EMPTY ME!
Breville Espresso Machine
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Breville shows 'EMPTY ME!' on the LCD when the drip tray sensor detects full water level.
The sensor is a small float in the tray that lifts as water collects from purges, cleaning cycles, and drips.
Pull the tray, empty it, dry the float, slide it back in fully — the prompt clears the moment the float drops back down.
If the prompt returns immediately, the float is stuck or wet under the sensor.
Affected Models
- Breville Barista Express
- Breville Barista Pro
- Breville Barista Touch
- Breville Barista Touch Impress
- Breville Oracle Touch
- Breville Dual Boiler
Common Causes
- Drip tray actually full from purges and cleaning
- Float stuck to the side of the tray from coffee oil residue
- Tray not seated fully into the slot
- Water under the tray from a previous overflow keeping the float up
- Float magnet weakened (rare, on units 5+ years old)
How to Fix It
-
Pull the drip tray.
Slide the tray straight out from the front.
Empty into the sink.
The red float marker on top of the tray drops down as water leaves. -
Wash and dry.
Rinse the tray with warm soapy water.
Wipe the float and its track.
Dry thoroughly before reinserting — water left under the tray keeps the float up and triggers the prompt again. -
Check the tray cavity.
Look into the slot the tray sits in.
Spilled milk, sugar, or coffee under there can interfere with the float magnet.
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry. -
Reinsert fully.
Slide the tray straight in until you feel it stop.
It should sit flush with the front of the machine.
A tilted or partially-inserted tray can keep the prompt active even when empty. -
Cycle power if prompt persists.
Switch the machine off, wait 10 seconds, switch back on.
Some models latch the prompt for a moment after the tray is reinserted — power cycle clears the latched state. -
Free a stuck float.
If the float does not move freely up and down with light finger pressure, it is stuck.
Coffee oil residue is the usual culprit.
Soak the tray in warm water with a few drops of dish soap for 15 minutes, then move the float by hand until it slides freely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the machine count cycles or actually sense water?
It senses water via a float — not a counter.
An empty tray that gets the prompt is a sensor issue, not a usage counter that needs to be reset.
The fix is mechanical, not menu-driven.