Here are the top reasons for your Instant Pot not sealing. This guide helps you troubleshoot a common problem most Instant Pot users encounter: the Instant Pot won’t come to pressure. Learn how to seal your Instant Pot correctly the first time, and how to avoid the issue.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.
➡ Need more help? Check out my Instant Pot troubleshooting guide!
Pressure Release Valve Parts
Here are some of the parts that I refer to throughout this article. The steam release mechanism varies by Instant Pot model; some newer models may look slightly different.
- Float Valve: a metal pin that pops up once the Instant Pot has pressurized.
- Steam Release Valve: Steam is released through the vents in the steam release valve. It’s also referred to as the Instant Pot pressure valve, pressure release valve, or venting knob.
- Steam Release Handle: Steam is released through the vents in the steam release handle. To seal the Instant Pot pressure cooker, 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 Button: Click it counterclockwise to spring it up into the Sealing position. To release pressure, push the button until it clicks down into place in the Venting position.
- Steam Release Switch: To put it in Sealing mode, slide it into the Seal position. To release pressure, slide it into the Vent position.
- Silicone Sealing Ring: a flexible ring that creates a seal between the Instant Pot’s base unit and the lid, allowing pressure to build up and pressurize the Instant Pot. It’s also referred to as a gasket.
- Float Valve: a metal pin covered with a silicone cover 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 and blocking the steam release pipe. The anti-block shield covers the exhaust valve and can be removed and cleaned.
Why Is Your Instant Pot Not Sealing?
One of the most common issues people encounter with Instant Pot (aka Instapot) is that their Instant Pot won’t pressurize or seal.
This happens to me, and I’m sure it happens to most electric pressure cooker users. Usually, it’s an easy fix!
New Instant Pot users, in particular, have difficulty troubleshooting what’s wrong when their Instant Pot is not sealing. They may think that the pressure sensor is busted or something is wrong with the unit.
If the countdown timer has begun and the float valve is not rising, the Instant Pot won’t seal.
If the Instant Pot is not pressurizing but counting down, timer has begun and the float valve is not rising, the Instant Pot won’t seal.
I’ve compiled a list of possible reasons why your Instant Pot is not pressurizing. You’ll most likely be able to troubleshoot your issue in one of the following cases.
Another common problem when the Instant Pot is trying to come to full pressure is the Burn or Food Burn Message, so I encourage you to read that article too!
📍 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. I’ll go into detail shortly.
- Once you diagnose the reason for your Instant Pot not coming to pressure, make sure you have enough liquid in the Instant Pot before you continue with pressure cooking.
- Often, some of the liquid evaporates while the steam is leaking. If you restart the pressure cooking process without compensating for the lost liquid, you will likely have more sealing issues.
Should steam come out of the Instant Pot when pressurizing?
Yes, steam will escape from the steam release and float valves until the Instant Pot is sealed.
When you initially program the Instant Pot to pressure cook, the display says On. After a few minutes (anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the quantity and temperature of the food), you’ll see steam coming out of the pressure release (steam release) handle and/or float valve on the top of the lid. This is perfectly normal.
After some hissing, steaming, and hesitation, the float valve usually rises to the Up position, and the Instant Pot is sealed. After a few minutes, the display should start counting down from the number of minutes you programmed the Instant Pot to pressure cook.
Should steam come out of the Instant Pot once sealed?
No heavy steam should come out once the float valve is in the sealing position (up position).
However, I have occasionally seen tiny wisps of steam when it’s sealed, and this is not a cause for concern. This usually happens when cooking something with a lot of liquid, such as soup.
1. The Instant Pot Pressure Valve is in Venting Position
Different models of Instant Pot have different pressure release mechanisms.
- Steam Release Handle: The venting knob can be turned from Venting to Sealing.
- Steam Release Button: When the button is up, it seals, and when it’s down, it vents.
- Steam Release Switch: The switch can go from Vent to Seal.
When using the Instant Pot for something other than Slow Cook, Yogurt, or Sous Vide, the pressure release needs to be in the Sealing position.
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, ensure it’s in Sealing position, and resume pressure cooking.
If you have trouble closing the lid, it’s probably because the contents are hot. Move the steam release handle to the Venting position and make sure the lid is properly closed. Then, move the steam release handle to the Sealing position.
