This post sharing what to do if you get an Instant Pot C6 error is based on my experience because I had no idea what to do. Let me know your thoughts on it, and click on the affiliate links I share which gives me a commission from any purchase.
I love my Instant Pot. I use it all the time, from pulled pork to Spanish rice to chicken curry and more, this pressure cooker is a lifesaver.
You can imagine my horror when I turned it on to make chicken stock only to hear a nasty beep beep beep and see flashing lights. The screen simply showed C6.
I tried pressing buttons. I tried unplugging it and turning it on after letting it sit for a couple minutes. Really I tried everything, but my Instant Pot was clearly broken.
I searched my product manual, but it doesn’t define the C6 Instant Pot error. I had no idea what to do, and I don’t want you in that spot.
What is the Instant Pot C6 error?
This means you have a faulty pressure sensor. Your Instant Pot can’t recover. This is a an error you can’t fix, but stop your tears.
You may be ok. First, don’t throw away your Instant Pot. Yet. This is a manufacturer’s defect, not something you did.
What do I do now?
Instant Pot has a support center. Submit an Instant Pot support ticket with details about your C6 error message.
You will need:
- The product model number from the silver label
- A photo of your receipt (bonus if you buy from Amazon – you can look up your receipts under your account!)
- A photo of the label from the back of your Instant Pot
Fill out the form completely. I received a response the next day!
Once you get the response, be prepared with two more photos. You can’t share them in your initial submission, but know you will need to take a photo of the serial number – a white sticker on the bottom of your pressure cooker – and the silver sticker on the back of your Instant Pot, peeled off and cut in half.
The next day, I received confirmation that a new Instant Pot was on its way to me, including the tracking number. They shipped it FedEx (from Canada), and I received it less than a week later.
From start to finish, I had a new Instant Pot in under two weeks!
What will I get?
This depends on what version of the Instant Pot you currently own. The standard is to replace the cooker base, so make sure you hold onto your top, insert, and other accessories. That said, there are exceptions.
I had a V2, but the current Instant Pot is a V3. You can check your model on the silver sticker on the back.
Because Instant Pot no longer makes the V2, they sent me a full new Instant Pot, just like I had purchased a new one because the cooker base changed and wouldn’t fit my other components.
What if I don’t have my receipt?
This is where you may be stuck. Instant Pot confirmed when I asked that they generally need a receipt for warranty claims.
If you received it as a gift, make sure you get or have a gift receipt. This is a good reminder to never throw away receipts for electronics, or – better yet – make sure you have a good way to save them.
When I purchase on Amazon, I can go back to find my receipt from pretty much any purchase I’ve ever made. For other stores, I use a receipt scanner so I can easily find them if needed.
That said, if you don’t have a receipt, you may be in the market for a new Instant Pot unfortunately.
What if this happens again?
Ideally, it won’t, but the world never works on ideals, does it?
First, make sure you take proper care of your Instant Pot to minimize the likelihood that anything happens to it. If you’re like me and use it near daily, accept that you’re more likely to wear out components than those who use it rarely.
Good news? If it does happen again, just reopen your existing ticket that has all your information saved. Instant Pot is here for you.
If you found this article because you have an Instant Pot C6 error, I’m so sorry. I hope this information helps you, as I couldn’t find any information and was lucky to stumble my way to a successful resolution.
Once you get your Instant Pot back up and running, come on back to check out some of my favorite Instant Pot recipes:
- Corn chowder
- Spanish rice (one of my most popular recipes!)
- Creamy chickpea tomato soup (with adaptation to make on stovetop)
- Easy peasy tomato soup
- Homemade chicken stock
- Updated (healthier) honey bourbon chicken
- Chicken curry
- Pulled pork
- Broccoli cheddar soup
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Lentil Soup
Did you have a successful resolution to your Instant Pot C6 error?
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Hi! I had that dreaded error and I followed ur instructions and luckily heard back from instant pot support team, they said they will send a new base for the instant pot and asked me to keep the lid and the inner pot… I wonder what they meant. Did they send you a wholeness new set or some part that u had to fix?? Mine was the lux version.
I’m so glad you heard back so quickly and are getting a replacement. Because they came out with a new version that didn’t fit my old inner pot and lid, they sent me an entire new pot. Had mine already been the new version, they would just have sent the base (the outside part you plug in), and my stainless pot and lid would have fit perfectly. It sounds like you’re in the latter boat!
I just got this error on mine! ? do you know how old your instant pot was when you opened the claim? Mine is definitely at least 2 years old.
I just submitted a ticket. I’ve only had mine a little over a month!
