• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Paint The Kitchen Red
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Other
  • Tips
  • Shop
  • About
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Other Recipes
  • About
  • ×

    Home » Tips and Manuals for Beginners

    Common Instant Pot Problems and How to Solve Them

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the disclosure.    

    Published: Nov 29, 2018 | Updated: Apr 29, 2022 | Author: Paint the Kitchen Red | 387 Comments

    How to solve Instant Pot Common Problems

    Whether it’s your Instant Pot not sealing, error codes, burn message, or leaking steam, find out how to troubleshoot common Instant Pot problems encountered by beginners and experienced users.

    How to solve Instant Pot Common Problems

    I’ve owned a few Instant Pots over the years and I’ve learned a thing or two about them.  Through my blog and on social media, I hear from owners who ask for help with various problems with their Instant Pot.

    In this article, I share with you a list of common Instant Pot problems and how to solve them. 

    I URGE YOU TO OPEN THE BOX AND GIVE YOUR INSTANT POT A TEST RUN!

    I hear from many people who never take the Instant Pot out of the box and finally, get around to it months later and they encounter a defective product or have problems with their Instant Pot, but the warranty has expired.

    At that point, they’re disappointed and frustrated but unfortunately, they have no recourse for their Instant Pot issues!

    Instant Pot Terminology 

    Here are some of the parts that I refer to throughout this article.
    [Please note that when I refer to the Duo vs Ultra, I’m also referring to other models that have the same style of lid. e.g. The Duo Plus, Lux, Duo SV have a lid similar to the Duo. The Duo Nova, Duo Gourmet, Duo Crisp have a lid similar to the Ultra.]

    Instant Pot Problems - Duo: arrows pointing to float valve and steam release handle, Ultra: arrows pointing to steam release handle, float valve, steam release button - Paint the Kitchen Red

    DUO

    • Float valve
    • Steam release handle

    ULTRA

    • Float valve
    • Steam release button
    • Steam release valve

    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 DUO Beginner’s Manual
    • 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 DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
    • Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual

    1. Instant Pot is Not Sealing | Instant Pot is Not Building Pressure

    This is one of the most common Instant Pot problems encountered by new owners.

    If your Instant Pot is not sealing, here are the more common issues:

    Problem Solution
    The sealing ring is not properly seated or is missingInstall sealing ring properly
    Steam release handle (DUO model) is in the ‘venting’ positionMove steam release handle  to the Sealing position
    Steam release button (ULTRA model) is in the down (‘venting’) positionTurn steam release button counter-clockwise so it goes into the up (‘sealing’)  position
    Food is stuck on the bottom of the inner pot (This usually happens after having used the ‘Saute’ function.)Clean the inner pot completely.  Always deglaze after using the ‘Saute’ function.
    There isn’t enough liquid to create steam and bring the Instant Pot to pressure.Add more liquid
    The lid is not closed properlyOpen the lid and close again, turning clockwise all the way

    But that’s not all – there are many more reasons.  I’ve written a whole article dedicated to this topic!

    Find out why your Instant Pot is not sealing and what you can do to fix this problem. 

    [Read More: Reasons your Instant Pot is Not Sealing]


    2. Instant Pot is Leaking Steam

    It’s normal to have small amounts of steam escape from the steam release handle/valve and float valve while pressure is building.

    Particularly if you’re making a recipe with a lot of liquid, like a soup, your Instant Pot will take time to come to pressure.

    There will be small amounts of steam coming out until the Instant Pot is pressurized and the float valve is up.  There’s no need for concern; it’s not a problem.

    However if your Instant Pot continues leaking steam, you may have a problem.

    Steam is leaking from the sides

    If the steam is gushing out or coming out the sides, here are the more common reasons:

    ProblemSolution
    Sealing ring is missingInstall sealing ring
    Sealing ring is stretched outPut sealing ring in the freezer for a few minutes
    Sealing ring is damagedReplace sealing ring
    Sealing ring has food debrisRemove sealing ring and thoroughly clean it
    Instant Pot Ultra Remove Float valve -Paint the Kitchen Red

    Steam is leaking from the float valve

    If steam is leaking from the float valve continuously for over 2 minutes, here are some reasons:

    ProblemSolution
    Food debris on the float valve silicone sealClean the float valve silicone seal
    Float valve silicone seal has worn outReplace the float valve silicone seal
    Instant Pot Ultra Steam - Paint the Kitchen Red

    Steam is leaking from the steam release handle/valve

    If steam is leaking from steam release handle/valve continuously, here are some reasons:

    ProblemSolution
    Steam release handle (DUO model) is in the ‘venting’ positionMove steam release handle  to the ‘sealing’ position
    Steam release button (ULTRA model) is in the down (‘venting’) positionTurn steam release button counter-clockwise so it goes into the up (‘sealing’)  position
    Steam release handle/valve is not seated properlyMake sure the steam release handle/valve is  pushed in properly (it will be wobbly – that’s normal)
    Pressure control failureCreate a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.

