(2024 Update) Zojirushi Rice Cooker Troubleshooting Tips

zojirushi rice cooker connectors

One of the best manufacturers of rice cookers in Japan is the Zojirushi company.

They offer a wide variety of rice cookers for every kitchen, commercial-style or consumer style.

Known for manufacturing high-quality and durable rice cookers, the Zojirushi cooker offers many features other rice cookers don’t.

Rice Cooker Technology Has Improved Over The Years

Over time, rice cooker technology has evolved to include sophisticated electronics and digital phone interfaces.

Despite being one of the easiest and most convenient rice cookers on the market today, on occasion, things can go wrong and your beloved rice cooker doesn’t perform exactly as expected.

When this occurs, it’s important to follow the troubleshooting tips provided by Zojirushi in the instruction manual but if that information isn’t available, this article is designed to help resolve any problems encountered.

Common Rice Cooker Problems

Most of the time the causes for improperly cooked rice are easy to identify and correct.

When there are issues with the cooked rice, it’s important to understand what may be contributing to the problem.

Listed below are the most common problems rice cookers can encounter during the cooking cycle:

  • Rice is Too Hard
  • Rice is Too Soft
  • Rice is Half-cooked
  • Rice is burned
  • Water boils over
  • Rice has an odor or is discolored
  • Rice is too dry or too moist

Common Causes for Improperly Cooked Rice

watery rice

When the finished rice isn’t cooked properly, there can be several factors to consider.

Each factor may be a part of the solution to cooking the rice correctly.

When a problem arises, you are encouraged to perform a thorough inspection of the rice cooker before attempting to perform any troubleshooting activity.

Please review the below-listed possibilities to find the right solution:

 Hard Rice

  • Rice and/or water not measured correctly
  • Cooked rice not stirred or loosened
  • Object interfering w/ heating plate or center sensor
  • Inner pan or lid bent or deformed
  • Object on edge of inner pan or lid
  • Lid not closed
  • Inner lid not attached correctly
  • Reset Key pressed during cooking
  • Wrong Menu choice

Soft Rice

  • Rice and/or water not measured correctly
  • Cooked rice not stirred or loosened
  • Object interfering w/ heating plate or center sensor
  • Wrong Menu choice

Half-cooked Rice

  • Rice and/or water not measured correctly
  • Object interfering w/ heating plate or center sensor
  • Inner pan or lid bent or deformed
  • Wrong Menu choice

Burnt Rice

  • Rice and/or water not measured correctly
  • Object interfering w/ heating plate or center sensor
  • Inner pan or lid bent or deformed
  • Rice not washed before cooking
  • Object on edge of inner pan or lid
  • Wrong Menu choice

Other Troubleshooting Tips

There can be other reasons why the rice cooker isn’t performing correctly.

zojirushi rice cooker power cable replacement

Many times, it has to do with power interruptions to the rice cooker during the cooking cycle or a mechanical issue.

Listed below are the 9 most common problems encountered and the solution(s) for those issues:

  1. Keys do not work – Check to see if the rice cooker is plugged in properly and the inner pan inserted correctly. Also, check if the Keep Warm indicator is lit; if so, press Reset Key and then press Cook/Reheat Key.
  2. Function indicator light is incorrect – Unplug the unit from the outlet and re-plug, check for flashing display, then reset timer and time clock.
  3. Reheat function not working – Check to see if Keep Warm mode has been turned off.
  4. Rice cooker makes clicking noises while cooking – Heat adjustments by microcomputer are making this sound, there is no malfunction.
  5. Steam leaks out of Rice cooker lid – Inner lid gasket out of place or damaged.
  6. Power failure during cooking – If power failure lasts 10 minutes or less, the rice cooker will re-start the cooking cycle from the stopping point once power is restored and continue cooking as normal. If power failure lasts more than 10 minutes, the rice cooker goes to Reset mode and should be re-programmed.
  7. Beeper sounds 4 times while cooking – Rice cooker operating temperature is too high and must be unplugged and allowed to cool down before continuing.
  8. “H04” is displayed on the panel – The inner pan is not in place or incorrectly placed on the heating unit.
  9. “E01” or “E02” is displayed on the panel – Major issue (usually broken wire/s). Customer service should be contacted.
    • You can also try fixing this issue yourself if you’re tech-savvy. In this case, I suggest your start here.

