How To Troubleshoot Vacuum Sealing | FoodSaver® 

There should be videos specific to each model. I tried to seal some pork chops for sous vide tonight (first time using the device) and I wasted way too much materials and time- never got it to seal properly, despite following all of the instructions.

I only have one other back sealer to compare this to, ru-vid.comUgkxLarn2Zt7095D2lp3tN-bj5JtYPg3Wz2 but it appears to be a great sub-$100, non-chamber, vac sealer (I got it on sale on Amazon a few weeks ago). It's not the fastest, but it's not a race when you're back sealing, right? I haven't done any marinading yet, but for storage of veggies and other perishables and for sous vide, it's great. The built-in bag roll storage and cutter (manual cutter) are great, it's super easy to use, and the double-seal feature is fantastic. Would highly recommended especially if you don't have the budget (or counter space) for a chamber vac.

This video really helped me. I called the phone number as I had two blinking green lights and it would not cycle. They walked with a few items that did not work then asked me to put a hair dryer in the area of the water tray after removing it and it resolved the problem. Very happy as now it works and I learned a new trick.

The original food savers were incredible. Mine lasted for years and processed thousands of pounds of meat and fish. Simple to use...no frills. Always a positive seal. The one I have now is horrible. Overengineered for underperformance. Can only seal a few bags at a time and you have to let it sit for 20 minutes to seal more. Very difficult to get the bag fed into the slot perfectly to activate the sealer. Forget it if you're trying to process a large amount of stuff...it'll take days. I'll never buy another foodsaver. I'd like to throw this one off the top of a tall building.

Thank you for video. Cleaned mine well. It will seal end of roll when attached to roll, but not an end when both ends open. (i had cut the roll before filling. ). Ok now, I only seal top before cutting for filling. This may be the reason.

if all else fails, Unplug the unit, then try TWO drops (no more) of WD-40 in the tube leading into the vacuum switch (it's the brownish/red disc on the circuit board. Blow into the tube and suck on it a couple of times to work the switch. This worked for me on two different Foodsaver models. Good Luck

My wife's v2490 today didn't do the automatic vacuum and seal. took a very moist sponge and wet the gaskets around the vacuum chamber. Works so far with wet gaskets. Might be time to order new gaskets. :)

My Foodsaver is hit or miss with getting all the air out if the bag, I'm thinking of going to a thrift store and I inking up an older model, They worked great. It even gives me a hard time getting to seal the foodsaver bags I ordered from them.

I love mine - is is having a little trouble vacuum sealing - watch all the fix it videos and will double check everything - I make my own hamburger so it gets alot of use

the V3425/upright design wastes 2-3" easily on every bag, at the price of their bags this looks like an intentional effort to sell more bags. I've used them for 20yrs and the older units did not require so much EXTRA bag to make a seal. The instructions say use enough plastic for the item PLUS 4 INCHES !!! THAT'S RIDICULOUS. VERY DISAPPOINTED.

I am extremely Frugal. Having said that I love the Food Saver machine. There is a learning curve but if you have the patience you'll have it in no time. So happy for all the videos on what to freeze/store and what not to, to be health-wise. Great machine I recommend it to anyone looking to freeze/store foods for any length of time.

Tray Full light came on after packaging some fish, couldn't get the drawer open on my v4865 FoodSaver. The Left side moved freely, but the right was stuck. The cancel light was not lit-up so that option was moot. I pried / wiggled my narrow pocket knife on the right side of the drawer while pulling on it and it budged a little - enough to work it open from the gap under the machine. The drip tray was barely had anything in it, but there were some fluids under it. I cleaned it up and reinstalled it, but the drawer dragged on the right side still so I applied some grease on the drawer channel and worked it a few times and it did the trick. I usually leave the setting on dry, the only time I didn't, this time, this happened.....

My heating strip doesn’t work at all. I don’t even know if that’s replaceable? Plus it’s an older plain model. It just hasn’t been used in a few years. It’s completely clean and dry.

Glad to hear that I am not the only one who dislikes this brand. P.S. I use Cuisinart bags. At lease 40% cheaper with the same quality.

Mine is having trouble with one little spot on the right hand side in the upper part. The top has a spot that we can feel, but it isn't in the gasket. When we pull the tray out and tilt the machine backwards we can feel a bubble or rough spot in the top. I don't know how to fix that.

What if I have never gotten it to vacuum from day one out of the box

I just took my Costco Food Saver VS3000 out of the box and tried sealing several bags of hot dogs I got from a local butcher. Each one of them had air in them about one to two minutes after sealing. Tried both dry and moist modes but the results were the same. I could have done better with ziploks and a sink full of water. Very disappointed but luckily I'll get my $200 back (bought extra bags with mine). Still super disappointed - I should have done some more research.