    [Read More: Reasons your Instant Pot is Not Sealing]


    3. Float Valve Won’t Go Up | Float Valve is Stuck

    Instant Pot float valve up and down for duo and ultra - Paint the Kitchen Red
    • You might think your float valve is stuck.  But is it, really? Different models of the Instant Pot have different positions that the float valve can be in when sealed. (See above image)
    • Examine your Instant Pot lid and note where the normal/down position is when the lid is not on.  Some models have a red-colored float valve.
    • If your float valve is in fact stuck in the ‘up’ position, it could be due to debris or stickiness from food.  Use a long spoon or chopstick to gently push down on the float valve.
    • If your float valve is stuck in the ‘down’ position, it’s probably because your Instant Pot is having trouble sealing. See Problem #1.

    4. Instant Pot is Taking Too Long to Cook Food

    Total Cook Time = Time to Come to Pressure + Pressure Cooking Time + Time for Natural Release of Pressure (NPR)

    For example, if a recipe says to pressure cook for 10 minutes, the Instant Pot can take from 5 to 15 minutes to come to pressure.  Pressure cooking takes 10 minutes, and naturally releasing pressure can take another 5 to 20 minutes.

    The quantity and density of liquid and food in the Instant Pot determines how long the Instant Pot takes to come to pressure and to release pressure.

    So why use the Instant Pot?  First, you don’t have to watch the stove.  You can even leave the house.

    Second, it’s one-pot cooking: you don’t have to mess up a bunch of pots and pans; you also get all your cooking done without dirtying your stove!

    Third, the Instant Pot takes less time to cook meats, grains, and legumes, hands-down.  You can cut down on cooking time even further by cutting up your meat into smaller pieces.

    For example, if you pressure cook a large chunk of pork shoulder, pressure cooking time is 90 minutes.  Cutting up the pork into smaller chunks, can reduce the pressure cook time to 45 minutes, and cutting them into bite-size pieces can reduce the pressure cooking time further, to 15 minutes.


    5. Instant Pot Display Says ‘burn’

    Instant Pot Display Says Burn - Paint the Kitchen Red

    If you’re a new Instant Pot owner, the ‘burn’ message is a problem you’ll have at one point or another.  There are many reasons for the ‘burn’ error.

    It all comes down to the fact that the Instant Pot is overheating.  Here are some of the ways you can prevent this issue:

    • Make sure there’s enough liquid and that it has reached the bottom of the inner pot.
    • Allow the Instant Pot to cool down after using the ‘Saute’ function.
    • Use the layering technique to prevent scorching: layer starches like pasta and rice,  tomato products (e.g. tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato puree), and dense sauces (e.g. alfredo sauce) on top of other ingredients and don’t stir.
    • Always deglaze the inner pot after you’ve used the ‘Saute’ function.  This means that after sauteeing your food, add a couple of tablespoons of liquid and scrape up the brown bits so there’s nothing stuck on the bottom.

    But that’s not all.  I’ve written a comprehensive article on the ‘burn’ error, what causes it, how to avoid it and how to salvage your meal.

    [Read More: Instant Pot Burn Message]


    6. Instant Pot Won’t Come to Pressure When Making Recipes With Tomato Products or Store-Bought Sauces

    This is another common problem Instant Pot owners have.  Tomato products (e.g. tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato puree) in the pressure cooker can be tricky. Tomato products can be thick and dense and may contain sugar which leads to scorching.

    Many store-bought sauces (e.g. alfredo sauce) have a high content of sugar, or fillers like corn starch or flour which can also cause scorching. One common outcome is the ‘Burn’ error. 

