
The Dedica series from Delonghi has had a few issues with this small powerhouse as a machine, but if you consider the price of this unit, it is a well-built espresso maker.
In the following article, I will describe the issues and what steps are needed to repair the Dedica. These issues are not in any order but hopefully you can find some help and direction in this article.
Jump to your problem in this post:
Just a quick note- all newer versions with serial numbers 12829 and higher have been retrofitted with a better working power button so you just might need to clean around the button.
There are complaints about the button sticking and causing frustration, sometimes this can be a dirty button, and, in most cases, it can be solved by loosening 4 internal screws allowing the inner body to sit inside the outer shell. Just slightly loosening the screws can allow the button to align itself better.
There can be a few contributors to this issue where coffee leaks over and down the side of the Filter holder
In all cases, you would change the Bottom Coffee Outlet Gasket found on Amazon first as this will and can wear out over time and is considered part of the routine machine maintenance.
Reminder: Remove the shower screen before trying to pull the gasket down and out as these two parts do work together to complete a good seal.
Another issue has been with the ESE Pod filter where the top edge just hasn’t been thick enough to complete a seal. The ESE pod filter has now been discontinued from production.
A more extreme issue (a rare issue) is the internal chassis of the Dedica can become damaged or the tolerances can become too worn to make a good seal. If your machine is failing for this reason my honest suggestion would be to consider buying a new one.
The amount of time and money you will invest would out way the cost of the newest model. In this case, I would suggest the Delonghi Dedica Arte EC885 found on Amazon.
This can happen when the machine heats and can leak when you’re making espresso.
The fix for this issue will require the replacement of the steam valve and some disassembly of the top panel of the machine. Replacing the steam valve and removing the top panel is one of the easier repairs to the Dedica. You will need a replacement Steam valve and a new clamp to reattach the hose.
The replacement steam valve has been updated if your units serial number is higher than 04728, but if you need to replace yours it will fix performance issues. You can find a replacement for this part on for cheap on Amazon.
The Delonghi Dedica had issues with one of the internal silicone tubes breaking and leaking. The old tube was plain silicone and the replacement tube now has a blue strip running down it. I haven’t come across a broken one yet but many of the old tubes have been replaced with newer tubes to avoid future issues. You can find these newer tubes on the ECS coffee website.
If you are leaking where the tank meets the machine base there is a new gasket that will need to be replaced. This can be replaced by taking the bottom panel off and gaining access to the underside where the tank meets the gasket.
Note: If your serial number is higher than 63724 then your Dedica is manufactured with the new Gasket.
Both issues are the result of a few possible reasons, and I suggest you check them in this order.
With no coffee coming out, there is a laundry list of reasons why this could be happening and you will have to dive into each to solve your issue.
If all the lights are flashing, there can be two reasons this will happen:
This can happen if the spring that holds the cup into the handle is missing or deformed. To get the cup off the boiler you can put the handle back in and run a small amount of water through and try and detach it again.
If you have any water flow issues or weak steam problems, the most important thing to do is descale the unit. I made a video on how to Descale your Delonghi Dedica. If your Dedica still is struggling read the next 2 issues. You will also need to Delonghi EcoDeCalk descale solution to do this which can be found on Amazon.
There are lots of reasons why your Dedica is not pumping water, but here are the top reasons.
Adjust your grind and try and brew again. If you see a noticeable difference in the cup (color, speed of dispense, and taste) it can be the reason. Also, take note not to tamp the coffee too hard.
The cup can be clogged, there are 2 versions of the cups. In the first version, you can take the insert out (perforated disk) and clean it between the cup and the disk.
Also, take a safety pin and poke it through the single hole in the cup bottom. In the version that you can’t separate, you might consider purchasing a replacement. You can find a replacement on Amazon.
There is a valve inside the machine connected to the pump and designed to let water escape if the machine over-pressurizes.
When I suspect this might be the case I will brew (with coffee) and focus on the water tank. If the valve is failing or wearing out you should be able to see water being fed back into the water tank at the bottom.
One of the ports at the tank connection is the pump inlet and the other is to feed water back if there is too much pressure in the system. If you find this, then the anti-drip/overpressure valve will need to be replaced. A replacement can be found on Amazon.
Pumps do last and are well built but if you use oily coffee or your grind super fine you can reduce the life of your pump. Pumps can last 3 years to 15 years. But they do wear out eventually.
The pump is cheap and can be replaced with ease with a good guide. The pump is also found on Amazon if you want to replace it. I would think about how old your machine is before considering the pump due to the replacement process, but my experience on the bench tells me it accounts for 75% of the overall repairs I have to do to this machine.
I made a hour+ long video of how to disassemble your Dedica, which you can find here on my website which can show you how to do the replacement yourself without having to pay a technician to do it.
This is a funny one. Firstly, check your grind size. You don’t need to grind the coffee at an espresso grind and if you purchase pre-ground coffee off the grocery store shelf like Folgers, you need to make sure it is an espresso grind.
The coffee designed for an old-school percolator will not work in the Dedica as the grind size is too big. You can easily know if the grind is too big if your espresso comes out too fast and very little crème.
Pumps do last and are well built but if you use oily coffee or your grind super fine, you can reduce the life of your pump. Pumps can last around 3 years to 15 years.
Not enough pressure can be a hard issue to diagnose, but I always start with replacing the pump if there are no other visual signs of what the cause is. I made a disassembly video that shows you exactly how to replace the pump.
If you’re ready to update your older machine here is a few suggestions that are well-built and powerful units. I suggest the Delonghi Dedica Arte EC885 or the Delonghi La Specilista Arte EC9155.
The Delonghi Dedica is an easy machine to dismantle and repair if you are handy. Parts should be easy to find and with patience and resources, you will have your unit repaired and making great espresso again in no time at all.
If you need more detail on how to open up your machine and fix some of these issues more in-depth, consider checking out my free disassembly video on the Dedica (short version), or the long version of disassembly where I go through alot of these common issues with fixes step by step.
Remember to do your cleaning regularly and descaling when the machine calls for it. You will have great-tasting espresso for a very long time.
If you are considering upgrading to the latest version of the Delonghi Dedica EC885m it could be worth considering as it is still a very powerful machine for the money.
Get instant lifetime access to the full disassembly video showcasing exactly how to take apart your Dedica, how to fix many common issues, and how to put it back together again.
BEGIN WATCHINGI’m the Coffee Grump. I’m a tech guy, not a sales guy. I love coffee, and I service the equipment that grinds and brews it for you. I have more than 25 years of experience in technical and customer service in coffee machinery, and I hope to share some of that experience with you with this website!
The Coffee Grump has more than 25 years of experience in technical and customer service in coffee machinery!
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