Refer to figure B for an overview of all buttons and icons. Below you find the description.
* Drink icons: espresso, espresso lungo, coffee, americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot water, steam (specific types only)
Congratulations on your purchase of a Philips fully automatic coffee machine! 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:
The machine automatically adjusts the amount of ground coffee that is used to make the best-tastin coffee. You should brew 5 coffees initially to allow the machine to complete its self-adjustment. Make sure you rinse the LatteGo (milk container) or the classic milk frother before first use.
1. Setting up the machine
After you have switched on the machine, some water may be dispensed from the hot water spout or coffee spout. This is normal.
2. Activating the AquaClean water filter (5 min.)
For more information see chapter 'AquaClean water filter'
3. Setting the water hardness
See chapter 'Setting the water hardness' for step-by-step instructions. The default water hardness setting is 4: hard water.
4. Assembling LatteGo (specific types only)
5. Assembling the classic milk frother (specific types only)
General steps
1. Fill the water tank with tap water and fill the bean hopper with beans.
2 . Press the on/off button to switch on the machine.
3. Place a cup under the coffee dispensing spout. Slide the coffee dispensing spout up or down to adjust its height to the size of the cup or glass you are using (Fig. 1).
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
1. To brew a coffee, tap the drink icon of your choice.
2. Press the start/stop button.
Specific types only: An americano is made of espresso and water. When you brew an americano, the machine first dispenses an espresso and then water.
3. To stop dispensing coffee before the machine is finished, press the start/stop button again.
To brew 2 coffees at the same time, tap the drink icon twice. The 2x light lights up.
Brewing milk-based drinks with LatteGo (milk container)
1. To assemble LatteGo, first insert the top of the milk container under the hook at the top of the frame (Fig. 4). Then press home the bottom part of the milk container. You hear a click when it locks into place (Fig. 5).
Note: Make sure that the milk container and the frame are clean before you connect them.
2. Slightly tilt LatteGo and put it on the hot water spout (Fig. 6). Then press it home until it locks into place (Fig. 7).
3. Fill LatteGo with milk up to the level indicated on the milk container for the drink you are brewing (Fig. 8). Do not fill the milk container beyond the maximum indication.
4. Place a cup on the drip tray.
5. Tap the milk-based drink icon of your choice.
6. Press the start/stop button.
7. To stop dispensing the complete drink (milk and coffee) before the machine is finished, press and hold the start/stop button.
Frothing milk with classic milk frother
Always use milk coming directly from the fridge for the best foam quality.
1. Tilt the black silicone handle on the machine to the left and slide the milk frother onto it (Fig. 9).
2. Fill a milk jug with with approx. 100 ml milk for cappuccino and approx. 150 ml milk for latte macchiato.
3. Insert the milk frother approx. 1 cm into the milk.
4. Tap the steam icon (Fig. 10).
5. Press the start/stop button to froth the milk (Fig. 11).
- The machine starts heating up, steam is forced into the milk and the milk is frothed.
6. When the milk foam in the milk jug has reached the required volume, press the start/stop button again to stop frothing milk.
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.
1. Press the on/off button to switch on the machine and wait until it is ready for use.
2. Open the lid of the pre-ground coffee compartment and pour one leveled measuring scoop of preground coffee into it (Fig. 12). Then close the lid.
3. Place a cup under the coffee dispensing spout.
4. Select a single drink.
5. Press the aroma strength icon for 3 seconds (Fig. 13).
6. Press the start/stop button.
7. To stop dispensing coffee before the machine is finished, press the start/stop button again.
Dispensing hot water
1. If attached, remove LatteGo or the milk frother.
2. Tap the hot water icon (Fig. 14).
3. Adjust the hot water quantity to your preference by tapping the drink quantity icon (Fig. 3).
4. Press the start/stop button.
5. To stop dispensing hot water before the machine is finished, press the start/stop button again.
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.
1. To adjust the highest quantity setting, press and hold the icon of the drink you want to adjust for 3 seconds.
2. Press the start/stop ta button. The machine starts to brew the selected beverage.
3. Press the start/stop button again when the cup contains the desired quantity of coffee or milk.
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.
Machines without temperature icon
1. Press the on/off button to switch off the machine.
2. When the machine is switched off: press and hold the coffee quantity icon until the lights in this icon go on (Fig. 16).
