- Appliances
- Coffee machines
Empty coffee grounds container
Philips Empty coffee grounds container: grounds icon stays on
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
The 'empty coffee grounds container' light or icon means 12 coffee pucks have accumulated or the container was emptied while the machine was off or reinserted in under 5 seconds. Empty it with the machine on and wait 5 seconds.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not clean the front panel of the drip tray (A14) in the dishwasher, and clean the drip tray and grounds container regularly to prevent odors and mold.
- Always unplug the espresso machine before cleaning inside the housing and never tamper with or bypass the internal tray detection switch.
Safe checks you can perform
- Remove the drip tray and empty the coffee grounds container with the machine switched on
- Wait at least 5 seconds before inserting the coffee grounds container back
- Always empty the grounds container whenever you remove the drip tray
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Contact Philips support if the grounds counter does not reset after the 5-second wait
- Do not attempt this professional task: Replace a cracked or deformed drip tray or grounds container through authorized service
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Contact Philips support if the grounds counter does not reset after the 5-second wait
What they doWhen you remove the grounds container with the machine switched on, wait more than 5 seconds, and reinsert it properly, but the light or icon stays on.
They must show youthe tray detection switch test and confirmation that the coffee pucks counter resets on the display.
In writingthe Philips/Versuni support reference number and a written summary of the repair.
Replace a cracked or deformed drip tray or grounds container through authorized service
What they doWhen the drip tray or coffee grounds container is cracked or warped so it fails to engage the internal presence switch.
They must show youthe warped or cracked tray component and the proper fit of the replacement part.
In writingthe replacement part number and the authorized service center work order.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Remove the drip tray and empty the coffee grounds container with the machine switched on
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- make sure the coffee machine is switched ON, pull out the drip tray and coffee grounds container, discard the used coffee pucks, and wipe away any stray grounds.
- Result that matters:
- coffee grounds container and drip tray emptied while the espresso machine remains powered on.
- If used coffee pucks were inside the container:
- discard them and keep the tray out for the reset pause.
- If the container was already empty because it was emptied while switched off:
- keep it out with the machine switched on.
- Evidence to keep:
- note confirming the machine was switched on when the drip tray was pulled out.
Evidence: A warning light on my Philips espresso machine is not turning off · User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Wait at least 5 seconds before inserting the coffee grounds container back
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- keep the drip tray and coffee grounds container out of the switched-on machine for at least 5 seconds so the coffee pucks counter resets to zero, then slide them firmly back into place.
- Result that matters:
- coffee pucks counter reset to zero and the 'empty coffee grounds container' icon or light turned off.
- If the icon or light turns off after waiting at least 5 seconds:
- the pucks counter has reset.
- If the warning remains lit after waiting more than 5 seconds with the machine on:
- check that the tray is pushed all the way in.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the display or control panel after reinserting the container.
Evidence: A warning light on my Philips espresso machine is not turning off · User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Always empty the grounds container whenever you remove the drip tray
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- whenever you take out the drip tray to empty water, empty the coffee grounds container as well even if it holds only a few pucks, and do not put the drip tray front panel (A14) in the dishwasher.
- Result that matters:
- physical grounds level stays synchronized with the internal 12-puck counter.
- If both the drip tray and grounds container are emptied together with the machine on:
- the counter stays accurate.
- If the icon never clears even after a 5-second wait with the machine switched on:
- contact Philips support.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the drip tray and grounds container seated flush in the machine.
Evidence: User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Appliances
- Brand
- Philips
- Product type
- Coffee machines
Known code variants
- Cafetera Philips pide vaciar posos sin estar lleno
- Philips coffee pucks counter reset 5 seconds
- Philips Empty coffee grounds container
- Philips empty coffee grounds container icon remains on
- Philips Empty coffee grounds container light is on
- Philips icono de vaciar el recipiente de posos de café permanece encendido
- Philips machine prompts to empty coffee grounds container when not full
- Philips piloto compartimento de café molido vacío encendido
- Philips Series 2200 3200 4300 5400 grounds light stays on
- Philips Series 2200 3200 4300 5400 luz posos de café no se apaga
What it means
In the official Philips 4300 and 5400 Series user manual and the Philips support guide for Series 1200, 2200, 3200, 4400, and 5500 espresso machines (EP1220, EP2220, EP3246, EP3347, EP4447, EP5544), the 'empty coffee grounds container' light or display icon turns on after 12 coffee pucks are collected. If the icon remains on after emptying or prompts when the container is not full, Philips explains that the container was emptied while the machine was switched off, placed back in less than 5 seconds, or not emptied the last time the drip tray was removed. Other Philips models may use a different puck threshold, and this prompt alone never proves that a sensor is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Loweditorial warning
Do not clean the front panel of the drip tray (A14) in the dishwasher, and clean the drip tray and grounds container regularly to prevent odors and mold.
Evidence: User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES) · Important Information Manual Philips Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
- Higheditorial warning
Always unplug the espresso machine before cleaning inside the housing and never tamper with or bypass the internal tray detection switch.
Evidence: Important Information Manual Philips Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Coffee grounds container reached the 12-puck counter limitCommon
The Philips 4300 and 5400 Series user manual states that the machine prompts you to empty the coffee grounds container once 12 coffee pucks have been collected.
Evidence: User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
- Container emptied while the machine was switched off or reinserted within 5 secondsCommon
Philips notes that emptying the container with the machine switched off or sliding it back in before waiting at least 5 seconds prevents the coffee pucks counter from resetting to zero.
Evidence: A warning light on my Philips espresso machine is not turning off · User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
- Drip tray removed previously without emptying the coffee grounds containerPossible
Removing the drip tray resets the pucks counter to zero; if you leave existing pucks inside the grounds container, it fills up before the counter reaches 12.
Evidence: User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Virtual technician
Does Empty coffee grounds container still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
A warning light on my Philips espresso machine is not turning off
Philips · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Hay un piloto en mi cafetera espresso Philips que no se apaga
Philips · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
User Manual Philips 4300 and 5400 Series Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Philips · 2026 · official_doc
- 4
Important Information Manual Philips Fully automatic espresso machines (EN/ES)
Philips · 2026 · official_doc
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