Empty Coffee Grounds
Philips Saeco Coffee Machine
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
Coffee grounds drawer is full — empty it.
The trick is leaving it OUT for at least 5 seconds before reinserting.
If you slide it out, dump grounds, and slide it right back, the machine doesn't register the removal and the count keeps climbing.
Pull, count to 5, then push back.
Affected Models
- Saeco Xelsis
- Saeco PicoBaristo
- Saeco Incanto
- Saeco GranBaristo
- Saeco HD8927
Common Causes
- Grounds drawer genuinely full (typical after 8–14 brews)
- Drawer emptied but reinserted too quickly — count didn't reset
- Drip tray full — some models combine the count with grounds
- Grounds drawer contacts dirty — sensor doesn't engage
- Drawer not seated fully — sticking out by even a millimetre stops sensing
How to Fix It
-
Pull the grounds drawer out fully.
Slide it forward until it stops, then lift slightly and pull all the way out.
The drawer is at the front of the machine.
Grounds inside the drawer are usually stuck together as compacted pucks. -
Empty into the bin or compost.
Tip the contents into your bin or compost — used coffee grounds are great for compost.
Don't worry about getting every last bit; small residue is fine.
Just clear the bulk. -
Rinse under water.
Rinse the drawer under running water until the inside is clean.
Coffee oils and residue accumulate over time and start to smell.
Skip soap — water alone is enough.
Dry the outside before reinserting. -
Wait at least 5 seconds before reinserting.
This is the step most people miss.
Saeco's count only resets when the machine detects the drawer being out for 5+ seconds.
Pull, empty, rinse, dry, then count to 5 in your head before sliding back.
Without this pause, the count keeps incrementing and the message returns immediately. -
Push fully home.
Slide the drawer back in until it stops.
It should sit flush with the machine.
If it's even slightly proud, the sensor doesn't engage and the message stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Saeco show this message right after I emptied?
Almost always because you slid the drawer back in too fast.
The sensor needs the drawer to be out for several seconds.
If you're quick — empty the grounds in 2 seconds and slide back — the count never resets.
Slow down: pull it all the way out, do something else for 5 seconds, then put it back.
How many drinks can I make before this message appears?
8–14 drinks for most Saeco models.
The drawer holds compacted pucks — they take up less space than loose grounds.
The exact count depends on your shot size; ristrettos use less coffee per puck so you'll fit more.
The message gives you a countdown a few drinks ahead of full to remind you.