Here are the top reasons for your Instant Pot not sealing. This guide helps you troubleshoot a common problem most Instant Pot users encounter i.e. the Instant Pot not pressurizing. Learn how you can prevent the issue and how to seal your Instant Pot correctly the first time.
Instant Pot Terminology
Here are some of the parts that I refer to throughout this article:
- Float Valve: a metal pin that pops up once the Instant Pot has pressurized.
- Steam Release Handle (select models): Steam is released through the vents in the steam release handle. To seal the Instant Pot, turn this pressure knob to the Sealing position and to release pressure, move it to the Venting position. The steam release handle is sometimes referred to as the Instant Pot venting knob or pressure valve.
- Steam Release Valve (select models): Steam is released through the vents in the steam release valve. It’s also referred to as the Instant Pot pressure valve or venting knob. Please note that in this guide, I use the terms steam release handle and steam release valve interchangeably.
- Steam Release Button (select models): this button is used to seal the Instant Pot and to release pressure. Make sure it’s in the Up or Sealing position by clicking it counterclockwise to spring it into the Sealing position. To release pressure, push down on the button until it clicks into place in the Down or Venting position.
- Sealing Ring: a silicone ring that creates a seal between the base unit of the Instant Pot and the lid, allowing pressure to build up and the Instant Pot to be pressurized.
- Float Valve: a metal pin covered with a silicone ring on the inside of the lid which keeps it in place. It can be removed and cleaned.
- Anti-block Shield: metal cover that prevents food particles from entering the steam release pipe and blocking it. The anti-block shield covers the exhaust valve and it can be removed and cleaned.
Introduction
One of the most common problems Instant Pot users encounter is that their Instant Pot won’t pressurize (or seal). This happens to me and I’m pretty sure it happens to most Instant Pot and pressure cooker users.
So what I’m trying to say is that you’re not alone! New Instant Pot users, in particular, have a hard time troubleshooting what’s wrong when their Instant Pot is not pressurizing. (By the way, although some people call it an Instapot, the correct name is Instant Pot.)
Should steam come out of the Instant Pot when pressurizing? Yes, there will be steam escaping from the steam release valve and float valve.
When you program the Instant Pot to pressure cook, initially the display says On. After a few minutes (anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the quantity and temperature of the food), you’ll see and hear steam coming out of the pressure release (steam release) handle and/or float valve. Perfectly normal.
After some hissing and steaming and hesitation, the float valve usually rises all the way to the Up position and the Instant Pot is sealed. After a few minutes, the display should start counting down the number of minutes you programmed the Instant Pot to pressure cook.
Should steam come out of the Instant Pot once it’s sealed? In general, no, there should not be any steam coming out once the float valve is in the sealing position (Up position).
However, I have on occasion, seen very slight steaming when it’s sealed and this is not a cause for concern. This usually happens when I’m cooking something with a lot of liquid, such as soup.
If you’ve waited for longer than usual and the float valve is not rising, there’s a possibility that your Instant Pot is not going to pressurize. And if the countdown timer begins and the Instant Pot float valve is not rising, it’s definitely not going to seal.
I’ve put together a list of possible reasons why your Instant Pot is not pressurizing. You’ll most likely be able to pinpoint your issue in one of the following cases. Also make sure you check out my article on the Burn or Food Burn Message.
Pro Tip
There are various reasons for sealing problems, ranging from the Instant Pot sealing ring not being in place to the pressure release handle being in the Venting position.
Once you diagnose the reason for your Instant Pot not coming to pressure, and before you continue with pressure cooking, make sure you have enough liquid in the Instant Pot.
Oftentimes, the liquid has evaporated over a period of time while the steam was leaking. If you restart the pressure cooking process without adding back the lost liquid, you’re likely to have more sealing issues.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, here are my guides on how to use some popular Instant Pot models:
1. Pressure Release (Steam Release) Handle is in the Venting Position
This is one of the most common Instant Pot problems encountered by new owners.
