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A1 Control panel
A2 Cup holder
A3 Pre-ground coffee compartment
A4 Lid of bean hopper
A5 Adjustable coffee spout
A6 Mains plug
A7 Grind setting knob
A8 Coffee bean hopper
A9 Brew group
A10 Service door
A11 Data label with type number
A12 Water tank
A13 Hot water spout
A14 Coffee grounds container
A15 Front panel of coffee grounds container
A16 Drip tray cover
A17 Drip tray
A18 'Drip tray full' indicator
Accessories
A19 Grease tube
A20 AquaClean water filter
A21 Measuring scoop
A22 Water hardness test strip
A23 Classic milk frother (specific types only)
A24 LatteGo (milk container) (specific types only)
Refer to figure B for an overview of all buttons and icons. Below you find the description.
Some of the buttons/icons are for specific types only.
B1 On/off button
B2 Drink icons*
B3 Aroma strength/pre-ground coffee icon
B4 Drink quantity icon
B5 Milk quantity icon (specific types only)
B6 Coffee temperature icon (specific types only)
B7 Warning icons
B8 Start light
B9 Start/stop button
B10 Calc / Clean icon
B11 AquaClean icon
* Drink icons: espresso, espresso lungo, coffee, americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot water, steam, iced coffee (specific types only)
To fully benefit from the support that Philips offers, please register your product at www.philips.com/welcome. Read the separate safety booklet carefully before you use the machine for the first time and save it for future reference. To help you get started and to get the best out of your machine, Philips offers support in multiple ways. In the box you find:
General steps
Personalizing drinks
This machine allows you to adjust the settings of a drink to your own preference. After selecting a drink you can:
You can also adjust the coffee temperature to your own preference (see 'Adjusting the coffee temperature').
Brewing coffee with beans
Brewing milk-based drinks with LatteGo (milk container)
LatteGo consists of a milk container, a frame and a storage lid. To avoid leakage, make sure the frame and the milk container are properly assembled before you fill the milk container.
Frothing milk with classic milk frother
Always use milk coming directly from the fridge for the best foam quality.
Never froth milk longer than 90 seconds. The frothing automatically stops after 90 seconds.
You do not have to move the milk jug during milk frothing to get the best milk froth quality.
Brewing coffee with pre-ground coffee
You can choose to use pre-ground coffee instead of beans, for example if you prefer a different coffee variety or decaffeinated coffee.
With pre-ground coffee you can only brew one coffee at a time.
Pre-ground coffee is not a setting that is saved as a previous selected strength setting. Each time you want to use pre-ground coffee, you need to press the aroma strength icon for 3 seconds.
When you select pre-ground coffee, you cannot select a different aroma strength.
Brewing iced coffee (specific types only)
The coffee is brewed with warm water. Brew over ice cubes for optimal results.
Dispensing hot water
Adjusting the stand-by time
Programming the highest default setting of your drinks
The machine has 3 default settings for each drink: low, medium, high. You can only adjust the quantity of the highest setting. The new quantity can be stored as soon as the start light starts to pulse.
Before you start programming the quantity of a milk drink, assemble LatteGo and pour milk in it.
After you have programmed the new highest default quantity for a drink, the machine will dispense this new amount each time you select the highest quantity of this drink.
You can only adjust the highest default quantity level.
If you want to go back to the default quantity settings, see ' Restoring factory settings'.
Adjusting the coffee temperature
Machines without temperature icon
If you do not switch off the machine yourself, it will switch off automatically after some time.
Machines with temperature icon (EP3221 only)
Restoring factory settings
The machine offers you the possibility to restore the drinks default settings at any moment.
You can only restore the default settings when the machine is switched off.
Adjusting grinder settings
You can change the coffee strength with the grind setting knob inside the bean container. The lower the grind setting, the finer the coffee beans are ground and the stronger the coffee. There are 12 different grind settings you can choose from. The machine has been set up to get the best taste out of your coffee beans. Therefore we advise you not to adjust the grind setting until you have brewed 100-150 cups (approx. 1 month of use).