2. The Silicone Sealing Ring (Sealing Gasket) is not Properly Seated
If the ring cannot be rotated around in the sealing ring rack, it’s not seated correctly. You should be able to turn it in place, maybe 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 the way around the ring rack to make sure it’s properly seated. Then, try turning it in the ring rack. It should move/rotate around the ring rack. A new sealing ring can be harder to move, but you should be able to.
3. Sealing Ring is Missing/Misplaced
It’s possible that the sealing ring or gasket was removed for cleaning and not 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 gasket.
4. Not Enough Liquid in Instant Pot to Build Pressure
This is one of the most common Instant Pot issues when it’s trying to come to pressure. According to the official manual, the Instant Pot requires at least 1 cup of liquid. I’ve used as little as ½ cup and done fine with many Instant Pot recipes. Remember that it needs to be thin liquid such as water, broth, lemon juice, and soy sauce.
Some liquids like canned tomato sauce are too dense and require thinning out with broth or water. If your Instant Pot isn’t sealing, this is one of the more common reasons.
SOLUTION: Add more water or broth. If the final result is a dish that’s too thin or liquidy, you can use the Saute function and let the liquid reduce and thicken, or you can add 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 pot, the liquid won’t make contact with the bottom, 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 browned bits are 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 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, transfer the contents to a large bowl, and 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 well. Once the inner pot is clean, resume cooking, but add more liquid.
[Read More about layering problem ingredients such as sauces, pasta, rice, etc.]
6. The Sealing Ring has Expanded Too Much and Instapot 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 finished 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 running it under cold water to contract it. You can also try turning the sealing ring over and replacing it.
7. Instant Pot Sealing Ring has Debris or Food
The Instant Pot sealing ring must be clean to create a proper seal.
SOLUTION: Make sure no food is stuck to the sealing ring and clean it with soap and water.
8. Too Much Water has Evaporated Before Problem was Fixed
If the pot wasn’t initially sealed properly and you corrected the problem, it’s possible that too much liquid evaporated, leaving the pot without enough liquid in the pot 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 ½ cup to 1 cup. Add more liquid if necessary.
9. The Sealing Ring is Damaged or Torn
If your seal is heavily used or pulled on too hard, it can wear out or tear, and you may need a new seal.
SOLUTION: Purchase a new sealing ring. Keeping a spare sealing ring on hand is always a good idea.
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 start time. When you press the timer button, the time that shows up is the number of hours until cooking starts. So, if your Instant Pot timer is not starting, this could be the reason.
SOLUTION: Press Cancel to cancel the timer. Select Manual or Pressure Cook mode (or another cooking option, e.g., Poultry or 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 or Liner is Dirty
The Instant Pot lid and the area where it fits on the base unit need to be clean and free of food debris.
If food is 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: 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. Thoroughly clean the inside, outside, and rim of the inner pot.
12. The Instant Pot Float Valve or Anti-Block Shield Has Debris
When you cook pasta or other messy foods, the Instant Pot valve and anti block shield can become dirty and 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 the Instant Pot takes longer to come to pressure.
SOLUTION: If you’ve added frozen food to the pot, wait a bit longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal. If you’re cooking a large quantity of frozen food, I recommend thawing it first, because it will take a very long time to come to pressure and cook!
14. Large Quantity of Liquid in Instant Pot
If you’re making 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 ensure that your ingredients do not exceed the Max Fill mark (⅔ full). For foods that expand (e.g., rice, beans, and pasta), you should not exceed the ½ full mark.
SOLUTION: Wait longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal. If you’re above the recommended max fill lines, split up the recipe and cook it in two batches.
15. The Float Valve is Up, but Instant Pot Just Says On and the Countdown Timer Not Starting
If the Instant Pot just says ‘On,’ it could be because there is 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 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 start. If the ‘On‘ never changes to counting down, you must 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, open a support ticket.
16. The 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. Test the outlet to make sure it is working with another appliance or an electrical outlet tester.
17. The Wrong Size Inner Pot was Used
If you have multiple Instant Pots of different sizes, you may be using 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 a common issue!
SOLUTION: Make sure you use the correct inner pot.
18. The Float Valve is Missing
If you remove the float valve while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, you may forget to replace it.