    [Read More: Instant Pot Burn Message]

    Here are some things you can do to prevent the problem:

    • Layer these sauces on top without stirring.
    • Thin sauces with water or broth, to make them less dense.
    • Use Pot in Pot method of cooking.
      [Read More: Secrets to Pot in Pot Cooking]

    7. Instant Pot Display Won’t Turn On | Instant Pot is Dead

    Instant Pot plug power cord into base unit - Paint the Kitchen Red

    There are a few common reasons your display isn’t turning on.

    • If your Instant Pot has a detachable cord, it might be loose.  Check the cord and make sure it’s pushed in all the way.
    • Your outlet may be faulty.  Try plugging the Instant Pot into another outlet.
    • It’s possible that an Instant Pot fuse needs to be replaced, possibly faulty due to a power surge or other electrical issue.  Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    • Also, try out the hack mentioned in Instant Pot Problem #19.

    8. Instant Pot Display Screen is Showing Error Code

    If your Instant Pot display screen starts blinking with an error code, here are the common codes (which can vary by Instant Pot model) and how to troubleshoot.

    Instant Pot Error Codes:

    Error CodeProblemSolution
    LidLid is not in the correct position for the selected programMake sure lid has been turned clockwise all the way when pressure cooking, and make sure lid is NOT on for ‘Saute’ function
    burn
    or Food Burn
    Instant Pot is overheatingSee Problem #5 above
    PrSE Pressure has accumulated during a non-pressure cooking program Move steam release to the Vent position.
    noPrWorking pressure is not reached during the pre-heating cycle.If the lid leaks steam, see Problem #2 above. If there is no steam leaking and you have frozen food in the Instant Pot, try restarting the current program
    C1Faulty temperature sensor Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    C2Faulty temperature sensorCreate a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    C5Temperature is too highMake sure inner pot is placed properly in base unit and make sure there is enough liquid in inner pot
    C6Faulty pressure sensorCreate a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    C6LFaulty low-pressure sensorCreate a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    C6HFaulty high-pressure sensorCreate a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    C7Heating element has failedCreate a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    Not enough liquidAdd thin, water-based liquid to inner pot based on size: 6 Qt – 1 1/2 cups (12 oz / 375 mL) 8 Qt – 2 cups (16 oz / 500 mL)
    Steam release is in Vent positionMove steam release mechanism to Seal.

    Remember to keep your receipt in case of manufacturer errors.  The company is pretty good about helping people identify the problem and even sending out replacements.


    9. Recipes Mention ‘Cook on Manual’ and You Don’t Have ‘Manual’ Mode

    Instant Pot Duo panel for older vs newer models with Manual and Pressure Cook circled - Paint the Kitchen Red

    Some (older) versions of the Instant Pot DUO have the ‘Manual’ button rather than ‘Pressure Cook’.   Many recipes that are posted online are created by people who own the older version.

    If a recipe refers to ‘Manual’ mode, use ‘Pressure Cook’ mode instead.  It’s the same thing.


    10. Chime is Annoying | How to Turn Chime Off

    I love that chime, but I know many people don’t like it because it disturbs others or its irritating.  Here’s how you turn it off.

    • Instant Pot LUX, DUO: Press and hold the ‘-‘ button for 3 seconds to turn off sound. Press and hold the ‘+’ button for 3 seconds to turn sound back on.
    • Instant Pot ULTRA: Press the knob for 5 seconds. In the menu, SOUND will be highlighted. Press the knob to select SOUND. Turn the knob to select ‘OFF’ (it will be blinking). Press Start to confirm your selection

    11. There Are So Many Buttons and Functions That it’s Confusing to Use

    Yes, there are many functions, which are basically just presets, as you would have on your microwave.

    For example, the Soup function is preset to cook for 30 minutes at high pressure.  The Meat/Stew function is preset to cook for 35 minutes at high pressure.

    However, you don’t need to use the presets.  You can use the Pressure Cook function and set the pressure cooking time.  As a matter of fact, you can get by with using just a few functions/buttons (varies by model):

    • Pressure Cook (also called Manual on some models)
    • Saute
    • Keep Warm
    • Cancel
    • Start

    Barbara over at Pressure Cooking Today has one of the most comprehensive guides that cover most of the models: Which Instant Pot Buttons to Use.


    12. Instant Pot Lid Smells | Sealing Ring Smells

    Instant Pot Sealing Rings - one red and one blue

    The sealing ring is made of silicone and it will retain the odors of whatever you last cooked (and more!)

