13 Reasons Why Your Instant Pot Won't Work or Pressurize – Problems: Float Valve, Sealing Ring


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If your Instant Pot Won’t Pressurize, I can help! I’m sharing 13 reasons why your instant pot won’t work or pressurize! So before you contact the company or …

37 replies
  1. Nikki Lyne
    Nikki Lyne says:

    I've only had my instant pot a few weeks and last night I was making bbq chicken and it said on and it was cooking then I come back out and it said off.so I re did the time and it said on again and then said off.so I unplugged the cord from the pot and then plugged it back in and every button light went on and off.idk if this is normal or i should take it back???

    Reply
  2. Gabriella Brunet
    Gabriella Brunet says:

    I just wanna cook some god damn rice and I do as im told and it keeps going back to fucking AUTO THERES NO START NO ONE TELLS YOU HOW TO GET IT TO NOT AUTO EVERYONE ELSE DOESNT GET AUTO BUT ME EVERYTIME I GOOGLE WHYS IT STUCK ON AUTO I GET ALL THIS OTHER BULLSHIT I DONT CARE ABOUT INCLUDING SEAL

    WHYYYY WOOOONT IIIIIIT COOOOL THE WAY I WAAAAAAAAAAANT. WHY AUTO WHY AUTO WHY AUTO WHY AUTO

    Reply
  3. MS Magnolia67
    MS Magnolia67 says:

    I got the 8-qt IP Viva for Christmas. The first few times I used it, it worked perfect, then the countdown timer quit coming on once the float valve showed it was pressurized and often shows the C7 code. Checked my instruction manual that came with it: I have plenty of water left (so not enough liquid isn't the problem), it still cooks food (so it's not the heating element) and it's not due to being uncleaned after each use. I'm at a loss here because I can't find answers online with it being a newer model. Any advise?

    Reply
  4. Leslie A.
    Leslie A. says:

    Super helpful video. My instant pot’s rubber ring was not put on correctly so the pot wasn’t letting me close the lid and I was getting extremely frustrated as my 20 month old was crying 🤣 mommies life. Anyway THANK YOU!!

    Reply
  5. rbbiefah
    rbbiefah says:

    I got a c-6 error message which I think means pressure sensor is not working . Does thsi video cover how to replace it . if not do you have a link ? My model is a" Mini Duo " Thank you

    Reply
  6. Marilyn Duenas
    Marilyn Duenas says:

    The only video that explains how to clean the float valve. Thank you so much! I had misplaced my manual, and after watching many videos about instant pressure cookers, this one was the only one that helped me

    Reply
  7. OsakaRose
    OsakaRose says:

    OK, my problem is that IP comes up to pressure, starts to cook, then steam starts releasing through the steam vent plug. I have it on SEALING! I took everything apart & cleaned it all. Then put 2 cups of water in to boil. SAME THING HAPPENED! Pot came up to pressure. It began to cook & time down. Steam started pouring out of steam vent plug again! Then pot turns off! HELP, HELP, HELP! ANYONE!

    Reply
  8. miguel miguel
    miguel miguel says:

    1. You are on venting (yet – this is the most common reason it won't pressurize!)

    2. Your Float Valve is dirty – I show you step by step on how to clean it in this video. It is SO easy!

    3. The Sealing ring is either dirty, cracked, not put on correctly, or missing all together!

    4. Enough Liquid

    5. Burned Food on the bottom

    6. Sealing Ring Buildup

    7. Sealing Ring is Damaged

    8. Pushing TIMER (if your I.P. has a timer button)

    9. Dirty where the Lid seals on the pot

    10. Dirty Float Valve

    11. No Liquid When using Freezer Meals

    12. Too much liquid (stay two lines below the Full line)

    13. Check the plug 🙂

    Reply
  9. L Zal
    L Zal says:

    I was just making chicken broth and it was releasing steam all over the place. I just took the lid off (making sure it wasn’t pressurized first) and flipped the sealing ring and now it’s working fine. I was watching IP’s video on the sealing ring and it said that it doesn’t matter which way you put the sealing ring in, but apparently it does matter. And this is the original sealing ring that came with the IP. It seems to be working fine now. Let’s see….

    Reply
  10. mist
    mist says:

    Yep that's what it was scorched bottom. Thought I had plenty of liquid with all that BBQ sauce in there. Guess I should have added 1/2 cup water

    Reply
  11. Charmaine Wall
    Charmaine Wall says:

    I have been watching your videos: they are great. Tonight I have been trying to make soup for the last four hours. The pot would not seal; kept venting. I found this video and did everything you suggested. The last thing I did, which you did not suggest, was to turn the inner seal upside down, and would you believe it? it sealed!!! I have a question: why does my unit vent and then stop and continue to cook? I see some units have a condensation cup that is fitted to the outside of the pot, but there is no cup or place to do that with my Lux 6-in-1 Multi-Use.

    Reply
  12. Gael Zane
    Gael Zane says:

    I have a Mealthy MultiPot (I bought because of the higher ratings lower price) but …this worked that that too. THANK YOU! It was indeed SCORCHED. Dang onion puree!

    Reply
  13. Lisa Marie Loiacono
    Lisa Marie Loiacono says:

    I was so happy I watched your video. I took off the seal on the float valve. First I dropped the float and couldn't find it for 5 minutes. Then I was washing the seal and it went down the drain somehow even though the drain mesh was in place. Now I'm sure I will definitely have no pressure. 😭😭😭😂

    Reply
  14. Jennifer W
    Jennifer W says:

    I see a tiny bit of steam coming out of top, plus it will hiss and squeal, but it won't pressurize. I've tried ALL these ideas; no luck, and it's brand new!-
    – So, what NOW?
    I'M SO JEALOUS! Everyone's enjoying theirs, everyone but me. 🙁

    Reply
  15. Cristina DC
    Cristina DC says:

    Everything you've mentioned in your video is good to go on my pot but it's still not pressurizing 😫

    Just spent all this time prepping dinner and my pot isn't working. So upset right now. I've made this meal before and set everything exactly as I always do and I've only used this pot about 6 times since I got it for Christmas. I'm really ticked off right now because it's too new to be having problems. Thank you for the suggestions though 😪

    Reply

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