SOLUTION: Put the float valve back in and replace the silicone cover.
19. The Steam Release Handle is Missing
If you remove the steam release handle while cleaning the Instant Pot lid, you may forget to replace it.
SOLUTION: Put the steam release handle back onto the lid and push it down to make sure it’s properly seated on the steam release pipe.
20. 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 and this means your Instant Pot lid won’t close properly.
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.
21. The Exhaust Valve is Loose
In rare cases, the exhaust valve inside the anti-block shield can become loose, such as during shipping.
SOLUTION: Carefully tighten the valve so it’s not loose anymore. Don’t overly tighten it.
22. The Steam Release Handle is Not Properly Seated
If you remove the Instant Pot steam release valve or handle while cleaning the 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 valve or handle.
SOLUTION: Push in the Steam Release Valve and move it from Sealing to Venting a few times so it sits properly.
23. Instant Pot Display Says noPr
If the Instant Pot is showing the noPr error message, it could be that it couldn’t reach a high enough temperature during the pre-heating stage. This could be due to the quantity of food or liquid, frozen ingredients, or any of the reasons in this article.
SOLUTION: If you’re not making any of the above mistakes but get the noPr error, press Cancel and try restarting the pressure cooking program again.
24. Instant Pot Leaking Steam Even Though the Float Valve is Up
There’s a metal safety clip inside some older pressure release valves. It appears to prevent the Instant Pot from overpressurizing.
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 were set to the Venting, allowing steam to escape.
Newer models of the steam release handle and sealing valve do not have this problem since they now have a silicone retaining ring that prevents them from being improperly seated on the steam release pipe, thus 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 thank Donald Task and the Reddit Instant Pot community for bringing this problem and solution to my attention!
25. No Liquid for Pot in Pot Cooking
The pot-in-pot cooking method is used for cakes, eggs, lasagna, and other dishes that require steaming. If you don’t add water to the bottom of the pot, it will not come to pressure.
I hope this Instant Pot troubleshooting guide has helped you find out the reason for your Instant Pot float valve not sealing so you can get back to cooking your favorite Instant Pot recipes. 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 to 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 Instant Pot customer service to file a support ticket.
✅ Why Trust Neena at Paint the Kitchen Red?
I’m Neena, and I have a lifetime of experience working with pressure cookers. I know how to maximize the potential of a pressure cooker to consistently produce delicious and easy meals. With my Instant Pot expertise, I can provide valuable insights, troubleshooting advice, and innovative recipe ideas so you can trust me on all things Instant Pot!
➡ New to the Instant Pot? Get my Instant Pot instructions for beginners.
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:
- Instant Pot Directions for Beginners
- Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO CRISP vs DUO CRISP
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!
Troubleshoot Common Instant Pot Problems
Find out some of the frequently encounter Instant Pot problems and how to fix them. From the burn message to error codes, these resources will help you out.
Karan says
My boyfriend was making boiled eggs in the instant pot. After a few minutes, we started seeing steam leak out on all sides of the pot and wondered what was wrong. Apparently he had put a 6 qt insert into an 8 qt pot. This may be another reason why the IP won’t seal. 😛
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Karan – believe it or not, you’re not the first to do that and probably won’t be the last!
Jill says
I came down here to the comments to add the same thing! I love having a 6 and an 8 IP, because I like to make rice in the smaller one. Apparently the small inner pot got put into the large pot accidentally, causing a night of absolute frustration when making some venison stew. I tried everything on your list and every other list I could find, and never solved the mystery until I was putting the stew in containers. If I could plead with you, might you put in a tiny edit for folks to check this if they have two pots?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hey there Jill – thanks for the suggestion. You’re right – I will add this as another reason – We’ll say 16+ reasons 🙂
Kellie says
That Timer button is what was killing me! Thank you for explaining! I love this!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
They changed the design on the new models and renamed it to ‘Delay Start’ 🙂
Diane says
What a nice blog, thank you so much for contributing this helpful information!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Thank you, Diane, for your lovely comment!
Stephanie says
Is it possible to loose a part of the float valve? It looks like something is missing. Top of the false is not solid, it looks like it has a hole in it. It will not build pressure. PLEASE HELP
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Stephanie, Some Instant Pots e.g. the Lux have a float valve that looks different – like there’s a hole. This post from Hip Pressure Cooking has images – is that what your’s looks like? In which case, you’re okay. The not building up pressure may be related to something else like those I mention in the article. I hope that helps.
