LEDs Not Working

LED Troubleshooting Steps

Checking LED Functionality

Your Argos LEDs should all flash in the following situations:

When you power on the machine
When you run the Argos LED Test via the app:
1. Open the Odyssey Espresso App
2. Go to Settings → Manage Argos → Test LEDs ON

If all LEDs flash as expected, then any unusual LED behavior is likely caused by a software fault or by other hardware components. Refer to this table for details on what specific LED patterns may indicate.

⚠️ If one or more LEDs fail to light up during the test above, then remove the back and left side panel (facing the machine) and check the following

🔗 How to Remove Panels on the Argos (Video Guide)

Are the wires kinked?

TRY: Straightening out wires and re-do LED test

Are the LED pins going into the 18 pin-connector snug?

TRY: Re-sit pins in 18-pin connector and re-do LED test

Does gently wiggling the relevant wires make a difference?

TRY: Ensure pins in 18-pin connector are not failing to lock into place

If pins are not locking in - follow this guide on how to adjust pin locking tabs

Are there signs of moisture that might be impacting the circuitry?

TRY: Please add Leak Troubleshooting to your to-do list to ensure moisture does not impact other parts of your machine

Do the LEDs work with the back panel removed?

TRY:

Adjusting the wires coming out of the 18-pin connector to minimise pressure from back panel
Adjusting the back panel, ensuring it is not bent too far inwards and exerting excess pressure on the wires exiting the connector

NOTES:

You only need to remove the left panel (looking from the front of the machine) and the back panel to access the relevant wires. If your steam wand is on the left, note that there may be some residual water in the system upon disassembly.
If your LED only fails at high temperatures (e.g., steam temperatures), first check that the LED wire isn't pinched against the boiler insulation and overheating. Since the PCB mount is flexible, you can gently bend it back to create more space for the wires, preventing them from pressing against the hot boiler insulation.

If your LED has blown and there does not appear to be other issues contributing to your LED failure, please email us at support@odysseyespresso.com detailing your findings and we will ship you new replacement parts

LED replacement

🔗 How to Remove Panels on the Argos (Video Guide)

🔗 How to Replace the LEDs and Potentiometer (Video Guide)

Left-Hand Steam Wand machines

Early left-hand steam wand machines will also receive a PTFE sleeve to place over the steam manifold to further protect the LEDs from heat stress. This sleeve was implemented in machines that shipped around July 2025 onwards.

To install the sleeve, not that there is a shallow V cut out of one side of the sleeve. This needs to face towards steam manifold and clocked at about 10 o'clock to align with the plug shown above, allowing the sleeve sit as flush as possible with the manifold.

NOTES:

You only need to remove the left panel (looking from the front of the machine) and the back panel to access the relevant wires. If your steam wand is on the left, note that there may be some residual water in the system upon disassembly.
We will supply a pin removal tool with the LED parts to make it easier for you to remove the old terminals from the 18-pin connector.
You do not need to cut the wires like Ross does in the video.
You only need to replace the faulty LED(s). No need to touch the potentiometer or other LEDs.
If you have the new LEDs with the white lens caps, you will receive just the bulb and wires of the LED, and the old LED can be replaced without removing the top lens and housing.

💡 Some users find it tricky to reinstall the back panel while holding the bolt in place.

Here's a helpful tip: use some tape and a 3mm allen key to hold the bolt in position (as shown in the photo below). This frees up your hands during reassembly. You'll understand what I mean when you reach this step.

Using the App

While you wait for your LED replacement, data from the Odyssey Espresso app becomes especially valuable, as it shows when the machine has reached the desired temperature.

See here for a guide on how to use the app to help

If you have any questions, comments, concerns about your Argos after this guide, please email us at support@odysseyespresso.com!