Sage Barista Express grinder not working

Is the hopper locked in?

The bean hopper has a lock that also acts as a safety switch. If it is not turned fully to the locked position, the grinder will not start. Lift the hopper, refit it and turn it until it clicks or lines up with the lock symbol. On some versions a loose hopper lets the grinder start and stop, which can look like a fault.

If you recently cleaned the machine, check that the upper burr has been refitted correctly, since the hopper may not seat over it otherwise.

Settings that look like a fault

Two settings can make it seem like the grinder is not working when it is. The grind amount dial controls how long the grinder runs. At its lowest it delivers very little coffee. The filter size button chooses single or double, and switching between them changes the dose. Turn the grind amount dial up and check the filter size before anything else.

Some versions also let you grind manually by pushing and holding the portafilter against the cradle switch. If the switch is sticky with coffee, it may not trigger. Brush the cradle clean.

Clearing jammed or oily burrs

Dark, oily beans can stick together and bridge over the burrs, so nothing feeds down. A small stone or a hard clump can stop the burrs altogether, leaving the motor humming. The clean out routine below suits most versions. Check the manual for how your upper burr releases.

1. 1

   Unplug the machine and run nothing further.

2. 2

   Lock the hopper, then remove it and tip out the remaining beans.

3. 3

   Turn the upper burr to release it, often by lifting its wire handle, and remove it.

4. 4

   Brush the upper and lower burrs and the chute with the supplied brush and vacuum loose grounds.

5. 5

   Look for any stone or foreign object and remove it carefully by hand.

6. 6

   Refit the burr, refit and lock the hopper, add a small amount of beans and test.

Note:Burrs are sharp. Keep the machine unplugged whenever fingers or tools are near the grinding chamber.

Grinding but not enough coffee

If the grinder runs but the dose looks small or comes out in clumps, the chute may be packed with fines, which is common if you grind very fine for long periods. Clear it with the brush or a wooden stick. Static can also make grounds cling to the chute. Very oily beans make this worse, so a medium roast is easier on the grinder.

Grinding at the very finest settings with the burrs already adjusted fine can also slow the grinder. If shots are fine but grinding is slow, try a step coarser and adjust dose instead. Our guide to Sage Barista Express grind settings has more, and how to clean a coffee grinder covers regular care.

When it needs a repair

If the grinder stays silent with the hopper locked, a burning smell appears, or the motor hums with clean, clear burrs, the fault is likely electrical or the motor itself. Stop using it and contact Sage support or an authorised repairer.

If you would rather have a separate grinder, which keeps working even if the machine fails, see our best coffee grinders for espresso. For a replacement all in one, the best espresso machines with a grinder compares current options.

Frequently asked questions

Why will my Sage grinder not start? The hopper is often not locked, which keeps the safety switch open. Turn it fully to the locked position and try again.

Why does my Barista Express grinder hum but not grind? Usually something is jammed in the burrs, such as a stone or a clump of oily beans. Unplug, remove the upper burr and clear the burrs and chute.

How often should I clean the Barista Express grinder? A brush of the burrs every couple of weeks suits most home use, more often with oily beans. Follow the cleaning schedule in the manual.

Is a Breville grinder fix the same as Sage? Sage machines are sold as Breville in many other countries, so the basic steps are similar. Always check the manual for your model.