Seal-a-meal won't seal

Try making a seal with nothing liquid in bag, check seal on bag after. If seal looks good it could just be liquid getting on seal area causing it not to seal. There are tips online on how to help prevent this (example: placing rolled up paper towel sheet). If seal still looks bad than you may have a bad spot on the heat seal wire.

I've found with mine I have to hold down firmly on the top while unit is heating the bag to seal it. I continue to hold the lid down for about 10 seconds after heating stops until the seal cools. Hope this helps.

see this causes and fix it. God bless you
Air filter:
If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up dirt and has no suction the air filter might be clogged. Remove the filter and either clean or replace it as needed.
Exhaust Filter If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the exhaust filter might be clogged. Remove and clean the filter, replace it if its torn or damaged.


Vacuum Hose If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the vacuum hose might be clogged. Remove the hose from the vacuum cleaner, stretch it out straight, shine a bright flashlight in one end and try to see light through it. If no light can be seen, use something to run through the hose and free up the obstruction.
Vacuum Bag If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the vacuum bag might be full. Clean or replace the bag as recommended by the manufacturer.

Dust Cup AssemblyIf the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and has no suction the dust cup assembly might not be installed tightly, or it might be cracked or broken. The dust cup must seal tightly in order to produce the right amount of suction. If it is cracked or broken, replace it. Most glues and adhesives will not successfully seal the crack.
Blower Wheel If the vacuum cleaner won't pick up and there is no suction, the blower wheel might be jammed or broken. Check the blower wheel to be certain it turns freely. If it doesn't, check to see if there is anything rubbing against it. If not, but it's hard to turn, the motor is most likely the problem.

The tape trick didn't work for me. Had to cut the wires. Works for now.
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I actually have one I use all the time at home. We LOVE it but this seems to a common issue.
the problem is a Signal Switch Malfunction. It has to do with the power switch and the pressure switch from what I have been able to find out. Mine doesn't have a pressure problem it just goes to E4 once you set the time. I gave the switch a good smack and it has been working for a while. This is the second time and this worked both times now. I am sure the switch will have to be replaced at some time.
I have come across this error when I am cooking rice and then trying to pressure cook something else immediately after. I have found that If I release the pressure valve and manually let the steam release, then my chances of getting the getting the E4 errror are less, but it recommends not to do that. :( Another way I have gotten rid of the code was to open the machine. Let it cool off by washing the lid and pulling the pan inster out of the base and let that cool as well. Then I will unplug the machine and basically start all over. The error will go away after some time either way, it's just unfortunate that it can't go from meal to meal when you have several different dishes you need to make. Don't THROW away your machine with an E4 error, just give it time to reset

On most models of vacuum sealing systems, you cut off the roll the size of bag you need. Slip one open end of the bag just on top of the heating element over it about 1/8-1/4" and press down the lid to seal the bottom of the bag. Fill the bag and then place the open end far enough into the vacuum cavity over the heating element and close the lid and press down and hold until the cycle finishes. If you don't want a vacuum, just put enough bag material to cover the heating element but not into the vacuum cavity. Hope this helps

I believe for the Rival machine you cut some of the roll, then seal one end. Put your product in the roll then seal the other end. Generic rolls can be found at http://www.totalvac.com/tiliafoodsaverrolls.html

These will work on a Rival machine.

We discovered we were not moving the bags in far enough to be grabbed properly. After pushing in the bag before closing the unit we found it started sealing properly. This was on an older system, so be sure the bags you're sealling are between the black rubber rectanglar sections before closing the door.

If this is for a canister, be sure the rubber around the lid is seated properly. The rubber can be removed, cleaned and wiped dry. Clean out the lid and dry it too. Reseat the rubber seal and try again... Hope this helps.

The case that encloses the bag may not have been closed properly, or a part of the bag got caught in the seal of the case. Take the bag out and reinstall. Hope this helps!

if your vacuum cleaner gets hot enough to melt it's own parts, i think you have a problem. exesive heat could indicate a serious problem and might also cause a fire. try having it checked by a repair shop because replacing the seal and continuing to use it might be dangerous.