Maintenance And Upkeep Of Your Zojirushi Rice Cooker

A rice cooker, like all kitchen appliances, requires cleaning and maintenance to stay in peak condition.

The use of proper cleaning materials and equipment can help extend the life of your rice cooker for many years.

I’ve outlined the following recommended cleaning methods below:

Rice Cooker Inner Lid, Pan, and Serving Spatula

Soak the parts in warm water and then wash off using mild dish detergent or soap and a soft washcloth or sponge.

Outer Lid Surface and Interior Body Surfaces

Clean using a soft, dampened cloth.

Electrical Cord and Plug

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth.

Control Panel

Same: wipe with a soft, dry cloth.

Exterior Surface

Clean using a well-wrung dampened cloth using mild detergent and then dry off with a towel.

Heating Plate and Center Heat Sensor

Clean using a well-wrung dampened cloth using mild detergent and then dry off with a towel.

Use caution when clearing any debris or rice per the below instructions.

Please Note – If grains of rice are found under the heating plate while cleaning, use a bamboo chopstick or plastic knife to remove the debris.

Do not use anything metallic as this may damage the heating element or cause rust to form.

If the rice has been burned onto the heating plate, lightly polish the surface using a #320 sandpaper soaked in water. Wipe away any remaining debris with a soft, dampened cloth.

Good As New

Zojirushi Rice cookers are a product designed, engineered, and built to last for years and years.

Even when used multiple times each day, a Zojirushi Rice Cooker will provide tasty, delicious rice every time no matter what recipe is followed.

With proper maintenance and care, using a Zojirushi rice cooker will continue to be simple and will perform exactly as desired with every use.

Customers should always read the Owner’s Manual thoroughly to get the best results from their rice cooker.

Anyone experiencing problems with their rice cooker should always refer to the Owner’s Manual for the best ways to correct the problem or they can contact Zojirushi Customer Support to get answers to their questions.

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Zojirushi Rice Cooker Troubleshooting Tips

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About Mario 148 Articles
I am the owner of Kitchen Guru Ideas. I've set up this site so I can share my kitchen tips and hacks that have been passed on to me from my parents and grandparents and show you how a wonderful experience cooking is and not just a way to save money. Even in this hectic lifestyle, there is time to prepare and most important enjoy a home-cooked meal.

150 Comments

  1. Hello, first of all, what a great article!!! so helpful in many way, thank you. I recently bought a Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH, the first time I cooked rice, I accidentally unplugged the power cord!!! I tried plugged it back on , push cancel button and started again but it gave me a code H01 which meant it’s too hot. so I opened the lid, let it sat and tried to start again and it didn’t work. If that happen again, what can I do to restart and resume cooking? Thank you very much.

    • Thank you! If you unplugged the machine or the power went out during cooking, just leave it. If you plug it back in or get power back within 10 minutes, the cooker resumes its job automatically. If the cooker still doesn’t work, you can try resetting it by holding the Cancel button for five seconds while plugged in. Once the lights on the cooker turn off, press the Start button.

      If there are other issues, then you have another problem with the cooker. In this case, I suggest you replace it (if this is an option, of course).

  2. my zojirushi model is NS-TSC10. I has a little of rice left in the pot, and keep warm feature was on. I took out the rice and cook the new batch of rice. The new batch of rice was cooking for 10 minutes and it played the song. I thought it was finished, so i checked the rice cooker. It had H01 error message. The message means the temperature of the lid sensor or the center sensor is too high. Open the outer lid for more than 45 minutes to cool down. My question is i can’t cook a new batch of rice when the rice cooker inner is hot?. I might have to unplug the cord and wait for the rice cooker to cool down before cooking new batch or rice?

  3. Our Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 is about 6 years old. Recently it dries out the rice pretty quickly when on the extended warming setting. Now I have to take the rice out and refrigerate it instead. Is there anything I can do?

  4. hello Mario… I have a Zojirushi rice cooker. It works GREAT, but, it leaves a puddle of water after cooking is complete.

    • Hi Sue, do you rinse the rice before cooking? Some kinds of rice have really high amounts of starch. During cooking, the boiling water mixes with the starch and creates foamy bubbles – lots of it. Try rinsing the rice before cooking it. You can also add a few drops of oil or a teaspoon of butter to reduce foaming. Another reason could be that you’re adding way too much water. Every rice cooker has a limit on how much water you can add to it and should not be filled to the brim. If both these options aren’t working for you, take a look at the steam vent (if your particular model has one, of course): it could be clogged and needs cleaning.