So what if the seal fails the spoon test with a new bag? What then. I have a brand new unit that does not seal properly.

I got my first food saver vacuum sealer 2 days ago and wouldn't you know the gaskets don't seal with out me putting extra pressure on the lid,it's a disappointment but if that's what I have to do for my $125.00 to work properly I'll do it until that isn't enough.

Ordered my food saver about a month ago. Light use and now it won't seal jars, will vacuum bags for several minutes but won't seal unless I manual press the seal button.... doing that stops the vacuum and some air is let back in. Very frustrating. I've ordered a replacement... Last try. Any suggestions, I really enjoy it when it works?

I have the exact same model in the video (non removable gaskets). I used it a few times when I purchased it, since this pandemic hit (COVID19) I wanted to preserve a lot of my food purchased. It no longer removes all the air nor does it seal. Is this an issue with FoodSaver® Seal Profile?

I hate my 5330 model. Why do they have so many models, I’ll tell you why, they. Can’t get it right!

My Foodsaver model 4440 wasn't sensing the bags when I inserted them. All other functions appeared normal. I was suspicious that the switch that senses the bags was on but wasn't releasing again with no bag to reset itself. By flipping it over and opening the drip tray I was able to see two wings that were all gunked up with dried food. A pair of needle nose pliers were used to pull out two retaining pins and I removed a small spring off of each one lest I lose them down the sink while those wings got scrubbed. Reassembly wasn't difficult and I'm now back to 100%. I only share this now because I scoured the web and couldn't find any other troubleshooting suggestions for this issue despite finding others with the same problem.

I took off accessory from retractable cord to use bottle topper accessory but now the bag accessory not sucking when I put it back on. Any ideas?

Went through two foodsavers in less than three years. I had the machine shown here in the video, and it broke two weeks after the warranty expired. I bit the bullet and spent $900.00 for a chamber sealer, and will never go back. Bags are way way cheaper, you can seal liquids like spaghetti sauce without freezing. I really liked my foodsavers, but alas, my luck wasn't good with them. Replacing machines almost every other year isn't cost effective especially when the models you like are almost $200.00 a piece. The 5800 is selling for over $300.00!!! Has foodsaver considered a chamber model?

why isnt there a repairman from foodsavers on this posting answering questions about therem products

Hello. I need replace the sealer gaskets of my vacuum sealer model V2860. Would i can to find this in South America?

I had a hard time with meat not sealing, now I wrap all my meat into plastic wrap, nice and dry, bonus: the good quality bag will be reusable....

I just purchased a V3825 and I am so disappointed because it's not getting out all of the air and some of my food has spoiled quickly. I feel horrible because I highly recommended it to my daughter and she purchased one as well. My bags are not too full, my bags were purchased at Costco and all are new, so I haven't reused any of them, the machine is brand new so I don't get what the issue is.

My sealed for a few bags, then just stopped I have 2 sealers 1 is Food saver Model #VAC 350 ! The other one is a Rival seal a meal Model VS 350. , and it will not seal bags or seal lids with the accessories time and jar sealer lids.

Couldn't get mine to seal, upon close inspection I found tiny slit in the bag I was using.

I have had a couple of these. I have replaced the gaskets. There aren't that many moving parts yet they still fail.

It sealed perfectly fine my first use but but wanting to seal again there is no power no lights and I checked the outlets

I've had two Foodsavers. They each worked ok for about a year of light use. To replace them yearly is not very economical . I'm done with Foodsaver.

I have a vs6000. I just want to know HOW and WHERE exactly to insert the bag to vacuum and seal. We can get the machine going but can’t get it to suck the air out. It will seal ok.

Bought GM710 this time had for a few months but go figure went to seal and vacuum won't come on was a pop and no light everything goes out won't work 3 days after warrantee goes out . This is probably the 9 or 10 or more I have had . Either they won't seal or won't vacuum or like this one just blew up POPPED !!! There you go dead as a door nail nothing !!!! Some being different models of course . So I upgraded to this one which was more expensive GM710 and again have problems . Seems to me they should work longer than a year or two as much as we use them to freeze a few vegetable and freeze our meats . So now questioning if in fact, have I saved any money at all freezing my food . Since I have had to purchase so many . If you do the math about a1600- 2000.00 worth of vacuum packer maybe a little more . So I question if I would of lost that much meat or veggies in this time allotted. I have been giving this product a chance and do like it when they work but is getting to expensive having to keep buying them over and over . So I am disappointed .

I love that the spoon test doesn’t help or do sh!t… no point in the video

I have a V3840, I have to wait more than 1 minute between seals, why not make something faster or doesn't over heat after 1 seal?