You can only adjust the grind settings when the machine is grinding coffee beans. You need to brew 2 to 3 drinks before you can taste the full difference.
Do not turn the grind setting knob more than one notch at a time to prevent damage to the grinder.
Go to www.philips.com/coffee-care for detailed video instructions on how to remove, insert and clean the brew group.
Removing the brew group from the machine
Reinserting the brew group
Before you slide the brew group back into the machine, make sure it is in the correct position.
Regular cleaning and maintenance keeps your machine in top condition and ensures good-tasting coffee for a long time with a steady coffee flow. Consult the table below for a detailed description on when and how to clean all detachable parts of the machine. You can find more detailed information and video instructions on www.philips.com/coffee-care. See figure D for an overview of which parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Detachable parts | When to clean | How to clean |
Brew group | Weekly | Remove the brew group from the machine (see 'Removing and inserting the brew group'). Rinse it under the tap (see 'Cleaning the brew group under the tap'). |
Classic milk frother | After every use | First dispense hot water with the milk frother attached to the machine for thorough cleaning. Then remove the milk frother from the machine and disassemble it. Clean all parts under the tap or in the dishwasher. |
Pre-ground coffee compartment | Check the pre-ground coffee compartment weekly to see if it is clogged. | Unplug the machine and remove the brew group. Open the lid of the pre-ground coffee compartment and insert the spoon handle into it. Move the handle up and down until the clogged ground coffee falls down (Fig. 28). Go to www.philips.com/coffee-care for detailed video instructions.![]() |
Coffee grounds container | Empty the coffee grounds container when prompted by the machine. Clean it weekly. | Remove the coffee grounds container while the machine is switched on. Rinse it under the tap with some washing-up liquid or clean it in the dishwasher. The front panel of the coffee grounds container is not dishwasher-safe. |
Drip tray | Empty the drip tray daily or as soon as the red 'drip tray full' indicator pops up through the drip tray (Fig. 29). Clean the drip tray weekly.![]() | Remove the drip tray (Fig. 30) and rinse it under the tap with some washing-up liquid. You can also clean the drip tray in the dishwasher. The front panel of the coffee grounds container (fig. A15) is not dishwasher-safe.![]() |
LatteGo | After every use | Rinse LatteGo under the tap or clean it in the dishwasher. |
Lubrication of the brew group | Every 2 months | Consult the lubrication table and lubricate the brew group with the Philips grease (see 'Lubricating the brew group'). |
Water tank | Weekly | Rinse the water tank under the tap |
Cleaning the brew group
Regular cleaning of the brew group prevents coffee residues from clogging up the internal circuits. Visit www.philips.com/coffee-care for support videos on how to remove, insert and clean the brew group.
Cleaning the brew group under the tap
Lubricating the brew group
Lubricate the brew group every 2 months, to ensure that the moving parts continue to move smoothly.
Cleaning LatteGo (milk container)
Cleaning LatteGo after every use
Cleaning the classic milk frother
Cleaning the classic milk frother after every use
Clean the milk frother each time you use it for hygiene reasons and to avoid the build-up of milk residues.
Daily cleaning of the classic milk frother
The AquaClean water filter can be placed in the water tank to preserve the taste of your coffee. It also diminishes the need for descaling by reducing limescale build-up in your machine.
AquaClean icon and light
Your machine is equipped with an AquaClean water filter light (Fig. 40) to indicate the status of the filter. Use the table below to see what actions are required when the light is on or when it is flashing.
![]() | When you use the machine for the first time, the AquaClean light starts flashing orange. This indicates that you can start using the AquaClean water filter. If you do not activate an AquaClean water filter, the light will switch off automatically after a while. |
![]() | Once you have installed the filter and activated it with the AquaClean icon, the AquaClean light turns blue to confirm that the AquaClean water filter is active. |
![]() | When the filter is exhausted, the AquaClean light starts flashing orange again to remind you to replace the filter with a new one. |
![]() | When the orange AquaClean light is off, you can still activate an AquaClean filter, you will need to descale the machine first. |
Activating the AquaClean water filter (5 min.)
The machine does not automatically detect that a filter has been placed in the water tank. Therefore you need to activate each new AquaClean water filter that you install with the AquaClean icon.
