De'Longhi Dedica Descaling Guide (EC685, EC695, EC785), Step by Step

When the Dedica's Orange Light Flashes

On a De'Longhi Dedica (EC685, EC695, EC785), a flashing orange light means it's time to descale. To start, hold the steam button for 10 seconds until the three buttons flash in sequence. Turn the steam dial to the hot water position and press the steam button. The program takes about 25 minutes with De'Longhi descaler and a 1-litre container. It finishes with two fresh-water rinses, and the orange light goes off only after them.

There's no button combination that just turns the light off, and no 1-cup + 2-cup shortcut. The light clears when the tank runs empty at the end of the second rinse.

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Try This First

• Take the filter holder off. Descaling runs with it detached.
• Remove the water softener filter if you've fitted one. It's sold separately for the Dedica.
• Use De'Longhi descaler. The manual warns other products can cause "faults not covered by the manufacturer's guarantee".
• Put a 1-litre container under the hot water dispenser and the boiler outlet.

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What You Need

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Step 1: Fill the Tank With Descaler

1. Check the filter holder isn't attached.
2. Empty the tank, then pour in the descaler and dilute it with water up to MAX.
3. Refit the tank, pressing it down lightly so the valves on its bottom open.
4. Place the container under the hot water dispenser and the boiler outlet.

Time: 3 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 2: Start Descaling (Steam Button, 10 Seconds)

1. Press and hold the steam button for 10 seconds, until the three buttons flash in sequence.
2. Turn the steam dial to the hot water/steam position.
3. Press the steam button to start.

Time: 1 minute
Difficulty: Easy

EX4 models (EC685 EX4, EC785 EX4): if you start descaling by accident, the manual says you can cancel it by holding the button for 10 seconds.

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Step 3: Let the Solution Run Through

The solution comes out of the hot water/steam dispenser, with rinses at set intervals, until the tank is empty.

1. Close the steam dial from time to time. That sends small amounts of descaler through the coffee spouts, so the coffee circuit is descaled too.
2. When delivery stops, the orange light keeps flashing. That means descaling isn't finished: it's waiting for the rinse.

Time: Most of the 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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Step 4: Rinse Twice

1. Empty the container and put it back under the spouts.
2. Take out the tank, rinse it, fill it with fresh water and refit it.
3. Check the steam dial is at the hot water position, then press the steam button to rinse. Close the dial now and then, as before.
4. Run a second rinse the same way, this time with the softener filter back in, if you use one.
5. When the tank is empty, the orange light goes off and the other lights flash.
6. Close the steam dial and fill the tank with fresh water. The machine is ready.

Time: The rest of the 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

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If Something Goes Wrong

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Set the Water Hardness

How often the orange light comes on depends on the water hardness setting. Measure your water with the test strip supplied, then:

1. Hold the steam button for about 10 seconds to open the settings menu (the three buttons flash in sequence).
2. Choose the water hardness setting and set the level that matches your strip.
3. The menu closes by itself after 15 seconds.

A softener filter in the tank also reduces scale. Clean the tank about once a month; with a filter fitted, run off 100 ml of water after refilling, as the manual says.

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When to Call De'Longhi

• All lights flash and the machine does nothing. The manual says "Disconnect the appliance immediately and contact authorised Customer Services."
• Water leaks from the machine, not the drip tray
• Espresso drips from the edges of the filter holder even when it's clean and fitted. The manual's cause is the espresso boiler gasket, which "Customer Services" replace.

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Keep the Dedica Scale-Free

• Descale when the orange light flashes. Don't ignore it.
• Set the right water hardness at first use.
• Use a softener filter if your water is hard.
• Clean the coffee spouts every 200 coffees by running about 0.5 L of water through with no coffee.

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FAQ

How do I reset the descale light on a De'Longhi Dedica?

Run the full descaling program, including both rinses. There's no separate reset: the orange light goes off when the tank empties at the end of the second rinse.

Can I descale a Dedica with vinegar?

The Dedica manual says to use De'Longhi descaler only, and warns that unsuitable descalers can cause faults not covered by the guarantee. It doesn't offer vinegar.

How long does Dedica descaling take?

About 25 minutes, according to the manual, including the descaling and the rinses.

Why do I need to close the steam dial during descaling?

Closing it from time to time pushes small amounts of descaler (and later rinse water) through the coffee spouts, so the coffee circuit gets descaled, not just the steam path.

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Related De'Longhi Guides

• De'Longhi Descaling Guide: every model
• De'Longhi Dedica Not Working?: the Dedica's lights and faults
• De'Longhi Not Heating?: lukewarm Dedica coffee
• Dedica vs Stilosa

Sources: De'Longhi EC685 / EC695 / EC785 Dedica instructions (57132C8997).