Instant Pot Not Sealing? 7 Proven Fixes That Actually Work

Is your Instant Pot not sealing, leaking steam, or refusing to build pressure?

This is one of the most common Instant Pot problems — and in most cases, it’s easy to fix in under 10 minutes.

What It Means When Your Instant Pot Is Not Sealing

When your Instant Pot doesn’t seal, it cannot build pressure.

Without pressure:

The timer won’t start counting down
Steam escapes from the lid
The float valve stays down
Food undercooks

Pressure cooking requires an airtight environment.

Most Common Reasons Your Instant Pot Is Not Sealing

Sealing ring is dirty, twisted, or misaligned
Float valve is stuck or clogged
Steam release valve is set to Venting
Not enough liquid in the pot
Lid not fully locked
Food debris blocking the rim
Worn or stretched silicone sealing ring

7 Proven Fixes for Instant Pot Not Sealing

1. Check the Steam Release Valve

Make sure the steam release valve is set to Sealing, not Venting.

Quick win: A surprising number of “Instant Pot not sealing” reports come down to the valve being left on Venting. Check this before replacing anything.

2. Clean the Silicone Sealing Ring

The sealing ring is the most common reason an Instant Pot won’t seal.

How to clean it:

Remove it from the lid
Wash with warm soapy water
Rinse thoroughly
Dry completely
Reinstall evenly in the groove (no twists)

Pro tip (higher success rate): Keep two rings — one for savory foods and one for sweet dishes — to reduce odor transfer and keep the silicone in better shape.

Buy an official Instant Pot sealing ring on Amazon

If the ring feels stretched, won’t stay seated, or keeps leaking after cleaning, replacement is likely the fix.

3. Inspect and Clean the Float Valve

The float valve must move freely to seal pressure.

Check for:

Food debris or sticky residue
A damaged mini silicone cap (under the lid)

Press it gently up and down. It should move smoothly.

Common fix: A quick clean around the float valve (top and underside) often restores sealing without replacing parts.

Replace the Instant Pot float valve kit on Amazon

4. Make Sure the Lid Is Fully Locked

Align the lid properly and rotate until fully locked.

If it feels loose:

Recheck that the sealing ring is seated correctly
Confirm nothing is caught on the rim

5. Add Enough Thin Liquid

Your Instant Pot needs enough liquid to create steam and build pressure. In most recipes, that means at least 1 cup of thin liquid (water or broth).

Too little liquid can cause:

Failure to pressurize
Steam escaping
A Burn warning

Important: Thick sauces don’t generate steam well on their own. If you’re cooking with thick liquids, add water/broth (or layer thin liquid first).

6. Clean the Lid Rim and Pot Edge

Even tiny food particles can break the seal.

Wipe clean:

The lid rim
The sealing ring channel
The top edge of the inner pot

Dry everything before cooking.

7. Replace the Sealing Ring If Needed

Replace the ring if you notice:

Cracks, tears, or warping
Stretching (ring feels loose)
Persistent steam leaks after cleaning/reseating
Ring repeatedly slipping out

Best-buy tip: Multi-pack sealing rings are often cheaper per ring and give you a backup when one wears out.

Shop Instant Pot replacement sealing rings on Amazon

Most users replace sealing rings every 12–18 months, sooner with heavy use.

How to Run a Water Test (To Confirm It’s Fixed)

Add 2 cups of water
Lock the lid
Set Pressure Cook for 5 minutes
Watch for the float valve to rise and for the pot to stop venting from the lid edges

Quick check: If steam leaks from the sides during the water test, the sealing ring is still the #1 suspect (mis-seated, dirty, or worn).

When to Replace a Part

Symptom	Most likely fix
Steam leaking from sides	Replace sealing ring
Float valve won’t move freely	Clean or replace float valve cap
Burn warning and won’t seal	Add more thin liquid
Lid won’t close/lock	Reseat sealing ring; check alignment

How to Prevent Instant Pot Sealing Problems

Clean the sealing ring after every use
Avoid frequent dishwasher cycles for the ring (can speed up wear)
Keep a spare ring on hand
Always confirm valve is set to Sealing
Store the lid upside down between uses

FAQ

Why is my Instant Pot leaking steam from the sides?

Usually the sealing ring is misaligned, dirty, or worn out.

Why is the float valve not popping up?

It may be clogged, the valve may be set to Venting, or there may not be enough liquid to build pressure.

Can I cook if my Instant Pot isn’t sealing?

No. It won’t build pressure properly and food may undercook.

How often should I replace the sealing ring?

About every 12–18 months, or sooner if you see damage or persistent leaks.

Does the dishwasher damage the sealing ring?

Frequent dishwasher use can accelerate silicone wear and stretching. Hand washing often helps it last longer.

Why does my Instant Pot show a Burn warning and not seal?

This often happens when there isn’t enough thin liquid, or the contents are too thick to generate steam.