When the orange AquaClean light is off, you can still activate an AquaClean water filter, but you will need to descale the machine first.
Your machine has to be completely limescale-free before you start to use the AquaClean water filter.
Before activating the AquaClean water filter, it has to be prepared by soaking it in water as described below. If you don't do this, air might be drawn into the machine instead of water, which makes a lot of noise and prevents the machine from being able to brew coffee.
Replacing the AquaClean water filter (5 min.)
After 95 liters of water have flowed through the filter, the filter will cease to work. The AquaClean light turns orange and starts to flash to remind you to replace the filter. As long as it flashes, you can replace the filter without having to descale the machine first. If you do not replace the AquaClean water filter, the orange light will go out eventually. In that case you can still replace the filter but you first need to descale the machine.
When the orange AquaClean light flashes:
Replace the AquaClean water filter at least every 3 months, even if the machine does not yet indicate that replacement is required.
We advise you to adjust the water hardness to the water hardness in your region for optimal performance and a longer lifetime of the machine. This also prevents you from having to descale the machine too often. The default water hardness setting is 4: hard water.
Use the water hardness test strip supplied in the box to determine the water hardness in your region:
Set the machine to the correct water hardness:
Since you only set the water hardness once, the aroma strength function is used to select the water hardness. This does not affect the aroma strength of the drinks you make afterwards.
Please use Philips descaler only. Under no circumstances should you use a descaler based on sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfamic or acetic acid (vinegar) as this may damage the water circuit in your machine and not dissolve the limescale properly. Not using the Philips descaler will void your warranty. Failure to descale the appliance will also void your warranty. You can buy Philips descaling solution in the online shop at www.philips.com/coffee-care.
When the Calc / Clean light starts to flash slowly, you need to descale the machine.
What to do if the descaling procedure is interrupted
You can exit the descaling procedure by pressing the on/off button on the control panel. If the descaling procedure is interrupted before it is completely finished, do the following:
To clean and descale the machine, only use the Philips maintenance products. These products can be purchased from your local retailer, from the authorized service centers or online at www.philips.com/parts-and-accessories. To find a full list of spare parts online, enter the model number of your machine. You can find the model number on the inside of the service door.
Maintenance products and type numbers:
This chapter summarizes the most common problems you could encounter with the machine. Support videos and a complete list of frequently asked questions are available on www.philips.com/coffee-care. If you are unable to solve the problem, contact the Consumer Care Center in your country. For contact details, see the warranty leaflet.
Warning icons
Warning icon | Solution |
![]() | The 'water tank empty' light is on
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![]() | The 'empty coffee grounds container' light is on
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![]() | The alarm light is on
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![]() | The alarm light is flashing
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![]() | The alarm light is on and the start light flashes. Some air is trapped inside the machine. To release the air from the machine, fill the water tank with water, place a cup under the classic milk frother and press the flashing start/stop button. Be careful: small jets of hot water will be dispensed from the classic milk frother to release the air. |
![]() | AquaClean light is flashing: place or replace the AquaClean water filter and activate it. See chapter 'AquaClean water filter' for step-by-step instructions. |
![]() | Descaling light is flashing slowly: Descale the machine (see 'Descaling procedure (30 min.)'). |
![]() | The lights in the drink icons light up and go out one by one. The machine is heating up and/or trying to release the air that was drawn into the machine. Wait until all drink lights light up continuously. |
![]() | The lights of all warning icons are flashing. Reset the machine by unplugging it and plugging it back in. Before switching the machine back on, follow these steps:
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Troubleshooting table
This chapter summarizes the most common problems you could encounter with the machine. Support videos and a complete list of frequently asked questions are available on www.philips.com/coffee-care. If you are unable to solve the problem, contact the Consumer Care Center in your country. For contact details, see the warranty leaflet.
