De'Longhi EXAM440.55 “Time to empty the grounds container and the drip tray.”
The grounds container is full, or 72 hours have passed since the first coffee. No coffee can be made until it is emptied.
Cause 1 of 2Grounds container full. Source: Frequent and alarm messages, p. 52
First checkEmpty and clean the grounds container and drip tray, then refit them.
Causes and checks
Grounds container full. Source: Frequent and alarm messages, p. 52
- Empty and clean the grounds container and drip tray, then refit them.
72 hours since the first coffee. The count is only correct if the machine stays connected to the power supply. Source: Cleaning the machine: Coffee grounds container, p. 41
- Empty the grounds container even if it is not full.
All 2 causes checked. Contact De'Longhi Customer Services.
Service
If the checks above do not clear it, contact De'Longhi Customer Services, delonghi.com/en-us/s/EXAM440.55.B. Numbers and service centres per country are listed on delonghi.com. Source: 3.2 Troubleshooting and repairs, p. 7
Other EXAM440.55 codes
- Time to fill the water tank with fresh water and then insert it.: The tank is low or not seated correctly.
- Can you empty the drip tray and the grounds container? Fill water tank with fresh water and then insert it.: The tank does not hold enough water for the drink and the grounds container will soon need emptying, so the machine asks for both at once.
- Can you insert the brewing unit?: The brewing unit was not refitted after cleaning.
- Empty the grounds container and drip tray. Once done, if you still see this message, ensure the side door is closed.: The grounds container or drip tray is missing or not seated, or the side flap is open.
- Are you sure you have added the pre-ground coffee? Add it now One scoop only!: A pre-ground coffee drink was selected without enough pre-ground coffee in the funnel.
- Oops! it looks like you're out of coffee beans. Time to add some more.: The coffee beans have run out.
- The new settings have not been saved: While a drink was being customized with the My function, it was stopped with X or an alarm went off.
- Just doing a little cleaning. I'll be back in a few seconds: The machine found impurities in its internal circuits and is clearing them; it will not make coffee meanwhile.
- I am unable to complete your drink. Please reduce the pre-ground coffee quantity and try again: Too much pre-ground coffee was used, or an air bubble from the water filter is blocking delivery.
- I am unable to complete your drink. Please reduce the pre-ground quantity, empty the grounds container and try again: Too much pre-ground coffee was used.
- Sorry, I am unable to complete your drink. Increase the grind setting by 1 (+1).: The grind is too fine, so coffee comes out too slowly or not at all.
- Sorry, I am unable to complete your drink. Please reduce the intensity and try again: Too much coffee was used.
- Remember to store the milk carafe in the fridge: A milk drink was made and the carafe is still on the machine.
- It's time to descale the machine. Ready? (~30 min): The machine needs descaling. Press Yes to start, or Cancel to postpone; the descale symbol then stays lit on the homepage and the message returns at each switch-on.
- Oops, the process has been interrupted: Descaling was interrupted or not completed correctly.
- It's time to replace the water filter. Ready?: The water softener filter is spent. If you postpone, the filter symbol stays lit on the homepage.
- Something's not right: can you refer to the user manual please?: The inside of the machine is very dirty.
- The water circuit is out of water. Ready to refill?: The water circuit is empty, or a new water softener filter was just fitted.
- Prepare at least 3 coffees before changing again !: Bean Adapt needs 3 drinks brewed before another adjustment.
- I got too hot. Wait a few minutes, when I've cooled down you can brew milk drinks again: Several milk drinks in a row; the machine must return to the right temperature.
- Filter spent indicator: Reminder that the water softener filter must be replaced.
- Descale warning indicator: Reminder that the machine must be descaled.
- Milk carafe Clean indicator: Reminder that the milk carafe needs cleaning.
- Energy saving indicator: Energy saving is on.
Sources
- Instructions for use, Rivelia EXAM44X.5Y (English). De'Longhi Appliances S.r.l. Document 57132C8962, revision 03, 2026-05, 65 pages, en. library.delonghigroup.com. Listed on the manufacturer's support page. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
- Instructions for use, Coffee maker EXAM44X5Y, 120 V edition (English, French, Spanish). De'Longhi Appliances S.r.l. Document 57132C9620, revision 02 (file A1-57132C9620_02_0426), 2026-04, 86 pages, en-US. library.delonghigroup.com. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.