This is another post tagged “sad”.
Does your circa 2009 Bosch Tassimo coffee machine have the red descaling light on? And the red light won’t turn off, even tho you followed the descaling instructions in the manual? (It should look like this:)
The problem is the manual is wrong. I don’t know how they managed it, but it’s plain wrong.
Here’s what to do:
- Take out the water filter from the water tank (if you have one). Descaling won’t work with the filter in there.
- Mix up 500 mL of descaling solution in the water supply bucket. You must have at least 500 mL of solution in there or it will run out and you’ll have to start over.
- Put the cleaning disc into the machine and close the little disc door.
- Put a cup that will hold at least 500 mL into the machine (you will probably want to take out the cup stand to make room for it). If the cup won’t hold 500 mL, it’ll overflow and you’ll have a mess.
- This is the key: press and hold the brew button for at least 3 seconds. Now wait 20 minutes.
After 3 seconds the green and red lights will start flashing simultaneously – that indicates you’ve started the descaling cycle, which will run 500 mL of the solution thru the machine and into the cup. It goes slowly, in small bursts over about 20 minutes. When it’s done, the red light will go out. Then flush out the machine by running lots of clean water thru it (per the manual), and put back the water filter (if you want, and if your model has one).
If you stop the machine before it’s done with the full cycle, you’ll have to start over.
This procedure is hinted at in icon-speak (no words) on the little booklet that the cleaning disc comes in. It’s totally different from what the manual says, with the key difference that this procedure works.
Enjoy your coffee.
#1 by TommyTee on 2016 March 18 - 12:05
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what do you mean by take the filter out? Where is there a filter?
#2 by Sue on 2016 July 18 - 08:30
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Thank you so much! It’s worked a treat!
#3 by james on 2016 November 25 - 14:47
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very helpful thank you
#4 by Johnny See on 2016 November 28 - 00:03
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Where’s the flipping filter?
#5 by Mae Anderson on 2016 December 27 - 09:44
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The descaling light continues to flash once the service disc is put in so that the descaling cycle won’t run at all. I’ve followed all instructions. Tried holding for 5 seconds. Just won’t run. What am I doing wrong?
#6 by Graham Holt on 2017 January 12 - 17:30
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The filter is the water filter in the water tank at the rear (if you have fitted a filter in)
#7 by Mike Muskett on 2017 February 1 - 00:19
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That makes it easy. Thanks
#8 by Roberta on 2017 February 6 - 18:01
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Cleaning disc? Was one supposed to come with the machine?
#9 by Dave on 2017 February 6 - 18:30
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Yes. It’s supposed to be in a little vertical slot in the back of the machine, hidden by the water tank. Take out the tank and look.
#10 by Janet Plumb on 2017 March 18 - 02:39
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The red light on the bottom left that indicates scaling should be done will not turn off. I did a descaling but nothing changed. I’m afraid to try and make a latte. I have descaled my machine every Sat. or Sun. since I have owned it. It is TAS4511UC Serial Number A10527488473. Thanks
#11 by Michael on 2017 September 23 - 11:36
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try licking your finger and rubbing it on the the reader to dampen it.
This did the trick for me.
#12 by MARYANN on 2017 October 22 - 16:18
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WHERE DO I PURCHASE A CLEANING DISK FOR MY BOCH TASSIMO GOT A SECONDHAND MACHINE AND NO SIGN OF A CLEANING DISC
#13 by Sandy Clark on 2017 October 27 - 11:23
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Can I use water & vinegar as I have not descaling solution?
#14 by Fran on 2018 June 23 - 16:37
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I don’t have a descaling solution. What else can I use
#15 by Dana on 2019 March 15 - 16:13
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Thanks for such clear directions for descaling my Tassimo. I’ve used this method many times with great success. Instead of using a descaling solution, however, I use citric acid. A heaping Tbsp dissolved in water is just as effective and it’s cheaper!
#16 by Jayne on 2019 August 25 - 15:36
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Needing help please. Red light is on and I have descaler in water tank and cleaning disc in the machine. Machine has been fully cleaned but is only showing red and amber lights, no green light so can’t start the descalling process. Anybody any ideas what the problem could be?
#17 by Debbie Workman on 2020 April 1 - 10:57
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Can’t remove the filter inside the water tank. How do you do this without breaking it. I ran a descaled through but didn’t realise I needed to move this as the red light won’t go off ?
Any ideas ?
#18 by DAVID HURWITZ on 2022 January 10 - 17:21
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I HAVE FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS BUT THE RED LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AND THE OTHER LIGHTS JUST STAY ON? WHAT CAN I DO.? THE SERVICE DISC I HAVE IS CLEAR PLASTIC THAT CAME WITH THE MACHINE, SHOULD THAT WORK?