    There are many ways to try and remove the odors (e.g. keep it out in sunlight, soak it in denture cleanser, use lemon juice, vinegar, etc), and I’ve tried them all.  They work okay but the odors don’t ever completely go away.

    Personally, I don’t really find that the odor from the sealing ring transfers to whatever dish I’m cooking. So I don’t worry about the smell unless I’m making a dessert.

    I have a second sealing ring for desserts.  You can purchase sealing rings in multi-colored packs which helps you remember which one is used for sweet or savory dishes.

    Instant Pot Lid Stored Upside Down - Paint the Kitchen Red

    One thing you should never do is store the Instant Pot closed, with the sealing ring in the lid.  I always store my lid upside down on the unit. This helps with reducing odors.


    13. Inner Pot/Liner Has Rainbow Stains | How to Remove Stains

    Instant Pot Clean Inner Pot Collage - dirty, barkeepers friend being poured in, being cleaned, clean - Paint the Kitchen Red

    Sometimes your inner pot (liner) can get a rainbow or blue-purple stain especially when the pot is overheated.  This happens to stainless steel pots, in general.

    Barkeeper’s Friend is my favorite product for cleaning my Instant Pot inner pot. I use it to clean all my stainless steel pots and my kitchen sink.

    You can get Barkeeper’s Friend in powder or liquid form. I prefer the liquid. Be sure to shake it up before using it.


    14. Meats are Dry and Tough

    One of the most common complaints I hear from new Instant Pot users is that they pressure cook meat or chicken and it comes out dry and tough.

    Chicken breasts, pork chops, beef tenderloin don’t do as well in the Instant Pot.  The Instant Pot is best for meats that have a higher fat-content like chicken thighs, pork shoulder, beef chuck.

    Pressure cooking a boneless, chicken breast in the Instant Pot may not give you the best or ideal results. Using chicken breast with skin and bone will give you better results, because of the fat content.

    Some newer Instant Pots come with the Sous Vide smart program. If you have that functionality, you’ll be able to make perfectly cooked tender and moist chicken breast.

    [Read More: How to Use the Instant Pot Sous Vide Smart Program]

    Another key to preventing meats from becoming dry is to use Natural Pressure Release (NPR).  Allow the float valve to go down on its own.

    This allows the meat to rest, the fibers to relax and the juices to be re-absorbed into the meat rather than evaporating.  This applies particularly to meat that is not immersed in liquid (like soups, stews, curries, and gravies.

    Finally, contrary to a lot of advice about pressure cookers, more is not always better when it comes to meat.  Meat becomes tender in about one-third the time it takes for conventional cooking.  Pressure cooking meat for too long can cause it to become dry and tough.

    As meat overcooks, the muscle fibers are depleted of fat and juices.  To salvage the meat from this stage, you can cook the meat even further until it breaks down to the point it’s falling apart.  You’ll lose flavor and nutrients, but you’ll have tender meat!

    Laura from Hip Pressure Cooking has some great articles including Choosing the Right Cut of Meat.


    15. Placed Instant Pot on Stove and the Instant Pot Bottom Melted

    Instant Pot Placed on Stove and Bottom Burned - Paint the Kitchen Red


    My thanks to Dale Falconer for providing the above photographs

    Believe it or not, this is a common problem! Many people leave their Instant Pots on the stovetop thinking that as long as they don’t turn on the burner, they’ll be fine.

    But the problem is that someone in the household accidentally turns on the burner or the Instant Pot is placed close to an adjacent burner that’s turned on.

    If this happens to you, I suggest you get a replacement unit because you don’t want to take a chance with the circuitry being damaged.

    There are a few places you can go to for Instant Pot spare parts including base units, lids, valves:

    • The Instant Pot company website: Replacement parts (Disclosure: if you purchase from the site, I will receive a small commission)
    • Instant Pot Facebook group for parts: Instant Pot Parts Swap or Sale
    • ebay.com

    16. Accidentally Poured Liquid into Instant Pot but Forgot to Put in Inner Pot/Liner

    Hard to believe, but forgetting to put in the inner pot and accidentally pouring liquid into the Instant Pot base unit is a common problem!

    People wash the inner pot in the dishwasher and forget to put it back in the Instant Pot base unit before cooking.

