Display shows POT or a pot icon and beeps; cooker will not start.

Safety first: Ensure the cooker is unplugged and cool before inspecting the interior.

• Insert pot: Confirm the original Black+Decker inner pot is in place. The cooker will not operate without it.
• Clean heater plate: Remove the pot and wipe the heater plate to remove crumbs or debris. Ensure nothing is trapped under the pot.
• Check pot bottom: Inspect the bottom of the inner pot for warping or dents. Replace if it does not sit flat.
• Test detection: With the unit plugged in, insert and remove the pot while watching the display. If the POT message never clears, the pot-detect sensor or switch may be faulty.