Common Troubleshooting & FAQ

Common Troubleshooting & FAQ

Answers provided in this guide are intended to provide initial troubleshooting tips and helpful insight to avoid a service call if possible. These measures are not a substitute for an experienced espresso technician.

Alert
In the event of a reoccurring issue or emergency. Contact Black Rabbit Service's 7 Brew Support Team!
General Support
Is my coffee equipment covered under warranty?
To determine if your La Marzocco espresso machine or Mazzer grinder is covered under warranty. Review the date of equipment shipment to your stand... La Marzocco's 18 month warranty begins on ship date from their bench testing facility. (Ship date is not to be confused with either date of manufacture or installation date.)

Update:
  1. As of January 1, 2026. La Marzocco offers an 18 month warranty beginning at ship date from the bench testing facility. This 7 Brew extended warranty covers all parts and expedited shipping. Labor is invoiced to 7 Brew corporate.
In coordination with La Marzocco and 7 Brew corporate, Black Rabbit Service will process and facilitate warranty claims to ensure a swift and smooth resolution. 

For more information, visit the 7 Brew Warranty article!
 Espresso Shots
Shots are too slow.
Issue:
  1. Shots are taking too long to dispense. Well outside the 30 second range. 
What to check!
  1. Button parameters are set to the correct pulse count:
    1. 7 Brew Button Parameters
  2. Grind too fine?
    1. Adjust Grind - Robur (Espresso)
    2. Adjust Grind - Super Jolly (Decaf)
  3. Too much coffee being dosed into portafilter?
    1. Espresso Shot Troubleshooting
  4. Espresso machine brew gauge reaching 9 bars during extraction?
    1. Adjust Pump - Linea PB
  5. Flow restrictor may be obstructed:
    1. Flow Restrictor Troubleshooting - Linea PB
Shots are too fast.
Issue:
  1. Shots are extracting very quickly (under 15 seconds)!
What to check!
  1. Button parameters are set to the correct pulse count:
    1. 7 Brew Button Parameters
  2. Grind too coarse?
    1. Adjust Grind - Robur (Espresso)
    2. Adjust Grind - Super Jolly (Decaf)
  3. Portafilter and ground coffee not being tamped properly?
    1. Espresso Shot Troubleshooting
  4. Espresso machine brew gauge reaching 9 bars during extraction?
    1. Adjust Pump - Linea PB
  5. Expansion valve may require service:
    1. Adjust Expansion Valve - Linea PB
Shots aren't stopping automatically.
Issue:
  1. Brew button is pressed and shot dispenses however the espresso machine does not automatically stop brewing.
What to check!
  1. Button one pulse count is set to 400?
    1. 7 Brew Button Parameters
  2. Error messages on display:
    1. Error Messages - Linea PB
  3. Flowmeter fault:
    1. Contact support!
Shots are cold.
Issue:
  1. Espresso shots are cold!
What to check!
  1. Error messages on display?
    1. Error Messages - Linea PB
  2. Are the groups at 200°?
  3. Is the coffee boiler enabled?
  4. Reset high limit thermostat:
    1. Reset High Limit Thermostat - Linea PB
Water is leaking during a shot.
Issue:
  1. Water leaks from the sides of the portafilter when pulling a shot.
What to check!
  1. Has the grouphead gasket been replaced recently?
    1. Replace Group Gasket
  2. Appropriate coffee dosing into the portafilter?
    1. Espresso Shot Troubleshooting
  3. Pump is set to 9 bars?
    1. Brew gauge dial should read 9 bars while a brew button is activated.
    2. Adjust Pump Pressure - Linea PB
Brew pump pressure too high... too low?
Issue:
  1. When a brew button is activated... the brew dial on the pressure gauge doesn't read 9 bars.


What to check!
  1. No water is leaking underneath the machine.
  2. Pump is activating when a brew button is pressed.
  3. Verify Pressure Gauge reading.
  4. Adjust Pump Pressure - Linea PB

 

Machine is ON but the button lights are not illuminated.
What to check!
  1. Machine is actively heating.
  2. A prompt on the display indicates machine is not at operating temperature and pressure.
  3. Wait 20 minutes.

What are the button settings?
Visit the 7 Brew Parameter - Linea PB guide for programing assistance!