    • That’s not normal. Be sure the water vapor-rich exhaust has plenty of room to dissipate. If trapped in an enclosed area, it will condense, create a puddle, and possibly even damage the machine.

  5. Hi! I have a NP-VC10, that I’ve been using for about 8 years. It works fine, but recently the clock display turns off when the cooker is unplugged. Previously the display would work even with the unit unplugged. This is troublesome because now the clock also resets when the cooker is unplugged. I guess there may be a battery that needs to be replaced?

  6. Hi Mario, after removingI the Steam Vent Cap for cleaning. I put it back, and everything behaves OK. The only thing, my wife and I think that the cap it is looser than before: it is not level with the body of the cooker and it moves a little around the middle part which is attached to the body of the cooker. But it is safely secured in place and does not come off. It just looks different than before (we think). Is this a common problem or is it just in our imagination? In fact as far as we can see it is not even a problem, because everything works fine, it is just that both of us (independently) are under the impression that it looks different.
    Please feel free to ignore if you feel this is a time wasting question – I wouldn’t blame you…
    Thanks/Alessandro

    • Hi Alessandro, the steam vent cap is plastic. It’s also surrounded by hot steam. It’s natural that plastic loses its shape under these circumstances. I wouldn’t be bothered by it for now but the thing may break sometimes in the future so have a spare steam vent cap nearby when this happens.

    • Hi Brian, this indicates a major malfunction which is usually something electrical like a fried circuit or broken wire.

  7. Hi. When I click the menu button the arrow keeps skipping over the white rice setting. It goes to every setting except this. Any suggestions on how to fix? Thanks

    • Some rice cookers (NS-ZCC10, for example. I’m assuming yours is too) don’t have a White Rice setting. In this case, White Rice is a category that includes settings like Softer, Harder, and Reg/Sushi.

  8. Steam is leaking out of rice cooker lid. There’s no damage on the inner seal, and I have cleaned it as recommended, but the problem is still there. Please tell me what I need to do to solve the problem. Thanks, Chuong

    • Hi Chuong,

      How did you clean the seal? By hand, with abrasives, in the dishwasher,…?

      If your particular model has a steam vent, clean it as well.

      Check the lid (including the seal) if it’s warped, damaged, and seated properly. Is steam leaking from a specific point or everywhere?

      Maybe the lock or handle or both might be broken and the lid is not making a tight seal.

  9. Hello sir
    May zojirushi was plugged in 220watts
    But I quickly remove but when I plugged it again in 110watts
    Its not working anymore
    Can it be fix
    Please help me thanks

    • You can probably fix this if the fuse has gone out but I fear much more than this has fried. Did you see or smell smoke? If not, it’s probably only the fuse. In this case, replace it and it should work.

      • Hi, I did the same thing and there was a loud pop and flash and I did smell a burnt electric smell. I didn’t see any smoke. Is this fixable?

        • Unlikely. Open the rice cooker and try to find out where exactly the smell is coming from. If it’s not from the fuse, the cooker is fried.

  10. Hi William. The lid hinges start creaking when the lid reaches about 70% of the way to fully open, and this started about a month ago. Have tried cleaning with a damp cloth with no improvement. Have only had the cooker for 6 months or so. It is used every day, but we expected much more sturdiness for the price and reputation. Model Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 10 cup Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker.

  11. Hi Mario,
    I washed the rice cooker without consulting the user’s manual and it stop working afterwards. Is there anything I can do to fix it? I’m an electronic tech and I felt dumb for doing something I should have known better!
    Thanks,

    • How did you wash it? Whole? In this case, you’re screwed as you have fried the circuits and the only solution to this is a new rice cooker.

  12. Hi I have the NP-HTC10.
    Getting error code 06 and shuts down. Have any idea what the problem is? I really don’t wanna spend $500 for another one. Any advice would be appreciated.

  13. I have the ZCC10 rice cooker. Everything has been fine until recently. After it is done cooking, it goes into “Keep Warm” mode but the rice dries out quickly (instead of keeping warm – I think it continues to cook the rice so that it ends up dried out starting from the top). If I take the rice out immediately, I have rice I can eat; otherwise, it just hard, dried rice.

