Ventilate!....shows in window and machine will not ventilate when knob is opened. it has regularly been de-scaled but we do live in a hard-water area.

Generally you can clear the ventilate error by pressing the button for Hot Water and then opening the steam knob. You should hear the pump run and water should start to flow from the steam wand. If it doesn't, try removing the frother nozzle so just the chrome pipe is showing.

To remove the frother nozzle you slide the outer sleeve off, and then grip the nozzle with one hand while twisting the cap to loosen it. Then it should slide off the metal steam pipe. Or you can check that the tip of the nozzle isn't clogged.

If you have the frother removed and the steam pipe is definitely open and not clogged and you still hear the pump running but no water is coming out, the next step is to prime the pump.

If you still have the squeeze bulb pump that came with the machine, you can use that - or if you don't have it, a turkey baster will work. You want to take the water tank off and set it aside, then pump water into the valve in the center where the tank had been sitting. You choose "Hot Water" and open the steam valve so the pump starts and then pump water into that valve with the Turkey Baster. You should hear the pump catch and start to move the water - when this happens immediately close the steam valve so the pump stops - then replace the water tank (filled with water please) and open the steam valve again and let water run out of the steam wand for several seconds.

That should clear the ventilate message.