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

[@jessicashavies4535]

Oh my goodness! I could hug you. Thank you thank you so much for this video. I was nearly in tears that my instant pot was broken, but was able to fix it with your help.🥰

[@annbuttercup9652]

OMG!!!! I cannot thank you enough!!! The fix for me on my very first try was your #10 (3:41) (10) Dirty Float Valve. My instant pot is now back working. You are the best !!! Many Thanks!!!!

[@marilynduenas1876]

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

[@Sara-df5xi]

Our float valve did not have the rubber gasket. I always thought this was a terrible design as our float valve falls off all the time when we are taking the lid off. This was like "no wonder our instant pot just hasn't worked right ever." I have watched multiple videos and this solved our problem. We ordered a replacement gasket for our float valve.

[@drewg.6961]

Shout out to you!!!! I had just bought a new gasket/seal and it worked fine for the first couple uses.. then I got a food burn alert twice… thought I didn’t add enough water so I over did it! Didn’t get the food burn alert but noticed there was no pressure/no steam on natural or quick release, so I reluctantly did all of these steps and it works fine now, thank you!!!!

[@SixSistersStuff]

You're welcome!!

[@ajeetkanda8410]

This is my new favorite kitchen tool! Day 1 I was going to pressure cook a meat kzbin.infoUgkxG-7WiT7ocumjytOpHDFt632PL0pxXRAg and potato stew, decided I wouldn't eat it that night so I went with a slow cook so I could go to bed and put it away in the morning. I love that versatility! The sauté feature works great and adds tons of extra flavor to dishes, and I can easily sizzle meats in the bottom then deglaze for some restaurant worthy flavors.Big bonus - you can cook a whole frozen chicken in about 2 hours. Amazing! I've seen a couple videos, haven't tried it yet, but I will soon!

[@peggyvigiard1275]

Thank you SO much!! My IP would not pressurize and I thought it was broken. I watched your video, went through the check list, and it turned out that I needed to clean my float valve! It is working fine now! Thank you again!

[@yolandabyers-goodwin2349]

Thank you so much, I was just about to go get a new instant pot. You saved me $100. It was a dirty float valve.💕

[@melisarogers2402]

That's what I just took apart an cleaned it is my first time using it ever an my mom used it daily I swear,

[@MTTRON]

There is a drain in the back that catches fluid and condensation from normal use. This fluid can and usually does have bits of whatever is cooking in it! When you (get lazy like me) forget to drain this catch all you will get bits on your pot right at the seal!! Don't do what I did; be sure to drain that catchall! Thanks Kristen!!! Love your Videos!

[@rosemarygriffin2184]

I'm new to having an instant pot, I haven't used it yet, but am watching all the tips and trouble shooting video's. I would just like to add, as I live in the UK, if nothing else works, don't forget to check the fuse in your electric plug. Thanks for great video!

[@fugician421]

Excellent video with clear, concise directions. It turned out I had a piece of food lodged in my float valve. Without this video I probably would’ve just chucked it and bought a new Insta pot!

[@billiebluujae4995]

THANK YOUU! I was making a pot roast and noticed that it never PRESSURIZED! I went thought your check list and everything was good... until you mentioned that scorched food on the bottom could be the issue. And that it was! It was caked on good haha. I took everything out and cleaned it good put everything back in and it’s doing its job nicely! Thank you so much for this video because I would have never of that would have been the problem!!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@savyr8369]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I legit struggled for almost an hour, watched other non helpful videos, almost tore my hair out & then almost thru my instant pot in the trash ×_× Then I finally put ur video on. I followed along like u said & sure enough my sealing ring was NOT SNUG. FML I will be hitting subscribe! U just saved my Christmas roast 🙏🏽 THANK YOU to infinite & beyond!!!

[@scoop2591]

OH THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU !!! I was going crazy while cooking in my IP bcuz I couldn't figure out why it wasn't sealing. YOU where the only one I found who said if your food is scorched on the bottom, that could be the reason. I couldn't smell scorched food but decided to take the food out and look. EUREKA !!! Cleaned the pot, put the food back in and VOILA ! :)

[@SixSistersStuff]

SO glad we could help!

[@juliennetaylor6007]

I had no idea about the float valve! I took mine apart to clean and noticed that the rubber was cracked! That’s why mine wasn’t pressurizing last night! Thank you for your video!!!!

[@drewg.6961]

I was about to throw the whole thing out!! After buying a new seal and new inner pot! Thank you!! It works fine now! Just a little cleaning detail did the trick!

