What to check, in order
- Add thin liquid
At least 1 cup (250 mL) for a 3-quart pot, 1½ cups (375 mL) for a 6-quart, 2 cups (500 mL) for an 8-quart and 2½ cups (625 mL) for a 10-quart.
- Set the steam release to Seal
A switch or handle left on Vent (Venting on older lids) stops the cooker building pressure.
- Contact Customer Care if it comes back
If C7 returns with enough liquid and the steam release sealed, the heating element may have failed. The manuals say to contact Customer Care.
When to call an engineer
If it returns with enough liquid and a sealed valve: the heating element may have failed.
Good to know
- The manuals differ by model. The Duo and Duo Plus manuals list C7 together with NoPr, with three causes: a failed heating element, too little liquid, or the steam release on Vent (Venting on the Duo). The Pro WiFi manual lists C7 only as not enough liquid.
Checked against
- Instant Pot UK: Duo user manual (PDF)
- Instant Pot UK: Duo Plus with Whisper Quiet user manual (PDF)
- Instant Pot UK: Pro WiFi user manual (PDF)
Last reviewed September 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word.