    When I emailed the company, they recommended getting the Inner Lid Set. I inspected my inner lid and I don’t see any cracks or anything (and it’s almost $30 before tax and shipping). Do you have any ideas? Thanks!

    • A new inner lid might be a solution (yours could be leaking moisture that’s the rice dries up) but I need some more information: how quickly does rice dry up? After an hour? 2 hours? A day?

      You can try adding a bit more water and/or stirring the rice once it is cooked and the Keep warm turns on.

  14. Hi!
    I have a NC-NVC10. When I set the machine to the extended keep warm function it will randomly switch back to the regular keep warm function on its own. Any Ideas?

    Thanks, fun site btw!

    • One reason is time and more than 24 hours elapsed from cooking completion. Another reason is the temperature. If the inner cooking pot isn’t warm enough (perhaps you canceled regular keep warm or there has been a power failure), the machine switches automatically from extended keep warm to regular.

      Hope this helps

  15. My induction rice cooker model NP-HBC 18 had stopped working. I sent it to a shop in British Columbia (I think Beaver Elec) to be repaired. When it came back it worked but while the rice is cooking I can smell something burning from the inside of the machine. Unfortunately the repair shop in BC closed so I phoned Beaver Electronic in Ontario about the problem. He asked if it’s working. I said yes. His reply was as long as it is working keep using it because the costs of repairs and shipping is about $300, it’s better buy a new one. Can I still use it, will it not cause fire? What must I do?

    • This burning smell could mean that something wasn’t wired correctly and could start an electrical fire. It’s best to keep it safe and replace the cooker.

  16. Hello mario, i have a rice cooker Neuro Fuzzy by ZOJIRUSHI. shows E01 when i push start. what was the problem? it can be fixed?
    Thank you

    • Hi Bobby, the most common culprit for this error code is a broken wire. I don’t know about your exact model, but some rice cookers have a plate at the back which you can remove and check the wires, and looks something like this.

  17. Hello Mario,
    I just bought a Rice Cooker NP-RM05 in Japan and after connect here in America I put one cup of rice and water, then I pressed Orange button and after few seconds appears the H04 error, Pot is in properly place.
    It makes me think that the Rice cooker is damaged from the sensor or voltage 120V does not work for this.
    Please note that the label of the rice cooker mention 100V 700W
    Should I try with a Step down device to confirm if that is the cause?
    In case the sensor is damaged or defective could you repair it?

    • I don’t believe that trying a step down device will change anything on this particular device since the damage might have been already done. The difference between 100V and 120V is huge. Because the cooker has sensitive electronics, it’s even worse. Now I can’t say anything for certain because I don’t have the device near me, but I’m sure that something is (at least a sensor) fried.

      Repair is one option but I’m pretty sure it’s going to cost you more than a new rice cooker.

  18. Hi Mario. I usually cook sushi rice in my NP-HBC10 rice cooker. It is frustrating that the menu reverts to white rice ecery time and has to set to sushi setting each & every time. Is there some way in which the menu can be set to sushi and that it stays on that setting?

  19. My Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 cook rice well but if i use keep warm function overnight the cooked rice become too dried to eat especially at the top layer of rice. Is this a common problem? Any fix for this?

    • From the last 20 years using rice cooker, it has never happened to me until now. Even when I left it for over two days, the rice became YELLOW, not dry. Now, it happens after I bought a new pot for my 10-cup Zojirushi cooker. The other Zojirushi cooker is 5-cup and works fine.
      (Tiger, Panasonic, Zojirushi are the ones I used)
      Note that the pot feel pretty hot in warm mode now.

    • I am having the same issue, it was so nice to have rice ready in the morning but one day it just stopped working. Larger amounts of water are also now collecting under the inner lid when opened.

  20. Hi Mario . I had a jozirushy rice cooker that when I pushing the cook button and after 5-10 minutes I open the lid the water only getting warm ? It’s supposed to be boiling hot ! But only warm water no matter how long it plug in and on button ? I had tried to open the bottom and looking for the thermo fuse . But there is no thermo fuse . So please help me to identify the culprit . Thank you in advance !

    • Hi Hiep, there are several reasons why this is happening, including a broken thermostat or heating element or a stuck switch. If possible, replace it. This is the fastest and simplest option.