[@SixSistersStuff]

Yay! Glad to help!

[@tinadavis5719]

Thank you sister! #10 saved me from buying a new instant pot! Float valve had popped out during cleaning and got put back in wrong (the rubber seal was outside the pot(don't ask how I managed that) 😂). Thank you!!

[@MrsPetal]

This actually really helped our sealing ring wasn't pressed snuggly and that's why we have an issue this evening, thanks again. 🙏💖

[@elizabethquirk5912]

I didn't think it would work because the IP display read like it came to pressure, counted down 3 minutes, then acted like it was done - but when I went to release the pressure - I saw it hadn't pressurized - which explained the burn notice from just before, when I could've sworn I'd put enough water in... but I cleaned the float valve the way you said, and it's working right again. Thank you!!!

[@SixSistersStuff]

Wow! I'm glad everything is working now! You are most welcome.

[@hollyhendrix7225]

Thank you for the correct information. Easy to understand directions well spoken.. yeah I can cook now..

[@yocz2007]

I am so happy to watch this video right before I start using my power pressure cooker xl. Thanks for your clear and limpid tutorial.

[@SixSistersStuff]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessgoo6022]

Thank you so much for the video ! I freaked out when my pressure cooker stopped pressurising! I used your tips and it's pressurising again! Thank you so much !!!❤

[@SixSistersStuff]

You’re so so welcome!

[@valeriemann]

Thank you for posting these tips! Also, I made 24(!) of your IP freezer meals and froze them right before we all had to stay at home for 8 weeks. Granted, I had plenty of time to cook from scratch at that point 😉 but instead used that time to make dozens of face masks for my family, friends and community. It was a blessing not to have to worry about meal prep!

[@winnieayala]

Thank you! Cleaned the float valve and it worked perfectly!!

[@lorraineleonard8897]

Thanks for this video. I have another brand of pressurized cooker that was not pressurizing, I followed your steps and now it's working properly. Thank you.

[@SixSistersStuff]

Oh I'm so glad!

[@ctpaschal1]

Thank you so much! I cleaned my valve for the first time after your video. Didn't know that was a thing. It wasn't pressurizing. I was having issues with closing the lid. The button was blocking. Now the button isn't blocking but it's not pressuring still. I have enough liquid, the seal seems ok. It comes to some kind of pressure and starts counting down but never up to pressure with the button popping up.

[@semco72057]

Thanks so much for those tips and I hope my unit will give me great service for a long time before I have any of those problems.

[@julieschmidt5081]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve never had a problem before and I knew you’d be able to help me figure out what was wrong. 😘

[@elizabethblake6570]

Yay! It was my sealing ring. Thank you for sharing

[@TheUsualSuspekt]

You are a god send!!! I am not sure which of the 13 steps did it but I think Im good.

[@summerbreeze2205]

OMG, you just saved my world. My pressure cooker is LIFE and is used everyday. I was in such distress trying to figure out why it wouldn’t pressurize. Thank you!

[@SiaosiandVictoria]

I was about ready to call up the brand company lol you saved me soo much time and headache!!

[@aubre1237]

My instapot went right back to normal, thank you ❤

[@shondaclifton3759]

You rock!! Ty ty was missing that little plastic float valve cover, had actually found in floor and thank the lord kept it!

[@SixSistersStuff]

Oh yay!!

[@SixSistersStuff]

Oh yay!!

[@536bobbie]

I don't have an instant pot yet but am really weighing the pros and cons of getting the 6 qt. am a family of 1 so even filling it would be pleanty. I love your channel and your recipes..I am 82, doing weight watchers so I am trying to make my food healthier yet I hate to cook!! Yep I said it...it's just no fun for one! I order 99% of my food on line and have it delivered from Walmart so convenience is my middle name plus saving time for doing things l really enjoy. Didn't mean to ramble so much but I really enjoy your program....hoping to hear about your adventure on road to Sacramento and moving! God Bless.

[@jasonhutton4802]

If you haven't got one yet they do make a 3qt as wel.

[@SierraSadie1]

Might want to check out Ninja Foodi.

[@saraphenaha684]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Yes it wasn't pressurizing! And I am new to the Instant Pot, so I had pushed timer instead of manual. So simple a problem but I didn't realize it should have been manual. I would have given up, it's been 30 minutes of why isn't it getting pressure? So I would have put it in my Dutch Oven and gone digging into what the heck is going on, tomorrow! So, easy and you saved the on- time dinner tonigh. :)

[@jacquelineioliphdrn5282]

Thorough, thanks! It was the tiniest bit of grime on the float valve and possibly grime on the area where the lid sits. It helped me to have a very thin brush to clean the pressure relief valve.

