How To Turn On Instant Pot Air Fryer | Fast Start

You just unboxed an Instant Pot with an air fryer lid or bought an Instant air fryer, and now you are staring at a control panel full of lights and buttons. The good news is that every model follows the same handful of steps when you want to switch it on and start crisping food.

This guide walks you through how to turn on instant pot air fryer models in plain language. You will see what each main button does, how to power up safely, and what to try if the screen stays dark for calm first test runs.

Instant Pot Air Fryer Controls At A Glance

Different Instant Pot air fryer models place buttons in slightly different spots, yet the layout always has the same core pieces. You get a Power or On/Off button, buttons or a dial to pick a program, plus controls for time and temperature. On combo pressure cooker and air fryer units, you also see wet cooking programs such as Pressure Cook or Slow Cook alongside dry ones such as Air Fry, Roast, or Broil.

Use this quick reference table to match your model with its controls before you focus on turning on your Instant Pot air fryer functions. You can always double-check control names in the Instant Pot Duo Crisp air fryer manual.

Model Type	Power Button Label	Notes On Layout
Duo Crisp With Air Fryer Lid	On/Off button at lower right	Shared panel for pressure and air fry; mode buttons on left side
Pro Crisp	Start/Stop button at lower center	Turn dial to pick Air Fry, then press Start/Stop to begin
Duo Crisp With Ultimate Lid	Power icon at top right	Touch display with separate Air Fry and Roast tiles
Instant Pot With Clip-On Air Fryer Lid	Power button on air fryer lid panel	Lid plugs in separately; pressure base stays unplugged while air frying
Instant Vortex Air Fryer (Basket Style)	Power icon at bottom left	Stand-alone air fryer; large center dial or buttons for time and temperature
Instant Vortex Dual Basket Air Fryer	Power icon near lower center	Includes SyncCook and SyncFinish buttons beside main programs
Older Instant Pot Air Fryer Models	On, Off, or Power wording varies	Look for a button with a circle and line icon if wording is unclear

Once you know where the Power or On/Off button sits and how your model shows programs, the rest of the process turns into a simple sequence you repeat every time you cook.

How To Turn On Instant Pot Air Fryer Step By Step

This section covers the standard power sequence for most Instant Pot air fryer lids and Instant brand air fryers. Always cross-check with your printed instructions for your exact model, yet the flow below will feel familiar as you follow along.

Prepare The Cooker Before You Plug It In

Set the cooker on a flat, heat-safe counter away from cabinets and walls. Leave at least 5 inches or 13 centimeters of open space around and above the air fryer lid so the hot air vents stay clear during use. Make sure the inner stainless steel pot or basket sits properly in the housing and that no plastic wrap, packaging, or recipe cards are hiding underneath.

Dry the outside of the inner pot and the heating area with a soft cloth. Any drops of water around the heating element can cause smoke or error codes once the unit heats up. Check that the power cord has no damage and that the outlet you plan to use is grounded and not shared with another heavy appliance.

Basic Power On Steps

1. Plug the power cord firmly into the cooker base and then into the wall outlet.
2. Check the display. Many units show an Off message or a row of dashes as soon as they receive power.
3. Press the Power or On/Off button once. The panel should light fully and stand ready for you to choose a cooking program.
4. On combo pressure and air fryer units, press the Air Fry or Air Fryer button so you are in the dry cooking group of settings.
5. Turn the knob or tap the plus and minus buttons to set the temperature the recipe calls for.
6. Use the Time buttons or dial to set the cooking time.
7. Press Start, Start/Stop, or a similar button to begin preheating and start the cooking cycle.

Quick Checklist Before You Press Start

• Basket or inner pot is locked in place.
• Air fryer lid is seated correctly with no gaps.
• Vents on the lid and base are not blocked by walls, paper, or utensils.
• Grease tray or drip pan, if supplied, is installed.
• Food is arranged in a single layer for even browning where possible.

If you just want a quick reminder on turning on your Instant Pot air fryer, those steps are the ones you will repeat every time, no matter which recipe you follow.

Turning On Your Instant Pot Air Fryer For The First Time

Your first time powering up a new Instant Pot air fryer, take a few extra minutes to clean parts and remove shipping pieces. Look inside the inner pot for small cards, tape, or silicone spacers. Wash the inner pot, basket, and any removable trays in warm soapy water, then dry them well before you cook.