- The steam release handle (available on some models) can be moved from Instant Potg Sealing position to Venting position.
- In addition to the handle on some models (e.g. Instant Pot Duo), there are other steam release mechanisms used on the various models of the Instant Pot. The steam release button (e.g. Instant Pot Ultra) is pushed down for Venting position and turned counter-clockwise for Sealing position. The steam release switch (e.g. Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus) slides from Sealing to Venting.
The pressure release needs to be in the Sealing position when cooking on any mode other than Slow Cook or Yogurt or Sous Vide.
SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and make sure there’s enough liquid. If too much liquid has evaporated, the Instant Pot won’t pressurize, so add more liquid if necessary. Close the Instant Pot and resume pressure cooking.
If you have trouble closing the lid, move the steam release handle to the VENTING position. Since the contents are warm, this will allow you to close the pot properly. Once it’s closed, move the steam release handle to the SEALING position.
[Read More: The different pressure release methods.]
2. Sealing Ring (Sealing Gasket) is not Properly Seated
If the ring cannot be rotated around the sealing ring rack, it’s not properly seated. You should be able to turn it in place, with a bit of effort. If the sealing ring hasn’t been installed correctly, you may find that steam is leaking out of the sides of the lid.
SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot and push down the sealing ring all around the ring rack to make sure it’s properly seated. Try and turn it in the ring rack. It should move/rotate around the ring rack, albeit with some effort.
3. Sealing Ring is Missing/Misplaced
It’s possible that the sealing ring has been removed for cleaning and wasn’t placed back in the Instant Pot lid’s ring rack. If your sealing ring is missing, you will see the Instant Pot leaking steam from the sides of the lid.
SOLUTION: Replace the Instant Pot sealing ring.
4. Not Enough Liquid in Instant Pot
According to the Instant Pot manual, the Instant Pot requires at least 1 cup of liquid. I’ve used as little as 1/2 cup and done fine with many recipes. Some liquids like canned tomato sauce are too dense and require thinning out with broth or water.
SOLUTION: Add more water or broth. If the final result is a dish that’s too thin/liquidy, you can use the Saute function and let the liquid reduce and thicken, or you can use a thickener like cornstarch, flour, potato flakes, etc.
5. Food is Scorched at the Bottom of the Inner Pot
If food is scorched on the bottom of the Instant Pot, the liquid won’t make contact with the bottom of the inner pot and the Instant Pot won’t build steam. Here are a few of the reasons food gets scorched on the bottom of the Instant Pot:
- After browning or sauteing, if there are browned bits sticking to the bottom of the pot, you need to deglaze the pot. Deglazing involves adding liquid (e.g. water, broth) to the heated pot and stirring, to allow the browned bits to come free.
- The liquid is too thick. This can happen with thick sauces such as tomato sauce, mole sauce, or pasta sauce. Thick sauces should be placed at the top without stirring them in AND you can also thin them out with some water or broth.
- Starchy foods are making contact with the bottom of the inner pot. Starchy foods such as pasta, rice, etc. should be layered on top of other ingredients, without stirring them in.
- The Instant Pot is overfilled with food and there isn’t enough room for the liquid to circulate.
SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot, remove contents to a large bowl, clean the inner pot by scraping it with a plastic or wooden scraper (You might even need to soak it with warm water and dish detergent for a bit.)
I have several of these pan scrapers that work really well. Once the inner pot is clean, resume cooking, but be sure to add more liquid.
[Read More about layering problem ingredients such as sauces, pasta, rice, etc.]
6. Sealing Ring has Expanded Too Much and Won’t Seal Properly
The sealing ring naturally expands when it’s heated. Once cool, it should return to its natural state. If you’ve just completed cooking something, the sealing ring may still be in its expanded state preventing the Instant Pot from sealing.
SOLUTION: Try placing the Instant Pot sealing ring in the freezer or run it under cold water to contract it. You can also try and turn the sealing ring over and replace it.
7. Instant Pot Sealing Ring has Debris or Food
The Instant Pot sealing ring needs to be clean in order to create a proper seal.
