Is your Morphy Richards Soup Maker flashing, beeping, displaying E1 or showing moving lines on the screen?
These indicators don't always mean there's a fault. Many are designed to tell you when your soup maker is ready, heating, blending, resting or keeping your soup warm.
This guide explains what the different lights, symbols and warnings mean, and what you should do.
Models covered: 48822, 501014, 501020, 501021, 501022, 501025 and 501050.
1. All the Programme Lights Flash When I Switch It On
What does it mean?
On models 48822, 501014, 501021, 501022, 501025 and 501050, the programme icons normally flash in sequence when the appliance is connected to the mains and ready for a programme to be selected.
This is normal operation, not an error.
What should I do?
- Ensure the lid is correctly fitted.
- Press the Mode button to select the required programme.
- The selected programme indicator should illuminate.
- Press Start/Stop or Select On/Off, depending on your model, to begin.
- The display should show the programme time and begin counting down.
If the lights continue flashing but you cannot select or start a programme, check that the lid is fitted correctly and that no food residue is preventing it from sitting securely.
If the buttons remain unresponsive, see our Soup Maker Not Turning On or Starting troubleshooting guide.
2. All Four Programme Lights Are Flashing and the Timer Shows 0 or 00
What does it mean?
On models 48822, 501014, 501022, 501025 and 501050, four flashing programme icons accompanied by a completed countdown generally indicate that the programme has finished.
The appliance may also beep to let you know your soup is ready.
This is normal and doesn't indicate a fault.
What should I do?
If the cooking programme has completed, your soup is ready to serve, subject to the recipe being fully cooked.
Where your model has a Keep Warm function, the appliance may enter that mode automatically.
Otherwise, switch off and unplug the appliance, then carefully remove the lid and serve.
Model 501021 Compact: This model displays 00 and sounds an audible alert when the programme finishes. It doesn't need to display the same four-light completion pattern as other models.
Model 501020 Total Control: This model has its own programme-completion and Keep Warm indicators, explained below.
3. A Line or Symbol Keeps Moving Around the Display
What does it mean?
On models 501022, 501025 and 501050, a moving or cycling line on the display can indicate that Keep Warm is operating.
Keep Warm activates automatically after a completed soup programme on these models.
The appliance is maintaining the temperature of your prepared soup rather than starting another cooking cycle.
What should I do?
You don't need to do anything if you want the soup to remain warm.
If you're ready to serve:
- 501022: Press Start/Stop to leave Keep Warm, then unplug the appliance.
- 501025: Press and hold Start/Stop to end Keep Warm, then unplug.
- 501050: Press Start/Stop to end Keep Warm, then unplug.
Allow for hot steam when removing the lid.
501025 and 501050: Keep Warm operates for approximately 30 minutes before ending automatically.
If the appliance is showing a moving line but the soup has not completed a cooking programme, contact Customer Support with your model number and a description of the display.
4. My 501020 Total Control Soup Maker Displays Keep Warm
What does it mean?
The 501020 Total Control Soup Maker automatically enters Keep Warm after completing a soup programme.
The Keep Warm indicator on the control panel shows that the function is active.
This is normal operation.
What should I do?
If you want to keep the soup warm, leave the function operating.
If you're ready to serve, carefully remove the lid and serve the soup.
If you want to use the Blend function after cooking, press Start/Stop to exit Keep Warm before selecting Blend.
Keep Warm is designed to operate for up to 30 minutes.
5. My Soup Maker Shows a Moving Heating or Blending Symbol
What does it mean?
On models with an animated LED display, different symbols show which stage of the programme is taking place.
Heating animation
The soup maker is heating the ingredients.
No action is required.
Blending animation
The blades are operating to blend the ingredients.
You may hear the motor start, sometimes accompanied by a beep when the appliance changes from heating to blending.
Keep the lid securely fitted while blending.
Resting stage
The soup maker may pause between heating and blending stages.
On several models, no moving animation appears during this stage, but the countdown continues.
This is normal.
What should I do?
If the timer continues counting down and the programme progresses normally, allow the appliance to continue.
If the countdown stops completely, the appliance switches off or an error code appears, follow the relevant troubleshooting guidance below.
6. The Lights Are Flashing After I Cancelled a Programme
What does it mean?
On models 501021, 501022, 501025 and 501050, the programme lights flash when a cooking programme has been cancelled.
This indicates that the appliance is ready for another programme selection.
What should I do?
If you cancelled the programme intentionally:
- Press and hold Start/Stop for approximately 2 seconds to cancel the existing programme, if you haven't already.
- The programme indicators should flash.
- Press Mode to select the correct programme.
- Press Start/Stop to begin.
If you cancelled partway through cooking, remember that the ingredients may not be fully cooked. Make sure the selected programme and remaining cooking requirements are appropriate before serving.
If the programme repeatedly cancels without you pressing a button, see our cutting-out troubleshooting guide.
7. The Sauté Light Is Red or Green – Model 501014
What does it mean?
The 501014 Sauté Soup Maker uses a red and green indicator to show the status of the Sauté function.
Red Sauté indicator
The appliance is ready for Sauté to be selected, but Sauté heating is not active.
Green Sauté indicator
The Sauté function has been activated and the jug is heating.
What should I do?
If the indicator is red and you want to sauté ingredients:
- Ensure the lid is removed, as required for this model.
- Follow the normal Sauté preparation procedure.
