Likely normal
A modest amount of water appears in the drip tray after normal rinsing or brewing, and the machine otherwise behaves normally.
Coffee machine troubleshooting
Why is my coffee machine leaking water?
Start by finding where the water first appears. A full drip tray, poorly seated tank, portafilter leak and internal leak can all look similar on the worktop but need very different fixes.
Rear / side
Near the water tankCheck seating, overfilling, tank damage and the outlet seal.
Front
Around the drip trayCheck whether the tray is simply full or receiving normal rinse water.
Group head
Around the portafilterCheck locking, basket rim, dose and group seal.
Steam wand
Drips from the tipA few drops can be normal; persistent dripping needs model-specific diagnosis.
Underneath
Water from inside the chassisStop using the machine if the source is internal or near electrical parts.
Before calling it a leak
Some water in the drip tray is normal.
Automatic machines can discharge rinse water internally into the drip tray during start-up, shut-down or brewing. That is not necessarily a fault.
Worth investigating
The tray fills extremely quickly, fills while the machine is idle, or water appears somewhere other than the tray.
Common causes
Trace the leak back to its source.
Cause 1
The water tank is not seated correctly
Clear water at the rear or beside the tank often points to the tank rather than the brewing system.
- The leak starts after refilling or refitting the tank
- Water appears at the rear or side
- Reseating the tank changes the leak
Try this: remove the tank, check for obvious debris or damage, make sure it is not overfilled, then reinstall it fully. Replace a cracked tank or damaged user-serviceable seal with the correct part.
Cause 2
The drip tray is full — or normal rinse water is being mistaken for a leak
On many automatic machines, internal rinse water is deliberately routed to the drip tray. An overfull tray can then spill onto the worktop.
- The water is collected at the front of the machine
- The tray is close to its full indicator
- The machine otherwise works normally
Try this: empty, rinse and fully refit the tray. If it fills unusually fast even while the machine is idle, move to the machine-specific guide.
Cause 3
Water leaks around the portafilter
A worn group gasket is one possibility, but start with the simpler checks: portafilter locking, coffee on the basket rim, basket seating and overfilling.
- The leak happens only while brewing
- Water or coffee escapes around the top of the portafilter
- The handle no longer locks as it normally does
Try this: clean the basket rim and group-head sealing surface, use the correct dose, seat the basket properly and lock the portafilter as the manufacturer specifies. Replace the group seal only if wear is actually indicated.
Cause 4
The steam wand is dripping
A small amount of residual water after steaming can be normal. Continuous dripping when the steam valve should be closed is a different issue.
- The drip continues well after steaming
- The valve no longer closes cleanly
- Steam performance has changed at the same time
Try this: clean the wand using the exact machine instructions. If the leak persists, check the model-specific guidance before assuming descaling will fix it; a valve or seal may need service.
Cause 5
The leak appears to come from inside the machine
Water from the centre of the chassis, a leak that continues after the tank and tray checks, or water near electrical components should be treated as an internal fault.
- Water appears underneath the centre of the machine
- The source cannot be traced to the tank or tray
- The leak occurs while the machine is idle
Stop using and unplug the machine where safe to do so. Do not remove the case. Internal hoses, valves, boilers and electrical parts should be inspected using the manufacturer’s service route or a qualified repair technician.
What about limescale?
Do not assume scale is the cause of a leak.
If the machine is also due for descaling, follow its normal maintenance schedule — but a leak should still be diagnosed by location. A worn seal, cracked tank or internal connection will not be repaired by descaling.
Find your machine
Leak behaviour varies significantly by machine type.
Bean-to-cup machine? Water entering the drip tray can be a normal part of automatic rinsing.
Use the Bean-to-Cup Troubleshooting Hub →
Related troubleshooting
Is the leak happening with another symptom?
FAQs
Machine leaking water questions
Why is my coffee machine leaking underneath?
First rule out an overfull drip tray and a poorly seated or damaged water tank. If clear water still appears from the centre of the chassis or the source is internal, stop using the machine and follow the manufacturer’s repair route.
Is water in the drip tray always a leak?
No. Many automatic machines deliberately send rinse water into the drip tray during normal operation. The concern is when the tray fills abnormally quickly, overflows, or water appears somewhere it should not.
Why does water leak around the portafilter?
Check that the portafilter is locked correctly, the basket rim is clean, the basket is seated properly and the dose is not excessive. If those are correct, a worn group gasket becomes more likely.
Why is my steam wand dripping?
A few residual drops can be normal after steaming. Persistent dripping when the valve should be closed can indicate contamination, a valve issue or a worn seal and should be checked against the exact model guidance.
Can descaling fix a coffee machine leak?
Not usually. Descaling treats mineral deposits in the water system. It will not repair a cracked tank, worn gasket, loose hose or failed internal seal.
When should I stop using a leaking machine?
Stop using it if water appears to be coming from inside the chassis, is near electrical components, is accompanied by smoke or a burning smell, or continues after the simple tank and drip-tray checks.
Still leaking?
Use the exact model guide before replacing parts.
If the source is not the tank, drip tray, portafilter or steam wand, treat it as a potential internal fault and move to manufacturer-specific support.