Alex says
Never had a problem with my Instant Pot before, so tonight I was surprised when it pressurized but wouldn’t count down. After an interminably long wait, I vented it and depressurized and checked things out. The contents were roiling and boiling. I tried the chili inside and decided it needed to cook a bit more. So I added some liquid and tried again. Same thing. So I tried a third time. Still no countdown. What’s up with that?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Alex – You probably already know this but if it had a lot of liquid in it, it can take a while (I’ve heard of 20 min!) for the countdown to begin, especially from cold start. Make sure the ring is clean and your lid too, in and out. Also all the little nooks and crannies. Turn your sealing ring over – sometimes that works. Or try and put your sealing ring in the freezer. Another thing that works for some people is, once they know it’s sealed and the float valve is up, try and gently push down on the lid – in that case it’s probably the sealing ring is just not sitting right… Let me know if you have any updates!
Dave Green says
So… somehow my float valve got turned around in the hole and I didn’t notice… so it was not sealing of course. This happened when I cleaned the lid in the sink. Unplugged. Wait for vent and cool down. Turned the float valve around and started again. That worked.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Dave, wow – that’s a new one. Thank you so much for posting that because if it happened to you, it will probably happen to someone else and this will help them. Glad you figured it out, and thank you for commenting.
Trish says
You mention when you first turn on the instant pot”you’ll see and hear steam coming out of the pressure release (steam release) handle and/or float valve.” Can you tell me why it does this? Why does it release steam when it is trying to pressurize?
The problem that I am having is that I set the instant pot and during the pressurizing I see exactly what you are describing above. It does not stop on its own (at least I havent let it), and I have to give the lid an extra tightening. It then stops and seals the pin drops seconds later.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Trish – The IP builds up pressure from steam in the tightly sealed pot, which cooks food at a very high temperature. So, during pressurization, it sometimes needs to let out the inside air for safety. A couple of questions:
– Have you tried a simple water test, with just 1 cup of water and do you have the same problem?
– Is it possible your sealing ring needs to be replaced? Have you tried putting it in the freezer? Or turning it over?
– Are you cooking items with a lot of liquid? In that case, it will take a long time to come to pressure. How long are you waiting before you push down on the lid?
– Have you made sure to clean it thoroughly?
Many people have the same issue as you and I’m not sure why it’s happening. Just make sure you don’t push down on the lid too early or you’ll seal it too early and your food won’t cook. You might need to open a support ticket or if you have the option, return it. Keep me posted. Here’s a link to Instant Pot’s ticket system: https://support.instantpot.com/
Shuba says
Thank you so much for the article. I have Duo 6 qt for the past year and it was working great till yesterday.The float valve is stuck and I am unable to take it out to clean it even. Followed the getting started on IP site. It seems like there is something metal on either side of the valve that is preventing it from popping all the way up and even coming out for me to clean.. any help is greatly appreciated . I use my IP everyday to cook and lost without it ?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Shuba, The float valve comes out by removing the silicone cover. Have you tried to remove the silicone cover as shown in the Quick Start Guide post I have? I’m not really sure what you’re describing. You could send me a photo by emailing me at paintthekitchenred gmail.com. I’d love to help you out.
Colin Tucker says
Follow up to my Duo question: the spring loaded pin at the back of the lid, on the outside, was stuck in the retracted position. Pried it loose, it snapped back into place and the IP is back in business.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Excellent – I’m really glad it worked for you and also I’m so grateful that you followed up, because your comment will most likely help someone else!
Coiln says
Any advice for a Duo that leaks steam (a lot) from the front and back of the lid (not through any valve)? Only the 5th time I’ve used it, so it’s immaculate. Just trying to accomplish the IP water test per the FAQ.
