If a customer is complaining about a poor taste with their coffee, follow the steps below to troubleshoot the device.
Troubleshooting Poor Coffee Taste
Clean the Machine
- Run a cleaning cycle or use a descaling solution.
- Clean the brew head, water reservoir, and any milk frothing parts.
- Use filtered or bottled water if your tap water tastes off.
- Avoid distilled water—it lacks minerals that help extract flavor.
- Make sure beans are fresh (not oily or stale).
- Store them in an airtight container away from light and heat.
- If using pre-ground coffee, check the grind size—too fine or too coarse can ruin taste.
- Try tweaking temperature, brew time, or strength settings.
- Some machines let you control these via app or manual buttons.
- Replace water filters if they’re past their recommended lifespan.
- Clean or replace reusable coffee filters.
- Try a different roast or brand to rule out bean quality issues.
- Lighter roasts tend to be more acidic, darker ones more bitter.
- Inspect inside the machine for any buildup or mold.
- Clean drip trays and internal tubing if accessible.