[@SixSistersStuff]

Nice work!

[@yaniqueforbes-patrick3555]

That was very helpful. Far more helpful than anything from the manufacturer.

[@jennifert5333]

This video was sooo helpful Thank you! I was so bummed I thought my insta pot was broken. Your tips fixed it Thank you!

[@craigstephens9651]

Tha is for the tips. Just bought a new instant pot and the float valve won't close or pressurize. I've never washed the float valve or sleeve. I'll start trying that. Thanks for the list of thi gs to check.

[@saralynn353]

As we speak my instant pot is not pressurizing. I’ve used it for well over a year with no problems and last time I used it ...it spewed steam & liquid on my newly painted walls & blinds. 😩So I put it away for months. I was scared to use it again. I got my nerve up and the same thing is happening. So I’m letting the pressure come down and I’m going to go check with your checklist. At this point I know only that it’s plugged in! Thanks for the ideas

[@dionkraft6782]

I had some non-sealing problems but found out that when I use this plastic/rubber trivette which had huge hoops on the edges the rubber hoop on one side would interfere with the gasket and caused a leak so I got those BURN messages from time to time. The hoops are tall enough that they rise some inch and a quarter above the side of the stainless pot. I think that this rubberized trivette was originally used on the Foodi but I'm not sure. Anyways not using it anymore solved my problem. Other items to look out which you mentioned sure is a time saver - THANKS!

[@kristenparker89]

You just saved me tons of headache! I have a green silicon instant pot basket and my pot wouldn’t come to pressure. After reading your note I took the basket out and it fixed my problem!

[@juliecook9755]

Oh My Gosh!!! Step number 3 - (check) Who knew you needed water in the pot to cook those sweet potatoes! lol Thank you so much for being on KZbin!

[@M1N1Girl007]

Just got a new Instapot for Christmas. I cooked one thing, cleaned it. Now onto a Roast for tonight and now, it states C7 after pressurizing for 20 mins. UGHHHH Came to your video and hope these tips work LOL

[@laurafraser3922]

Thank you for this video. I think I might have fixed my problem, since I cleaned all the little parts, and around where the lid sits. That part does accumulate bits! I cleaned it all out and am trying rice now. The weird thing about tonight's chicken recipe was that not only did it not achieve pressure, it started the cooking countdown without the pressure!

[@jhwilliams6550]

Mine has done that too. I’ve also had gaskets unseat around the metal in one place and it spew stuff everywhere. We bought new gaskets but I don’t think they fit snug enough so I guess I will be ordering the clear ones. I always push the gasket down to make sure it’s on correctly but it came up in one area I heard it make a popping noise.

[@susancezanne5181]

THANK YOU. I had no idea that I had to take that float valve out to clean it.

[@jakesummers7729]

Thanks- I was about to panic, but the float valve fixed it... thank you many times

[@fiona8472]

My led panel is not working properly it's not showing my numbers fully what would I do

[@shellyserrano3114]

Omg thank you, thanks to you I figured out why mine wasn’t running on 👍🏼

[@joannedubois9]

I’ve of your tips solved my issue. Thank you.

[@mkc9525]

I have both 3 and 6 qt instant pots, and find that filling to the max line in the 3 qt pot, even with lots of liquid works just fine. The same recipe doubled in the 6 qt pot either never pressures up or takes so long that the food is overcooked. After checking the specs I found that the 3 qt pot is 700 watts and the 6 qt pot is only 1000 watts, so its under powered for its size and takes too long to heat up a full pot.

[@casildacanino-salgado2094]

I am having problems to put on the 3 quarts Instant Pot. Can you help me?

[@MayraMartinez-cm5cj]

Hi I'm very me to the instapot adventure. Recently my pot releases steam before pressurize all around the lid and valve. Scary for someone not familiar with the product..lol I'm always afraid it's going to blow. Any advice greatly appreciated

[@alysonarnold6315]

Hi! Great video! I was having a problem bringing the pot to pressure because my valve was actually on backwards and I didn't notice. LOL. I honestly don't know how it got that way, but there you go.

[@SixSistersStuff]

Ha ha!! Oh no! Hopefully you got everything figured out!

[@ClintonC.Caraway]

Thank you for the help!! I had a little float valve issue!!!

[@emmapayne4344]

THE DAMN SEALING RING!! Thank you! You saved my dinner.