I have a model VS3180 it’s about 3 years old and has worked fine up to this date. We don’t use it everyday or every month, we use the VS bags on the unit. It just stopped vacuuming through the seal area, I tried the attachment and it pulled vacuum fine. I went through all the troubleshooting instructions in the manual, I recently replaced the gaskets and it still does not vacuum the bag, what else needs to be done to get the unit back on track ?

4 inches is way to much imho. Wasting bag material.

A brand new first time using. Won’t lock unless using a vigorous push like CPR. WONT VACUME AT ALL even though light soys it’s did. Of course support line not Open on weekend.

Mine won’t seal when using seal option to make a bag.

lately our has been sealing fine but bags are loosing their vacuum. I tried double sealing ends but that hasnt helped.

Very high price for service it provides. This is second year I’ve had my food saver. Used very little it this time. Maybe 4 times Just quit working no warning. This is second one I w owed. Other quit vacuuming suddenly. Discussed with this product , to experience for a couple years service.

My food saver vacuums and seals. But doesn’t hold the seal after I freeze what ever I have. Other people I talk to have the same issue, their telling me it’s the food saver bags. They recommend other brand of bags.

I just purchased the Foodsaver VS1110 and I tried to vacuum seal but it will not vacuum. I used the two BRAND NEW bags that came with the machine but the device will not stop the loud roaring sound; however, the bags will seal but without vacuuming. If I tried to vacuum and the vacuuming has not stopped and I press seal, all the air returns to the bags. I checked out two videos on RU-vid for this same identical VS1110 Model, followed their instructions, but my gadget will not work. I'm done with it. If I wanted air in my bags, I would just use my old reliable Seal-a-meal from years ago.

I Have The 2100 Model Used 4 About A Year, Now It Wont Seal At All

I just got my food saver and I am using the bags that came with it. I bought a medium sized beef chuck roast and it keeps sucking the fluids out of the meat and not sealing the bag in a spot or two. it does seal in other spots across the line.

My foodsaver F5400 has the wet and dry indicator lights blinking as soon as I plug in the machine. I can't get them to stop and the machine won't work. I've only used it about 6 times. I haven't used it in weeks and it was stored in a cool / dry place. Can anyone help me on how to fix this? The overflow tray is clean and dry. Not sure what to do.

I was having issues getting the bags to vacuum and seal, I finally removed the accessory tube from the top(I was jar sealing earlier) and it worked perfectly.

i love my vacuum sealer but my cat hates it. Poor Pippin jumps out of her skin every time the noise starts' I feel guilty so she gets lots of hugs and treats. I am beginning to think she might be faking it as every time I head for the machine she heads to where her treats are kept!

Why does my FoodSaver keep switching from dry to moist I am wanting to seal walnuts so I'm using the dry setting but it switches to moist what am I doing wrong?

I spent waaay too much on a Food Saver. I don’t think it sealed but maybe two or three bags properly, the whole time I tried to use it. Too bad it is not all that & a bag of chips!

We bought food saver bags and they dont work. We got generic sealer bags and they do work. What's the fix for that?

a moment to cool down? Why? I am VERY disappointed in the machines. The red light flashes with almost EVERY BAG. Even trying the dry test. Had the same problem with the last one. That's why I bought a new one and it did the same thing right from the start. Tried to ask a question on their web site and it tells me my address is not correct!

Mine goes for 3 seconds and then immediately goes to seal without taking any air out of the bag. I assume somethings is clogged inside the unit where it thinks it evacuated all the air or it's just a bad air pressure sensor, but can't figure out an easy fix for it.

My Food Saver cuts off when I try to create the bag (seal end of bag). Has anyone had this happen and found a fix? I've had mine for a few years and have really enjoyed it, but for $200, I don't want to replace it; I want it to work! Thank you.

I have my foodsaver set to DRY, but when I push START it switches to MOIST and sucks all the air out. What's up with that? I tried it several times.

Just did the spoon trick and did not work. I put the bag in every position possible and no seal. I have used our food saver probably 10 times, and that's probably an over estimate. All is clean, not hot, and unreal. Oh, I can seal, so I guess that's where they get us, but doesn't vac seal and that's what I bought it for. Update...tried to vac/seal 4 bags yesterday and two of the four did seal. Did exactly what this video says to do.

I have a brand new VS2100 Foodsaver and it does not seal *anything* there is still so much air left in the bag after I press the VAC button.

On my the lights for dry and moist is blinking and don't let do nothing

How do you know when it is time to replace the sealing strip?

How do you seal liquids

now i open the box an this long strip of bags, but it is not a space to separate this long sheet

Got a old food saver V3020 Can't find a way to load roll of bags? Can someone tell me how to open it to load it?