3. Tap the quantity icon to select the required temperature: normal, high or max.
4. When you have finished setting the coffee temperature, press the start/stop button.
5. Press the on/off button to switch on the machine again.
Machines with temperature icon (EP3221 only)
The machine offers you the possibility to restore the drinks default settings at any moment.
1. Press the on/off button to switch the machine off.
2. Press and hold the espresso icon for 3 seconds.
3. Press the start/stop button to confirm you want to restore the settings.
4. Press the on/off button to switch on the machine again.
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 grinder settings until you have brewed 100-150 cups (approx. 1 month of usage).
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.
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
1. Check if the brew group is in the correct position. The arrow on the yellow cylinder on the side of the brew group has to be aligned with the black arrow and N (Fig. 21).
2. Slide the brew group back into the machine along the guiding rails on the sides (Fig. 23) until it locks into position with a click (Fig. 24). Do not press the PUSH button.
3. Close the service door and place back the water tank.
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. 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'). |
| Monthly | Clean the brew group with the Philips coffee oil remover tablet (see 'Cleaning the brew group with the coffee oil remover tablets'). |
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. 25). |
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. 26). Clean the drip tray weekly. | Remove the drip tray (Fig. 27) 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 |
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
Cleaning the brew group with the coffee oil remover tablets
Only use Philips coffee oil remover tablets.
Lubricate the brew group every 2 months, to ensure that the moving parts continue to move smoothly.
Cleaning LatteGo after every use
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
Your machine is AquaClean enabled. You can place the AquaClean water filter 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. You can purchase an AquaClean water filter from your local retailer, from authorized service centers
Your machine is equipped with an AquaClean water filter light (Fig. 37) 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 the orange AquaClean light is off, you can still activate an AquaClean water filter, but you will need to descale the machine first.
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.
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.
If you do not want to use Philips AquaClean water filters anymore, you can always deactivate the AquaClean reminders:
Note: The activation of a new AquaClean filter will automatically re-activate the AquaClean reminders.
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.
When the Calc / Clean light starts to flash slowly, you need to descale the machine.
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:
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/coffeecare. If you are unable to solve the problem, contact the Consumer Care Center in your country. For contact details, see the warranty leaflet
| Warning icon | Solution |
The 'water tank empty' light is on - The water tank is almost empty. Fill the water tank with fresh water to the maximum level indication. - The water tank is not in place. Place back the water tank. | |
The 'empty coffee grounds container' light is on - The coffee grounds container is full. Remove and empty the coffee grounds container while the machine is switched on. | |
The alarm light is on - The coffee grounds container and/or the drip tray is not in place or not placed correctly. Place back the coffee grounds container and/or the drip tray and make sure they are in the correct position. - The service door is open. Remove the water tank and make sure the service door is closed. | |
The alarm light is flashing - The brew group is not in place or not placed correctly. Remove the brew group and make sure it is locked into place. See chapter 'Removing and inserting the brew group' for step-by-step instructions. - The brew group is blocked. Remove the brew group and rinse it with water under the tap. Then lubricate the brew group and place it back into the machine. See chapter 'Cleaning and maintenance' for step-by-step instructions. | |
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: - Remove the AquaClean water filter from the water tank. - Place back the water tank. Push it into the machine as far as possible to make sure it is in the right position. - Open the lid of the pre-ground coffee compartment and check if this is clogged with coffee powder. To clean it, insert a spoon handle into the pre-ground coffee compartment and move the handle up and down until the clogged ground coffee falls down (Fig. 25). Remove the brew group and remove all ground coffee that has fallen down. Place back the clean brew group. - Switch the machine back on. If the problem is solved the AquaClean filter was not prepared well. Prepare the AquaClean filter before placing it back by following steps 1 and 2 in chapter 'Activating the AquaClean water filter (5 min). If the lights continue to flash, the machine could be overheated. Switch the machine off, wait 30 minutes and switch it on again. If the lights are still flashing, contact the Consumer Care Center in your country. For contact details, see the international warranty leaflet. |
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 self-adjustment 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 selfadjustment 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. 25). |
| 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. 25). |
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 iimescaie 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. |
Reference file: Philips EP3221/44 Fully automatic espresso machines
Series: 3200
Additionally, the document applies to other Philips models: EP1220*, EP1222*, EP1224*, EP2220*, EP2221*, EP2224*, EP3221*, EP2230*, EP2231*, EP2235*, EP2236*, EP3241*, EP3243*, EP3246*, EP3249