Grinder Blocked
DeLonghi Coffee Machine
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
A blocked DeLonghi grinder is usually caused by oily or dark-roast beans caking inside the burr grinder. Empty the bean hopper, run a grinder purge cycle, and if needed, use a grinder cleaning tablet.
Affected Models
- DeLonghi Magnifica
- DeLonghi Magnifica Evo
- DeLonghi PrimaDonna
- DeLonghi Eletta
- DeLonghi Dinamica
- DeLonghi Maestosa
Common Causes
- Oily or dark-roast coffee beans caking the grinder burrs
- Pre-ground coffee or fine powder clogging the grinder chute
- Foreign object (a non-coffee bean) jammed in the grinder
- Stale or very old coffee beans forming a paste in the burrs
How to Fix It
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Empty the bean hopper.
Remove all remaining beans from the hopper. Check for a foreign object (a hard seed, stone, or non-coffee item) at the bottom — these can jam the grinder immediately.
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Run the grinder purge function.
On most DeLonghi models, you can run a grinder cycle without beans to try to clear a blockage. Consult your manual for the exact method — on many models, selecting a double espresso with the hopper empty will purge the grinder path.
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Use a grinder cleaning tablet.
DeLonghi and third-party grinder cleaning tablets (such as Urnex Grindz) are designed to absorb coffee oils and clear grinder blockages. Pour the tablets into the empty hopper and run a grinding cycle as directed.
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Adjust the grinder to a coarser setting.
A grind setting that is too fine can cause the machine to overwork the grinder and pack grounds into the chute. Adjust one step coarser and see if brewing resumes normally.
When to Call a Professional
If a grinder cleaning tablet and purge cycle do not clear the blockage, a DeLonghi technician can disassemble and clean the grinder burrs directly.