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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I had a C6H on my Duo80 two years old I followed your instruction, emailed Instant Pot they replied quickly and are now shipping a new base to replace it even-tough the warranty is passed.
Thanks for all the info
I’m so glad I was able to help – and yay for being able to get a new one even though the warranty was up!
I literally just opened my pot today. It was a goft, and I was SO excited to use it!! I read the manual, familiarized myself with the features and started in on a recipe.
The recipe “completed”, I let it release naturally.. opened it. And everything was sadly undercooked. I didn’t know what was wrong. So I transferred everything to another pot on the stove top, washed the insert out and attempted to use the sauté feature. It just defaulted to off rather than heating up. I unplugged it and plugged it back in only to get the C6 error.
I’m devastated. I don’t know if the gifter still has the receipt.
It’s definitely worth reaching out and asking. I have my fingers crossed for you. How frustrating!
Thank you so much. I had problem with my IP sauteing and cooking vegetable stock and sure enough, the dreaded C6 and disco of colors appeared just a moment ago. I have my IP since 2014 (first version) and I’m afraid I won’t get a replacement but fingers crossed…
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear, but I have my fingers crossed that you’re able to get a replacement. It’s so frustrated when this pops up.
Keeping my fingers crossed. My 8 qt Instapot displayed the dreaded C6 on Jan. 5th. It was purchased from Amazon in October, so I’m really disappointed that this happened so soon. I got an email confirming that they had received my message and gave me a worktag number, but nothing else. I love my Instapot and wouldn’t want to make soups without it now. I sure hope that I don’t have to wait too long for a replacement. Thanks so much for your valuable advice and help.
Oh I have my fingers crossed, too. My resolution came fairly quickly, so I have to hope that you get your replacement quickly, as well – enjoy your cooking with it!
I’ve got my IP in December 2018 and have used it maybe 30 times? I got the C6H error the other day whole trying to make rice. How old was you IP when this happened?
Mine was probably 18 months old when it happened? My guess is that *how* you use it etc plays a role in it, too. And I’ve had my “new” IP for another two or so years and it’s been absolutely fine!
Is there a recall on the Instant pot? I just purchased one for Chriastmas and havent used it yet.
Nope! No recall – you’re set to use yours.
My instant pot has a C6 code. It was used about 20 times. My husband did not keep the receipt so instant pot will not do anything for me. If it’s a factory error I think they should!
Ugh I’m so sorry that you aren’t able to get your Instant Pot replaced. That’s rough – any chance if you haven’t used it that long it was purchased semi recently and your husband can go to the retailer and get a new receipt printed? I’ve been able to do that at Target and Costco in the past when I needed a receipt for reimbursement!
I got the dreaded C6 last Friday while making dinner. Googled and found your info immediately, so after dinner I filed a ticket. I heard back on Monday asking for the other pictures, and on Tuesday they said they would be sending me a new base – but it is currently on back order. My instant pot is 2 1/2 years old, so I was very happy to find out that I’m getting a new base.
Oh I’m so glad to hear that you were able to get a new base. It’s frustrating for you that it’s on back order, I’m sure – but I’m glad you got everything set and in process at least!
I removed the bottom, whacked all the sensors/circuitry with a spoon, put the bottom back on, plugged it in, and it was fine!
Somehow…I don’t feel like this is the company approved fixing methodology, and I wouldn’t recommend it, but I’m glad it worked for you at least.
I took apart the steam release, wiped it out, and put it back together. The code disappeared and it is fine now. We will see how long it lasts but worth a try I thought.
I’m so glad you found a solution to that. I don’t know that I’d have the confidence in myself to try that, but I hope it works – and stays working! – for you 🙂
Hi, I also got that C6h error. I was ready to throw in the towel and buy another until I came across your blog. I followed the instructions to open a ticket and send needed pics. They contacted me same day. They asked if i had spilled anything in unit and told me to open base and wipe it out and wait 72 hrs for it to dry and try again. This however was not what happened in my case. They asked for 2 more pics. One of the inside heating element and another of the c6 error along with a confirmation of my name address and phone. So I’m currently awaiting a response. We’ll see. I wanted to let you know because it seems they are asking for some different information. Not sure if it will help someone else or not. I’m hoping I receive a new base at least but if not at least I gave it a shot. Thanks for your information.
Interesting that they asked you some different questions. I have a feeling they’ve discovered that some people are forgetting to put in the liners (YIKES!) – If you didn’t do this, I’m betting that your heating element won’t show scorching from that so fingers crossed you’ll get the new base. Keep me updated, and good luck!