L’OR Barista coffee machine not piercing capsules: solutions and repairs

Categorized as Coffee machine

Last update October 28th, 2023

Does your Philips L’OR Barista coffee machine no longer pierce the coffee capsules? Does only water come out of the machine and your coffee is only hot water? This is a classic and recurring problem with this model. It usually occurs with small and normal capsules, but is easy to fix yourself.

Let’s see why the Philips L’OR Barista coffee machine does not pierce the capsules and the procedures to repair your L’OR Barista not piercing pods. Once your machine is repaired, get inspired by our great coffee recipes!

Why is my L’OR Barista coffee machine not piercing capsules

The problem of the L’OR Barista coffee machine not piercing the capsules is recurrent with small or normal size capsules. It is much rarer and more annoying when the L’OR Barista coffee machine does not pierce large capsules.

The two main causes of a L’OR Barista capsule piercing problem are:

  • The water pump that distributes the pressurized water is damaged or malfunctioning: find below our detailed procedure on how to restart the pump of your L’OR Barista machine.
  • The part used to pierce the capsules is dirty, clogged or broken: the part is clogged by dirt, there was an operating error or simply a malfunction of the L’OR Barista coffee machine.

Repairing my L’OR Barista coffee machine not piercing capsules

Before any intervention, unplug your L’OR Barista coffee machine.

Cleaning and resetting the capsule piercing mechanism

Lift the lever to insert the new capsules. If you can’t lift the lever, see our specific guide for lever problems on the Barista Gold. You can now see where the capsules are located, but the piercing mechanism is invisible. The capsule piercing mechanism of the L’OR Barista is located in this slot towards the front of the machine.

If you insert your index finger you can touch it: it is a moving part that you can push in with your finger. Take a rag and clean this little piston as best you can. With your index finger, push the piston in several times. This will free the mechanism from any dirt and your L’OR Barista machine which does not pierce the capsules is repaired.

Other solution to the problem of the L’OR Barista coffee machine not piercing capsules

Here is an alternative solution for your L’OR Barista machine with not piercing pods. If you are in a hurry or don’t want to or can’t get your hands dirty:

  1. Open the capsule compartment and insert a used L’OR Barista XXL capsule.
  2. Close the slot by lowering the lever and open it again: the piercing mechanism should be reset.
  3. You can now put in a new small or normal size capsule.

If these two solutions have not solved your problem of the L’OR Barista coffee machine not piercing capsules, try to restart the L’OR Barista pump.

Re-priming the L’OR Barista coffee machine pump

If the machine has been operating with the water tank empty, the water pump has defrosted: air has entered the water circuit. To restart the L’OR Barista pump:

  1. Fill the water tank.
  2. Check that the capsule compartment is empty.
  3. Press the large cup or lungo button to circulate the water in the circuit.
  4. Insert a new capsule and make a coffee.

I’ve tried everything, my L’OR Barista coffee machine doesn’t pierce the capsules

If the most common causes of a L’OR Barista machine having problems perforating coffee capsules have not solved your problem, you can still:

  • contact Philips for warranty if not outdated;
  • call in a professional if the cost is no more than that of a new appliance;
  • buy a new or second-hand espresso machine.