[@kristenrichmond5832]

Thank you so much! You solved my problem. And you have a great way about you! Smart and humble.

[@biba3025]

Thank you! Cleaned as u said and it worked again as brand new 😊

[@SixSistersStuff]

You're welcome! Glad to help!

[@xHazardd]

Thank you so much for this video, my float valve was stuck in a weird position because of some metal button on the side

[@clarissadane]

I cooked my soufflé twice and it didn’t nothing - it always works great- so was sad it may be broken. Yeah, I was broken lol. I had it in my new white ceramic round soufflé dish on the rack, so excited .... without water 🤪 THANK YOU!!! Loving it and obviously, learning how to use it!

[@helen-anncooper5346]

Wonder if u can help,have checked everything,but pressure cooker goes on and about 15 mins later I get the OPEN message,why would this be ,thank you

[@judithdalrymple4676]

I followed your tips and did some cleaning and it worked. Thanks so much

[@SixSistersStuff]

Glad it helped!

[@luxuwpb]

thank you very much por this tutorial video honestly I was really convinced that I have to trough away my instant pot thanks again

[@outdoorenthusiasts3175]

So I looked up, "Instant pot not pressurizing" and your video came up. I believe it was #8 that was the problem. Food on the outside of the instant pot letting pressure out. I didn't see the few grains of rice... thank you!

[@peggyjeffcoat8985]

I did not know how to clean the pressure valve. So thank you for the info!

[@SixSistersStuff]

You are so welcome! Thanks for coming over!

[@joshuabrande2417]

I have tried everything. A new silicone ring carefully in place. Pressure release and float valves cleaned. Toothbrushed the lld area and that's all clean. Insert pot clean and undamaged. Power cord fit correct, and I still get EC on the screen with delay start flashing green and all the other pre-set buttons flashing too. 2018 Christmas present. What the life expectancy of the IP anyway?

[@itzdevaraj]

it worked for me ,thankyou !

[@vallzzer]

Floaty valve not fitting properly was the cause! 4:22! Thank you.

[@teribillingham8974]

You and your videos are awesome! Thank you for the help.

[@SixSistersStuff]

Glad you like them!

[@en2oh]

Great video. Just an FYI that caused me some problems when the lid suffered a "gravity incident". The net result was a broken piece of plastic that happened to be covering the safety valve pin. This pin is spring loaded but sits in a framework that is hidden from view. If that pin is under tension, when the lid is put on, the popup valve will not seal. if it doesn't pull the safety catch inside the lid... the system will not come to pressure. The fix is simple. Take a 1/2" square piece of plastic and drill a 1/4" hold from one side to the other.... slide that over the pin and it will compress the spring, keeping tension on the safety pin. If anyone has problems, I can send a photo. It isn't worth a youtube video but will safe your day if you need your instantpot! :)

[@baianinhasilva]

Pls send I need that

[@senbonita2all]

Thank you for this vid!!! The bottom of the pot was caked up with food so we transferred to pot on stove

[@jmeme4997]

Thank you much. It's appreciated.

[@mariannewiebe9461]

Thank you for your video, my instant pot did not come on because it was not quite plugged into the Pot plug.

[@jkbushtx]

Ok didn’t look at the date you made this video but couldn’t figure out why my instant pot wasn’t pressurizing... I had put in a packet of brown gravy and 2 cups of beef broth... ERROR gravy scorched on the bottom [just like you said] and after a frustrating three times thinking my instant pot had a terrible problem it was operator [oops] error. Cleaned bottom spotless, put in ONLY broth... and it’s now pressurized and cooking a fine roast.... thanks for your video.

[@surfersoldierforchrist5928]

thanks your video helped me seems i lost my float valve ring . gonna order replacement from amazon.

[@AudraAshley]

thank you so much for this video! My pressure cooker just pressurized as I was about to go through all of these steps!!!

[@hrome7311]

Thank you!!!! Saved me a return

[@nelysilva5833]

Thank you sister #2. I really needed you today and you came through. Your videos are awesome!!! Once again thank you😁

[@nelsonr.7391]

Awesome video, you're the best.

[@shiuhoilam6657]

Great tips. After cleaning the lid rim and float valve, my instant pot works again. Thank you!

[@SixSistersStuff]

You are so welcome!

[@craigs831]

Inside my sealing/venting valve there was a metal clip that came off and rested at the bottom of the steam valve area. This kept the valve so very slightly elevated so it was venting in the sealed position. Fix is just putting the metal clip back into the bottom of the valve.

