The EQ500 collects rinse water and residual water in its removable drip tray, so some water here is normal. If you find water on the internal base after removing the tray, consider when you removed it. Allow the machine to finish dispensing or rinsing and wait a few seconds before pulling the drip tray out. Removing it immediately can allow residual water to drip onto the floor of the machine.

Before looking for an internal leak, empty and dry the drip tray, refit it and switch the machine on. The EQ500 can discharge water into the tray as part of its automatic rinsing. Repeat the check when switching it off. If the water only appears during these rinse cycles and remains contained in the tray, this is normal drainage rather than necessarily a leak.

If clean water is appearing around the rear or underneath the machine, remove the EQ500 water tank and inspect the tank area before making another drink. Refill it, dry the outside completely and refit it firmly. This makes it much easier to establish whether water is escaping from the removable tank area rather than from the brewing system.

If leaking started after changing the water filter, remove it and check its installation. The filter fits into the connection inside the EQ500 water tank and should be installed straight and firmly. As a diagnostic check, run the machine temporarily without the filter fitted. If the water problem disappears, concentrate on the filter and its installation before looking deeper into the machine.

Switch the EQ500 off and remove the brewing unit following the normal removal procedure. Look for excessive water, wet coffee grounds or obvious contamination around the brewing-unit compartment. Clean the brewing unit and compartment, allow excess water to drain away and reinstall the unit correctly. If substantial water quickly returns to this area during brewing, the leak needs further investigation rather than repeatedly emptying the drip tray.

If liquid only appears when making a cappuccino, latte or another milk drink, inspect the EQ500 milk system before assuming the main water circuit is leaking. Check that the milk components and connections are assembled correctly and clean them thoroughly. Run a coffee or hot-water function separately: if the machine remains dry until the milk system is used, you've significantly narrowed down the source of the problem.