How To Fix The C6 Error For An Instant Pot Repair Guide

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How to Fix the C6 Error for an Instant Pot
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Introduction

The C6, C6L, and C6H errors means that one of the pressure sensors isn’t working. Most of the time, it’s due to a buildup on the sensor contacts. Cleaning the contacts will likely fix the problem.

This guide was written with an Instant Pot DUO80, but the general procedure can be applied to many electric pressure cookers because most use similar electronics and sensors.

What you need

Step 1

              Access the Instant Pot innards

Be sure to unplug your Instant Pot before you begin your repair. Once opened, there’s exposed wiring that can electrocute you if the device is plugged in.
Flip the Instant Pot upside down.
Use a T15 Torx driver to remove the screw securing the bottom plate.
Twist and remove the bottom plate.
Depending on your model, this procedure may be slightly different.

Be sure to unplug your Instant Pot before you begin your repair. Once opened, there’s exposed wiring that can electrocute you if the device is plugged in.

Flip the Instant Pot upside down.

Use a T15 Torx driver to remove the screw securing the bottom plate.

Twist and remove the bottom plate.

Depending on your model, this procedure may be slightly different.

1024

Step 2

              Locate the pressure sensors

Here’s a quick overview of the Instant Pot pressure sensors. Depending on your model, the components may differ slightly.
The T6L (low pressure) sensor and its connector. Some models may not have this.
The T6H (high pressure) sensor and its connectors.
These two “pressure sensors” are actually temperature switches. The Instant Pot uses these to estimate pressure using the Ideal Gas Law.
Each sensor consists of metal strips. Normally, the strips touch each other, creating an electrical path.
Once the Instant Pot heats up, the strips flex apart, breaking the electrical circuit.
The screws underneath the white resin are calibration screws.
Don’t mess with the calibration screws! They will change what temperature and pressure the Instant Pot turns off, and can result in inaccurate and dangerous cooking situations.

Here’s a quick overview of the Instant Pot pressure sensors. Depending on your model, the components may differ slightly.

The T6L (low pressure) sensor and its connector. Some models may not have this.

The T6H (high pressure) sensor and its connectors.

These two “pressure sensors” are actually temperature switches. The Instant Pot uses these to estimate pressure using the Ideal Gas Law.

Each sensor consists of metal strips. Normally, the strips touch each other, creating an electrical path.

Once the Instant Pot heats up, the strips flex apart, breaking the electrical circuit.

The screws underneath the white resin are calibration screws.

Don’t mess with the calibration screws! They will change what temperature and pressure the Instant Pot turns off, and can result in inaccurate and dangerous cooking situations.

Step 3

              Test the sensors

Use a spudger or your finger to firmly press the top of a sensor. You should hear a loud click, signifying that the metal strips in the sensor are flexing properly.
Repeat for the second sensor.
If you don’t hear a click, the contacts may be fused together, or the metal springs are worn out. If the sensor’s worn, you’ll need to replace the sensor.
Sometimes, just flexing the sensors will fix the problem. Carefully re-assemble the Instant Pot and check if it works.
If the Instant Pot doesn’t work, unplug the device, and follow the subsequent steps to further diagnose the problem.

Use a spudger or your finger to firmly press the top of a sensor. You should hear a loud click, signifying that the metal strips in the sensor are flexing properly.

Repeat for the second sensor.

If you don’t hear a click, the contacts may be fused together, or the metal springs are worn out. If the sensor’s worn, you’ll need to replace the sensor.

Sometimes, just flexing the sensors will fix the problem. Carefully re-assemble the Instant Pot and check if it works.

If the Instant Pot doesn’t work, unplug the device, and follow the subsequent steps to further diagnose the problem.

Step 4

              Diagnose the C6 or C6H error

The next three steps show how to test the high pressure sensor more extensively. You should check this sensor if you get a C6 or C6H error.
If you don’t have a “duo” Instant Pot, you will only have one pressure sensor, and it’s this high pressure one.
Make sure the Instant Pot is unplugged from the outlet.
Use pliers or your fingers to lift and disconnect one of the sensor’s spade connectors from the circuit board.
These connectors can be stubborn. Gently wiggle the connector as you pull to loosen it.
This disconnects the sensor electrically, so we can do a continuity test.

The next three steps show how to test the high pressure sensor more extensively. You should check this sensor if you get a C6 or C6H error.

If you don’t have a “duo” Instant Pot, you will only have one pressure sensor, and it’s this high pressure one.

Make sure the Instant Pot is unplugged from the outlet.

Use pliers or your fingers to lift and disconnect one of the sensor’s spade connectors from the circuit board.

These connectors can be stubborn. Gently wiggle the connector as you pull to loosen it.

This disconnects the sensor electrically, so we can do a continuity test.

Step 5

Attach a multimeter/ohmmeter lead to both exposed ends of the sensor wires, making sure the leads don’t touch each other.
Test lead polarity doesn’t matter for these tests.
Set your meter to resistance mode or continuity mode.

