Can I fix this myself?

Yes. This is a user-serviceable condition and the steps above are the ones the manufacturer publishes. If it returns straight after you complete them, stop and book service.

Where do these steps come from?

They are transcribed from the Oracle Instruction Book BES980, Troubleshooting p.36 (same entry in BES990 p.25 and BES985 p.16). We do not repair machines and we do not publish a fix we cannot cite to the manufacturer.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 Pumps continue to operate: Pumps continue to operate / steam very wet / hot water outlet leaks — Causes and Fixes

You can fix thisUpdated August 3, 2026

Breville · Oracle BES980 / Oracle Touch BES990 / Oracle Jet BES985

Pumps continue to operate — Pumps continue to operate / steam very wet / hot water outlet leaks

You can fix this

What the machine is reporting

Using highly filtered, demineralised or distilled water which is affecting how the machine is designed to function.

Likely causes, most likely first

Water with no or low mineral content (highly filtered, demineralised or distilled) prevents the machine's water-level sensing from working as designed

What to do

1. We recommend using cold, filtered water. We do not recommend using water with no/low mineral content such as highly filtered, demineralised or distilled water.
2. If the problem persists, contact Breville Consumer Support.

Source: the Oracle Instruction Book BES980, Troubleshooting p.36 (same entry in BES990 p.25 and BES985 p.16). Transcribed from Breville's own published documentation — we do not repair machines and do not publish fixes we cannot cite.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

Other Breville codes

FLUSH — FLUSH alert
DESCALE — DESCALE alert
CLEAN ME! — Clean Me!
CHANGE FILTER — Change Filter
CLEAN / DESCALE light — CLEAN / DESCALE light — flashing vs solid
ERR — ERR error message on LCD

All Breville error codes →

Frequently asked

What does Breville Pumps continue to operate mean?: Using highly filtered, demineralised or distilled water which is affecting how the machine is designed to function.
Can I fix this myself?: Yes. This is a user-serviceable condition and the steps above are the ones the manufacturer publishes. If it returns straight after you complete them, stop and book service.
Where do these steps come from?: They are transcribed from the Oracle Instruction Book BES980, Troubleshooting p.36 (same entry in BES990 p.25 and BES985 p.16). 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.