Problem | Cause | Solution |
The drip tray fills up quickly. | This is normal. The machine uses water to rinse the internal circuit and brew group. Some water flows through the internal system directly into the drip tray. | Empty the drip tray daily or as soon as the red 'drip tray full' indicator pops up through the drip tray cover. Tip: place a cup under the dispensing spout to collect rinsing water that comes out of it. |
The 'empty coffee grounds container' light remains on. | You emptied the coffee grounds container while the machine was switched off. | Always empty the coffee grounds container while the machine is switched on. Remove the coffee grounds container, wait at least 5 sec. and then insert it again. |
The machine prompts to empty the coffee grounds container even though the container is not full. | The machine did not reset the counter the last time you emptied the coffee grounds container. | Always wait approx. 5 seconds when you place back the coffee grounds container. In this way the coffee grounds counter will be reset to zero. |
Always empty the coffee grounds container while the machine is switched on. If you empty the coffee grounds container when the machine is switched off, the coffee grounds counter won't reset. | ||
The coffee grounds container is too full and the 'empty coffee grounds container' light did not go on. | You removed the drip tray without emptying the grounds container. | When you remove the drip tray, also empty the coffee grounds container even if it contains only a few coffee pucks. In this way the coffee grounds counter will be reset to zero, re-starting to correctly count the coffee pucks. |
I cannot remove the brew group. | The brew group is not in the correct position. | Reset the machine in the following way: close the service door and place back the water tank. Switch the machine off and back on again. Try again to remove the brew group. See chapter 'Removing and inserting the brew group' for step by step instructions. |
I cannot insert the brew group. | The brew group is not in the correct position. | Reset the machine in the following way: close the service door and place back the water tank. Leave the brew group out. Switch the machine off and unplug it. Wait for 30 sec. and then plug the machine back in and switch it on. Then put the brew group in the correct position and reinsert it into in the machine. See chapter 'Removing and inserting the brew group' for step by step instructions. |
The coffee is watery. | The brew group is dirty or needs to be lubricated. | Remove the brew group (see 'Removing the brew group from the machine'), rinse it under the tap and leave it to dry. Then lubricate the moving parts (see 'Lubricating the brew group'). |
The machine is performing its selfadjustment procedure. This procedure is started automatically when you use the machine for the first time, when you change to another type of coffee beans or after a long period of non-use. | Brew 5 cups of coffee initially to allow the machine to complete its self-adjustment procedure. | |
The grinder is set to a too coarse setting. | Set the grinder to a finer (lower) setting. Brew 2 to 3 drinks to be able to before taste the full difference. | |
The coffee is not hot enough. | The temperature is set too low. | Set the temperature to the maximum (see 'Adjusting the coffee temperature'). |
A cold cup reduces the temperature of the drink. | Preheat the cups by rinsing them with hot water. | |
Adding milk reduces the temperature of the drink. | Regardless of whether you add hot or cold milk, adding milk always reduces the temperature of the coffee. Preheat the cups by rinsing them with hot water. | |
Coffee does not come out or coffee comes out slowly. | The AquaClean water filter was not prepared properly for installation. | Remove the AquaClean water filter and try to brew a coffee again. If this works, make sure that you have prepared the AquaClean water filter properly before you place it back. See chapter 'AquaClean water filter' for step-by-step instructions. |
After a long period of non-use, you need to prepare the AquaClean water filter for use again and then place it back. See step 1 - 3 of chapter 'Activating the AquaClean water filter'. | ||
The AquaClean water filter is clogged. | Replace the AquaClean water filter every 3 months. A filter that is older than 3 months can become clogged. | |
The grinder is set to a too fine setting. | Set the grinder to a coarser (higher) setting. Note that this will impact the coffee taste. | |
The brew group is dirty. | Remove the brew group and rinse it under the tap (see 'Cleaning the brew group under the tap'). | |
The coffee dispensing spout is dirty. | Clean the coffee dispensing spout and its holes with a pipe cleaner or needle. | |
The pre-ground coffee compartment is clogged | Switch off the machine and remove the brew group. Open the lid of the preground coffee compartment and insert the spoon handle into it. Move the handle up and down until the clogged ground coffee falls down (Fig. 28). | |