  21. I have been using the 3 cup induction Zojirushi for ten years now . Never a problem . I just got a new one in the same model so I could give my old one to my college kid. Used it today for the first time . The lid popped open while cooking and after closing it back it appears to have steam leaking out the side of the lid instead of just out the steam vent! Should I return it?

  22. Great site!

    The hook/latch for the lid does not always catch/close. It seems the spring mechanism has weakened. I cannot find a replacement or instructions on how to open the outer lid to fix. Any ideas?

    Thanks.

    • First of all, thank you!

      A weakened spring is one reason but this is highly unlikely. I’d suggest trying other options. A more common issue is a loose screw. I don’t know about your particular model but if there’s a screw around the locking mechanism (either on the lid or the cooker), try tightening it first.

      If it’s sensor operated, then there’s a chance the sensor itself has died. This is pretty much game over as the only option to fix this is replacing it.

      Other reasons include improperly placed or damaged gasket and even a warped lid.

      • Thanks for the comment! My model is the NS-LAC05, and it is about 6 or 7 years old. I opened up the outer lid (which seemed to be a case of popping off the plastic, no unscrewing necessary) and indeed it was a weak spring as suspected (no sensor in this model). The mechanism was slightly confusing as there are two springs (I really should have taken a photo) but in the end I took them both off and strengthened them a little bit. It did the trick.

        A couple of tips though:
        – I snapped some plastic taking off the lid. It seems starting with the back is the way to go.
        – I forgot I needed the inner lid to correctly calibrate the spring. Without this, it threw the whole thing off and I wasted a lot of time.

        All the best!

  23. My cooker would not start. On the control panel all the arrows are flashing and none of the buttons are responding, not even the RESET button. What do I need to do?

    • Try holding the power or reset button for about 20 – 30 seconds. If this doesn’t work, try a new outlet.

  24. I have had this brand before and it worked great for many years. I just got a new NS-TSC18 and have only had is a couple months and the rice doesn’t keep from breakfast to dinner. It gets mushy and smelly. I have cleaned all the parts thoroughly. It’s brand new. Why is this one so bad?

  25. Hi Mario; The problem I am running into with a NS-ZCC10 is the rice at the bottom on the inner bowl is always slightly “browned”. It’s not that big of a deal when using rice in various dishes, but I mainly use it for sushi, so that rice is “wasted”. I’ve been making sushi for some time now and have had great results when using just a regular pot, but got lazy and decided to get a rice maker. So, I wash the rice as before, but don’t soak it (since it’s accounted for by the rice maker). I’ve added water to the appropriate “sushi rice” marker on the inner bowl and other times at 1:1 ratio to the rice used (which is usually a little more than the mark on the bowl) and still can’t get the level of rice doneness expected from this rice maker. I was thinking of using different settings of sushi on the screen (harder or softer) or even presoaking the rice as before, but like out said earlier I got lazy and don’t want to do rice maker’s job 😆… Do you have any suggestions? thank you in advance!

    • The laziest way to fix this is to back to cooking in a pot. If you want to keep using your rice cooker, you’ll have to start experimenting a bit. Brown rice a the bottom usually means not enough water. Add more water and see if this improves.

      • Hi Mario. I had this NS-ZCC10 about 5 years. It’s start running to a problem is no power. I replace the fuses couple times and a battery with measurement 2.6v cause I saw it burned and also replaced a new lithium 3v battery CR -2450. After replacing these parts I have clock but when plugged in it’s blowing fuse again. Please help with the issue. Thanks Mario.

  26. Got some water in the rice cooker while not plugged in. Left it to dry a couple of days before plugging in. The display comes on but the buttons are nor responsive. Is the rice cooker done? Thanks.

    • I’m afraid so. You can try spraying some isopropyl alcohol or acetone around the buttons but I doubt this will make a difference.

  27. I just purchased a NS-ZCC18 (open box) never been used. No power, clock blinks, unable to set time. Display does not light up or jingle.
    Any advice would be great. Returning is not a option.

    • How to set the clock

      If the display doesn’t light up, this probably means that the lights have gone out and need to be replaced. It’s not an easy task and it requires soldering. I don’t know how good are you at electronics repair but if you’re not, then you’re screwed. Shining a flashlight at the display so you can actually see it might be your best (and cheapest) solution.

    • This is one option. A bent lip, latch, or even lid might be possible. Or a loose screw (if your model has one, of course).

      If your particular model has a lid sensor, it might be broken.

