Before you dismantle anything, do a quick check that takes under a minute:

1. Smell your beans. If they smell flat or a bit like cardboard, they're stale. Fresh coffee should smell like the bag says—fruity, nutty, whatever.
2. Look at your water. Is it roiling violently in the bottom chamber? That's too hot. You want a gentle, steady simmer.
3. Check your ratio. Are you using the same coffee amount you always do? In heat, you might need a touch more.

If any of these are off, fix them first. Often, that's all it takes.