The machine circuit is blocked by limescale. | Descale the machine with Philips descaler. Always descale the machine when the descaling light starts to flash. | |
The machine grinds the coffee beans, but coffee does not come out. | The pre-ground coffee compartment is clogged. | Switch off the machine and remove the brew group. Open the lid of the preground coffee compartment and insert the spoon handle into it. Move the handle up and down until the clogged ground coffee falls down (Fig. 28). |
The milk does not froth. | Machines with LatteGo: LatteGo is incorrectly assembled. | Make sure that the milk container is properly assembled to the frame of LatteGo ('click'). |
Machines with LatteGo: the milk container and/or frame of LatteGo are dirty. | Disassemble LatteGo and rinse both parts under the tap or clean them in the dishwasher (see 'Cleaning LatteGo after every use'). | |
Machines with classic milk frother: the milk frother is dirty. | Thoroughly clean the milk frother (see 'Cleaning the classic milk frother '). | |
The type of milk used is not suitable for frothing. | Different types of milk result in different amounts of froth and different froth qualities. We have tested the following milk types which proved to deliver a good milk froth result: semi-skimmed or full-fat cow's milk and lactose-free milk. | |
Milk is leaking from the bottom of the LatteGo milk container. | The frame and the milk container are not assembled properly. | First insert the top of the milk container under the hook at the top of the frame. Then press home the bottom part of the milk container. You hear a click when it locks into place. |
The machine seems to be leaking. | The machine uses water to rinse the internal circuit and brew group. This water flows through the internal system directly into the drip tray. This is normal. | Empty the drip tray every day or as soon as the 'drip tray full' indicator pops up through the drip tray cover. Tip: Place a cup under the dispensing spout to collect rinsing water and reduce the amount of water in the drip tray. |
The drip tray is too full and has overflowed which makes it look like the machine is leaking. | Empty the drip tray every day or as soon as the 'drip tray full' indicator pops up through the drip tray cover. | |
The water tank is not fully inserted and air is drawn into the machine. | Make sure the water tank is in the correct position: remove it and insert it again pushing it as far as possible. | |
The brew group is dirty/clogged. | Rinse the brew group. | |
The machine is not placed on a horizontal surface. | Place the machine on a horizontal surface so that the drip tray does not overflow and the 'drip tray full' indicator works properly. | |
The water tank is not fully inserted and air is drawn into the machine. | Make sure the water tank is in the correct position: remove it and insert it again pushing it as far as possible. | |
I cannot activate the AquaClean water filter and the machine asks for descaling. | The filter has not been installed or replaced in time after the AquaClean water filter light started to flash. This means your machine is not completely limescale free. | Descale your machine first and then install the AquaClean water filter. |
The new water filter does not fit. | You are trying to install another filter than the AquaClean water filter. | Only the AquaClean water filter fits into the machine. |
The rubber ring on the AquaClean water filter is not in place. | Place back the rubber ring on the AquaClean water filter. | |
The machine is making a loud noise. | It is normal that your machine makes noise during use. | If the machine starts to make a different kind of noise, clean the brew group and lubricate it (see 'Lubricating the brew group'). |
The AquaClean water filter was not prepared properly and air is now drawn into the machine. | Remove the AquaClean water filter from the water tank and properly prepare it for use before you place it back. See chapter 'AquaClean water filter' for step-by-step instructions. | |
The water tank is not fully inserted and air is drawn into the machine. | Make sure the water tank is in the correct position: remove it and insert it again pushing it as far as possible. |
The manufacturer reserves the right to improve the technical specifications of the product. All the preset quantities are approximate.
Description | Value |
Size (w x h x d) | 246 x 372 x 433 mm (9.6 x 14.6 x 17 in) |
Weight | 7 - 7.5 kg (15.4 - 16.5 lbs) |
Power cord length | 1000 mm (39.4 in) |
Water tank | 1.8 litres (60.9 oz), removable |
Coffee bean hopper capacity | 275 g (9.7 oz) |
Coffee grounds container capacity | 12 pucks |
LatteGo (milk container) capacity | 250 ml (8.5 oz) |
Adjustable spout height | 85-145 mm (3.4 - 5.7 in) |
Nominal voltage - Power rating - Power supply | See data label on inside of service door (fig. A11) |
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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