Many instructions recommend a short test run with no food. This helps you learn the sound of the fan, the heat coming from the vents, and the way the display changes as the program runs. To do this, follow the standard power steps, choose Air Fry, set a short time at a moderate temperature, then let the cooker run through the cycle.

During this first run you may notice a light smell from the heating element and protective coatings. This usually fades after a few uses. If you ever see heavy smoke or smell burning plastic, press Cancel or Stop, unplug the unit, and let it cool while you check for stray packing material near the heating area.

Using Air Fry, Roast And Other Dry Cooking Modes

Once you feel comfortable turning the cooker on, you can start choosing different dry cooking modes with confidence. Air Fry gives you high heat and strong fan power for crisp fries, wings, and vegetables. Roast works well for chicken pieces, pork loin, and other meats that benefit from steady dry heat. Bake handles cakes, quick breads, and casseroles in oven-safe dishes.

If you ever lose track of which mode is active, glance at the illuminated icon or text on the panel. Most Instant Pot designs clearly show which dry cooking function you selected, and they do not heat until you confirm your choice with the Start or Start/Stop button.

Turning On Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid Models Safely

Some Instant Pot owners use a separate air fryer lid that clips onto an existing pressure cooker base. In that case, the power steps look a little different. The base handles the wet functions such as pressure cooking, while the plug-in lid controls the air fryer side.

Before you cook with the lid, unplug the pressure cooker base. Place the stainless steel inner pot and any basket accessories in the base, then set the air fryer lid on top and make sure it clicks into place. Plug only the lid into the wall outlet. The control panel on the lid should light up, and you can then choose Air Fry, Broil, Bake, Roast, Reheat, or Dehydrate according to the instructions for your model.

Once you set time and temperature, press Start. The display usually shows On or a moving pattern while it preheats, then switches to the countdown. When cooking ends, the lid may continue to run its fan for a few minutes to cool the heating element before it returns to an Off message.

Instant Brands explains in its air fryer lid instructions that you should never plug in the pressure cooker base and the air fryer lid at the same time. Full safety guidance sits in the official Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid user manual.

Troubleshooting Instant Pot Air Fryer Power Problems

Now and then, you may press the Power button and see nothing, or a familiar unit suddenly refuses to start a program.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix To Try
No lights on the display	Loose plug or dead outlet	Test the outlet with another appliance and reseat the plug at both ends
Display on, but buttons do not respond	Moisture or grease on control panel	Unplug, wipe panel with a soft cloth, dry fully, then plug back in
Air fryer will not start cooking	Basket or lid not fully inserted	Remove and reseat the basket or lid until it clicks into place
Unit starts, then shuts off quickly	Blocked vents or overheating	Move the cooker away from walls, clear vents, let it cool, then try again
Breaker trips when you plug it in	Circuit overloaded	Use a different outlet that is not shared with another high-draw appliance
Warning code on the display	Model-specific fault or sensor reading	Check your instructions for that code and follow the listed steps before using the cooker again
Fan runs but no heat	Air fryer element problem	Stop using the unit and contact Instant Brands customer care for service advice

If repeated attempts to reset the plug and clear vents still leave the unit dark, you may have a damaged cord or internal fault. At that point, the safest move is to stop using it until a qualified appliance technician or the manufacturer confirms it can be repaired.

Safety Tips When You Power Up Your Instant Pot Air Fryer

An air fryer lid or stand-alone Instant air fryer moves hot air through a compact space, so a few habits keep each cooking session calm. Most of these tips match Instant Pot instructions and kitchen safety practice.

• Leave space around the cooker, especially above the lid, so vents stay clear.
• Keep the unit on a stable, heat-safe counter that can handle warm air and minor splatters.
• Use oven mitts or dry towels when you lift the air fryer lid or pull out hot baskets.
• Do not rest anything on top of the lid while it runs, and never cover the air vents.
• Do not heat an empty stainless steel inner pot with the air fryer lid for long periods.
• Keep children and pets away from the cooker while it runs and while parts are hot.
• If you ever see black smoke, press Cancel or Stop, unplug the unit, and allow it to cool before cleaning out any grease or crumbs near the heating element.

Once you know how to turn on instant pot air fryer models and follow these small safety steps each time, you can focus on recipes, crisp results, and relaxed cooking instead of worrying about buttons or warning codes.