Water spraying or dripping from around the portafilter during a shot is almost always the gasket, according to Gaggia's own troubleshooting documentation.
01Worn or dirty group head gasket
Per the official manual, check that the seal isn't dirty and that there are no coffee residues on the edge of the filter holder — both are common, easily fixed causes. Clean the gasket area with a damp cloth first before assuming replacement is needed.
02Portafilter not inserted correctly
Confirm the filter holder is fully locked into position (Gaggia's manual references this directly as a common cause) — a portafilter that's only partially turned won't seat against the gasket properly, even with a good gasket.
03Overfilled basket
Too much ground coffee prevents the portafilter from seating flush against the gasket. Check your dose against the basket's rated capacity, and avoid packing coffee above the rim line.
| Symptom | Most likely cause |
|---|---|
| Spray from one side only | Uneven gasket wear or dirty edge |
| Spray all the way around | Gasket fully worn, needs replacement |
| Portafilter feels loose when locked | Overfilled basket or worn gasket |