--- title: "Smeg GENERAL ALARM: a built-in message that covers several things" description: "What GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL means on Smeg GENERAL ALARM: a built-in message that covers several thingss, what to check before booking, and when it…" url: "https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-general-alarm/" --- # Smeg GENERAL ALARM: a built-in message that covers several things Smeg's table ties this one line to eight cases. ## What GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL actually means. Smeg's table ties this one line to eight cases. A very dirty interior is the only one that needs real cleaning; the rest are notices for descaling, the softener filter, cleaning the milk tubes, auto-start, energy saving, or a filter that has been switched on. Smeg coffee machine display · also shown as GENERAL ALARM What to do when GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL shows on the coffee machine ### Kind of code Mode, not a failure The machine is doing what it was set to do, not wearing out: a rinse that runs through the spouts at switch-on and switch-off, a descale or filter reminder counting the water that has passed through, an energy-save mode that darkens the screen after a quiet spell, or a demo mode left on from the showroom that lights the keys and pours nothing. No part is needed; finishing the cycle the display asks for, or a key sequence from the manual, ends it. ### Usually leads to No repair Check what else the display shows and handle that reminder first. ### Shows up as What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means A coffee machine error code may show as a short string of letters and numbers, a flashing symbol for water, grounds or the brew unit, a short sentence on a text display, or a machine that stops with one light blinking. ### Make Smeg A Smeg espresso machine is repaired at the owner's kitchen counter after a single test shot shows where the trouble begins. ### Source Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages) Smeg US built-in automatic coffee machines CMSU4303X (Classic, listed as retiring), CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G (Linea). All three link the same instruction manual, and the message appears on the full-touch display in capitals. ## Before you book, in this order. Each step comes from Smeg's own guidance for GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL on its coffee machines. Follow it to the end: the last card says whether this is a visit. 01 Check what else the display shows and handle that reminder first. 02 With nothing else showing, switch off, let the machine cool, open the service door and clear out coffee dust around the infuser. 03 If the alarm persists with a clean machine and no reminders left, book a visit. ### Cleared? The message is gone, and the machine grinds, heats and pours a full cup again with no new part. If it comes back within the week, or the descale or filter reminder returns straight after a finished cycle, say so in the booking. ### What not to do The alarm is not proof of a broken part; in most listed cases it is information. Auto-start and energy saving can keep it on screen for as long as they are set. ## What you may notice with it. The coffee machine problems GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL tends to arrive with. Answer these at the coffee machine before anyone is booked. [All problems](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/) Before you call ### [What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-error-code/) [All 7 causes, cheapest first](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-error-code/) It also comes with - [**Coffee Machine Descale Message Will Not Go Away**](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-descale-message-wont-clear/) - [**Coffee Machine Milk Not Frothing or Coming Out Flat**](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-milk-not-frothing/) - [**No Coffee Coming Out of the Coffee Machine**](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-no-coffee-coming-out/) Problem ### What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means 7 causes, cheapest first No repair indicated ## Nothing to repair. The machine is doing what it was set to do, not wearing out: a rinse that runs through the spouts at switch-on and switch-off, a descale or filter reminder counting the water that has passed through, an energy-save mode that darkens the screen after a quiet spell, or a demo mode left on from the showroom that lights the keys and pours nothing. No part is needed; finishing the cycle the display asks for, or a key sequence from the manual, ends it. [How to read what your coffee machine is telling you](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-error-code/) ## Smeg coffee machines. A Smeg espresso machine is repaired at the owner's kitchen counter after a single test shot shows where the trouble begins. [Smeg coffee machine repair](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/brands/smeg/) More Smeg codes [FILL WATER TANK WITH FRESH WATER](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-fill-water-tank-with-fresh-water/) [EMPTY GROUND CONTAINER](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-empty-ground-container/) [GROUND TOO FINE. ADJUST GRIND LEVEL 1 CLICK WHILE IN OPERATION](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-ground-too-fine/) [INSERT BREWING UNIT](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-insert-brewing-unit/) [WATER CIRCUIT EMPTY PRESS OK TO START FILLING PROCESS](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-water-circuit-empty/) [DESCALING NEEDED PRESS OK TO START (~45MIN)](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-descaling-needed/) [CLEANING PLEASE WAIT](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-cleaning-please-wait/) [TURN THE MILK FROTH ADJUSTMENT KNOB TO START CLEANING](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-turn-milk-froth-knob-to-clean/) [LED 30](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-led-30/) [LED 31](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-led-31/) [LED 29](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-led-29/) [All buttons flash simultaneously](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-all-buttons-flash/) [All 15 Smeg codes](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/#codes-smeg) Mode, not a failure on other makes [Bertazzoni Descaling needed. Press OK to start (~45min)](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bertazzoni-descaling-needed/) [Bosch Please run Calc'nClean program!](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bosch-please-run-calcnclean/) [Fisher & Paykel DESCALING NEEDED](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-descaling-needed/) [Fulgor Milano PLEASE DESCALE!](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fulgor-milano-please-descale/) [Gaggenau Cleaning and descaling](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/gaggenau-cleaning-and-descaling/) [JennAir DESCALE!](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/jennair-descale/) [Jura Too hot](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/jura-too-hot/) [Miele Descale the appliance](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/miele-descale-the-appliance/) [All 23 codes of this kind](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/#family-mode) Smeg builds this ### Built-in coffee system The coffee machine set flush into a tall kitchen cabinet, filled from a water tank behind its front, grinding beans and brewing each cup on its own before sliding out on rails for service. Smeg builds this ### Countertop espresso machine The fully automatic bean-to-cup machine that stands on the counter, grinding, tamping, brewing and frothing at the touch of a key, with its tank, hopper and grounds drawer all reached from the top and the front. Smeg builds this ### Manual espresso machine The home espresso machine with a portafilter you fill and lock in by hand, a pump and a boiler or thermoblock inside, and a steam wand for milk you froth yourself. ## In Smeg's own words > The inside of the appliance is very dirty. [Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages)](https://doc.smeg.it/qr/914779197/EN) [Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages)](https://doc.smeg.it/qr/914779197/EN) [Smeg automatic built-in coffee machine instruction manual (linked from the US CMSU4303X, CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G pages)](https://doc.smeg.it/qr/914779197/EN) Every code on this site is taken from the manufacturer's documentation, never from a forum or a parts listing. Smeg US built-in automatic coffee machines CMSU4303X (Classic, listed as retiring), CMSU4104S and CMSU2104G (Linea). All three link the same instruction manual, and the message appears on the full-touch display in capitals. ## Smeg GENERAL ALARM: REFER TO USER MANUAL coffee machine repair, where we come out. The same visit in every metro below: the code, the model number, and a diagnosis before any part is ordered. 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Check what else the display shows and handle that reminder first. ### Is GENERAL ALARM on a Smeg built-in serious? Usually not. Most of the causes Smeg lists are reminders or settings; only a very dirty interior needs work. ### Why won't GENERAL ALARM go away on my Smeg? If energy saving or auto-start is on, the alarm can remain as a notice. Turn them off in the menu to see if it clears. ### What does Smeg want cleaned for GENERAL ALARM? The inside behind the service door, the infuser and the grounds area. Smeg sends the owner to service if the alarm stays after that. --- **[Read on the site: Smeg GENERAL ALARM: a built-in message that covers several things](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/smeg-general-alarm/)** **[Book a visit with CoffeeMachineRepair.center](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/schedule/)**