Some water in the drip tray is completely normal because many coffee machines direct rinse water, pressure-release water and internal drainage into the tray. If it is filling much faster than usual, possible causes include extra rinse cycles, a leaking brew unit seal, an internal valve problem or water being diverted away from the normal coffee path.

The amount of water in the drip tray does not always match the number of drinks made. Start-up rinses, shutdown rinses, milk-system cleaning and pressure relief can all add water to the tray. What matters most is whether the amount has noticeably increased compared with the machine's normal behaviour.

Yes. If seals around the brewing system are worn or the brew unit is not sealing correctly, some brewing water can escape and be directed into the drip tray instead of reaching the cup. You may also notice reduced coffee volume, unusually wet coffee grounds or water collecting around the brew unit area.

It can. If coffee outlets or the brewing path are restricted, water may not follow the normal route through the coffee system. Cleaning the brew unit and accessible coffee outlets is a sensible first check if the machine is also brewing slowly or dispensing less coffee than usual.

Rinse cycles are designed to flush water through the internal system, and much of that water may be directed into the drip tray. If the machine has recently started rinsing more often, check whether cleaning, descaling or start-up routines have changed. A sudden large increase in rinse water can also be worth monitoring for an internal leak.

If the tray suddenly needs emptying far more often than before, coffee volume has reduced, or large amounts of water are entering the tray during brewing, further diagnosis may be needed. Possible internal causes include worn seals, drainage valves, leaking hoses or another fault within the brewing and hydraulic system.