    If this happens to you, don’t panic!  According to the Instant Pot Company, here’s what you can do for water or food spills:

    • Unplug the Instant Pot right away!
    • Wipe the inside of the Instant Pot base unit and heating element with a dry cloth to remove as much of the liquid as possible.
    • Place the base unit upside down to let all the liquid drain out of the cooker base.
    • There is a plastic vent cover on the bottom of the base that you can take off by unscrewing the screws.
    • While you have the cover off, please be gentle with the wires and circuitry.
    • Try to carefully reach up into the cooker housing to see if you can remove any food debris (if necessary).
    • Clean and dry everything as much as possible for 72 hours.  Use a fan to speed up the drying out.
    • Put everything back together, insert the inner pot and plug the unit in.
    • If it turns on, attempt to heat 2 cups of water in ‘Saute’ mode.
    • If that test is successful, do a water test to check if the Instant Pot is working. If it is, you’re all set.
    • If at any point, there is a burning smell, turn the unit off and unplug it.  Create a support ticket with Instant Pot customer service.
    • If you can’t get the Instant Pot to turn on and successfully complete a water test, it’s probably time to get another Instant Pot. *

    If oil spilled into the base unit, you can attempt to turn the pot upside–down to allow it to drip out.  However, there is no safe way to determine if it’s safe to use or not. Turning on the pot even to test would be a fire hazard.

    * There are a few places you can go to for Instant Pot spare parts:

    • The Instant Pot company website: Replacement parts (Disclosure: if you purchase from the site, I will receive a small commission)
    • Instant Pot Facebook group for parts: Instant Pot Parts Swap or Sale
    • ebay.com

    The best way to prevent this problem is to put something in the base unit while the inner pot is out that will help you remember to replace the inner pot (e.g. a long wooden spoon or ladle).


    17. Upper Kitchen Cabinets are Getting Damaged

    Instant Pot Problems - instant pot on counter but away from cabinets, steam release facing the side - Paint the Kitchen Red

    When the Instant Pot is placed on the countertop, the steam release can shoot straight up toward the upper cabinets.

    Many people solve this problem by placing their Instant Pot on the stovetop. But this can cause even bigger issues.  See Instant Pot Problem #15 above.

    What I do is I carefully turn the Instant Pot so that the steam release opening is toward the front or side and this allows the steam to be directed away from my upper cabinets.

    Just be very careful when doing a quick release (QR); keep your hands and face away from the flow of steam!

    Another solution is to use the Instant Pot on a side table or cart, away from the cabinets.


    18. Instant Pot Says On But No Timer

    Recently, a number of readers have reported this problem and I myself experienced it the other day for the first time. The Instant Pot display says On and the float valve comes up but it never starts counting down, but the food gets cooked.

    If this happens to you, after the float valve comes up, just set a separate timer for the desired cook time and press Cancel when the time is up. Do a pressure release according to your recipe and continue as usual. [Read More: Instant Pot Natural Release or Quick Release?]

    Clean out the Instant Pot thoroughly and do a water test and most likely you’ll find out that it was a one-time problem. If the problem persists, you might want to contact Instant Pot Support and open a ticket.

    In my case, I have a suspicion it could have been too little liquid when I was cooking my Instant Pot Boiled Eggs. But that’s just a guess.

    If your Instant Pot says On and your float valve does not go up, then you probably have an issue with the Instant Pot sealing. [Read more: Reasons Why Your Instant Pot is Not Sealing]


    19. Instant Pot Keypad is Unresponsive. Instant Pot Buttons Don’t Work.

    First, check the power supply: make sure your Instant Pot plug is pushed into the outlet all the way and if you have a detachable power cord, make sure it’s pushed into the Instant Pot base unit properly.

    Once you’ve checked the power supply, if you’re still having the issue it’s worth trying out this a solution from one of my readers that actually works for some people. Thank you for sharing this hack, David!

    “I have an Instant Pot DUO-60 and the keypad became unresponsive. When switched on, the keypad went straight to the Saute setting and wouldn’t do anything else.  I discovered that by holding down the Cancel button BEFORE switching the mains power on, then releasing the button, the keypad reset itself and it is now working fine. I hope someone finds this tip useful..”

    — David

    If the issue persists, your keypad’s electronics/circuit board is likely faulty. You will probably need to contact Instant Pot Support and open a 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!

    BACK TO TOP

    You Might Find These Articles to be Helpful!

    Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot Method
    Instant Pot ‘Pot in Pot’ (PIP) is a pressure cooking technique that allows you to pressure cook cheesecake, lasagna, and other foods that don’t contain liquid. Pot in Pot cooking is useful for making smaller quantities of food. The PIP method also allows you to pressure cook recipes that tend to scorch and to cook multiple dishes at the same time using Instant Pot stackable containers.
    DETAILS
    Secrets to Instant Pot Pot in Pot Cooking in white lettering on red transparent background on top of flower fabric with two bowls: white rice and Thai red curry - Paint the Kitchen Red
    Instant Pot Burn Message
    The Instant Pot burn message is a common problem that many Instant Pot users come across, so you’re not alone! Find out why you’re getting the Instant Pot burn error message, how to avoid the problem in the future, and how to fix the burn error and save dinner. See special instructions at the bottom to find out how to deglaze your inner pot and clean the burnt food easily.
    DETAILS
    Instant Pot Burn Message - image of Instant Pot says burn with text Everything you need to know about Instant Pot Burn Message - Paint the Kitchen Red
    Reasons your Instant Pot is not Sealing
    Find out the top reasons why your Instant Pot is not sealing. This guide helps you troubleshoot the main problem most Instant Pot users encounter: that the Instant Pot is not being pressurized.
    DETAILS
    16 Reasons Why your Instant Pot is Not Sealing L2- Paint the Kitchen Red

    « Vegetarian Instant Pot Moroccan Stew
    Healthy Instant Pot Thai Peanut Noodles »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Frankie Lynch

      April 08, 2022 at 7:02 pm

      I am using the Slow Cook function for cooking roast beef. Instructions say to use lthe “less” setting but I cannot determine how to make the adjustment from more to less. Help!

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        April 08, 2022 at 11:05 pm

        Frankie – it depends on the Instant Pot model. On some models, you press the Slow Cook button multiple times which makes it toggle between less, normal and more. On others you use the knob to set the level while it’s blinking on the display panel. If you let me know your model, I can guide you further.

        Reply
    2. Linda McQuillen

      February 02, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      I used my Insta Pot last week and the ribs I made were fabulous. I tried to do beef stew tonight and I could not get the display on the machine to light up? I’ve checked everything I can think of (plugs, sealing, etc.) but the display still won’t come up. Is there anything else I can do for this? The previous comments mention a blown fuse. Where do I check that? I know it isn’t my outlet because my husband just made toast earlier. Please help. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        February 03, 2022 at 11:04 am

        Hi Linda, since yours is new, I wouldn’t try and fix it. I would just return it. If you’ve checked everything, it’s probably the fuse. You can either return it or contact the company and open a ticket. Sorry this happened to you.

        Reply
        • Niki

          April 08, 2022 at 10:52 am

          Hi, I have had mine for almost a year and it’s doing what the lady (Paint the Kitchen Red) said hers was doing. How do I look for the fuse and can I replace it? Thanks

          Reply
          • Paint the Kitchen Red

            April 08, 2022 at 11:09 pm

            Niki, unless you’re really handy and familiar with electric appliances, I wouldn’t recommend fixing it yourself. You can try the Instant Pot forum on Reddit to get some advice on how to do it.

            Reply
    3. Kevin

      January 28, 2022 at 8:19 pm

      “Placed Instant Pot on Stove and the Instant Pot Bottom Melted”
      There is a simple solution. Simply seal the Stove knobs with ‘Sellotape’/’Scotch Tape’ or similar, so that no one can accidently turn on the stove element above which you have placed the Instant Pot.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        January 29, 2022 at 6:16 pm

        Great tip, Kevin. Thanks for sharing! Although best solution is not to put it on the stove 🙂

        Reply
    4. Poh

      January 14, 2022 at 7:33 pm

      When I released the pressure valve after cooking cycle, some content (liquid) the pot came out with the steam. What am I doing wrong?

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        January 18, 2022 at 10:35 am

        That usually happens if you’re cooking starchy foods and soups and do a quick release. You can try a couple of things:
        – wait a few minutes before releasing pressure
        – release pressure in bursts – see my post on the types of pressure release for more details.

        Reply
    5. D.J. Clark

      January 01, 2022 at 8:21 am

      I have an IP duo crisp and the pressure cooking part of great nut the air fryer lid has a constant smell of plastic and sometimes the food ends up tasting like that. Also stinks up the house. Anyone else have this issue?

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        January 04, 2022 at 3:36 pm

        I have not had this issue. I sometimes notice a plasticky smell the first time I use a new Instant Pot, but I haven’t had it recur like you have.

