When I first got my Instant Pot, I thought it would be a plug-and-play kind of deal. Just throw in the ingredients, hit a button, and boom dinner ready. But honestly, I had a few frustrating evenings when my Instant Pot refused to pressurize. Over time, I learned these 13 reasons the hard way. Here’s my personal checklist that saves me every time:
1. The Steam Release Knob Was on Venting
I can’t tell you how many times I set everything up perfectly… only to realize I left the knob on venting instead of sealing. It feels silly, but it’s probably the number one reason my pot wouldn’t build pressure. Now, I double-check it before I walk away.
2. The Sealing Ring Wasn’t Snug
One evening, I noticed steam escaping from the side. Turns out the sealing ring wasn’t fitted tightly against the metal track. Once I pushed it back snug, everything sealed perfectly. A loose ring equals no pressure.
3. I Forgot the Sealing Ring Completely
This one’s embarrassing. I washed the ring, set the lid aside, and later forgot to put it back. The pot heated but never sealed. Now I always check that the ring is in place before I hit Start.
4. Not Enough Liquid Inside
Instant Pots need steam to build pressure, and steam comes from liquid. I once tried cooking chicken with barely any broth. It just wouldn’t pressurize. Now I remember the rule of thumb: at least one cup of liquid (sometimes half a cup if I’m making something saucy).
5. Food Scorched on the Bottom
This happened when I sautéed onions and didn’t deglaze. The bottom scorched, and the pot wouldn’t come to pressure. Lesson learned: scrape the bottom clean with a little liquid before starting pressure mode.
6. Build-Up on the Sealing Ring
One time spaghetti sauce left a thin residue on the ring. I didn’t notice it, but it kept the lid from sealing. A quick wash fixed the problem. Now I give it a quick look before cooking.
7. The Sealing Ring Was Worn Out
After a year of heavy use, my ring started to stretch and crack. It looked fine at first glance but wasn’t sealing properly. Replacing it with a new one solved everything. Rings aren’t expensive, and in the U.S., you can even find them in big-box stores like Walmart or Target.
8. I Pressed the Timer Button by Mistake
Early on, I hit Timer instead of Pressure Cook. The pot sat there doing nothing while I waited, hungry and annoyed. Now I’m careful—always press Pressure Cook or Manual, not Timer.
9. The Lid Area Was Dirty
The grooves around the lid are sneaky spots for crumbs. A little rice stuck there once, and the lid wouldn’t seal. I keep a small toothbrush handy just for cleaning that rim. It takes 10 seconds and saves a headache.
10. The Float Valve Was Stuck
The float valve is that little metal pin on the lid. Mine once got gummed up with residue, and it stayed stuck down. No float, no pressure. A quick clean with warm soapy water fixed it instantly.
11. Frozen Meals Without Liquid
I love freezer meals, but the first time I dumped one in frozen solid, nothing happened. No liquid = no steam. Now I either thaw it a bit in the microwave or add half a cup of broth or water before closing the lid.
12. Too Much Liquid
Funny enough, having too much liquid is also a problem. I once made soup and filled it close to the max line. It struggled to seal because it was overfilled. My new rule: always stay a couple of lines below the max mark.
13. The Plug Wasn’t Fully In
This one made me laugh at myself. I thought my Instant Pot was broken. Nope—it just wasn’t plugged in all the way. Now I check both ends of the cord before blaming the machine.
Final Thoughts
Every one of these lessons came from real trial and error. The Instant Pot is an amazing tool once you know its quirks, but when it won’t pressurize, it’s almost always one of these reasons. If you’ve tried everything here and it still won’t work, that’s when it’s time to contact Instant Pot support.