  28. Bought the rice cooker less than two months and the black thing inside the bowl started to came off. I never have any of this problem with my previous rice cooker snd was same brand. It’s like paint start to peel or something. What should I do?

  29. My rice cooker stopped working abruptly. Only had it for 9 months
    Now.i have plugged it on different outlets but it doesn’t work.

  30. Hi I have a Zojirushi Modl NP-HCC10. I mistakenly washed the bottom of the unit and afterwards it stopped working. Do you have any idea what issue this is and how to fix this?

  31. After my rice cooker finished cooking the rice or when it is keeping warm. I opened the lid and a lot of water spilled out from the lid to the side of the rice cooker. I checked the inner lid seal and steam vent and everything looked good and no clog. i even replaced with a new lid but it still have water spill out when i open it. What other issue could have cause water to collected in the lid. I have the rice cooker for a few years and recently the cooker has this problem. Thx

    • Are you using a new type of rice? A very common cause for this is a high amount of statch. Maybe this new rice has more starch than you’re used to. Water and starch create foam which can go into the lid. Rinse the rice before cooking and see if the problem persists. If it does, try adding a few drops of olive oil or a stick of butter. The fat reduces the rising of the foam and steam.

  32. My rice cooker doesn’t always work in the same outlet.. have to try a few outlets before it turns on .. guessing fuse that is going bad or something? Very weird.. guessing on last legs (probably 10 years old )

    • Your hunch might be right. That, or a damaged wire somewhere or loose solder. In either case, the best option is a new one, provided your wallet allows this.

  33. I have brought back from Japan a model NL Bb05 last year. It worked fine till the day before. All the sudden on the screen the arrow signal blinking at the same time for all options. It keeps Flashing even after I unplugged the power over 24 hours. Do you know what kind of problem do I encountered? Would you please help me.

    • Very strange. Do you see an error code on the display (something like “h01”)?

      Every rice cooker has a battery inside so you don’t have to set up the clock every time you unplug the machine. That’s why it’s blinking even after unplugging it.

  34. I have a Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker, which has performed well for 8 years. The battery has just died; unfortunately, it is soldered in. Yes, I can still cook rice and steel-cut oats with it, but resetting the clock every time I want to use the timer is a pain. Sending the machine to a factory repair center is quite expensive, both for the repair and the postage. I’m hoping to find a competent local person to do the job. What battery can be used as a replacement? And instead of just soldering in a new battery, can one solder in a battery holder (containing an easily replaceable battery)? If so, which holder/battery? thanks for any help you can give me!

    • You can solder a battery holder but you need to it a way that the current goes through it instead of the battery that’s already soldered in. The replaceable battery needs to have the same voltage as the original. Unfortunately, I can’t help you more because electronic repair isn’t really my strong suit.

    • Hi Elizabeth,
      I read your comment and Mario reply…Our same unit, after we cleaned it the display won’t light up, which I think it the battery…I am curious to know how you all solved your problem
      Thank you
      -BobG
      Zojirushi NS-TSC10

  35. Hi Mario,
    Have you had a chance to read my question?
    I just bought the NS-TSC10. I set the clock, but it didn’t work. It is more like time setting for when to cook the rice. How do you set the clock to reflex the current time. Also after finished cooking, press cancel, unplug, but the time is still display on the screen. Is it normal?
    Thanks
    T.

    • Hi Tracy,
      I did reply to your question, you just didn’t see it. Here’s the answer again:
      You’re setting the timer. Here’s how to set the clock.

      Yes, it’s normal for the time to display even after unplugging the machine. Inside is a battery that’s keeping the clock alive. If there weren’t one, you’d have to set the clock again when you plug the machine in.

  36. I just bought the NS-TSC10. I set the clock, but it didn’t work. It is more like time setting for when to cook the rice. How do you set the clock to reflex the current time. Also after finished cooking, press cancel, unplug, but the time is still display on the screen. Is it normal?
    Thanks
    T.

    • You’re setting the timer. Here’s how to set the clock.

      Yes, it’s normal for the time to display even after unplugging the machine. Inside is a battery that’s keeping the clock alive. If there weren’t one, you’d have to set the clock again when you plug the machine in.

  37. We bought a Zojirushi rice cooker 3 years ago and then never used it until today. Unfortunately the on, or cooking switch, does not seem to work. It switches immediately to warm. Is there any way to reset the heating switch?

