De’Longhi lists three operating conditions that can leave a La Specialista grinder silent: the coffee-quantity dial is set to the pre-ground position, which deliberately bypasses grinding; the My Coffee icon is flashing because programming has not been completed; or the portafilter is not inserted tightly enough to activate the grinder. These checks should come before opening or replacing anything.
A separate De’Longhi support branch identifies foreign matter blocking the burrs, but burr access and cleaning must follow the exact manual for the model. Turn the machine off and unplug it before bean-hopper or burr maintenance, never put fingers or tools into a moving grinder and stop if the motor hums, smells hot or repeatedly stalls.
Before checking De’Longhi Coffee machine
- Unplug before touching the hopper or burr area. Never reach into the grinder, defeat an interlock, add water to the bean hopper or force the adjustment dial.
What this symptom can mean on De’Longhi Coffee machine
4 checks for De’Longhi Coffee machine, starting with Leave the pre-ground position
- Leave the pre-ground position
With the machine idle, move the coffee-quantity control from the pre-ground symbol to a normal dose. Do not change grind fineness while the burrs are stationary unless the model manual allows it.
- Complete My Coffee programming
If the My Coffee icon flashes, finish or correctly exit the programming sequence described for your exact La Specialista rather than repeatedly pressing grind.
- Seat the portafilter
Empty loose grounds from the coupling area and insert the portafilter firmly to its normal locked position. Do not use extra leverage or operate with a cracked handle.
- Inspect burrs only by the model manual
If activation is correct but grinding stalls, switch off, unplug and follow the exact model’s burr-cleaning procedure for foreign matter. Reassemble fully before one brief test.
When to stop checking De’Longhi Coffee machine
- Stop and contact De’Longhi if the grinder hums without turning, emits a hot or burning smell, a foreign object cannot be removed by the manual procedure, burrs are damaged or grinding still fails after the three activation checks.
Next step
After checking De’Longhi Coffee machine: repair, part or service?
Treat “De’Longhi La Specialista grinder not grinding” as a condition to verify. The first of the 4 documented checks is “Leave the pre-ground position”; its result guides what follows.
Finish the checks before buying
Complete the De’Longhi Coffee machine sequence, starting at “Leave the pre-ground position”. When the symptom clears without a remaining alert, no replacement is indicated.
Arrange a diagnosis if a stop condition appears
Do not condemn De’Longhi Coffee machine from “De’Longhi La Specialista grinder not grinding” alone. Stop at the warnings above and let a qualified diagnosis establish whether repair remains safe and proportionate.
Sources used
- De’Longhi — De’Longhi lists pre-ground mode, unfinished My Coffee programming and insufficient portafilter insertion as reasons La Specialista does not grind.
- De’Longhi — De’Longhi’s La Specialista help centre identifies foreign matter blocking the burrs and directs owners to the burr-cleaning procedure.
Last checked: 29 August 2026