Coffee machines that do not have a display communicate their status to the user through light codes on the buttons. On the Delonghi Dedica, the lights on its three buttons (espresso, double espresso, and steam) can remain off, on, or flashing, and each combination will mean something different.
In this short article, I want to show you how to understand your Dedica’s state by looking at the lights on its buttons. We will look at all the possibilities when using this coffee machine.
✅ These are the accessories that I use myself and recommend to you:
DeLonghi Dedica 3 lights flashing
1. The 3 lights flashing alternately
Every time we switch on our Delonghi Dedica coffee machine, it performs a self-diagnosis that communicates this sequence of the three lights flashing alternately (one after the other).
Note: The flashing sequence only occurs once, after which the machine goes to the next state, heating the thermoblock. If they flash more than once, we will be in the case described below.
2. The 3 lights flashing simultaneously for a few seconds
When the three lights flash simultaneously (for several seconds), it will not allow us to prepare any beverage. In this case, the coffee maker is detecting a fault, and this happens when:
- There is no water in the water tank
- The water tank is incorrectly positioned
- The coffee group is clogged
- The coffee basket is obstructed, or the coffee used is incorrect
The problem: The three lights not only flash for a few seconds but do not stop flashing. It doesn’t matter if you turn the coffee maker off or unplug it; the fault continues when you turn it on again.
The cause: This is a protective measure of the coffee maker. If the Dedica detects that brewing coffee may cause harm to the user or itself, it will inhibit any action, and the fault will be displayed with the three lights flashing non-stop.
Components such as the thermoblock, thermostat, or control board may be damaged. Without these in good condition, the machine will not operate.
The solution: To solve this problem the first thing to do is to determine the fault. For this investigation, it is necessary to have some knowledge of electricity:
- Disassemble the coffee maker to expose all of its components.
- Perform a visual inspection in search of any physically damaged element.
- Check for continuity in the thermoblock thermostat.
- Check the integrity of the thermoblock.
- Check continuity throughout the electrical circuit.
- If everything is okay, you should replace the control board.
Visit my Delonghi Dedica troubleshooting article for more information.
3. The 3 lights flashing twice alternately
If the three buttons on your Delonghi Dedica flash twice alternately, the machine has entered the setting mode. After about 15 seconds, the machine should return to the “ready to brew” mode, which we will discuss next.
DeLonghi Dedica 2 lights flashing
Whenever the Dedica is ready to brew coffee, it keeps the espresso and double espresso button lights steady (the steam light remains off).
The single and double espresso lights flash simultaneously
After the Dedica is turned on and a self-diagnosis has been performed, it will heat the thermoblock. The “water heating” status is shown by flashing the espresso and double espresso buttons simultaneously and slowly (the steam light remains off).
They will also flash simultaneously if the thermoblock of our Dedica is too hot. As this coffee maker has only one boiler for both coffee and steam, if you use steam, you will not be able to brew coffee immediately afterward, and you will see the lights flash.
Espresso and double espresso lights flash simultaneously fast
Normally, when we leave the steam knob open, we find a fast and simultaneous flashing of the espresso and double espresso buttons (3 times, stop and repeat sequence). The Dedica cannot return to the initial state until the steam valve is closed.
Steam light flashing orange
When the steam button light of the coffee maker begins to flash orange, it means that the coffee maker is asking us to descale it. This does not mean it has entered descaling mode, so you can continue using your Dedica without any problems.
The espresso and double espresso lights will follow the normal heating sequence until they light steady so we can prepare our coffee. Follow the instructions in the instruction manual to put the Dedica into descaling mode.
The orange descaling light does not turn off after the process has finished.
In principle, the orange light should turn off once we have finished the descaling process. After this, the Dedica should delete the descaling warning from its memory.
The problem: Despite following the instructions in the machine’s manual when performing the descaling process, the light keeps flashing. No matter what we do, this light stays on.
The cause: The cause of this problem is not clear. It is suggested that the process be repeated by looking at forums and asking Delonghi directly because the machine did not register the descaling the first time, but this does not eliminate the light.
The solution: Based on my experience repairing this coffee maker, the machine did not register the complete decalcification due to a specific process step (the rinsing). For it to register it, perform these operations:
- Fill the tank with just one centimeter of water and start another descaling.
- When you reach the rinsing moment, fill the tank again with just a few centimeters of water.
- Without moving the steam knob from its lower position, press the steam button until the tank is empty.
- After this, the light should go off.