        Reply
    6. Shane McFarland

      December 25, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      I’ve had my instant pot for 2 years never a problem until last mo. I couldn’t get it to stay on now it stays on but will not go past on . Won’t seal either I no it’s not seal I’ve cleaned it and placed it in proper place

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        January 04, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        That sounds so frustrating. Have you done a factory reset? Also, #19 is a user suggestion that you might want to try out.

        Reply
    7. Jane

      November 25, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      Have a Bella Instant Pot.
      It turns on but after choosing a setting the light blinks then it shuts off.
      Cord is good and plugged in nicely all parts clean.
      It is one year old and used maybe 12 times.
      Hope someone has an idea on how to fix it.
      Thanks in advance.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        November 26, 2021 at 9:08 am

        Jane, I don’t have any experience with your model but hope someone else can help you. Have you tried a factory reset?

        Reply
    8. harvey vanbibber

      November 20, 2021 at 3:58 pm

      All the lights are flashing and I get a C8H code what do I need to do.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        November 24, 2021 at 5:34 pm

        Harvey, I’m not familiar with that error – do you own an Instant Pot brand of pressure cooker or another brand?

        Reply
    9. Donn Sponholz

      November 13, 2021 at 10:30 am

      Just got the bigger Instant Pot with Sous Vide and the Program would never leave pre-heating mode dispite water coming to temperature. Same with the lid locked on and without the lid on. As a result the timer wouldn’t begin countdown.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        November 15, 2021 at 10:08 am

        Hi Donn, I’m hearing this from others as well. It appears that once the temperature is reached, it takes much longer to register this fact. I would suggest you start with water that’s at or almost at your desired sous vide temperature. I hope this helps reduce the time it takes to begin countdown.

        Reply
    10. Shana

      November 11, 2021 at 5:35 pm

      I have a Michlin06-1 series Pressure cooker & air fryer.
      When I first plug it in the whole screen is lit up, then immediately everything across the top goes dark & does not allow me to use it.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        November 11, 2021 at 6:02 pm

        Shana, I’m sorry I can’t help you but I am not familiar with your brand of pressure cooker. You probably need to contact the company. Best of luck.

        Reply
    11. Tracy Maloy

      November 10, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      My insta pot got unplugged during boil cycle for yogurt. Will it resume where it was when unplugged ?

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        November 11, 2021 at 3:15 pm

        Tracy, no it won’t resume. You’ll need to start the program again.

        Reply
        • Carol Pogust

          November 22, 2021 at 3:03 pm

          I have the same problem ! Now, days later, I try to use YOGURT function, but it shuts itself off. How do I reset the yogurt function ? (Yet, I am cooking vegetables on the Pressure Cook cycle right now.)

          Reply
          • Paint the Kitchen Red

            November 24, 2021 at 5:43 pm

            Have you tried doing a reset by trying tip #19? To do a factory reset, press and hold Cancel. Hope that helps.

            Reply
    12. Susan

      November 08, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      My instapot is staying on ph

      Reply
    13. Alice Birchfield

      October 24, 2021 at 11:23 am

      Thank you! Your tips helped.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        October 25, 2021 at 10:31 am

        Alice, it’s my pleasure.

        Reply
    14. Jayshree

      October 02, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      Hi my instant pot is displaying e11 code. I don’t know how to resolve this. Please help. Many thanks

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        October 04, 2021 at 3:59 pm

        Do you have an Instant Pot Max model? According to the manual, you need to contact customer support. I’m sorry I can’t help you!

        Reply
      • Michelle

        April 20, 2022 at 6:37 pm

        I set my Instant Pot for slow cook at medium for 4 hours. It wouldn’t go past heat up setting. I didn’t notice for 2 hours so it wasn’t just taking a while it didn’t move and food wasn’t cooking. What can I do?

        Reply
        • Paint the Kitchen Red

          April 21, 2022 at 1:28 pm

          I would set the temperature to high to see if that makes a difference.

          Reply
    15. George

      October 01, 2021 at 9:09 pm

      NPR was too fast
      Pot came up to pressure and cooked for 5 min NPR was to be 30 min but valve went down in 5 min?

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        October 02, 2021 at 1:14 pm

        Hi George, the NPR is dependent on the quantity of food in the Instant Pot and how quickly the pressure releases. It is quite possible for the float valve to go down in 5 minutes if there’s less food, especially liquid, in the Instant Pot. You can try a water test with 5 cups of water and see how long it takes to do NPR. I hope that helps.