JUDITH PAGE-LIEBERMAN says
my comment is awaiting moderation. What does that mean? Am I to do something else here?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Judith – The comment should be visible. Can you see it now? I sent you an email at the email address you provided, to follow up regarding your problem. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
JUDITH PAGE-LIEBERMAN says
Since I got my 3 qt Duo, i have have had nothing but problems. Only one meal cooked perfectly well with a small hardly visible mist escaping. Other than that, multiple attempts to cook rice and also beans have been undercooked, stuck to the bottom, and worst is the sputtering of water from the pot . My counters get drenched, I have had a problem finding a place in the kitchen where the steam does not drench the lights or cabinets above the IP. Even food comes out, with white water from rice and a real mess with oatmeal with milk. I have followed all directions multiple times. I have extended the cooking times by 5-10 minutes with no improvement. I think that so much liquid escapes that the food is cooking dry. The initial and subsequent water tests resulted in all the water evaporating and the bottom of the pot white with water residue. Nine days of waiting to hear from Instant Pot support, I tried email, online support and chat. Direct phone call was 15 minutes on hold until I hung up .
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Judith, I think the company is swamped due to the holidays and the volume of purchases. I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble. Do keep me posted on your situation.
Ingrid says
I just saw this on a Reddit Instapot site and it worked for me.
ps6000 • Nov 5, 2016, 8:03 PM
I think you need to wash it. Don’t be afraid of submerging it. Remove the ring, then everything else can take soap and water. I am guessing that its dirty.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Perfect, thanks for sharing. Yes, a very basic piece of advice but so helpful. I put my cover in the dishwasher – remove the sealing ring and put it in the dishwasher too.
Bonnie says
Hi, I helped my daughter with her 6 qt IP, we made Mac and cheese, steam was escaping around lid, value did not pop up, no steam when did a QR. it was cooked but burned on the bottom?
We then made chicken noodle soup, same thing with steam escaping around lid, took 35 minuets to pressure, chicken was done but no steam when we did a QR.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Bonnie – if the valve doesn’t pop up, your pot isn’t sealed. So in the first case, it sounds like you didn’t have enough water or your sealing ring had issues. In the second case, you mention that it took 35 minutes to come to pressure. Depending on the quantity of liquid, the Instant Pot CAN take that long to come to pressure (esp if it’s filled with liquid, like in a soup, or if the ingredients were frozen or very cold.) Was the soup cooked properly and was the quantity of liquid intact? Did you see the countdown (i.e display changed from ‘On’ to the number of minutes you programmed it for)? If you did see the countdown, and you did a QR immediately upon cooking being completed, there would have been a lot of steam coming out since it was a soup. I would suggest you do a water test first to make sure your Instant Pot is working properly. https://www.paintthekitchenred.com/instant-pot-how-to-quick-start-guide/ Good luck and let me know if you have further questions.
Karen Wright says
Just got a new instant pot and I’m very frustrated. I can’t get anything to work–the sealing ring is in place, not damaged, the support ring looks even all around and not bent, the pop-up valve moves freely and looks right, the anti-block cover is properly installed over the venting valve. I’ve washed everything thoroughly, and water flows through both valves in the lid. Yet when I seat the lid, when I push ANY button except for the “keep warm” button, I get “lid” flashing in the display and the unit beeps repeatedly. This happens on every cooking setting–even saute, when the lid isn’t even on. Can’t even slow cook. Any ideas?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
The Lid warning comes on when you don’t have the lid on for normal cooking, or when you have the lid on for sauteing. Even with the error, are you able to begin pressure cooking? It sounds like you’ve done everything you can do. But before contacting the company and opening a support ticket, I would try to do a factory reset. It depends on the model but it could be holding down the Adjust button for 3 seconds or the Cancel button. Your manual will tell you how to reset, or you can let me know your model. Please keep my posted and thank you for commenting.
Karen Wright says
Yes, on my unit the factory reset is holding the “cancel ” button for 3 seconds till it beeps, which I’ve done a few times with no change. I can’t do any cooking, on any setting, the “lid” warning apparently blocks all further attempts to cook. The error must be in the electrical portion of the unit and not the lid, since I get the “lid” warning when the lid isn’t even on and I press sauté. I’ve opened a factory ticket, we’ll see what happens. I brought this from the US to my home in the Caribbean, so I can’t just return it. Hoping they can help me.