SOLUTION: Make sure there’s no food stuck to the sealing ring. Clean the sealing ring with soap and water.
8. Too Much Water has Evaporated Before Problem was Fixed
If the pot was not initially sealed properly and you corrected the problem, it’s possible that too much liquid evaporated and so there isn’t enough liquid to create the required steam. This can cause the Instant Pot to not pressurize.
SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot, and check the quantity of liquid. You need 1/2 cup to 1 cup of liquid. Add more liquid if necessary.
9. Sealing Ring is Damaged or Torn
If your Instant Pot sealing ring is heavily used or pulled on too hard it can get worn out or tear.
SOLUTION: Purchase a new sealing ring.
10. Timer Function was Used Instead of Manual or Pressure Cook
Some older models of the Instant Pot have a Timer button. The Timer button allows you to set a delayed time to start cooking. When you press the timer button, the time that shows up is the number of hours till cooking starts. So if your Instant Pot timer is not starting, this could be the reason.
SOLUTION: Press Cancel to cancel the timer. Press Manual or Pressure Cook (or other cooking option e.g. Poultry, Meat) and wait a few seconds for the Instant Pot display to change to On. If you wish to use the timer functionality, select the cooking function (e.g. Manual, Pressure Cook, Poultry) first, then press Timer or Delay Start (on newer models).
11. The Instant Pot Lid Area is Dirty
The Instant Pot lid and the area it fits onto on the base unit need to be clean and clear of food debris.
SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot lid and use a cloth or clean toothbrush to wipe around the rim of the Instant Pot lid and the base unit.
12. The Instant Pot Float Valve or Anti-Block Shield Has Debris
When you cook foods like pasta or other messy foods, the anti block shield and the float valve can get dirty and be obstructed.
SOLUTION: Remove the anti-block shield and float valve and clean with a clean toothbrush and soapy water. Clean the hole that the float valve goes into with a brush or pipe cleaner. Clean all parts of the lid. Dry well and replace the parts.
See my Instant Pot Beginner’s Guide to find out how to remove these.
13. Food is Frozen
Frozen food takes longer to cook and it also takes longer for the Instant Pot to pressurize.
SOLUTION: Wait a bit longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal.
14. Large Quantity of Liquid in Instant Pot
If you’re making a soup or cooking a larger quantity of food in the Instant Pot, you may have a lot of liquid. The more liquid you have, the longer it takes for the Instant Pot to seal.
You also need to make sure your ingredients are not going above the Max Fill mark (2/3 full). For foods that expand (e.g. rice, beans, and pasta) you should not go above the 1/2 full mark.
SOLUTION: Wait a bit longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal. If you’re above the above recommended fill lines, split the recipe up and cook it in two batches.
15. Float Valve is Up but Instant Pot Just Says On and Countdown Timer Hasn’t Begun
If the Instant Pot just says ‘On’, it’s could be because there can be a delay between the float valve rising up and the timer starting to countdown.
I’ve had this happen when I’ve used less liquid than is recommended. The Instant Pot comes to pressure and the float valve comes up, but the display just says ‘On‘ and never counts down. In my case, it was just a one-time thing.
SOLUTION: Wait a bit to let the timer begin. The float valve coming up locks the lid but the Instant Pot may need more time to pressurize in order for the timer to begin. If the ‘On‘ never changes to counting down, you’ll need to set an external timer and press Cancel when the time’s up. Try doing a water test to make sure the problem doesn’t recur. If the problem persists, you’ll need to open a support ticket.
16. Power Cord is Loose
Some Instant Pots have detachable power cords. The power cord needs to be pushed into the base unit all the way. It can come loose if you move the Instant Pot or accidentally bump it.
SOLUTION: Push the power cord all the way into the base unit. Also, make sure the power cord is securely attached to the wall outlet. Make sure the outlet is working by testing it out with another appliance or an electrical outlet tester.