    • You can reset the heating switch with the Reset key.

      How do you mean by “the on, or cooking switch, does not seem to work”? It sounds silly, but the cooker goes straight to warm if the pan is empty (this happened to me, true story).

  38. Hi There! My Cooker Model NP-HTC18 showing the Error Code E01 and Beeping all Times, could You tell me how to Maintenance ?
    Thank You!

    • The code E01 indicates a major malfunction. In most cases, it’s either the fuse or a bad wire. If you know what you’re doing, you can open it and inspect it. If it’s under warranty, then don’t do it (this voids it) and immediately contact the seller.

  39. My new Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 just arrived. I tried to set the clock, but the : between hour and minute won’t stop blinking, which means I cann’t get the thing to work.

  40. I have an 8 year old zojirushi rice cooker. It used to be able to keep rice warm for 3-4 days, but lately the top layer of rice gets dried in half a day. Adding more water doesn’t help, it just makes the bottom rice mushier, and the top layer still gets dried. What cause.

  41. I’m having an issue with my rice cooker that I don’t see mentioned above and wonder if you would know what is going on. I’ve had this for over five years now and always cook overnight steel cut oats the same way. Now since I moved and have tried to do it, when I go to open the lid a whole lot of the gooey liquid that is usually just in the bowl is now under the inner lid for some reason. So when I open the lid it all starts to drain out towards the back of the unit and makes a huge mess. I’ve been cooking it the same way for years and am perplexed as to why this is happening. Everything is super clean. The gasket looks ok, but then again it is over 5 years old. Any suggestions? Do I just need to get a new one?

    • The water could be the culprit. That’s because the water in different places has a different quality. I suggest you make the next batch of oats with distilled water and see if the problem persists.

  42. I mistakenly dumped washed rice in the Neuro Fuzzy (NS-ZCC10) rice cooker and some grains got into the part underneath the pressure sensor in the middle of the heating plate. I was unable to get the rice out with a plastic tong and they have gone further under the heating plate. Is this dangerous enough to have to replace?

    • There’s no need to replace it. One option is to turn the rice cooker upside down and shake it until the grains fall out (just like you would do with a computer keyboard). Another way is to blow it out with an air compressor (if you have one, of course).

  43. when the rice is done, i open the lid, the steam water leaks out.
    the steam is usually go into the steamer cup, now it run outside.

  44. my machine is 5 years old and it suddenly stops working by not showing power on the panel. Any suggestion is greatly appreciate.

  45. My Zojirushi rice pot NP-NVC10 keeps flashing “pressure “ even when I did unplug it. Can not reset or do anything. Please advise how to reset it.

    • You can’t. This error means that pressure has built up inside the rice cooker. The only thing you can do is to wait 5-10 minutes for the message to disappear.

  46. I tried to do as your instructions but nothing improved, if it’s a hardware problem, can I fix it by myself? If so, please give me more instructed. Thanks a lot.

    • I’m not sure if this rice cooker can be fixed like some cheaper or older rice cooker models because this one is controlled by a microprocessor rather than by a simple thermostat. If you’re not tech-savvy, then I wouldn’t recommend fixing it by yourself because you can make matters even worse (speaking from my own experience). I’m sorry I can’t help you more than this.

    • It’s possible, but this is the worst-case scenario. Did you perhaps use a different type of rice prior to this problem? Did you wash the rice before cooking it? Before assuming the problem lies in the hardware, it’s best to diagnose other cheaper options. Another thing you could do is adding a bit of oil when you’re done cooking. The oil keeps the moisture inside the rice.

  47. My Zojirushi ( model NS-ZCC10) used to keep warm and the rice was still soft for few days. Couple weeks ago, the rice around the top and top border turning hard when keeping warm to the next day. How to fix this? This rice cooker is 3 yrs old.
    Thanks.

  48. I have a Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker. After I cook rice, water ( condensation )come out of the bottom of the unit. is this normal or is there a problem? Purchased 5/2020 I could not find any information in the user manual. Please advise

    • If the condensation is leaking into the cooker itself, then you have a big problem. This is because moisture can destroy the electrical components. Check if the steam valve is clogged and clean it.

