Breville BES878 espresso only drips from the spouts, or does not flow
Cause 1 of 6Grind too fine. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
First checkUse a slightly coarser grind setting.
Causes and checks
Grind too fine. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
- Use a slightly coarser grind setting.
Too much coffee in the basket. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
- Lower the dose and trim it with the Razor tool after tamping.
Coffee tamped too firmly. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
- Tamp with 22–33 lb (10–15 kg) of pressure.
Water tank empty or not locked in. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
- Fill the tank and push it down until it locks.
Filter basket holes blocked. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
- Clear the holes with the pin on the cleaning tool.
- If they stay blocked, soak the basket and portafilter for about 20 minutes in hot water with a dissolved cleaning tablet, then rinse.
Machine needs descaling. Source: Troubleshooting, p. 23
- Run the descale cycle. See Descale the Barista Pro.
All 6 causes checked. Contact Breville Consumer Support: 1-866-273-8455.
Service
If the checks above do not clear it, contact Breville Consumer Support: 1-866-273-8455, breville.com/us/support. United States (Canada: 1-855-683-3535; Mexico: 800-649-0543). Source: Back cover, p. 84
Other BES878 problems
- No water from the group head, or no hot water4 causes in the manual. First: water tank empty.
- Water does not come through and the machine is loudWater tank empty or below MIN.
- Espresso runs too quickly3 causes in the manual. First: grind too coarse.
- Espresso runs out around the edge of the portafilter3 causes in the manual. First: portafilter not fully inserted.
- No steam4 causes in the manual. First: machine not yet at operating temperature.
- Coffee is not hot enough4 causes in the manual. First: the cups are not pre-heated.
- No crema5 causes in the manual. First: coffee is tamped too lightly.
- Water leakingWater tank not fully inserted and locked.
- Machine is on but stops workingThe safety thermal cut-out may have tripped because the pump or grinder overheated.
- Grinder delivers no coffee2 causes in the manual. First: hopper empty.
- Too much or too little ground coffee in the basketGrind amount does not suit the grind size.
- Too much or too little espresso in the cupGrind amount, grind size or shot volume needs adjusting.
- Grinder is making a loud noiseBlockage or foreign object in the grinder.
Sources
- the Barista Pro Instruction Book, BES878 Series (English, Canadian French and Mexican Spanish edition). Breville Pty Ltd. Document BES878 USCM, revision Q26, 2026, 84 pages, en-US. assets.breville.com (PDF). Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.