Can I fix this myself?

Yes, this is routine maintenance rather than a repair. Follow the steps above using the consumable the manufacturer specifies, and if the message returns immediately after a correctly completed cycle, treat it as a service call.

Where do these steps come from?

They are transcribed from the Barista Express Instruction Book BES870XL/A, Cleaning Cycle p.24, Descaling p.25. We do not repair machines and we do not publish a fix we cannot cite to the manufacturer.

Will this code clear on its own?

Maintenance prompts clear when the cycle they are asking for is completed in full — stopping partway usually leaves the counter running. Fault codes clear when the underlying condition is corrected, not by power-cycling past them.

Breville CLEAN / DESCALE light: CLEAN / DESCALE light — flashing vs solid — Causes and Fixes

Routine maintenanceUpdated August 3, 2026

Breville · Barista Express BES870XL

CLEAN / DESCALE light — CLEAN / DESCALE light — flashing vs solid

Routine maintenance

What the machine is reporting

The CLEAN / DESCALE light will illuminate (flashing) when a cleaning cycle is required. This is a back-flushing cycle and is separate from descaling. We advise you to undertake the descaling processes when the 'CLEAN / DESCALE' indicator is illuminated (solid on).

Likely causes, most likely first

Flashing: back-flush cleaning cycle interval reached
Solid on: descaling interval reached

What to do

1. If the light is FLASHING, run the cleaning cycle: insert the 1 CUP filter basket into the portafilter, add the supplied cleaning disc, then 1 cleaning tablet; lock the portafilter into the group head with a large container beneath the spouts; ensure the water tank is filled and the drip tray empty; press POWER to switch off, then press 1 CUP and 2 CUP simultaneously and also press POWER, holding all 3 for approximately 10 seconds. The cycle lasts about 5 minutes and ends with 3 beeps.
2. If the light is SOLID ON, descale: dissolve one Breville Descaling powder sachet into 34 fl. oz (1L) of water and fill the water tank, then press and hold the 2-CUP button and the POWER button simultaneously to enter Descale mode and follow the manual's coffee, steam and hot water descale steps.
3. Do not immerse power cord, power plug or appliance in water. The water tank should never be removed or completely emptied during descaling.

Source: the Barista Express Instruction Book BES870XL/A, Cleaning Cycle p.24, Descaling p.25. Transcribed from Breville's own published documentation — we do not repair machines and do not publish fixes we cannot cite.

When to stop and call a technician

The machine trips a breaker, smells of burning, or shows scorched wiring.
Water is leaking from inside the chassis rather than from the tank, tray or portafilter.
The fault involves the boiler, a pressure valve, the heating element or the pump itself.
The code returns immediately after a correctly completed reset or maintenance cycle.
The machine is under warranty — opening it yourself usually ends that cover.

Never bypass, disable or remove a safety device — a thermal fuse, pressure relief valve or lid interlock is the part standing between a fault and a fire. Do not open a pressurised boiler or work on mains wiring.

Machines this applies to

What the fix needs

Cleaning tablets
Detergent clears the coffee oils in the brew path — a different job from descaling.
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Descaler
Descaling removes the mineral scale this fault is caused by. Use a product made for espresso machines.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These are category searches, not product endorsements — always use the consumable your machine's own manual specifies.

Other Breville codes

FLUSH — FLUSH alert
DESCALE — DESCALE alert
CLEAN ME! — Clean Me!
CHANGE FILTER — Change Filter
ERR — ERR error message on LCD
Operation Error — Operation Error on the touch screen

All Breville error codes →

Frequently asked

What does Breville CLEAN / DESCALE light mean?: The CLEAN / DESCALE light will illuminate (flashing) when a cleaning cycle is required. This is a back-flushing cycle and is separate from descaling. We advise you to undertake the descaling processes when the 'CLEAN / DESCALE' indicator is illuminated (solid on).
Can I fix this myself?: Yes, this is routine maintenance rather than a repair. Follow the steps above using the consumable the manufacturer specifies, and if the message returns immediately after a correctly completed cycle, treat it as a service call.
Where do these steps come from?: They are transcribed from the Barista Express Instruction Book BES870XL/A, Cleaning Cycle p.24, Descaling p.25. We do not repair machines and we do not publish a fix we cannot cite to the manufacturer.
Will this code clear on its own?: Maintenance prompts clear when the cycle they are asking for is completed in full — stopping partway usually leaves the counter running. Fault codes clear when the underlying condition is corrected, not by power-cycling past them.