Weak or no steam?
Issue:
  1. Steam wands are dispensing weak or no steam.
What to check!
  1. Clean steam tip:
    1. Clean Steam Tip - Linea PB
  2. Error messages on display:
    1. Error Messages - Linea PB
  3. Pressure gauge reading:
    1. Top dial indicates steam pressure!
      1. Pressure Gauge - Linea PB
  4. Power switch is fully activated to the 2 - Position:
    1. Older Linea PB espresso machines utilized two stage power switches.
      1. Power Switch - Linea PB
  5. Tripped high limit thermostat:
    1. Reset High Limit Thermostat - Linea PB
  6. Steam coming out from underneath or through the top of the machine?
    1. Steam boiler overpressure:
      1. Unexpected Shut Off (Continued)
Hot water button isn't working.
Issue:
  1. Pressing hot water button does not activate hot water spout.
  2. Dispensed hot water is sputtery.
  3. Pressing hot water button shuts off machine.
What to check!
  1. Ensure no liquids have dripped through cup tray:
    1. Drip Tray Cleaning
  2. Identify water level through sightglass:
    1. Sightglass - Linea PB
  3. Button connections are secure and free of gunk:
    1. Hot Water Button Troubleshooting - Linea PB
  4. Button shuts off machine!
    1. Do not use button until service has been scheduled.
      1. Button Fault - Linea PB
      2. Unexpected Shut Off - Linea PB
A shot was pulled without a dispersion screen.
Issue:
  1. An espresso shot was pulled without a dispersion screen and now water is not dispensing properly (or at all) from the group.
What to check!
  1. Run an abundant amount of water though group.
    1. Backflush affected group.
  2. Clean flow restrictor:
    1. Flow Restrictor Troubleshooting - Linea PB
  3. Contact Support.
Idea
Tech Tip! Always replace dispersion screen and screw after Backflushing!
No water is dispensing from the groupheads.
Issue:
  1. Pressing a brew button does not dispense water.
What to check!
  1. Verify button functionality and programing:
    1. Brew Parameters - Linea PB
  2. Confirm brew pressure at gauge:
    1. Bottom dial indicates brew pressure!
      1. Pressure Gauge - Linea PB
  3. Seized brew valve:
    1. Knock Brew Valve - Linea PB
  4. Brew circuit obstruction:
    1. Clean Flow Restrictor - Linea PB
Grouphead water is cold.
Issue:
  1. Water dispensed from the grouphead is cold.
  2. Brew temperature is not 200°.
What to check!
  1. Error messages on display:
    1. Error Messages - Linea PB
  2. Power switch is fully activated to the 2 - Position:
    1. Older Linea PB espresso machines utilized two stage power switches.
      1. Power Switch - Linea PB
  3. Tripped high limit thermostat:
    1. Reset High Limit Thermostat - Linea PB
Pressure gauge appears incorrect and/or acting strange.
Info
Measured in Bars, the Linea PB features a manometer Pressure Gauge which utilizes two dials to accurately display the live pressure reading of the steam and brew boilers.

Normal Operating Conditions
  1. Brew Pressure:
    1. 9 Bars - When pulling a shot.
  2. Steam Pressure:
    1. 1.5 ~ 1.8 Bars - Idle & while steaming.
Issue:
  1. Brew pressure is low, high, or fluctuating.
    1. Not at 9 bars when pulling a shot.
  2. Steam pressure is low, high, or fluctuating.
    1. Drops rapidly when steaming.
What to check!
  1. Review Pressure Gauge - Linea PB guide.
  2. Brew Pressure:
    1. Adjust Pump - Linea PB
  3. Steam Pressure:
    1. Adjust Steam Pressure - Linea PB
    2. Observe water level through Sightglass.
Machine is leaking.
Issue:
  1. Water is dripping from drip tray or within the machine.
What to check!
  1. Identify where leak is coming from.
    1. Common leak points:
      1. Condensation dripping from within the machine.
      2. Flooded drip tray.
      3. Damaged drain hose.
      4. Accidental liquid spill on cup tray.
      5. Grouphead.
      6. Steam boiler overpressure.
  2. Limit overflowing drip tray & avoid placing wet items on top of machine:
    1. Best Use Practices
Alert
In the event of an accidental cup tray spill or if the leak is unable to be contained. Safely Power OFF the machine and turn OFF the water supply. Contact support!
Drip tray is overflowing.
Issue:
  1. Drip tray is overflowing onto counter.
What to check!
  1. Lift drip tray grate to reveal liner.
    1. Clean Drip Tray

  1. Remove drip tray liner and locate drain basin.
    1. Clean drain basin and ensure waste liquid is flowing into drain hose.