Have a foodsaver sealer it will seal the open end but when you press vacuum and seal it vacuums but doesn't seal

What if a bag over several days remains sealed, but the air has returned around the food inside the bag? I had some cut up peppers as well as bacon that somehow regained air in the bag, but remained sealed.

ooh. that is not the one I have . vs1100 . my booklet dosen't say anything about cleaning.

Purchased v3400 today. There are two large warnings to remove and discard an insert that I simply cannot locate. Where is this insert? What does it look like? I opened the unit as shown. Cannot find it. Very frustrating.

Went through two Food Savers, both breaking after very light use. The second time, I didn't even bother with the warranty. Never again.

I bought my first FoodSaver from Costco five years ago. It worked great but died. I replaced it with another Costco FoodSaver FM2900. The bag cutter is now inside the machine and doesn’t work at all. I sealed several items on dry mode and all were poor seals. Still lots of air left in the bag. I followed several how to videos and ended up with same results each time. Poor, poor replacement. I will be returning this Costco and looking for another replacement…….☹

My FS is not clicking ..locked whT am I doing wrong

Buy it from Costco; when it doestn't work right, take it back for replacement.

My food saver stop vacuum can you tell mewhy

Get some can air and blow out the accessory port and inside upper lid in the middle of the gasket in the corner blow air through there as well. Fixed mine but mine is fairly new not even a year. Must got some dust or something partially blocking something. I'm not saying it'll work for everyone.

any cereal or pasta i tried to seal worked fine day of but two three days later i found they were unsealed. no clue why??

We've had a Foodsaver V2860 for a few years and have been really happy with it however recently the heating/sealing element has stopped working. Can anyone advise how to replace it and where to source the spare part in the UK please?

Got my FoodSaver in Cos*%$, it was working when i tested it, ONCE…Now i wanted to vacuum seal some cookies and biscuits(for travel), its not working. It not vacuuming air out of the bag. And the sad part is i bought a box of that vacuum seal bag.

Can food items like rice get into the mechanics of the sealer and cause poor seals

In my case it's not the machine. It's the rolls of defective material. It's all crinkly, and the pressure of the lid is not enough to flatten it and form a tight seal, and the pump runs forever...

Am I doing something wrong? Mine does the vacuum but when I press seal, the air comes back in as if all I did was seal it. Please help.

my full tray light stays on even though the tray has been emptied and cleaned and dried

Costco 2100 does not lock tight enough to vacuum. You need to lean rather heavy on it to get it to vacuum. We can get it to work, but it's rather disappointing.

v4440 foodsaver tray full light wont go off

Got model VS1120. Only thing I can seal tightly are green beans. Pea pods, summer squash, and tomatoes, it doesn't like. Bought brand new from Target last year. Not happy with it. Won't buy another one based on these results.

First time user trying to seal bags of roma tomatoes - won't seal because there is water in them and it keeps sucking out too much of the moisture. Whole point was to seal tomatoes, sigh.

I got mine bout 6 months ago for wife I plugged in an and it wont even come on ....walmart ant got this model now...what do I do...its never been used

My machine V4880 stops vacuum seal after 4 green light and continuously run without fully vacuum sealing. Anyone have solution to this?

The lock came off what should I do

How do you replace the heating element and do you have the part?

The indicator light is flashing and machine not saying Nothing

I made the mistake of buying the two pack, one works fine. The other one doesn't vacuum. I've looked at all these videos regarding troubleshooting, none of them work.

Mine couldn't reach sealing vacuum. Found crack on cannister port. V2830.

Paid more thinking we'd get a quality machine. WRONG We purchased the FM5300. We managed to vaccum seal something like 50 or 50 bags over a couple of days before without warning the unit shut down and no longer powers up. The operation of the thing is a hassle. While you hold the bag with each hand, you have to slid in into a narrow slot, visually confirm correct placement while at the same time use both hands to press a bar. You will need to remove the vast majority of mousittre out of the product or the bag will not seal.

Only stating the obvious it seems - what if no vacuum?

I have had two of these. Both were a waste of money. The previous one worked fairly well for maybe a year. The most recent one has never worked. It now sits in the garbage can.

If your seal is going, mist some water on it to get you through till you can change it.

I have a 4800 model. Top of the line. Will not seal bags off the roll. Tried every which way. No go. Called customer service: NO real live person. I've got 15 lbs of Alaskan salmon to seal and freeze now. I your AI software says go to website and submit a ticket. And wait how long??? I do not know about your customer service before the pandemic, but today it is 1000% inadequate. And unacceptable!!! I have two hunting buddies looking for new vacuum sealers before deer season in late Sept. Do you think I will risk my street cred recommending your product and your customer service?

Cannot lock sealer to begin proces

My food saver vacumn doesn't even start. It obviously has some kind of electrical problem or a bad vacumn motor.......Not happy with this either. It has a learning curve for sure. Next one will be a different brand for sure