Short answer: it's normal, not a defect — but there's a point where cleaning stops being enough.
Silicone is porous, so it absorbs oils and odor compounds from food — especially strong ingredients like garlic, curry, and fish — over repeated pressure-cooking cycles. That's a normal characteristic of the material, not a sign your ring or cooker is broken.
Most odor builds out with regular cleaning: remove the ring after each use, wash it separately with warm soapy water, and let it air-dry fully before the next use. Many people also keep a second ring on hand — one dedicated to savory food, one to desserts — which is exactly why brands like Instant Pot sell color-coded 2-packs.
If the smell persists after a thorough wash, or if you notice the ring has also gone stiff, cracked, or visibly warped, that's a sign to replace it rather than keep cleaning it — see our replacement guide.
Not sure which ring fits your cooker? Use the brand and size lookup on the homepage.