Machine unexpectedly shut off.
Issue:
  1. Espresso machine unexpectedly shut off during service or was off upon arrival.
  2. Machine shut off after liquid was accidentally spilled on cup tray.
What to check!
  1. Power switch is rotated to the ON position.
    1. Power Switch - Linea PB
  2. If machine unexpectedly shut off during service:
    1. Review the Unexpected Shut Off guide.
  3. If machine shuts off due to pressing a button.
    1. Isolate problematic button:
      1. Button Fault - Linea PB
  4. If machine shut off due to an overpressure.
    1. Contact support.
Alert
Important! Safely Turn OFF Espresso Machine in the event of a reoccurring issue (Example: power issue, over pressure scenario, excessive water leaks.) and contact support!
Barista lights (buttons) turn ON but machine does not work.
Issue:
  1. Barista dashboard (brew buttons, display, drip tray running lights) illuminate but machine does not react to button presses or begin to heat.
What to check!
  1. Power switch is turned ON:
    1. Older Linea PB's utilized two stage power switches.
    2. Power Switch - Linea PB
  2. Error messages on display:
    1. Error Messages - Linea PB
  3. Does activating a button cause machine to shut off?
    1. Button Fault - Linea PB
    2. Unexpected Shut Off
  4. Contact Support
Pressing a button causes machine to shut off.
Issue:
  1. Pressing any or one button on the barista dashboard causes the machine to shut off.
What to check!
  1. Isolate button causing unexpected shut off.
    1. Button Fault - Linea PB
Idea
Tech Tip! If just one button is causing the espresso machine to Unexpectedly Shut Off. Identify button and do not continue to use it. If all buttons are affecting machine functionality. Safely Shut Off Espresso Machine and contact support!
  1. Diagnose and service button:
    1. Brew Button
    2. Hot Water Button
Loud noise(s) & steam coming from within the machine!
Issue:
  1. A loud 'POP' followed by steam coming from within the espresso machine.
What to check!
  1. Pressure gauge reading:
    1. Top dial indicates steam pressure!
      1. Pressure Gauge - Linea PB
  2. Safey turn off machine and contact support.
AlertImportant! Safely Turn OFF Espresso Machine in the event of a reoccurring issue (Example: power issue, over pressure scenario, excessive water leaks.) and contact support!
Error messages on the display.
Issue:
  1. Error message(s) are present on the display.
  2. Machine is not heating and/or limited in functionality.
What to check!
  1. Identify error message and contact support:
    1. Error Messages - Linea PB
Where is the serial number?
Serial numbers and machine information is necessary for equipment specifications, warranty claims, and troubleshooting.

The data plate for the Linea PB is located on the right hand side of the drip tray.


What to check!
  1. For more information, visit the guide below:
    1. Serial Number & Data Plate - Linea PB


No coffee is dispensing from grinder.
Issue:
  1. Espresso
    1. Doser lever is pulled but nothing dispenses.
  2. Decaf
    1. Button is pressed but nothing dispenses.
What to check!
  1. Is the grinder switched ON?
    1. Knob is rotated to the "I" position.
    2. Red light is illuminated.
  2. Is the locking slide pulled free from hopper?
  3. Is the hopper switch activated?
  4. Doser lever broken?
    1. Replace Doser Return Spring - Robur
Too much ground coffee is dispensing.
Issue:
  1. Too much ground coffee is dispensing.
What to check!
  1. Adjust grind:
    1. Espresso
    2. Decaf
Grind has been adjusted but nothing is happening.
Issue:
  1. Grind has been adjusted but issue persists.
  2. Adjusted grind but shot times are still too fast or slow.
What to check!
  1. Is the locking slide pulled free from the hopper?
  2. Check the dose chamber!
    1. If the dose chamber is full of coffee prior to a grind adjustment. The remaining coffee must be dispensed before adjustments take effect.
  3. Mazzer Robur Espresso Grinder
  4. Review Espresso Shot Troubleshooting guide.
    1. Grind adjustments take effect after all coffee remaining in the grind chamber has been dispensed.
      1. Typically 2 to 3 shots.
Espresso doser lever is not springing back.
Issue:
  1. Pulling the doser lever does not dispense coffee or spring back properly.
What to check!
  1. Contact support to schedule a service technician:
    1. Replace Doser Return Spring - Robur
Portafilters are falling out of hooks.
Issue:
  1. Decaf
    1. The portafilter does not fit into place and/or the grind stops dosing before the basket is full.
What to check!
  1. Portafilter is resting on grinder hooks properly:
  2. Adjust Portafilter Hooks - Super Jolly