        Reply
    16. Adrienne Ruben

      September 28, 2021 at 3:04 pm

      My manual setting will not register the full time
      On the screen. If I want to cook for 6 minutes on manual, the time only registers 6:0. I have noticed that many of the other preset times for cooking are doing the same thing.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        September 29, 2021 at 11:58 am

        Sounds like the first and last digits of the display aren’t showing up? Did you try and do a reset as suggested in tip #19? By the way, the display shows the time as HH:MM, so the 6 minutes would normally be 00:06.

        Reply
    17. Chris Wright

      September 12, 2021 at 8:53 pm

      We have an IP Duo. Tonight we tried to cook a whole chicken but could not get the IP to read “On” and start building steam. We pressed “poultry,” then the timer to get the time down to 30 minutes. The timer light kept flashing and the unit never switched to “on.” It just started counting down without steam.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        September 13, 2021 at 12:00 pm

        Chris, can you tell me your model? Are you using a button called “Timer” or the plus and minus buttons to set the time? If you’re using the former, it’s a delay start, which you don’t want to press – you can either just press “Start” if you have that button or wait for the display to go to “On” automatically after you program the time. If you’re using the latter, check to see if any of the reasons in this article apply to you: Reasons Why Your Instant Pot is Not Sealing

        Reply
        • Chris Wright

          September 13, 2021 at 12:28 pm

          Hi. Thanks for the reply. Our model is the IP-Duo060 V2. We were using the “timer” button to get to the time-setting function and then using +/- buttons to get it to a 30 minute setting. After that it just started a countdown. We don’t have a “start” button. Later, my wife got it to work by ignoring the “poultry” button, pressing “manual,” and it defaulted to 30 minutes and went to “on”, and worked properly after that. She is not sure how she got it to work properly. Thanks for any guidance you can offer!

          Reply
          • Paint the Kitchen Red

            September 13, 2021 at 1:14 pm

            Hi Chris, the timer button shouldn’t be used unless you want the pressure cooking to begin at a future time e.g. 30 minutes from now. In later models that button is called “Delay Start”. So what you would do is press Poultry, press + or – to set the time, wait a few seconds and it automatically will go to “On”. The same thing for Pressure Cook button. Although Poultry defaults to something like 15 minutes, you can adjust it. I hope that helps. Also, you might want to take a look at this post on the Instant Pot Duo which also has a video.

            Reply
            • Chris

              September 13, 2021 at 1:28 pm

              Thanks!

    18. Vincent Zitella

      September 07, 2021 at 10:06 pm

      I made a taco pie that called to be cooked on high for 10 min. Water was in the bottom per recipe. IP sealed like normal and at the end of the 10 min I QR. The pie was not completely cooked. It was only just warm.
      Have made it many times with same recipe and no problems. Any ideas?

      Thank you for your help.

      Reply
      • Paint the Kitchen Red

        September 13, 2021 at 12:40 pm

        Vincent, I periodically get comments from people with the same issue and my feeling is that the heating element is damaged. But before you contact the company, be sure to check that it’s not on LOW pressure and you might also want to try a different outlet. Another thing to try is to use a different pressure cook function like Meat or Stew instead of Pressure Cook. Sorry for your trouble.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Questions, Comments? I love hearing from my readers and I reply to all comments! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate This!




    Primary Sidebar

    Neena in red sweater head tilted

    Hi, I'm Neena and welcome! I am the creator, photographer, and author of recipes and tips at Paint the Kitchen Red. I live in the glorious west in Salt Lake City, Utah with my family.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Easy Instant Pot Fried Rice Recipe (Chinese Style)
    • Coconut Chicken Curry Soup
    • Instant Pot Pasta with Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce
    • Best Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe

    Seasonal

    • Vegetarian Instant Pot Moroccan Stew
    • Instant Pot Thai Coconut Soup | Tom Kha Gai
    • Hearty Instant Pot Coq Au Vin Blanc
    • Khow Suey (Burmese Noodles)

    Footer

    AS FEATURED ON

    Paint the Kitchen Red As Featured On Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, Brides.com, CNBC, msn, NBC News, Popsugar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Web Stories

    • Google Web Stories

    Instant Pot

    • Recipe Index
    • Tips and Resources

    Air Fryer

    • Recipes

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Paint the Kitchen Red