- Press the Sauté button.
- The indicator should change from red to green.
When finished, press the Sauté button again. The indicator should return to red.
Important: On model 501014, Sauté is designed to operate with the lid removed.
If the indicator remains red and Sauté won't activate, follow our dedicated guide:
Sauté Function Not Working – Model 501014
8. The Sauté Indicator Won't Start – Model 501020 Total Control
The 501020 Total Control Soup Maker operates differently from the 501014.
On this model, the lid must be fitted for the Sauté function to operate.
Removing the lid deactivates Sauté heating.
What should I do?
- Ensure the removable vessel is correctly positioned.
- Fit the lid securely.
- Select Sauté using the Mode button.
- Press Start/Stop to activate the function.
Follow the model's normal Sauté cooking procedure when adding or stirring ingredients.
If Sauté still won't operate, see:
Sauté Function Not Working – Model 501020 Total Control
Do not follow the 501014 Sauté instructions on the 501020, as their lid safety arrangements are different.
9. My Soup Maker Displays E1
What does it mean?
On models with an E1 overfill warning, such as the 501025 Perfect Soup Maker, E1 indicates that the overfill detection system has been activated.
This can happen if:
- The jug contains too many ingredients or too much liquid.
- Ingredients are touching the overfill sensor.
- Food or residue has collected around the sensor.
- Ingredients expand or foam during cooking and reach the sensor.
What should I do?
- Switch off and unplug the soup maker.
- Allow the appliance and its contents to cool before opening the lid.
- Check that the combined ingredients and liquid do not exceed the MAX filling level.
- Remove excess ingredients if necessary.
- Carefully clean any food residue from the accessible overfill sensor on the lid, where fitted.
- Refit the lid securely.
If there are no other warning signs, you can then follow the normal operating procedure for your model.
For full guidance, see:
E1 Error Code – Morphy Richards Soup Maker Troubleshooting
If E1 continues to appear despite the correct filling levels and a clean sensor, contact Customer Support.
10. The Programme Light Is On but Nothing Is Happening
If a programme indicator is illuminated but the appliance isn't heating or blending, first check whether the cooking programme has actually started.
What should I check?
Has the Start button been pressed?
Selecting a programme doesn't necessarily start it. Press Start/Stop or Select On/Off, as applicable.
Is the countdown running?
If the timer is counting down, the appliance may be resting between heating and blending stages.
Is Chunky selected?
On the models covered here, the Chunky programme cooks the ingredients without automatically blending them. The absence of blending during this programme is normal.
Is Blend or Drinks selected?
These functions are not intended to cook soup. Select an appropriate heating programme if you want to cook ingredients.
Has the lid been fitted correctly?
Check that the lid is correctly positioned and free from trapped ingredients.
If the programme has started but the appliance remains cold, see our Soup Maker Not Heating or Soup Staying Cold troubleshooting guide.
If the appliance stops partway through cooking, see:
Soup Maker Cutting Out During Cooking – Troubleshooting
11. My Soup Maker Display Is Blank, Flickering or Missing Numbers
A display that is completely blank, repeatedly flickers or has missing segments may indicate a display or electrical problem rather than a normal programme warning.
Please see:
Soup Maker Display Not Working or Flickering – Troubleshooting
If the display repeatedly loses power, shows signs of damage or moisture may have reached electrical components, stop using the appliance and contact Customer Support.
12. When Should I Contact Morphy Richards?
Please contact Customer Support if:
- A programme light continues flashing and the appliance won't respond.
- The appliance displays an error code that isn't explained here.
- E1 continues to appear after the appropriate checks.
- The countdown stops unexpectedly and the programme won't continue.
- The display shows missing or unreadable numbers.
- A programme repeatedly cancels or stops without being selected.
- The appliance displays a warning alongside signs of overheating, electrical damage or unusual operation.
Stop using the appliance immediately if you notice smoke, sparking, an electrical burning smell, damaged electrical connections or household electrics tripping.
Do not restart the appliance to reproduce a potentially unsafe fault.
Still Need Help?
Contact our Customer Support team.
Please tell us:
- Your soup maker's model number.
- Which lights, symbols or error codes are displayed.
- Whether the lights are flashing continuously or only at certain stages.
- Whether the appliance heats, blends or completes its programme.
- What troubleshooting you've already tried.
If possible, include a clear photograph of the display, provided it can be taken safely.
Our team will review the information and advise on the appropriate next steps.
Summary – What Do the Flashing Lights Mean?
- Lights flashing when first switched on: Usually ready for programme selection on applicable models.
- Four lights flashing with timer at zero: Programme completed on several models.
- 501021 displaying 00 and beeping: Cooking programme completed.
- Moving line on the display: Keep Warm on models 501022, 501025 and 501050.
- 501020 Keep Warm indicator: Soup is being kept warm after cooking.
- Heating or blending animation: Normal programme operation.
- No animation but timer counting down: Normal resting stage on applicable models.
- Lights flashing after cancelling: Ready to select another programme on applicable models.
- 501014 Sauté indicator red: Sauté not active.
- 501014 Sauté indicator green: Sauté heating active.
- E1: Overfill detection warning on applicable models.
- Blank or flickering display: Follow the display troubleshooting guide.
Most flashing lights are normal operating indicators. The important thing is identifying your model, the symbol displayed and when it appears.
If your soup maker still isn't operating correctly after following the relevant guidance, we're here to help.