Why Does My OutOfAir ZERO Run the Pump While Sealing?

That's normal. At the end of every seal, the OutOfAir ZERO runs its pump for a few seconds to pull the lid down tighter against the heat strip. More pressure on the bag while it's hot makes a stronger seal.

When you'll hear it

• Vacuum & Seal: the pump stops when the air is out, the seal starts, and then the pump kicks back on briefly near the end. Sometimes it blends into the vacuum step and you won't notice it.
• Seal Only: same thing. The pump runs for a few seconds as the seal finishes, even though you didn't ask for a vacuum.

It's built into the seal cycle, so there's no way to turn it off. It isn't a sign of a leak, and nothing is wrong with your machine.

Will it squash my food in Seal Only?

No. The pump only runs for a moment, and by then the bag has already started to seal. I've never seen it pull air out of a bag, so chips, bread, and anything else you're sealing without a vacuum stay the way you packed them.