17. Food is Stuck on the Rim of the Inner Pot or Liner
If you have food stuck to the rim of the Instant Pot inner pot, the seal will not be tight when you close the Instant Pot lid and steam can escape.
SOLUTION: Thoroughly clean the Instant Pot inner pot, particularly the rim, inside and out.
18. The Wrong Size Inner Pot was Used
If you have multiple Instant Pots of different sizes, you may have used the wrong stainless steel inner pot/liner. The 6-quart inner pot fits into the 8-quart Instant Pot. It’s an easy mistake and is a common problem!
SOLUTION: Make sure you use the correct inner pot.
19. The Float Valve is Missing
If you take the float valve out while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, you may forget to replace it.
SOLUTION: Put the float valve back in and replace the silicone cover.
20. The Steam Release Handle is Missing
If you take the steam release handle out while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, you may forget to replace it.
SOLUTION: Put the steam release handle back onto the lid and push down to make sure it’s properly seated on the steam release pipe.
21. The Lid Locking Pin is Stuck
The spring-loaded pin (lid locking pin) on the rim at the back of the lid could be stuck in the retracted position.
SOLUTION: Push on it from the inside and outside of the lid or gently jiggle it to get the spring mechanism to reset the pin.
22. The Exhaust Valve is Loose
In rare cases, the exhaust valve inside the anti-block shield can become loose; e.g. this can happen during shipping.
SOLUTION: Carefully tighten the valve so it’s not loose anymore. Don’t overly tighten it.
23. The Steam Release Handle is Not Properly Seated
If you take the Instant Pot steam release valve or steam release handle out while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, it may not be put back correctly. It needs to be pushed in all the way. If it isn’t securely seated, steam will leak from the steam release handle or valve.
SOLUTION: Push in the Steam Release Handle and move it from Sealing to Venting and back again a few times so it sits properly.
24. Instant Pot Display Says noPr
If the Instant Pot is showing the noPr error message, it could be that the Instant Pot couldn’t reach a high enough temperature during the pre-heating stage. This could be due to the quantity of food or liquid, the presence of frozen ingredients, or any of the reasons in this article.
SOLUTION: If you’re not making any of the above mistakes but you get the noPr error, press Cancel and try restarting the pressure cooking program again.
25. Instant Pot Leaking Steam Even Though the Float Valve is Up
There’s a metal safety clip inside some older models of the steam release handle and steam release valve. It appears to be there to prevent the Instant Pot from over-pressurizing.
Unfortunately, this metal ring can get bent over time or through shipping. This causes the steam release handle to tilt in the sealing position as if it was set to the venting, allowing steam to escape.
Newer models of the steam release handle and the steam release valve do not have this problem since they now have a silicone retaining ring and cannot get in the way of it sitting level on the steam pipe creating a good seal.
SOLUTION: Purchase a new steam release handle or remove the metal ring, straighten it with a pair of pliers, and put it back in. Here’s a Youtuber who’s posted a video on how to fix the Instant Pot not building pressure due to this issue:
I would like to thank Donald Task and the Reddit Instant Pot community for bringing this problem and solution to my attention!
I hope this Instant Pot troubleshooting guide has helped you find out the reason for your Instant Pot not sealing. Over time and with experience, you should encounter this problem less frequently.
If you continue to have issues with the Instant Pot not pressurizing, try and do a water test to see if it’s an issue with your unit. If the water test fails, you should either return the Instant Pot to the place of purchase or contact the company to file a support ticket.
If you found this article to be helpful, please share it on social media using the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post. Thank you so much!
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Mary
My Instant Pot is not sealing without assistance. Once steam starts coming out around the float valve, I have to jiggle the unit or use a chopstick to wiggle the float valve around to get it to rise. Once the float valve rises, the unit seals and operates normally. In my quest to fix the issue I first took everything apart and carefully cleaned each little piece and crevice, next I replaced the rubber seal at the base of the float valve, and now I’ve replaced the entire float valve and the issue remains. This issue occurs regardless of what is being cooked in the Instant Pot. Any ideas? I’m going to replace the sealing ring next. I’ve been assuming it’s fine since the unit comes to pressure once I get the float valve up, but perhaps it is not.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Mary, I would definitely try a different sealing ring. It could be defective. Good luck.
