{"id":1713,"date":"2023-04-15T10:20:25","date_gmt":"2023-04-15T10:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storycase.co.uk\/radio\/?p=1713"},"modified":"2024-12-22T13:49:25","modified_gmt":"2024-12-22T13:49:25","slug":"instant-pot-vortex-plus-close-basket-fault","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storycase.co.uk\/radio\/common-faults\/instant-pot-vortex-plus-close-basket-fault\/","title":{"rendered":"Instant Pot Vortex Plus Close Basket Fault"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you have a faulty Instant Pot Vortex plus air fryer<\/a> that just displays Close Basket and won’t start? Or maybe the air fryer just stops after a short time and shows Close Basket<\/strong>? If so here’s three ideas to fix it without having to send it back or buy another. Updated 22 Dec 2024.<\/p>\n

1. Faulty Microswitch<\/h2>\n

Our problem with the Vortex Plus was due to the tiny microswitch on the top front centre of the housing – see below. The basket failed to engage fully with the switch button even when pushing the basket fully into place.<\/p>\n

\"Instant

Push button switch for basket<\/p><\/div>\n

We took delivery of our Vortex Plus as air fryers were becoming a popular way to reduce energy costs. So when the Close Basket problem became apparent after a few runs we decided to keep it rather than ask Amazon for a refund. We found by pulling up on the basket handle as you pushed it into place the Close Basket<\/strong> prompt disappeared. We could hear a faint click as the switch registered the drawer was in place.<\/p>\n

\"Vortex

Basket wedge that operates push button switch<\/p><\/div>\n

After several months the switch problem became more frequent and I searched for a simple fix. First I cut a small piece of aluminium tape and wrapped it around the top basket wedge that engages with the switch. A double thickness worked well and the Close Basket<\/strong> nagging display disappeared. But it was short lived, the aluminium tape adhesive became weak with heat and wore away.<\/p>\n

The tape proved the switch or basket position were to blame, but there’s no visible adjustment to either.<\/p>\n

Next I applied a very small spot of high temperature epoxy to the end of the push button switch. The idea was to make the push button longer. After waiting 24h for the epoxy to cure I gently closed the basket and the glue broke off. I used very fine sand paper to roughen the tip of the switch button but the epoxy still failed to adhere.<\/p>\n

De-greasing with alcohol may allow a stronger bond but the slippery plastic suggests it’s not suitable for the resin I used.<\/p>\n

\"Basket

Basket switch with small dab of epoxy<\/p><\/div>\n

Opening a tin of tuna treat for our cat I wondered if a thin tin strip folded over the basket wedge would work. \u00a0Take care with tin snips and sharp metal edges! I found it does not take long to cut a 10mm square piece from a lid and fold into shape with two pairs of round nosed pliers.<\/p>\n

I left a small tail to fold over the front to engage with the round push button end. The tin piece slides over the top of the basket wedge and works well. I used the high temperature epoxy to secure the tin and avoid it ending up in a meal!<\/p>\n

\"Basket

Basket with tin cover fixed over wedge<\/p><\/div>\n

The Close Basket<\/strong> problem has now gone and the Vortex Plus has helped reduce our electricity bills by avoiding the inefficient Neff grill and oven. If you also have a Neff combi microwave oven read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If your Instant Pot Vortex Plus air fryer suffers from the same ‘Close Basket<\/strong>‘ fault and you too can’t return it as it’s out of warranty then try this simple fix rather than throw it away.<\/p>\n

2. Tighten loose screws<\/h2>\n

Thanks to David (see comments below) for this tip. I checked our Vortex, now two years old. The Close Basket warning was being displayed every time unless we pulled the basket up as we forced it back in. This was despite the tin plate fix, which you can see below had worn.<\/p>\n

Don’t attempt this if the heating element is still hot!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I found all<\/strong><\/em> the screws inside the unit and drawer had become loose just as David suggested. I used a short handled crosshead driver to tighten the ones inside see pictures below. Many needed a couple of turns so had worked quite loose. Don’t forget the three screws at the rear as well. This improved the problem and Close Basket did not show first time I tried it. But it still showed up after a few more goes.<\/p>\n

\"Inside

Loose screws inside heating area.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Shows

Tin plate worn after 2 years use<\/p><\/div>\n

I turned to the basket drawer and checked the 4 screws holding the front in place. In my case two of them were loose, so I tightened and the Close basket warning now only shows occasionally, so long as you push firmly. I suspect it really needs the microswitch replacing (see next tip) but I can confirm tightening the screws helped in my case.<\/p>\n

\"Inside

4 loose screws inside drawer<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Replace microswitch<\/h2>\n

If you are willing to try opening up the air fryer – making sure you disconnect from mains power first – you could try replacing the microswitch inside the unit. Thanks to Ed & Chris for the details in the comments below.<\/p>\n

The suggested microswitch can be found on Amazon – Ed suggested works \u2013 https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Microwave-Switch-Replacement-KW3AT-16-Normally\/dp\/B083CNS17V<\/a><\/p>\n

Use a plastic pry bar to separate the top and bottom of the case. There are many available made to remove car upholstery and trim.<\/p>\n

Post script notes:<\/h2>\n