Froth dispenser problem

First; I am NOT a Caffitaly repairman. Though I have worked on mini espresso machines. Sputtering and/or poor steam is an indication that your brewer is not up to brewing temperature.
** Most of these home machines have a very small boiler or tank. They are designed to produce hot water and sometimes steam to brew a small 'European' espresso. Here in the USA we like our coffee weaker and with lots of 'other' things mixed in. The 'Americano' is the same amount of coffee but with a lot of hot water added. This amount will tax the small boiler to it's limits. Top it off with a grande latte would be probably be beyond it's ability to completely froth/heat this amount of milk. When you order a Latte from a Barista you will note that it takes a while to froth a Pitcher of cold milk. They are using a large espresso machine and probably pulling a double shot of espresso. To make a similar drink with any home machine requires doing everything 'double' or twice brew. (3 times?) You will need to check the 'ready' light to make sure the brewer is up to heat prior to brewing your next cup.
** Suggest brewing a regular size or 1/2 a mug of coffee-latte then come back again later for another fresh hot cup.
Aloha! ukeboy57

the frother gradually gets milk buildup and loses suction- an air blast through the milk tube and up the spout (can get an aerosol at hardware store) will help as well as the cleaning cycle. Also I used a q tip to the top of the spout several times but just had the q tip top come off and may have blocked it completely

old milk

Frothing jug
For milk frothing issues, soak the milk jug cover in hot water and rinse several times. If it has a froth control that can be removed by sliding in the direction of travel towards the edge whilst jiggling it gently up and down. Clean off the little o-ring with a toothpick, be gentle. The control should easily slide and click back in place when done.

Froth still no good? Examine the milk coupling to ensure the o-rings are in the right spot and are pliable and undamaged. There should be an o-ring (usually green) on the top spigot, a (black) o-ring at the front of the bottom spigot and a (red) oring at the rear. The groove halfway along the spigot should be clear. Now with the toothpick and a hot moist cloth clean all the crud from the milk coupling, especially inside the smaller spigot. Check the tiny hole at the back of the larger spigot is not blocked.

Check the flow from the hot water spout is good. If not, there are internal issues, try descaling. If it is, test the frothing jug, if it is still weak either the jug cover or the milk coupling needs to be replaced. Get them to try a known good test jug at your local coffee service center to find out which, most will be happy to do this at the counter.

Where is it blowing steam from? If it is coming from the milk spout then it most likely that the milk jug is blocked somewhere. If it is coming from where the jug connects to the machine (coupling) then you might need to change the complete coupling (assuming you used the correct orings). The biggest cause of frothing problems with these machines is lack of cleaning of the milk jug. Soak the top in quality milk cleaner for at least an hour and rinse thoroughly. Also run cleaner through it regularly using the milk only function.

Hi. Have you removed the white wheel and tried to clean it? Check the O-rings on the frothing part for damages.
Sometimes cleaning it hasnt helped at all, The solution for it that might sound crazy =) that fixed it for me at that time was to block the 2 holes with you fingers(be carefull its hot) where the milk comes out from when you make coffee, you get a little backpressure in the milk circuit when doing it. Try 2 or more times. It helpt me.

First, check to see if it will pump out steam without a ton of water. If it doesn't, don't use it.

Now, skim milk is terrible for it, the bubbles are too dry and flavorless. Use 2% milk or half-and-half. It should be cold (very cold). I put mine in the freezer in a steel frothing container for 5-10 minutes before use. Just barely submerge the wand (about .25") and turn on the pressure. It should sound like tearing paper (not like blowing bubbles through a straw). Do this until volume increases to around double (if you have a frothing thermometer, it should be around 100 degrees F). Now submerge the wand farther and tilt the cup to create swirling (this is called stretching & sweetens the milk). This should be done until the temperature is around 140-160 degrees F. Done.

If your machine is no good for steam, there's another way: Put milk into a steel cooking pot (I use a saucier for large groups) and put it in the freezer. When very cold (ice forming) put on stove. Whisk briskly while heating up on medium-high. It will create fine foam & stretch the milk at the same time. The bubbles will start big, but become finer as time goes by. I test by stocking my finger in & going until it feels nearly scalding & remove from heat. Just use a ladle for he milk & a spoon for the foam.

I have the same problem as well, talked to a repair shop and it's definitely a "send in" or warranty repair. I was told it's an o-ring issue. I have no water coming out of the steam wand and it goes into the dispense tray instead.

I purchased a unit second hand for my wife's birthday today. It's only 4 months old, got it home, tested it, same problem... No froth!

I've read all the posts here and all were very helpful troubleshooting guides however they did not solve the issue.

Understanding how the frothing mechanism functions is half the battle in figuring out the solution. It's a simple vacuum type system. No doubt you've read about checking the orings. This is definately the first thing to check however if this is not the reason then consider the following.

The larger of the white tubes that has the red and black oring inserts deep into its port on the tap. Why? It pushes steam past the milk pipe directly into the chrome frothing tube which causes a vacuum essentially drawing milk up it's hose creating the froth. What you can't see without further investigation is that on the underside of the tube centered between the red and black orings is a small hole. This hole is responsible for drawing the milk upwards. If this is blocked, and it probably is then no milk and no froth. Use a really small screwdriver to carefully clean the white tube both from the front and the little hole underneath.

So in conclusion. Any air leak between the red and black orings will prevent the vacuum required to draw milk up the tube and alternatively any blockage of the milk channel will also obviously prevent the flow into the frothing mechanism. Hope this helps.

Remove the black plastic outer sleeve of the Frothing Wand (some models have a metal outer sleeve). If done correctly, the “sleeve” has been removed, but the inner wand with red or black washer, is still connected to the machine.
2) The part of the sleeve assembly that you have removed is comprised of 2 pieces, the frothing sleeve and the center piece. The center piece can be seen if you look into the top of the wand.
3) Using a pencil (eraser end), or similar shaped object, push down on the center piece until an audible “click” is heard. The “click” means that the centerpiece is back into the proper position. When in the proper position, the center piece visibly sticks out the bottom of the sleeve about ¼-inch. It looks like a bird beak.
4) Now put the sleeve back on the machine and your machine should be ready to froth again.

As for the milk island, translaltion from the italian solution using google and drying all the parts works