Lu
Why would the instant pot start the countdown as though it was under pressure when it is not under pressure yet and the float valve is down? Ended up with a boiled mess and meat burnt on the bottom. I realize now one should actually check the float valve, but I would think the controls or some sort of sensor would not start the countdown until under pressure. I wouldn’t use the timer feature due to this issue.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Lu, on most newer models from the last few years, the display says Burn when this happens. I’m not sure if yours is a new one?
Karen
I was going nuts trying to figure out why my instant pot wasn’t coming to pressure. I found this article, and while my issue wasn’t one of the ones listed, it helped to be able to go down a list to troubleshoot. My problem ended up being my trivet was set too high, so the pan was too high. It was just barely taller than the inner pot. Once I lowered the trivet, it came to pressure in an instant!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Karen, thanks for commenting. Your comment will help others facing similar issues. I’ll try and add it to the ever-growing list too 🙂
Jean
Just curious, was this the trivet that came with the IP? If so, how did you adjust it?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Jean, I think she may have been using another trivet because the one that comes with the Instant Pot is quite low. She probably switched a tall one for a shorter one. If your dish is exactly level with the lip, you might be able to close to the lid by moving the dish slightly off-center.
L. DeBlanc
VERY good article and helpful. Wish you had a print out option at the end that would summarize all of these great points, as I would like to keep as a reference.
Paint the Kitchen Red
I’m so sorry not to have that print option. I’ll look into it and see if there’s something I can do about that.
Jean
That would be a great feature.
Donald Task
Hi Neena,
I just wanted to thank you for all your efforts in helping everyone with some of the most common and troublesome issues with the Instant Pot. And a big thumbs up for sharing some pretty tasty recipes.
Ever since I joined the Reddit community for the Instant Pot, I have been linking this page or your burn message page to help individual users have a better understanding of troubleshooting these problems.
Your guides or so comprehensive, but I was wondering if you could add one thing to your list. It basically has to do with the older version of the steam release handle.
Apparently, on the older steam release handle, there’s a metal retaining. It seems to be there to keep from flying off if there is too much pressure inside. Unfortunately, this metal ring can get bent overtime or through shipping. This causes the steam release handle to tilt in the sealing position as if it was set to the venting, allowing steam to escape.
The fix is either to replace the steam release handle or to remove the ring, bend it straight, and put it back.
The new versions of the steam release handle and the steam release valve do not have this problem anymore since they now have a silicone retaining ring and cannot get in the way of it sitting level on the steam pipe creating a good seal.
Here’s a video that demonstrates the issue and the solutions better. https://youtu.be/doyXD53RVdc
I hope this will help you, your followers, the Reddit Community, and anyone else that may come upon your page for help.
Sincerely,
Donald
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Donald – thank you for your kind words. I plan on updating that blog post in the near future and have made a note to add your tip and a link to the video. In the meantime your comment will be available for readers. Thanks for sharing this important information!
Karina
I’ve been looking all over for a fix and this is exactly what I needed! Thank you very much!!
Richard
Thank you. I have used one for a year and never a problem. My 85 year old mother got one and couldn’t get it to work. I ended up trouble shooting it based on your tips and it looks like it was simply the power cord was not firmly seated. Doh!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Not the first time that’s happened Richard – you’re not alone 🙂
Ron Kuiper
When I try to activate my Instant Pot all the lights on the panel begin to continually blink on and off. I can stop this only by pulling the plug. Also the panel comment is “C 6”. What’s wrong and what do I do?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Ron, it could be a faulty sensor or a short circuit. You probably need to submit a ticket to the Instant Pot company or return it, if you’re within the return period.
Roberta
What happens if the lid locking pin will not reset? Is there another fix?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Roberta, are you referring to the lid locking pin on the side of the lid or the float valve on top of the lid?
