Ninja Foodi is a great electric pressure cooker equipped with an air fryer and sous vide. It is popular among most households because of its amazing features and user-friendliness. However, it may be prone to a few technical problems, just like any other electric appliance.
You might face one or two of these problems and not know what action to take. You can solve some of them by yourself while others need the help of a technician. This article will detail the most common Ninja Foodi problems and troubleshooting tips.
Ninja Foodi troubleshooting tips for the most common problems
Most of the issues that affect Ninja Foodi include a leaking valve, a defective fuse, or a problematic pressure release valve. We’ll discuss each of these issues and provide working solutions.
1. Ninja Foodi pressure release valve is not working
It is normal for the Ninja Foodi pressure release valve to be loose to alternate between VENT and SEAL during cooking. The pressure release can be loose or damaged because of the following reasons:
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Loose lid
You should first check the lid and ensure that it is sealed correctly. To do this, twist and check whether it is wobbly or firm. If it is wobbly, you need to replace the lid for the pressure valve to function.
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Loose pressure release valve
The pressure release valve may also be loose and require some tightening. You can check how to tighten it on the Ninja Foodi user manual. If, however, it falls off or veers to the side, it is damaged or broken and requires replacement.
2. Lid is not sealing
When the lid is not sealing, it will affect the pressure buildup inside the cooker and take a long time to cook food. The solution is to close the lid completely until you hear a click sound.
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Overfilled cooking pot
The cooker is not sealing because the Ninja Foodi is overfilled. If this problem is not solved, the food inside will get ruined, or the cooker will. You should therefore insert a considerate amount of ingredients in the cooker. If you notice that it is overfilled, reduce the amount of food inside and check whether the lid will seal.
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Broken sealing ring
Another reason why the lid is not sealing is that the sealing ring is broken. It is the white ring inside the lid and prevents steam from escaping during sous vide. If the sealing ring is broken, it requires replacement for the Ninja Foodi to function properly.
3. Leaking steam
You might notice steam clouding around the lid even though it is secured. There are some reasons why your lid is leaking steam.
The gasket may be dirty or damaged and causing the steam leaks. It may take longer for the cooker to build up pressure and hence make the food cook longer. It is therefore important that you clean the gasket and firmly fit it in place.
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If it is damaged, you should consult a repair technician to replace it and get your cooker working. If not fixed earlier, the cooker will not maintain the pressure and will decrease its cooking performance.
You should also clean up the food remains around the rim and ensure that it has no cracks. It is recommended that you clean the rim with cold water since using hot water causes the rim to bend out of shape.
4. Ninja Foodi is blinking red
The Ninja Foodi is blinking red because the lid is not properly sealed, and therefore, it cannot start the pressure buildup. One way to solve this is by thoroughly cleaning the appliance to remove any food remains. When tightening the lid, ensure that the arrowheads are aligned in the line.
Another reason why the cooker is blinking red is that it is experiencing a mechanical issue such as a faulty fuse. If this is the case, you should contact a technician to solve the issue.
There is also a chance that the sensor is defective. It may be defective because of natural wear and tear or randomly failed. You should test it by unplugging the cooker and letting it rest for a few minutes. Next, plug it back into the socket and see if the blinking stops. If it does not, you should contact the Ninja Foodi customer service for further assistance.
Power interruptions may also cause the cooker to blink red. Check whether the power cables are in good condition and not damaged. Damaged cables prevent proper electric current flow. Consult an electrician to change the power cables or check your power connection.
5. Ninja Foodi won’t turn on
The reason why the Ninja Foodi is not turning on is because of the power connection. You can check whether the power cables are in good condition and properly connected.
If the power cables are cut or damaged, you should contact an electrician to repair them. In case there is a power outage, consult an electrician to solve the electrical issue.
6. The Ninja Foodi lid is unable to open
You might have an issue opening the lid because of excessive pressure buildup in the cooker. In normal situations, the lid will not open until the pressure cooker is completely depressurized. You can release this pressure by turning the pressure valve to the VENT pressure.
The lid may also jam because of insufficient pressure release. You can fix this issue by running the pressure cooker through cold water. it releases the pressure buildup inside the cooker and loosens up the lid. You can also release the pressure by trying to remove the pressure release valve.
7. The cooker is hissing and not building up pressure
You might have turned on the cooker but there is no pressure. Ensure that the pressure release valve is turned to the SEAL position. If the hissing sound continues, the silicone seal is not properly shut.
You can solve this issue by pressing the START/STOP button to stop cooking, followed by the VENT button. Next, press the silicone ring down and ensure it is fully fit and lying flat under the ring rack. When it is fully installed, you can lightly tug the ring and rotate it to open it.
8. Error message is appearing on the display screen
When the Ninja Foodi is experiencing technical issues, it alerts the user through error messages on the display screen. There are different error messages for different issues and they are listed below:
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POT error message
It means that the cooking pot is not inside the cooker base. Ensure that the pot is properly inserted into the cooking base because the cooker will not start if it is not.
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LID error message
This error message will appear on the display screen and a flashing lid icon. It means that you have placed the wrong lid for the required cooking function. Cooking functions such as Keep Warm, Sear/Sauté, Slow Cook and Pressure require placing the lid tightly.
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SHUT error message
It means that the crisping lid is open and must be closed for the desired function to start.
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VENT error message
If the cooker is set to Slow Cook or Sear/Sauté function and there is pressure buildup, the pressure release valve is in SEAL position. You should turn the pressure release valve to the VENT position and let it stay there during the cooking function. If you fail to do this within five minutes, the cooking function will stop and the cooker will shut itself off.
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WATR error message
When the WATR message appears on the display screen during the Steam function, it indicates that the water level is too low. If this is the case, add water into the unit so that the function can continue.
If, however, it displays this error when the unit during the Pressure function, ensure that the silicone ring is properly fit. You should also add more water to the unit before starting the pressure cook cycle. In addition, make sure that the pressure valve is in the SEAL position before starting the function.
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HOT error message
It indicates that the cooker has overheated and thus requires some time to cool down. When it has finally cooled, check whether there is enough water in the cooking pot for the food you are preparing. There should also be no food at the bottom of the pot to prevent it from burning.
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ERR1, EER2, ERR3, EER4, EER5, and EER6 error messages
If any of these error messages appear on the display screen,p the unit is experiencing technical issues. You should therefore contact the Ninja Kitchen customer service at 1-877-646-5288.
Final words
The Ninja Foodi electrical pressure cooker is a reliable and easy-to-use pressure cooker. It may, however, experience technical issues while using it. Some of the issues have easy, straightforward solutions such as error messages and lid errors.
Others such as electrical issues and internal part replacements require the assistance of a professional repair technician. Whatever solution you try, your pressure cooker will function properly and serve you for a long time.