my cuisinart grind and brew plus just shows a blinking 'clean' light and won't let me do anything else, how do i make it stop?

Diagnosis

The machine's automatic cleaning reminder has been triggered. After a set number of brewing cycles, it locks you out until you run the descale program.

How to Fix It

You must run the descaling cycle immediately.

1. Fill the water reservoir with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and cold water (or a commercial descaling solution). Do not add coffee to the basket.
2. Place a carafe or large container (at least 10 cups capacity) under the brew head.
3. Press and hold the 'Clean' button for 3 seconds. The 'Clean' light will stay solid.
4. The machine will run a long cycle, pumping the solution through. When it stops, discard the liquid.
5. Refill the reservoir with fresh cold water only and repeat the cycle (press 'Clean' again) to rinse. The light will turn off when complete.

If That Didn't Work

If the 'Clean' light is still on after a proper descale/rinse, the sensor might be faulty. Unplug the machine for a full 5 minutes to perform a hard reset, then plug it back in.

Heads Up

Never run a brew cycle with vinegar in the reservoir—you'll ruin the coffee. The rinse cycle is non-negotiable.