When your Jura is not working right, the fix is usually simple. This guide covers the most common problems Jura owners encounter, organized by symptom so you can find your issue fast.
Quick Diagnosis Table
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Weak or watery espresso | Grind too coarse or stale beans | Adjust grind finer; use fresh beans |
| Espresso too bitter | Grind too fine or dirty brew group | Adjust grind coarser; run cleaning tablet |
| No coffee coming out | Scale blockage or empty tank | Descale; check water tank |
| Milk foam is thin or watery | Dirty milk circuit or warm milk | Clean milk system; use cold, fresh milk |
| Machine is very loud | Scale buildup or air in system | Descale; run a few rinse cycles |
| Error message on display | Varies - see below | Check specific error code |
| Coffee temperature too low | Cup not preheated or rinse needed | Preheat cup; run hot water first |
Espresso Quality Problems
Weak or Watery Espresso
The most common complaint. Usually caused by one of these:
- Grind is too coarse. Adjust the grinder one notch finer. Wait 2-3 cups for the change to take effect (the old grounds need to clear).
- Beans are stale. Coffee beans lose flavor within 2-4 weeks of roasting. Check the roast date. See our bean guide.
- Strength setting is too low. Increase the coffee strength in the drink settings.
- Brew group needs cleaning. Oil buildup reduces extraction. Run a cleaning tablet cycle.
Espresso Is Too Bitter or Harsh
- Grind is too fine. Adjust one notch coarser.
- Water temperature is too high. Some models let you lower the brewing temperature.
- Beans are over-roasted. Try a medium roast instead of a dark roast.
- Brew group is dirty. Old coffee oils produce bitter off-flavors. Clean immediately.
Coffee Temperature Is Too Low
- Preheat your cup. Run hot water into the cup before brewing, or use the cup warmer if your model has one.
- Run a rinse cycle first. The first cup after startup may be cooler because the system is still warming up.
- Check temperature settings. Some Jura models (E8, S8, Z10) allow you to increase the brewing temperature.
Milk System Problems
Thin or No Milk Foam
- Clean the milk circuit. This is the most common cause. Milk residue blocks the frothing mechanism. See our milk frothing guide.
- Use cold, fresh milk. Whole milk froths best. Use milk straight from the refrigerator - warm milk does not foam properly.
- Check the milk tube. Make sure it is not kinked, cracked, or improperly seated.
- Check the froth dial. Some models have an adjustable foam density dial on the milk spout. Turn it toward the “more foam” setting.
Milk Tastes Sour or Off
The milk circuit has residue buildup. Run the milk system cleaning program immediately, then flush with clean water 2-3 times. Going forward, rinse the milk circuit after every use.
Machine Operation Problems
Machine Will Not Turn On
- Check that the power cord is fully seated in both the machine and the outlet.
- Try a different power outlet.
- If the machine was recently moved, wait 15 minutes before turning it on (the internal systems need to settle).
Loud Grinding or Pumping Noise
- Descale the machine. Scale is the most common cause of loud pump noise. See our descaling guide.
- Check for air in the system. Run 2-3 hot water cycles to purge air bubbles.
- Check the bean hopper. Small stones or debris occasionally make it into coffee bean bags. Remove the beans and inspect.
Machine Leaks Water
- Check the drip tray. It may simply be full. Empty and reseat it.
- Check the water tank seal. Remove the tank, clean the seal area, and reseat firmly.
- Check the milk and water hoses. Look for cracks or loose connections.
- If leaking persists, contact Jura service - it may indicate a failed internal seal.
When to Contact Jura Service
Most issues are solvable at home. Contact Jura service if:
- The machine displays a persistent error code after restarting
- There is internal leaking (water coming from inside the machine, not the drip tray)
- The grinder makes unusual metallic sounds
- Descaling or cleaning cycles fail to complete
- The machine is under warranty and the issue is not resolved by basic troubleshooting
Prevention
Most Jura problems are preventable with regular maintenance:
- Cleaning guide - Daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning
- Descaling guide - Prevent scale damage
- Maintenance schedule - Complete care overview
- Best beans for Jura - Avoid grinder issues
For broader smart coffee maker troubleshooting, see our smart coffee maker guide.
Back to all guides | See also: Espresso settings | Maintenance