Skip to content
  1. Customers outside the EU, in Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom, prices excluding VATread more
  2. For orders outside Europa, contact us for a shipping quote!

Electrical faults: no heat, RCD trips

Oct 03, 2026

Safety: Never open the housing of a machine that is plugged in. Electrical repairs must be carried out by a qualified technician. This guide helps you narrow down the fault.

The machine will not start

  • Check that the power switch is set to I and that the plug is in. Try a different socket.
  • Many machines have an ECO mode and look switched off after 30–60 minutes. Press the brew lever or switch the machine off and on again.
  • No light at all: a fuse in your fuse box or the machine's internal fuse. Contact a service centre.

The light is on but the machine does not heat up

  • Check that there is water in the tank and that the float has not got stuck.
  • If the machine has run dry, the dry-boil protection (a thermal fuse on the boiler) may have tripped. Some have a reset button under the housing, others have to be replaced. Have a technician do this.
  • PID machines: if the display shows nothing or an error message, look up the error codes in the manual.

The RCD trips

  • As soon as you switch on: the most common cause is moisture in the heating element after the machine has been unused or transported in the cold. It can also be a faulty element or a short circuit. Do not use the machine; contact a service centre.
  • When the boiler starts heating: the element is leaking current. The element needs to be measured and will probably have to be replaced.
  • When the pump runs: the pump or its wiring. Contact a service centre.
  • Occasionally, with no pattern: could be moisture, a loose connection or several appliances on the same circuit. Try a socket on a different circuit. If it keeps happening, contact a service centre.

Burning smell or smell of melted plastic

Switch off the machine and unplug it immediately. A slight smell during the first few days on a new machine is normal (protective oil burning off). A strong smell on an older machine points to an overheated cable or connector. Do not use the machine until it has been checked.

Can't find the fault? Contact us with the model, serial number and a short description, ideally with a video. We will help you find the right spare part or a service technician.

Barista & Espresso