Karen Wright says
After I posted that last sentence made me start wondering. I brought this unit to my home unopened, in its original packaging, in checked baggage on a typical passenger airline flight. Don’t know where these are made, if they are always ground shipped, but is it possible that flying in the lower-pressure environment of the aircraft cargo hold somehow affected the lid sensor electronics?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Good point, but I’m pretty sure they’re shipped by air in the US, because Amazon delivers them in 2 days for Prime shipping. I really hope they help you out and that it’s an easy fix. Sorry for your frustrations 🙁
Brian says
Karen – We have the same problem. First time out of the box, we get the lid error no matter what.. Did you figure it out?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Brian, here are some possibilities:
– Is it on Saute when you’re trying to close the lid?
– Do you have another Instant Pot and is it possible you switched lids?
– Did you try and unplug for a few minutes and let it cool down completely and try again?
– Try and do a factory reset by pressing the Adjust or Cancel key (depending on your model).
– Is the metal safety lid lock pin stuck (it’s a spring mechanism on the side of the lid)?
It might be a defective lid in which case you can either return it or open a ticket on the Instant Pot website. https://support.instantpot.com/ Good luck.
sls says
My IP seems to have a defective relief valve. The silicone tip inside is not uniform.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
If it’s new, you should be able to get a replacement from the company. If not, here’s a link: https://store.instantpot.com/collections/cookware/products/instantpot-float-valve-for-ip-duo50-60-smart-60
Christina J says
I used my IP for the first time on Sunday with no issues. I tried again last night, and had some minor problems.
I pressed the poultry setting and set for 9 minutes. While the float valve seemed to pop up fine, the countdown never started and the IP just said ON. I thought maybe it wasn’t sealing correctly but after a while it cut over to “Keep Warm.”
I was worried it didn’t cook through all the way, so I hit cancel and tried again on the manual pressure cook setting. Set the timer 6 minutes this time since I knew the food must have already cooked some. Again, the countdown never started, but just stayed ON. After a little while, it switched over to “Keep Warm.”
After that I decided to open – the food was cooked and turned out just fine. I just can’t seem to figure out why the countdown never comes on. Any ideas?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Christina, the fact that the float valve was up means it did seal and although it can take some time to go from ‘On’ to the countdown, it shouldn’t go straight to Keep warm. I feel your unit is defective. Try the water test and see how it goes and then I would contact the company to troubleshoot, or I would return it.
Deborah Sheehan says
I made beef barley soup today. At end of cooking time, I hit “cancel” and also turned the release to “venting”. No steam at all came out. Is this right?
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hey there, Deborah. Did you do a NPR (Natural Pressure Release)? If so, then there would be no steam. If you did a quick release, then there would be steam coming out especially with a soup. If there wasn’t, your Instant Pot may not have reached pressure. Was the soup cooked well?
tania benatar says
Lately, my IP has been giving issues after the countdown. it seals and then after the countdown starts it starts releasing steam. so my rice ends up dry. now I’ve been doing 1 cup of rice and 1 cup of water. is it too little?
its a 6 quart IP.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
For long grain, basmati rice I too use 1:1. So I don’t think that should be the problem, but maybe you can try and add an extra 1/4 cup. I’ve heard of people moving the pressure release valve to vent and then back to seal. Can you try that?
Greg N. says
I bought an InstaPot about a year ago, but could not get it to work properly for me after multiple attempts. I took it back to the store for a refund. The company’s phone support was of no help at all. My 40-year love of my crock pot was reaffirmed. I could count fewer than 5 meals that ever went south in it.
It is easy to see why there is the frustration that there is with the InstaPot: There are many variables to consider by the user who puts the IP to work even several times weekly. Too much water, too little water, liquid too thick, volume of the food too great in the IP, the chemistry of the cornstarch possibly complicating the process, or perhaps the lid fails to seal because the pot itself has become bent out of shape and is no longer truly round at its opening.
Using an IP is an endeavor that I am willing to undertake again this Christmas. The value of its speed of cooking and ease of operation can’t be overlooked. I need to adjust my expectations, become a student of the appliance’s related methodology, and give it another go.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Hi Greg, I am glad that you’re rethinking your decision and are planning to give it another try. You’re right in that the pressure cooker is not as simple as the crock pot and there’s definitely a learning curve. I think almost every new user has a few failures that they learn from. I had a few fails when I first started using mine too! Do check back in to let us know how it went for you. And feel free to ask any questions.