Hi, had the same prob. Removed the strainer and large filter, got a full kettle of boiling water poured into machine, then gently clean the gauze in front of the pump with a soft brush, an old toothbrush.
The flashing is a fault code, the answers what the code means seem to contradict themselves.
If you hold down the start button it will beep and reset the code.
If you then shut the door for minute it will pump out the water, then repeat with the boiling water..
Hope this helps Alan.
Alan, May 2014
