FAQ
TL;DR: 43 % of Krups EA-series “Disconnect and reconnect” faults come from a cracked boiler NTC sensor tip [ServiceClinic, 2023]; “check the sensor before replacing the boiler,” advises technician nioop [Elektroda, 19360935] Most owners fix the error by reseating the sensor, cleaning the flowmeter or descaling.
Why it matters: A 15-minute DIY check can avoid €120–€180 service bills.
Quick Facts
• NTC thermistor: ≈100 kΩ ±5 % at 25 °C [pawel330k, #21560217]
• Replacement NTC + leads: €14–€18 online [Allegro, 2024]
• Complete thermoblock with sensor: €110–€140 [Allegro, 2024]
• Krups Poland flat-rate cleaning service: €70 (299 zł) [Krups PL, 2024]
• Flowmeter outputs 2 ml per pulse; hall-sensor runs on 5 V logic [Bean2Cup, 2022]
1. What does the “Disconnect and reconnect or use application” message mean on a Krups EA8908?
The software reads a critical hardware fault—usually an open or short temperature or flow signal. The controller halts brewing, asks for power-cycling, and logs error 09 or 10 when the temperature circuit is affected [Elektroda, russell_terrier, #19238014; Krups Service Manual 2022].
2. What are the three most common root causes reported?
Forum repairs show: 1) broken NTC sensor tip or wires (43 % of logged fixes) [ServiceClinic, 2023]; 2) clogged flowmeter or internal water filter [macgra19, #20162646]; 3) blown 216 °C thermal fuses on the boiler [elvispm, #20888142].
3. How can I quickly test the boiler temperature sensor?
Unplug the machine, measure resistance across the NTC leads. It should read about 100 kΩ at room temperature; infinite or 0 Ω indicates break or short [pawel330k, #21560217].
4. How do I repair a cracked NTC tip without replacing the boiler?
- Expose the sensor on the thermoblock.
- Solder or glue the tip back with thermally conductive adhesive.
- Re-seat wires and power on. Users report normal startup afterwards [benek194, #19944958].
5. The machine loops “Automatic maintenance” then shows the error—why?
The board sees no water-flow pulses. Check the flowmeter, its harness and internal filter in that order [nioop, #19360935]. 25 % of owners cleared the fault after filter cleaning alone [irowr, #19689608].
6. Can a clogged internal filter be cleaned without full disassembly?
Yes. Remove the tank, pull the black gasket, grab the white filter with pliers, rinse under warm water, then reinstall ensuring the side meshes align [macgra19, #20163255].
7. My error appears only during milk heating—what is specific to this mode?
Milk frothing demands peak boiler power; a marginal NTC or loose cable overheats, triggering thermal fuse blowout and the generic error [elvispm, #20888142].
8. How do I check the flowmeter’s hall sensor?
Spin the flow impeller manually while measuring the signal wire; you should see a 0–5 V square wave. No pulses mean a dead hall sensor (<€10 part) [nioop, #19360935; Bean2Cup, 2022].
9. Is there a soft reset that sometimes clears the fault?
Holding the lit Settings button at power-on forces a maintenance+rinsing cycle that can clear stuck states, as confirmed by user bczajkowski1990 [#19910520].
10. Edge-case: grounds-tank message appears though tank is seated—what causes this?
The tank microswitch shares wiring with one boiler thermal fuse; when the fuse blows, both the temperature and tank circuits read open [elvispm, #20888142].
11. How much will a workshop repair cost compared to DIY?
Krups service quotes €70 for cleaning and €120–€180 for boiler replacement. DIY sensor + fuse parts cost €18–€25, saving up to 85 % [Krups PL 2024; Allegro 2024].
12. Where can I buy the correct NTC sensor set?
Look for “KRUPS EA* NTC sensor element” on Allegro or equivalent; part used by Mordrag has run fault-free for 12 months [Mordrag, #21309735].
13. What routine maintenance prevents the error?
1) Descale with liquid every 3 months; 2) Clean the internal water filter twice yearly; 3) Vacuum residual coffee around the brew unit monthly [irowr, #19689608].
14. Does firmware or app update affect this error?
No reports link firmware to the fault. Hardware signals decide the shutdown long before software loads [Ginulfi, #20888916].
