Why Is My Instant Pot Showing Burn Error? (8 Fixes)

Nothing kills the vibe of a quick dinner like the Instant Pot burn error—it's incredibly frustrating when your meal is ruined mid-cook. This issue is one of the most common complaints among Instant Pot users, affecting models like the Duo, Lux, and Pro, with thousands of Reddit threads, Amazon reviews, and forum posts dedicated to it. It typically happens due to buildup on the sensors, insufficient liquid, or food scorching the pot bottom.

In this guide, you'll learn the top causes and get 8 proven fixes, ordered from easiest (like checking your liquid) to more involved (sensor cleaning). Most users fix it with the first 3-4 steps, based on real experiences from Instant Pot's community and experts like Amy + Jacky. You'll also know when it's time to upgrade and how to prevent it forever. By the end, you'll be pressure cooking hassle-free.

Common Causes

• Insufficient thin liquid or food stuck/scorched to the pot bottom
• Dirty burn shield or sensors under the lid
• Faulty or improperly seated sealing ring
• Thick sauces/ingredients settling and burning
• Buildup from repeated use without deep cleaning

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Add More Thin Liquid and Deglaze the Pot Bottom

Difficulty: easy | Time: 5 minutes

Scrape the bottom thoroughly with a wooden spoon before sealing. Ensure at least 1-1.5 cups of thin liquid (water, broth—not thick sauces) per 6qt pot.

Why it works: Burn error triggers when sensors detect scorching from dry spots. Deglazing prevents this. What you'll see: Pot pressurizes normally without error. If it fails: Proceed—liquid might not be the only issue.

Safety note: Never overfill past max line.

Tools needed: Wooden spoon

2. Check and Reseat the Sealing Ring

Difficulty: easy | Time: 2 minutes

Remove the silicone sealing ring from the lid, inspect for cracks/debris, wash with soap, dry fully, and reinstall firmly. Ensure it's seated in the groove.

Why it works: A warped or dirty ring causes pressure leaks, mimicking burn by overheating. What you'll see: Lid seals with a click; no error on test run. Warning: Cracked rings = replace immediately (safety risk).

3. Ensure Inner Pot is Fully Seated

Difficulty: easy | Time: 1 minute

Remove inner pot, wipe rim/base, reinsert until it sits flush with no wobble. Twist slightly to lock.

Why it works: Poor contact triggers false sensor readings. What you'll see: Pot heats evenly; pressurizes in 5-10 min. If it fails: Check for bent rim (rare, but upgrade sign).

4. Deep Clean the Inner Pot Bottom

Difficulty: easy | Time: 10 minutes

Wash pot with hot soapy water and non-abrasive sponge; boil vinegar-water mix on Saute for 10 min, then scrub. Focus on scorch marks.

Why it works: Residue buildup fools sensors into 'burn' detection. What you'll see: Shiny bottom; successful water test (next step). Tip: Bar Keepers Friend for tough stains (Amazon ASIN: B000V5IC1C).

Tools needed: Sponge, Vinegar

5. Power Cycle and Reset the Instant Pot

Difficulty: easy | Time: 15 minutes

Unplug for 10-15 minutes, then plug back in. Some models: Press Cancel > adjust time 3x.

Why it works: Clears temporary glitches in electronics. What you'll see: Display resets; buttons responsive without error. Warning: Don't unplug while pressurized.

6. Test Run with Plain Water

Difficulty: medium | Time: 20 minutes

Add 2 cups water, seal, Pressure Cook High 1 min. Monitor for error.

Why it works: Isolates if issue is ingredients vs. hardware. What you'll see: Beeps done, quick release works, no burn. If fails: Hardware problem likely.

7. Clean the Burn Shield and Lid Sensors

Difficulty: medium | Time: 20 minutes

Unplug, remove small stainless disc (burn shield) under lid sensors with tweezers, soak in vinegar 30 min, scrub gently, dry. Avoid scratching sensors.

Why it works: 70% of persistent burns from dirty shield (per user forums). What you'll see: Sensors shine; error gone on retest. Warning: Warranty void if damaged—proceed carefully. Tools: Soft brush (Amazon ASIN: B07Z8G5Q5Q).

Tools needed: Tweezers, Vinegar, Soft brush

8. Inspect for Hardware Damage and Replace Parts

Difficulty: hard | Time: 30 minutes

Check heating element (visible bottom burn marks?), wires, or warped base. Order new sealing ring (ASIN: B01N5UD4U8) or pot (ASIN: B07H2N9L1S).

Why it works: Addresses rare failures. What you'll see: Normal operation post-replacement. If fails: Contact Instant Pot support or upgrade—DIY limit reached.

Tools needed: Multimeter (optional)

When to Upgrade

Upgrade if error persists after all 8 steps, especially on units over 3-5 years old—sensors and heating elements wear out (common after 500+ cycles per Reddit data). Cost of parts/shipping ($20-50) often exceeds value of older models ($30-60 used). If under 1-year warranty, contact Instant Brands support first (free repair/replacement).

Safety red flags: lid won't seal, strange smells, or visible cracks—stop using immediately to avoid burns/explosions. Repairs aren't DIY-friendly beyond cleaning; pros charge $50-100, rarely worth it vs. $80 new pot. Newer models have better anti-burn tech (e.g., Duo Plus).

Upgrade Now

🛒 Buy Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Quart 7-in-1 on Amazon

🛒 Buy Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 on Amazon

🛒 Buy Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 6 Quart on Amazon

🛒 Buy Ninja Foodi 14-in-1 6.5 Quart on Amazon

🛒 Buy Replacement Inner Pot for Instant Pot 6qt on Amazon

Prevention Tips

• Always deglaze pot bottom and use 1+ cups thin liquid before pressure cooking
• Layer thick sauces/ meats on top; use Saute first to build fond
• Clean sealing ring/pot after every use; monthly vinegar boil
• Avoid overfilling; follow recipes from trusted sources like Instant Pot app
• Store with lid off to prevent odor/ring damage