<p>You probably have a broken shower (dispersion disc).</p>
<p>Try removing the shower screen - the metal part that faces the coffee. There's a screw in the center.</p>
<p>Above the screen is a plastic dispersion disc (shower); it's job is to spread the water across the bed of coffee. Remove it as well - should pry right out, no additional screws.</p>
<p>It's pretty common for this disc to break - it's made of plastic and is subject to a lot of heat and pressure. Breville sells replacements on their website, you might also get one at ereplacementparts.com [I have no connection to them but I have purchased this part from them].</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-05T06:56:20.273Z
Interesting. I would have assumed that the shower screen would be keeping everything level towards the filter? But one learns something new every day!
Stephie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-15T23:46:10.420Z
@Stephie It does as long as it's not broken. If it breaks, one piece can get pushed under the other and cause a slight bulge in the shower screen, which can prevent locking. A damaged gasket can sometimes cause a similar problem.
R Mac
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-23T03:07:02.127Z
2020-08-23T03:07:02.127Z
expressoshoppe
<p>I just bought a Breville Bambino Plus, and when I tried to lock the portafilter in the group head it doesn't turn and lock. There seems to be too much resistance to the point that I think I might break something.</p>
<p>I removed the ground coffee, then tried hooking it in again. I got the same result. However, when I removed the filter basket from the portafilter I was able to turn and lock!<br />
I was using the same tools provided with the machine.<br />
I'm not sure if the reason is the basket or something else.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-24T11:23:08.517Z
From experience, the seal starts out very stiff and it takes some time until the filter can be locked in 90° to the machine. However it should at least lock. You can try heating the machine up with the filter with basket inserted for some time for the rubber to get a bit softer.
Horst
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-24T12:00:44.873Z
I tottaly agree but in my situation it won't even turn halfway and lock... i will try to heat the machine again to soften the rubber tho i don't think it'll work i tried it before, honstly don't know what to do :(
Rose
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-24T12:44:39.783Z
There are silicone seals instead of rubber, at least in my Brikka the silicone seal is softer than the rubber seal. Contacting the Seller/Manufacturer is also worth a shot, maybe they know some trick or at least can comment if this is common.
Horst
<espresso><espresso-machine><portafilter>
How can I lock my portafilter when there's too much resistance?
Rose
# How can I lock my portafilter when there's too much resistance?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-23)

I just bought a Breville Bambino Plus, and when I tried to lock the portafilter in the group head it doesn't turn and lock. There seems to be too much resistance to the point that I think I might break something.

I removed the ground coffee, then tried hooking it in again. I got the same result. However, when I removed the filter basket from the portafilter I was able to turn and lock!  
I was using the same tools provided with the machine.  
I'm not sure if the reason is the basket or something else.

**Tags:** espresso, espresso-machine, portafilter

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: From experience, the seal starts out very stiff and it takes some time until the filter can be locked in 90° to the machine. However it should at least lock. You can try heating the machine up with the filter with basket inserted for some time for the rubber to get a bit softer.  
> **username_0**: I tottaly agree but in my situation it won't even turn halfway and lock... i will try to heat the machine again to soften the rubber tho i don't think it'll work i tried it before, honstly don't know what to do :(  
> **username_1**: There are silicone seals instead of rubber, at least in my Brikka the silicone seal is softer than the rubber seal. Contacting the Seller/Manufacturer is also worth a shot, maybe they know some trick or at least can comment if this is common.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-08-23. Score: 1

You probably have a broken shower (dispersion disc).

Try removing the shower screen - the metal part that faces the coffee. There's a screw in the center.

Above the screen is a plastic dispersion disc (shower); it's job is to spread the water across the bed of coffee. Remove it as well - should pry right out, no additional screws.

It's pretty common for this disc to break - it's made of plastic and is subject to a lot of heat and pressure. Breville sells replacements on their website, you might also get one at ereplacementparts.com [I have no connection to them but I have purchased this part from them].

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Interesting. I would have assumed that the shower screen would be keeping everything level towards the filter? But one learns something new every day!  
> **username_4**: @username_3 It does as long as it's not broken. If it breaks, one piece can get pushed under the other and cause a slight bulge in the shower screen, which can prevent locking. A damaged gasket can sometimes cause a similar problem.  

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