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You’ve prepped everything, you followed the recipe and all of a sudden your Instant Pot gives you an error. Don’t panic! I’ll decipher some of the error codes for you!
By now many of you have fallen completely in love with your Instant Pot and pressure cooking. I told you guys this years ago that you’d love it and that it’s not scary and it’s super easy and it’s something you wished you started doing years ago. Wow, that’s a lot of “ands”. My English major niece, Ashlee is probably rolling her eyes thinking “I am NOT related to that grammatically incorrect lady” lol. Love you Ash!
But yeah, told you so! It’s literally one of the best re-inventions of kitchen porn equipment in eons. No longer is there a need for 10 different pieces of bulky equipment when a single, glorious pot can do the jobs of all of them?! However pressure cookers, even though they have a million and one safety precautions scare folks when you see an error code. Rightly so, we’re programmed to be on higher alert when we see something like that. Well today I’m helping you work through those codes and, work through them.
So what prompted all of this, honestly, was a 911 panic email I received from a co-worker and her dear mother. You see Heather had received a new Instant Pot for Christmas per my recommendation to Alexis, her daughter. And from day one Heather had been in love with it – again, rightly so. The text came in with a “tone” of panic and fright however I was stuck on a conference call with our Asian counterparts and couldn’t call her back thus we opted for texting.
Heather had written down a recipe for a Chicken burrito type bowl all made in the Instant Pot however as it was pressure cooking she received the dreaded BURN error code and the PC shut down. Thinking they didn’t add enough water, they added more to the pot, tried to bring it back up to pressure only to have that code flash again. After reviewing the recipe she texted it I saw the issue. The recipe didn’t call for enough liquid. Remember me telling you that at a minimum you need at least one cup of water? Well, this recipe had 1 cup to it but the recipe included you cook the rice in it and the chicken plus the rest of the ingredients. 1 cup simply wasn’t enough.
What had happened is that the rice absorbed all of the liquid and there wasn’t anything left for the chicken thus is started to ‘burn’ onto the bottom of the pan. The safety features were triggered thus the BURN error code was flashed and the PC shut down. The reason it didn’t work when they added more liquid was because the bottom of the pan already had burnt bits on it. Again, all safety precautions.
- Burn – It doesn’t mean that your Instant Pot is on fire or burning. It simply means that it’s overheating. They are designed that when it detects a high temperature > 280 degrees at the bottom of the inner pot that you put the food in, the burn trigger is initiated and it retards heating. Essentially you’re burning your food on the bottom of the pan. Make sure you have enough liquid in the pot. Also when added tomato or acidic items to NOT put them on the bottom of the pot. Instead, add them on top of everything and do not stir.
- Ovht – This is the same thing as BURN. It’s a safety precaution as your Instant Pot is on the verge of overheating. This suspends any further heating.
- C7 – This is a relatively new error that seems to be relevant to the Instant Pot EVO modules. C7 indicates that the heating element has failed, there is not enough liquid, or the quick-release switch is set to vent position. If you get the error after checking the vent release valve and checking to make sure there is the minimum amount of liquid required for pressure, you would need to contact Customer Support. This info for C7 was found via Pressure Cooking Today website.
- C6 – If your Instant Pot displays a C6 error, unplug it immediately. There is a faulty pressure sensor. Contact their Customer Support for assistance.
- LID – The lid is not properly seated.
- noPR – Your Instant Pot can’t reach pressure. This can be from the gasket being clogged, not enough liquid or the gasket is worn thin.
- C5 – Inner pot not seated properly.
- C2 – If your Instant Pot displays a C2 error, unplug it immediately. There is a faulty pressure sensor and has short-circuited. Contact their Customer Support for assistance.
- C1 – If your Instant Pot displays a C1 error, unplug it immediately. There is a faulty pressure sensor. Contact their Customer Support for assistance.
Now, I know what I shared is the “bad” stuff that you never want to hear about a product but it’s the truth. All of these items are put to PREVENT an issue and ensure that safety measures are met.
So would I still recommend an Instant Pot? ABSOLUTELY! The fact that they disclose these error codes means that they’ve tested this 9 millions ways from Sunday AND they want you to be aware (and not scared). This is a GOOD thing folks!
