Instant Pot Not Turning On? We've all been there - you go to turn on your Instant Pot, but nothing happens. You might be wondering what could be wrong, and whether or not your pot is broken.
In this post, we'll give you a few tips on how to troubleshoot your Instant Pot if it's not turning on. Plus, we'll tell you where to find help if you still can't get it working.
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Instant Pot Not Turning On? 6 Reasons Why
If your Instant Pot isn't turning on, don't worry! There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. Here are a few things to check when pressure cooking.
1. Power Cord
If your Instant Pot won't turn on, the first thing you should check is the power cord. Make sure that it's plugged into an outlet and that the outlet has power. Additionally, make sure the cord is plugged into the Instant Pot.
The detachable power cord may not be pushed all the way into the outer pot. If the cord looks damaged, you may need to replace it.
2. Outlet
Your outlet may not be getting power. If it's plugged in, but not turning on, try plugging it into another outlet. If that doesn't work, you may need to check your circuit breaker or fuse box. You may just have a bad power connection.
3. Circuit Breaker/Fuse Box
If the outlet is getting power, but the Instant Pot still isn't turning on, there may be an issue with the circuit breaker or blown fuse box. Try resetting the breaker or replacing the fuse.
4. Inner Pot
If the power cord is fine, the next thing to check is the inner pot. Make sure that it's clean and free of any food debris or water. This is a simple solution but can make a big difference. A clean inner pot can also prevent the burn message
Additionally, make sure that the pot is properly seated on the Instant Pot heating element. The pot should be locked into place and shouldn't move when you try to lift it.
5. Control Panel
If the power cord and inner pot are both fine, the next thing to check is the control panel. Make sure that the plus and minus buttons are working properly and that the display is lit up.
If the instant pot display looks to be in working order, the next thing to check is the lid. If the control panel doesn't seem to be working, you may need to replace it.
6. Instant Pot Lid
If the control panel is fine, the next thing to check is the lid. Make sure that the lid is properly seated on the pot and that it's secured. Additionally, make sure that the sealing ring is in place and that there's no food or water inside the lid.
If the sealing ring is not fitted correctly on your Instant Pot then it will fail to pressure cook correctly and you may find steam leaking when trying to build pressure.
More Solutions
If you've checked all of these things and your Instant Pot still isn't turning on, don't worry! There are a few other things you can try.
Restart Your Pot
If your Instant Pot isn't turning on yet, you may need to restart it. To do this, unplug the pot from the outlet and then plug it back in.
Once it's plugged in, press and hold the "Start" button for three seconds. This will reset the pot and hopefully fix the problem.
If you have an Instant Pot Duo then check for error codes by holding down the “Start” button for about three seconds.
If your display is flashing an F then there may be something wrong with the float valve.
Check the Manual
If your Instant Pot still isn't working, the next thing to do is check the manual. The manual will have a troubleshooting section for common instant pot problems. The manual can help you figure out what's wrong with your pot. Additionally, it will have contact information for Instant Pot customer service.
Check the Float Valve
The float valve is located on the lid of the Instant Pot. Make sure that the release valve is in the "sealing" position. If it's not, your pot won't work correctly.
To fix this, simply push the valve to the "sealing" position. This is the correct position for pressure cooking. Make sure you don't have a dirty float valve or it could get stuck in the sealing position.
Clean the Sealing Ring
The sealing ring is located inside the lid of the Instant Pot. If this isn't sealed correctly, your pot won't work correctly.
To fix this, simply remove the ring and clean it with soap and water. Once it's clean, put it back in place and make sure it's seated correctly
Replacement Parts
If you've tried all of these things and your Instant Pot still isn't working, you may need to replace some parts. The most common parts that need to be replaced are:
- The power cord
- Inner pot
- Control panel
- Lid
- Float valve
You can find replacement parts on the Instant Pot website or at a local store. Or, check out my post: 10 Instant Pot Replacement Parts-Where to Find Them for more information.
More Instant Pot Tips
For more help on Instant Pot Issues check out the following posts:
Instant Pot Replacement Parts Guide
Read this Instant Pot Replacement Parts Guide. It's full of helpful tips on how to find the right parts for your pot.
Instant Pot Troubleshooting Guide
Check out this Instant Pot Troubleshooting: How to Troubleshoot My Instant Pot guide to help with instant pot error codes, steam leaks, and pressure valve issues.
Why Is My Instant Pot Leaking Steam?
If you're lid leaks steam then you'll want to read this article on the 7 Reasons Your Instant Pot Is Leaking Steam. It will help you to troubleshoot and make sure you're using the steam release handle correctly.
Instant Pot Tips for Easy Pressure Cooking
Read this article on the 11 Instant Pot Tips You Can't Afford to Ignore. This will help you with your new instant pot and ensure you're not using too little liquid, teaching you how to quick-release and deal with burnt food.
More Troubleshooting Tips
Here are a few more troubleshooting tips to enable you to cook your Instant Pot recipe.
Saute Function Not Working
If the saute function is not working on saute mode, then it may be because the inner pot is not seated properly in the base.
To fix this, make sure that the inner pot is locked into place by lining up the arrows on the pot and base. If this doesn't work, try unplugging and replugging the Instant Pot.
Sealing Ring Leaking Steam
If the sealing ring is not seated correctly, it can cause the Instant Pot to leak steam. To fix this, make sure that the sealing ring is in the correct position and that there are no gaps.
If the sealing ring is damaged, you may need to replace it. It's always good to have a spare rubber seal or sealing ring just in case.
Overheating Issues
If your Instant Pot is overheating, it may be because it's not vented properly. Make sure that the venting knob is in the correct position and that there are no obstructions in the venting tube.
If the Instant Pot is still overheating, you may need to replace the control panel. This is a common issue with older models of the Instant Pot.
Not Coming to Pressure
If your Instant Pot is not coming to pressure, it may be because the pot is not closed correctly. If this is the case then the food won't cook during the cooking cycle.
Sometimes if there is not enough liquid then the food will also not cook correctly. Make sure to add at least one cup of liquid to the pot.
The Instant pot takes time to come to pressure but it won't create steam if there is not enough liquid. Instead, it will burn the food and display the burn message.
If you have tried everything on the list above, but it's still not turning on, fill out the Instant Pot Contact Us Form, here. Or, contact Instant Pot contact Customer Care Department by phone at 1-800-828-7280 or email to support@instantpot.com.
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