to drier beans prevents recurrence.
Affected Models
- De'Longhi Magnifica Evo
- De'Longhi Magnifica S
- De'Longhi Dinamica series
- De'Longhi PrimaDonna series
- De'Longhi ECAM series
Common Causes
- Oily or heavily roasted beans coating the grinder burrs — the most common cause
- Flavoured beans (vanilla, hazelnut, etc.) contain oils and sugars that gum up the grinder
- Bean hopper overfilled, causing beans to jam in the feed chute
- Grinder setting too fine, creating excessive friction
- Foreign object in the bean hopper — a small stone occasionally gets through
How to Fix It
-
Remove all beans from the hopper. Turn the hopper anticlockwise and lift it out, then pour the beans into a container.
Do not try to clear a blockage with the hopper still full — removing the beans first lets you access and inspect the grinder feed area.
-
Use the machine's built-in empty-grinder function if available (labelled Rinsa or Empty Grinder on most ECAM models). This runs the grinder without beans to clear residual grounds.
Check your model's manual for the exact button combination. On most Magnifica models, hold the long espresso and Americano buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds.
-
If the grinder is still jammed, use a flat wooden skewer or a dry pastry brush to clear coffee grounds from the feed chute opening at the top of the grinder.
Do not use water or a metal tool inside the grinder. Work carefully to dislodge compacted grounds without pushing debris deeper.
-
Adjust the grinder to a coarser setting before refilling with beans. The grinder dial is inside the bean hopper — turn it one notch towards the coarser end.
A too-fine grind setting creates high friction and packs grounds tightly, making blockages more likely. Coarser settings also reduce wear on the burrs.
-
Switch to medium-roast, low-oil beans. Avoid oily, very dark, or flavoured beans in De'Longhi bean-to-cup machines.
Beans labelled espresso roast or dark roast often have an oily surface that builds up on burrs. Medium-roast beans with a dry surface flow much more reliably through the grinder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-ground coffee to avoid grinder blockages?
Yes — all De'Longhi bean-to-cup machines have a pre-ground coffee bypass chute (usually labelled with a small coffee cup icon). Add one spoon of pre-ground coffee into the bypass chute before brewing to use it without the grinder.
How do I clean the De'Longhi grinder burrs?
De'Longhi recommends using grinder cleaning tablets (available from De'Longhi or appliance stores) once a month. They pass through the grinder like beans and absorb oils from the burrs without leaving residue.