La Pavoni not heating: safety thermostat, element and power faults
Most likely cause
If the switch light is on but the water does not heat, La Pavoni's manual says to reset the safety thermostat under the base first. It trips if the boiler runs dry. If it still will not heat, or it trips a breaker, the heating element is the usual suspect and it is a job for a technician.
Parts differ by generation. Not sure which you have? Check in two minutes.
1. Reset the safety thermostat
La Pavoni’s manual lists two causes when the switch light is on and the water does not heat: the safety thermostat needs resetting, or the heating element is broken. Reset first.
The manual explains that if the machine runs out of water while on, the safety thermostat trips and cuts power. The older US manual describes the reset: unplug the machine, remove the round plug in the bottom of the base directly under the boiler, and push the red button with a blunt tool. La Pavoni’s current parts list shows a manual-reset thermostat rated at 122 C.
Then fill the boiler and try again.
2. Still no heat
Kanen Coffee lists other causes: a pressure switch stuck open (listen for its click when power is applied) and loose spade connectors that cause intermittent heating. The US element is rated 1000W at 120V on La Pavoni’s parts list.
3. Trips the breaker or gives a shock
Stop using the machine. Orphan Espresso says that 9 times out of 10 a shorted element is a surface short at the ends of the element, caused by water entry where it meets the boiler plate, and that symptoms include a popping circuit breaker or GFI, no heating, or a shock to the user.
Electrical faults on a water boiler are not a DIY job for most owners. Send a repair request.
Related
Questions owners ask
Where is the reset button?
The older US manual says there is a round grommet plug under the base, directly under the boiler. Remove it and push the red switch with a blunt tool. Unplug the machine first.
Why does my La Pavoni trip the GFCI outlet?
Orphan Espresso says that in most cases a shorted element is a surface short at the ends of the element where water has entered. Symptoms include a popping breaker or GFI, no heat, or a shock. Stop using the machine and have it repaired.
Sources
La Pavoni manuals, parts lists and product pages; Older US La Pavoni manuals; Orphan Espresso; Kanen Coffee repair notes.