Attach a multimeter/ohmmeter lead to both exposed ends of the sensor wires, making sure the leads don’t touch each other.

Test lead polarity doesn’t matter for these tests.

Set your meter to resistance mode or continuity mode.

Step 6

In its resting state, the pressure sensor should be continuous, which means the meter should read almost zero resistance.
If the meter shows a high resistance or no continuity, it could mean that the sensor contacts are dirty. Double-check your meter contacts and make sure they’re grasping onto the wires.
Use a spudger or your finger to firmly press on the top of the sensor until it clicks.
The meter should change to show no continuity (0.L, in my meter’s case). If it doesn’t, there is a potential electrical short—the contacts may be fused, or you may need to replace the sensor.

In its resting state, the pressure sensor should be continuous, which means the meter should read almost zero resistance.

If the meter shows a high resistance or no continuity, it could mean that the sensor contacts are dirty. Double-check your meter contacts and make sure they’re grasping onto the wires.

Use a spudger or your finger to firmly press on the top of the sensor until it clicks.

The meter should change to show no continuity (0.L, in my meter’s case). If it doesn’t, there is a potential electrical short—the contacts may be fused, or you may need to replace the sensor.

Step 7

              Diagnose the C6L error

This step shows how to test the low pressure sensor more extensively. You should check this sensor if you get a C6L error.
If you don’t have a “duo” Instant Pot, you won’t have this sensor.
Disconnect the low pressure sensor by squeezing its circuit board connector to disengage the lock, then pull straight up.
Attach a multimeter lead to both exposed ends of the sensor wires, making sure the leads don’t touch each other.
Set the meter to resistance/continuity and test for continuity, when the sensor is resting, and when it’s depressed.
The meter should show low resistance/continuous when the sensor is resting, and no continuity when the sensor’s depressed.

This step shows how to test the low pressure sensor more extensively. You should check this sensor if you get a C6L error.

If you don’t have a “duo” Instant Pot, you won’t have this sensor.

Disconnect the low pressure sensor by squeezing its circuit board connector to disengage the lock, then pull straight up.

Attach a multimeter lead to both exposed ends of the sensor wires, making sure the leads don’t touch each other.

Set the meter to resistance/continuity and test for continuity, when the sensor is resting, and when it’s depressed.

The meter should show low resistance/continuous when the sensor is resting, and no continuity when the sensor’s depressed.

Step 8

              Clean the sensor contacts

If your tests suggest that you may have dirty contacts, or you suspect the contacts have fused, follow the next steps to remove the sensors to clean them.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw securing the sensors to the Instant Pot.
This screw can be very tight. Be sure to use the right sized screwdriver to avoid stripping it.
Lift the sensor assembly out of its recess.

If your tests suggest that you may have dirty contacts, or you suspect the contacts have fused, follow the next steps to remove the sensors to clean them.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw securing the sensors to the Instant Pot.

This screw can be very tight. Be sure to use the right sized screwdriver to avoid stripping it.

Lift the sensor assembly out of its recess.

Step 9

Press down on the sensor to open the contacts.
Use some sandpaper, a file, or electrical contact cleaner to clean the contacts. Be sure to clean both mating surfaces.

Press down on the sensor to open the contacts.

Use some sandpaper, a file, or electrical contact cleaner to clean the contacts. Be sure to clean both mating surfaces.

Step 10

Use a multimeter to test the sensors for proper operation before you reassemble your Instant Pot.

Use a multimeter to test the sensors for proper operation before you reassemble your Instant Pot.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Arthur Shi

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Kyle P - Jan 23, 2022

We almost had to throw some food away because the “C6 L” error in the middle of making dinner. Your instructions were clear and fixed the issue. Thanks Arthur!

Abdul Kadir - Jan 24, 2022

Thanks for this helpful tutorial?

Jerry Z - Jan 30, 2022

Great and informative presentation! The pictures show exactly what to do and make everything perfectly clear. In my case, I was able to clean the contacts and the pot is back to working order. It took more time to find my multi-meter than it did to fix the problem. As a bonus, I had to look up what a “spudger” is… Now I can stop calling it that “stick thingy.” ?

Teddy Sam - Feb 8, 2022

My IP-DUO80 from 2016 died with C6H. The high pressure switch didn’t click so I ordered and waiting delivery on a KS0105A dual switch. Apparently there’s another version (YCD3008) but I don’t know the difference. I saw your warning not to try calibrating the switch. Anyway, I did find a suggestion for the single high/low switch to turn the sensitivity screw clockwise/counter-clockwise as needed to adjust the high and low pressures.

DatsunRob - Feb 8, 2022

Wow this post was just 11 hours ago. My

IP-DUO80 from 2016 died with C6H as well last night….wierd. Worked fine for years. Thanks for the part numbers. I have yet to pull the switch to see how bad the contacts are but the high pressure side definitely doesnt click when pushed. If cleaning doesn’t help I will order a new switch.

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