Timer counts down extremely slowly or not at all; cooker seems stuck in preheat and never reaches cooking stage.

Safety first: Ensure proper ventilation around the cooker and avoid covering vents.

• Power source: Plug directly into a wall outlet, not an extension lead. Low voltage can reduce heating performance.
• Check lid seal: Inspect and replace the lid gasket if worn. Ensure the lid is fully locked.
• Water test: Run a simple boil test with water only. If it takes excessively long to boil or never boils, suspect the heater or sensor.
• Inspect heater plate: Check for heavy scale or burnt residue that could insulate the pot from the heater.

If heating remains weak, the heater or sensor circuit likely needs replacement.