Some steam, in the beginning, is normal. If your IP is releasing steam through the vent hole, make sure the knob is turned to pressure instead of release. If your IP is releasing steam around the rim of the lid (around the seal), it is likely you didn't get the seal firmly seeded, and you will need to remove the lid, seed the seal and try again. A heated plastic seal can be difficult to seed properly, so if you keep an extra plastic seal for your instant pot handy, use the room temperature one. You might also put the plastic seal in the freezer for a few minutes to cool it back down before trying to seal up the pressure cooker again. To properly seed your plastic ring, press it firmly in place all the way around the lid before putting the lid in place.