  49. Date of Purchase : 2017-12-24
    Model Number : NS-WSC10
    Serial Number : 3870901
    Store where purchased : COSTCO TORRANCE
    File Name : 20180105_155306.jpg

    just stopped working suddenly. None of the buttons work when pressed. have tried various outlets with good power supply but it isn’t working. Rice cooker is less than 3 years old, is this still under warranty?

    • Hi Lina,

      The most common cause of this is a broken fuse.

      Most retailers (including Costco) offer a 1 year warranty. I know Costco offers an extended warranty for up to 2 years but I don’t know if you took it. If not, then your warranty has expired.

  50. We just purchased a rice cooker and when we tried to make rice we keep getting the E 17 error! The lid is secure and we don’t know what’s wrong

    • Some rice cookers are pressure activated. Gently push down on the lid when you close it. If that doesn’t work, then it’s very likely that some debris came between the lid and the lid sensor. Clean the lid and around it thoroughly.

  51. My parents accidentally had a piece of paper stuck on the bottom of the bowl when they turned on the cooker. It started to smoke. They cleeaned it out but now it will not turn on (display does not show).

  52. I used my Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 for the first time today. I set it to have rice ready at a certain time, which it did. Everything worked great except the timer lamp never came on. Any advice short of returning it? Thanks in advance!

    • I think it’s a connection problem. Instead of returning it right away, I suggest you contact support first.

  53. I’ve been using my rice cooker for maybe 7 years. Lately the rice is coming out mushy and an “oh” appears on the front panel.

    • The most common cause of mushy rice is starch. Just wash the rice before cooking and you should be fine. “0h” just means 0 hours have passed since the Keep Warm function started. You can read this in this manual (page 10)

  54. Hi, Mario: I’ve had my NP-NVC10 for several years and love that day-old rice (even 2 days-old) is still enjoyable when left warming in the cooker. The past couple of weeks, however, rice cooked for dinner has been wet by the next morning, then starts to yellow if eaten at dinnertime. My husband and I keep it pretty clean, regularly removing the inner lid and filter. Conversely, we gave my mom our older version of this rice cooker, which doesn’t have the extra filter piece on the inner lid. She had stuff built up on the inner lid but the rice still keeps well after a couple of days. I’m not sure if the inner lid is the issue with mine so hope you can help. Thank you!

    • Hi Sandra, interesting situation you got here. Usually, the culprit for yellow rice is the water itself. I suggest cooking the next batch of rice using distilled water. As for the soggy rice, rinse it. The most common issue here is the starch. Have you been using another kind of rice lately? I doubt here the problem is your rice cooker. Let me know if this works for you.

  55. Hi Mario,
    I have NP-HBC18 after cleaned heating plate and center heat sensor, now after rice cooked heating plate still hot that why the rice was dried after cooked. So please help how to fix the problem. Thank you.

    • Hi Huy, unplug the machine immediately when the rice is cooked and check if the rice is still dry. If yes, it’s possible you damaged the sensor while cleaning it. How did you clean it?

    • My NS-LLH05 just stopped working suddenly. None of the buttons work when pressed. I’ve tried plugging it into various outlets with good power supply but it isn’t working. Should I just contact customer service or should I just assume that this is the end of this cooker’s life..? Please help?

      • There are many reasons why a rice cooker suddenly stops working but a common one is a blown fuse. If yours is still under warranty, don’t try to fix it yourself and contact customer service immediately. If it’s not, I suggest you either take a look at the fuse (if you have the knowledge to do this) or just buy a new one.

  56. Hi, my top lid is stuck, and rice is cooked inside. Now it has been two days and we are not able to open the lid. Just now tried to open by fork but failed , need some help.

    • Hi Sunil, I assume you jammed the fork around the lid. Instead, push it in the lid opening button. Check out this video to see where.

  57. I forgot to put the inner lid back when I cooked my rice, can I still eat the rice that’s cooked without the inner lid?

    • Hi Grace, the rice is edible but is inconsistently cooked. I wouldn’t bother eating it. Just make a new batch.

  58. Hi, my NP HBC10 worked faithfully for a long time and it just quit one day. I opened up the interior and checked the fuse – it’s not burnt out (i.e. working fine). Ichecked the rest of the electronics and there doesn’t seem to be any other thermal fuses. Any possibilities you can think of?

    • Hello William, sometimes a wire comes loose from the board and soldering it back fixes the problem. Worst case scenario: it reached the end of its lifespan and there’s nothing you can do :(. I hope this isn’t your case. Best of luck, Mario

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