Oh no! Here’s hoping you get a new pot in hand quickly.
I just received this dreaded error and followed your instructions right away. My IP is 1 year and 7 or 8 months old. We shall see what they say!
Fingers crossed and ugh I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I’m glad this at least helped you know what steps to follow.
Mine was a little over a year old when it happened. If yours in in this spot, the only thing I can suggest is reaching out to them to open a ticket and cross your fingers! Good luck!
Thank you so much! I just received this error in the middle of meal prepping and there was NOTHING on YouTube regarding how to fix it. I’m so thankful that your blog popped up in Google. I’ve created a ticket for my V2 model that’s not quite two years old yet. Your step by step instructions really allowed me to address this issue right away and then shift gears to focus on other means to finish meal prepping for our busy family. I could not leave your page without you knowing how much I appreciate you sharing your experience and for your links and information.
Thanks again!
I’m so glad to hear I was able to help. I had the same issue when this happened to me – there was no good direction on what to do next. Fingers crossed you have resolution soon!
Could you please provide details on your receipt scanner? Thanks!!
This is the scanner I use – I updated the post to include it, thanks! http://amzn.to/2CVyct8
I love my Instant Pot. Unfortunately, it began showing the infamous C6 error a couple of weeks ago. Even more unfortunate is the fact that my instant pot is two years old. The Instant Pot technician explained that because the one year warranty period had passed, they could not help me.
But that’s ok–as an electrical engineer, I feel fairly confident about taking it apart and replacing either the thermocouple or thermistor (depending on what I find) with something comparable.
It may be a little while before I get a chance to do this, but I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, everything I did in the Instant Pot will have to be done on the stove–oh no! 🙁
@Rob, Hi Rob. Have you taken apart your instapot? If so were you able to isolate the defective part/s? I would appreciate what both the high pressure and low pressure sensors look like. Where were you able to acquire the replacement parts. thank you very much.
That’s really good to know. I had actually asked that question of the Instant Pot customer service rep who helped me, and they would stand behind it if it broke again whether in six months or two years. I wonder if they’ve changed things! I’m glad you have the expertise to work on it, and definitely let me know how it turns out!
I have been dealing with the company for a couple of days. Not great communication from a clearly over worked and understaffed company. I was advised my replacement would take 2 to 3 weeks. Not happy about that part
I have a feeling you had the “worst” time for any issues to come up with the holidays meaning tons of people have new pots with questions and they have more staff than normal on vacation. They had told me it would take 2 weeks to get a replacement – mostly because it’s a Canadian company shipping from Canada where it takes longer due to customs, etc – but mine came much quicker than they had promised. I hope the same happens for you!
THANK YOU!!!! I got that dreaded C6 Error on a Sunday afternoon recently and went into frazzled mode! Had to rethink how to complete my meal. Then I googled for help and found your well laid out helpful instructions and followed them. They sent me a brand new V3 Instant Pot and I am now up and running again. Thank you for posting. I too will be writing a bit of my experience but no need to rewrite the instructions I will simply link back to your post. Please let me know that is ok with you. 🙂 Great Job! Thanks Again!
These are the stories that make my day – NOT that I’m happy you had an issue, of course, but happy that I was able to help. So glad you have yours up and running again – I just put the turkey stock I made with mine into jars, so I get how needed it is! And yes, you are welcome to link back to my post with the info on what to do 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you for the detailed information! I have the same error on my recently purchased V2. Hopefully I will receive swift attention and a good outcome as you did!
Oh no! Fingers crossed you have a quick resolution and a working Instant Pot soon!
I have my fingers crossed you do. That broke my heart when I saw mine the first time. I’m glad I was able to help!
Thank you so much for your step by step instructions. I followed them to the letter and I have already received an email from the company telling me they are working on the case. I too have the version 2 however will hold on to everything until the determination is made as to what it is they’re going to do with my unit. So sad as I love my instapot. Thanks again for your guidance couldn’t have done it without you. Jackie O
I’m so glad that helped you. I was in a panic when I got that error and didn’t find clean instructions or info anywhere. Glad you have them working on it, and knock on wood you get your new IP soon!
Thanks for your help. I just got the c6 msg on my instant pot and I’m so bummed. I love my instant pot and use it a lot. Mahalo, from Maui!!
Fingers crossed you’re able to get this resolved quickly and easily. That message is always a scary one! I use mine all the time, too – and when I got it…. panic!
I have a C6H error on my instant pot. What is the problem?
Hi Brenda, it’s basically the same error as the C6 error, but it’s the high pressure sensor that’s having the issue (specifically). Just follow the instructions in this article as if it were a C6 error. Good luck!