[@juliez1539]

I’m watching this in desperation. Numbers 9 and 10 might be the problem for me. I have boiled water on the test run and made rice twice, but nothing else has cooked correctly! Thanks for the advice!

[@mpatrick7860]

Is the timer in minutes or seconds? It shows 00:35 when I start trying to pressure cook. Is that 35 seconds?

[@JanetEdgoose]

Thank you very much I made pulled pork with thick bbq sauce and it took for ever to get to pressure , next time I will had 1cup broth 😀cheers

[@sher962001]

Can you use the cookbooks for the pampered chef quick cooker?

[@juliemclaren2981]

I think there's also a possibility that the tiny silicone cap on the float valve deteriorates just like the silicone sealing rings. I'm currently waiting for a replacement float valve to arrive to see if that fixes the problem my (2.5 yr old) Instant Pot has been having for the last couple of weeks. I suspect we should be replacing this little silicone cap whenever we get a new sealing ring.

[@goku445]

Did you fix the problem? I have an IP Lux and the float valve sealing ring is hard to find. It is pressurizing but I'm losing too much steam until it does.

[@tbforester]

Thank you for posting this. The only thing I had to do was to wash that doohickey (even though it didn't look dirty). I'm giving it one more try. If it continues to not pressurize, I guess it is going to the e-waste facility. :( This is the first time in years that I have had a problem. Perhaps it's all worn out although I have rarely used it.

[@before120]

Yea that's great and thanks but I lost my little black turning knob that comes off and on and I have to find out how to replace this part.

[@Sunshine66Bklyn]

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. 😭😭😭😂

[@CristinaD84]

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 😪

[@Camaya429]

This is how I’m feeling now! You do your other parts of your dinner & the pot just stays at “On.” 😡😳 only used a handful of times

[@lesliea.7174]

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!!

[@JulianoGSF]

Good tips, it worked. Clean the steam valve!!

[@rbbiefah]

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

[@dizzle0420]

Thank you so much! You saved dinner!

[@SixSistersStuff]

You're welcome!!

[@KerriHancock-o6r]

Love your videos. Keep up the good work with the Instant Pot Vids. Hopefully you can help me. My Steam Release Valve keeps hissing. My float valve comes up and seals but then all the steam starts coming out of the Steam Release Valve. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

[@bridgettleigh2912]

Thank you!!! I was so frustrated but I found that little metal thingie was dirty. Now I'm making soup with our left over Thanksgiving turkey!

[@Linusrox123]

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!

[@susanbertrand8620]

So helpful- thank you!!

[@SixSistersStuff]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewsessa5936]

Just bought your book. The recipes look fantastic can’t wait to try them out! I bought it mostly because you were so sweet and helpful i figured what the heck i learned something, I’m going to get some restaurant recipes, plus you took the time to write a book; kudos on that! Glad i bought it. Wish I had watched your video before buying a new instapot...I threw my old one out because it wouldn’t seal, ugh.

[@StacyandThomas]

I cleaned my float valve last weekend. Was surprised when I used my IP just now that the float valve did not come up when pressure cooking. But it seemed to cook everything just fine. Weird.

[@maroesp9729]

Thanks So much!!! I have extra info now:)

[@xandraj5487]

I'm dealing with an instant pot lid that leaks steam so it pressurizes on the machine, and the float valve goes all the way up, but it doesn't keep all of the heat and steam in meaning that it might as well cook at the same speed as a pot on the stove. Plus, it freaks me out - it brings mental pictures of my mom's fearful comments about pressure cookers blowing up. I bought a new set of the red and blue rings, I cleaned the edges, but it still leaks steam. I'm wondering if the pot itself has gotten a bit misshapen over 3 years of use and if that would make a difference on how it seals. what do you think?

[@xandraj5487]

@Angie B not yet. I will be ordering a new insert this week and I'll try to let you know

[@laddie548]

This is what mine does too!

[@nateregnier]

I had the same problem... the sealing ring got stretched.

[@zimbabaloola]

Hi. I am new to the instant pot scene. I have mine for about a year and just recently it has started causing problems ie on a tried and tested recipe, at the natural venting stage, it doesn’t seem to vent. Instead it seems like it’s building pressure and going to explode, so I quickly have to activate the quick venting….any advise would be much appreciated.

[@cherylynmata6010]

Thanks for the tips totally fixed my problem

[@TaviRenaeReveiws]

🤦🏾‍♀️ I was doing PIP (pot in pot) grits and forgot to put a cup of water in the main pot. Thank you for your help! 🤗

[@clarissadane]

Me too!!!