The Drip Tray (Drain Pan) catches excess water/coffee while the machine is operating. When the drip tray fills to its max capacity, the water reaches the bottom of the metal contacts, which rest on internal metal contacts that connect to the board, thus, creating an electrical circuit. The current travels from the drip tray contacts to the board. The machine signals to the user that the drip tray needs to be emptied.
Before replacing any parts, try gently removing the metal contacts from the drip tray. Clean the contacts and the drip tray where the contacts rest with soap and water. Accumulation of wet grounds in this vicinity will cause a false reading that the drip tray needs to be emptied. Make sure the contacts on the tray and the internal contacts are completely dry.
Related Error Messages and Malfunctions:
Error: You receive "Tray Missing" message when it is fully inserted in the machine.
Fix: You may need to clean or replace the metal contacts on the drip tray. Many models have a micro-switch that is activated when the Drip Tray is inserted. The contacts on the micro-switch may be corroded or the lever may be broken. Visually check the switch and replace, if necessary.