Recommended Instant Pots:
I am getting an E3 error message. What does this mean? My daughter gave me her instant pot and neglected to give me the manual or cookbook that came with it. I am trying to cook dried beans in it. I put 1 lb of great northern beans with 8 cups of water, half an onion and a bay leaf.
Hi Karla!
Do you know what model instant pot it is?
If it’s an IP Max, for almost all “E” codes it says “Contact Instant Pot support”.
From research, the E3 error code can also mean that your unit has overheated. This is common and happens when the pressure cooker does not have enough liquid in the pot, or when there is early steam release from the pot while the unit is trying to pressure cook. If there is early steam release, identify where it is coming from right away.
Lastly, it could also be the anti-dry sensor has become damaged. Error code E3 will be featured on the display. The device will stop working automatically. Please contact Customer Care Team (https://www.instantpot.com/support
Here’s a link to their form https://instantpot.com/instant-brands-contact-us/
Or their number is 1.800.828.7280 Monday – Friday 9-4pm EST
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I have a Bella Pro Series 8 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker- Model M-80B30AG
Had for over a year and it worked beautifully. Now when I plug it in all I get is a beep and a series of 4 dashes. No error codes. None of the functions work on the display screen. Tried different wall plugs. The lid and gasket seal properly. Opened the bottom and there is no corrosion or moisture. Help!
I’m not familiar with that model. I would advise contacting their customer support.
1-866-832-4843
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Had my 8qt instant pot duo evo plus a week now and just tried the sauté function. Ended up with a C8 error message. I couldn’t do anything to remedy it, so I unplugged and tried again. The second time it was fine for a minute and did the same thing. Unplugged again and tried again only to have it go straight to the C8 error message immediately trying several times. Gave up on sauteing and went straight to pressure cook. So far that IDs working. There problem is, I used saute all the time on my smaller dou Nova without a hitch, especially for seating a roast (as I tried just now). I NEED that function to work. Had anyone had any success with having this issue resolved?
Hi!
This issue seems to have been in existence for a while now. Many have, like you, encountered it on the Saute mode. If you do not get this error on any other mode, AND you’re using the right inner pot, AND it’s not damaged, then you need to contact the IP folks to remediate. I did hear that some folks were able to remediate this by ‘nudging’ the inner pot a bit. It could be possible that the component isn’t placed into the IP housing correctly. Try turning the pot a bit, even if just a quarter turn. If that fails too, call IP to get it fixed.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Anyone know what an E13 means on an IP Max? And it does say “E”, not “C”. Most of what I found on the internet were “C” error codes but there were some “E” error codes. I didn’t find any reference to an E13.
Hey Mike!
On the IP Max for almost all “E” codes it says “Contact Instant Pot support”.
Here’s a link to their form https://instantpot.com/instant-brands-contact-us/
Or their number is 1.800.828.7280 Monday – Friday 9-4pm EST
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Hi! I just got my first ever c7 code and I’m using a IP duo. Turns out that the condensation collector in the back of the pot was full of water and I didn’t realize. Trying the pot again now after emptying so we’ll see if there are any other issues, but I think in this case the c7 on a duo can mean full condensation collector (or whatever IP calls that thing 🙂 )
My insta pot is reading code error C6. I have owned this for a year. No longer have the original box. Is there anything I can do?
It’s listed in the post above.
C6 – If your Instant Pot displays a C6 error, unplug it immediately. There is a faulty pressure sensor. Contact their Customer Support for assistance.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Heat message will not go off. Followed all prompts to the letter
What type of IP do you have? If your items are frozen or cold (including liquid) it can take up to 30 minutes before it will get up to pressure and start counting down.
Did you look at your users manual? Certain multi-cookers mention this.
Let me know!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
I was cooking a roast and released steam to add veggies. Now, my instant pot is beeping, flashing, and showing Err 6. There is no C anywhere. What is this?
I’ve never heard it to not have a ‘C’ before the number.
Definitely call Customer Care:
1-800-828-7280 support@instantpot.com instantpot.com/#Chat