--- title: "Coffee Machine Empty Grounds Message Will Not Clear: Causes and Fixes" description: "A coffee machine empty grounds message that stays after the container has been emptied, comes back after a few cups, or blocks drinks while the bin is half…" url: "https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-grounds-message-wont-clear/" --- # Coffee Machine Empty Grounds Message Will Not Clear A coffee machine empty grounds message that stays after the container has been emptied, comes back after a few cups, or blocks drinks while the bin is half empty keeps the machine from brewing. ## What it usually means. Most bean-to-cup machines do not weigh or see the used pucks. They count them, and they reset that count only when they notice the container was taken out and put back while the machine was on. That is why the message so often stays: the container was emptied while the machine was switched off, or it was pulled and pushed back in a second, too quickly for the machine to notice. Many makers ask for the container to be out for several seconds. The drip tray and the grounds container often share a switch, so a tray not pushed fully home keeps the message too. Pucks that stick to the walls of the bay can hold the container off its switch, and a switch crusted with coffee stops responding. After those, a worn switch, a brew unit that drops pucks in the wrong place or a board that no longer resets the count are the machine's side of it. The 6 causes, cheapest first Answer these first 01 Was the container emptied while the machine was on, and left out for at least a few seconds? 02 Is the drip tray pushed fully in with the container? 03 Are there old pucks or grounds stuck in the bay behind the container? 04 Does the message come after the same number of cups each time? 05 Is the container cracked or bent near its back edge? ## Check these before you book. Coffee machine empty grounds message: 5 checks, and none of them costs anything. 01 With the machine switched on, take out the grounds container and drip tray, wait ten seconds, empty them and slide them back fully. 02 With the machine off and cool, brush out and vacuum any grounds in the bay behind the container. 03 Wash and dry the container, and check it for a crack or bend. ### Also worth checking - Make sure the tray and container sit fully home together. - Leave the switch in the bay and the housing alone; book if the message stays. ### How soon does it need a visit? The message is a nuisance, not a danger. Book a visit when the container is emptied correctly with the power on and it still will not clear. ## The causes, cheapest first. 6 things coffee machine empty grounds message will not clear turns out to be, from emptied with the machine off to board keeping the count. [The cost guide](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/cost/) 1. 01 no repair ### Emptied with the machine off The machine resets its count only when it sees the container go out and back with power on. Emptying it again with the machine on, and waiting several seconds, clears it. No repair: check it yourself 2. 02 no repair ### Tray and container not pushed home On machines where both share a switch, a tray slightly out keeps the message. Sliding both fully in fixes it. No repair: check it yourself 3. 03 no repair ### Grounds built up in the bay Pucks that miss the container pile up behind it and stop it seating. With the machine off and cool, a brush and a vacuum clear the bay. No repair: check it yourself 4. 04 low ### Worn or dirty container switch The switch that notices the container can wear or clog with coffee. It is cleaned or replaced. [Book a diagnostic visit](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/services/diagnostic-visit/) 5. 05 low to moderate ### Brew unit dropping pucks off target A brew unit that no longer throws the puck cleanly spreads grounds in the bay and the machine. It is cleaned and adjusted. [Fixed by coffee machine brew unit repair](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/services/coffee-machine-brew-unit-repair/) 6. 06 moderate ### Board keeping the count Rarely, the board no longer resets the count after the switch works. It is tested last. [Fixed by coffee machine control board repair](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/services/coffee-machine-control-board-repair/) ## What else it could be. Most often confused with coffee machine drip tray filling up too fast, then coffee machine brew unit stuck or will not come out. [All problems](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/) Codes that come with it - [`Empty grounds container` Bertazzoni · Grounds and drip tray](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bertazzoni-empty-grounds-container/) - [`Insert ground container` Bertazzoni · Grounds and drip tray](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bertazzoni-insert-ground-container/) - [`Please empty drip tray and reinsert.` Bosch · Grounds and drip tray](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/bosch-please-empty-drip-tray/) - [`EMPTY GROUNDS CONTAINER` Fisher & Paykel · Grounds and drip tray](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-empty-grounds-container/) - [`INSERT GROUNDS CONTAINER` Fisher & Paykel · Grounds and drip tray](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fisher-and-paykel-insert-grounds-container/) - [`EMPTY WASTE COFFEE CONTAINER` Fulgor Milano · Grounds and drip tray](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/fulgor-milano-empty-waste-coffee-container/) [13 more codes, by make](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/error-codes/) Also related - [**What a Coffee Machine Error Code or Warning Symbol Means** 7 causes](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-error-code/) ### Coffee Machine Drip Tray Filling Up Too Fast 6 causes ### Coffee Machine Brew Unit Stuck or Will Not Come Out 6 causes ### Coffee Machine Making Weak or Watery Coffee 6 causes ## The makes it happens on. 12 makes on this site; coffee machine empty grounds message will not clear can show up on any of them. Each mark opens that make's own page. [All 12 brands](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/brands/) ## Coffee Machine Empty Grounds Message Will Not Clear, where we come out. 9 metros, each with its own page. 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It was most likely emptied with the machine off, or pushed back too quickly. Take it out again with the power on and wait several seconds. ### How does the coffee machine know the grounds container is full? Most count the pucks since the last emptying rather than measuring them. That is why the reset has to happen with the power on. ### There are grounds all over the bay. Is that normal? A few are. A lot means pucks are missing the container, which points to a brew unit that needs a clean or adjustment. ### Can the container be emptied less often if it is not full? The machine will stop at its count anyway. Emptying it when asked, with the power on, keeps the count right. --- **[Read on the site: Coffee Machine Empty Grounds Message Will Not Clear: Causes and Fixes](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/problems/coffee-machine-grounds-message-wont-clear/)** **[Book a visit with CoffeeMachineRepair.center](https://coffeemachinerepair.center/schedule/)**