Denise Babb
Our Insta Pot duo is not pressurizing. We were cooking beans and had the liquid up to the max level. We have been reading solutions and cleaned the rubber ring. Still, it shows pressure and then shuts off, shows pressure on and then shuts off. It never displays the temperature. My husband thinks it may be a motherboard issue. Thoughts?
Denise
Paint the Kitchen Red
Denise, I’m not sure if this is the issue, but you’re not supposed to go above the 1/2 mark with beans, rice, pasta or anything that expands. But since it’s turning off even before it really begins cooking, it might be something else. I would do a water test. If you look at any of my manuals you’ll see a section on the water test: pressure cook about 2 to 3 cups of water for 5 minutes. This allows you to remove any variables such as contents of the Instant Pot.
Marcia Clark
I keep getting an F4 error. What am I doing wrong
Paint the Kitchen Red
Marcia, what model of pressure cooker do you have? Is it Instant Pot? I have never encountered that error code – sorry!
Indigo
Very useful list, thanks so much for compiling!
Paint the Kitchen Red
You’re so welcome – glad to help!
Cathy Hopkins
I just cooked a big pot of stew in my instant pot and found the little black plastic top to the pressure gauge in the stew!! Is it safe to eat the stew?? Or should I throw it out??
Thank you!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Oh, I’m not sure Cathy, it was probably able to withstand the heat since it’s a solid piece, but as to the safety of eating the food I really don’t know – sorry! Probably safest to toss it. It wasn’t pressure cooked if the valve was in the soup – probably just boiled.
Flora Bray
Hi i have just bought the air fryer foodi. The pressure lid doesn’t seem to be working. There is steam coming out the sides so it doesn’t pressurise and all then it says it needs more water. What would you suggest.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Based on where the steam is coming out, I feel there may be something wrong with the sealing ring i.e. the seal isn’t forming when steam builds.
Elby
Thanks for this! My brand new ninja foodi also failed the initial test run. Fortunately I had just traded in the smaller duo crisp so I knew what to expect—and this wasn’t it!
There was too much steam coming out of the valve and it wasn’t getting to a countdown. I have to laugh at myself because I thought maybe getting the larger pot explained why instead of taking five minutes to heat up it was taking 25!
It turned out that the little pop up valve was stuck. I stopped it let it cool off open the pot and jiggled it and there was something about the locking mechanism and the valve not syncing right. Anyway, after playing with the lock and the valve a little they loosened up and it’s working now.
This article was really helpful with your pictures and descriptions, I want to thank you for helping me illuminate problems and find the one that was causing my issue
Paint the Kitchen Red
Glad it was helpful, thank you for your comment!
Sam
In my case, everything seems to be fine, but when I try to pressurize the food for the second time, it always gives me trouble. I usually first cook the meat then add the rice and cook it for few more minutes. Every time, when the meat is done and I try to cook the rice, it doesn’t pressurize. I thought the sealing is hot and soft that’s why it’s not pressurizing. I put the lid inside the freezer to cool down, but it still didn’t work. I have to open and close the lid for more than 20 times until it gets sealed correctly. By then, it says Burned Food. So I’m not sure what could be the reason, but I have to open and close it for many times until it seal correctly.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Sam, you might just need to press Cancel, take the inner pot out of the Instant Pot base unit, and let it cool down for 10 to 15 minutes or so and then continue with the recipe.
Zabs
I have same issues with both same ninja foodi deluxe xl af instant pot combo and figured out the trick to get lid to seal, to pressurized:
1. Put instant pot lid on, turn to lock position.
2. Make sure the steam valve level is open.
3. Set your cooking time and start.
4. At the end of preheating (bout 10 to 12 minute), you’ll start hearing /seeing stream hissing/coming out of the floating valve, a bit from the sides. This is important part of the process…..you’ll need to push hard, on the top pot handle to seal, might take a few tries (be careful not to burn yourself, if you push other parts of the lid) , til the floating valve pops up securely.
Hope this helped!