Skip to Navigation Skip to Content

Important Update: Click here for the latest information on tariffs and their impact on our industry.

Resource Center

Tips and essentials for the restaurant, foodservice and HVAC spaces in one place.

Hobart Food Wrapper Troubleshooting Guide

Guide
Share
Cooler full of packaged beef - Hobart food wrapper troubleshooting guide

Why do equipment malfunctions always seem to strike exactly when you don’t have time to fix it? And why is it always the equipment whose absence customers will surely notice? Hobart food wrappers are vital to the smooth operation of commercial kitchens and other foodservice establishments. They extend the shelf life of ingredients and merchandise, helping to keep consumables safe for enjoyment in both back-of-house and storefront settings.

But just like how customers have the occasional complaint, so does the commercial kitchen equipment used to keep them happy. Parts Town can help alleviate some of the stress that goes hand-in-hand with downtime. Discover quick tips and user-friendly resolutions in our Hobart food wrapper troubleshooting guide.

Hobart Hand Wrap Station Troubleshooting

This section refers to Hobart food wrapper troubleshooting techniques for the hand wrap station models, such as the HWS-4-C, ML-44225, ML-44105, ML-44103, ML-44069, ML-26331, ML-26320, W3-2C, W3-2 and 625A units.

Problem 

Solution

Film sticking to hot plate

  • Replace non-stick cover

Package not sealing properly 

  • Keep package on hot plate longer
  • Increase hot plate temperature and wait 10-15 min before trying again

Holes in bottom or wrapper

  • Take package off hot plate sooner
  • Decrease temperature of hot plate and wait 10-15 min before trying again

Hot plate is cold 

  • Increase hot plate temperature and wait 10-15 min for it to heat up 
  • Ensure power is on 
  • Ensure unit is plugged in 

Cut-off rod is cold 

  • Ensure power is on 
  • Ensure unit is plugged in 
  • Check fuse 

NGW Automatic Wrapping System Troubleshooting

The troubleshooting techniques and solutions apply to all Hobart automatic food wrappers, including popular models like NGW1, NGW2 and more.

Display Not Working  

Problem

Solution

No Power

  • Turn on power switch on back of printer
  • Plug unit into power outlet
  • Plug power cord into back of printer 
  • Plug in display unit power cord into printer
  • Plug in USB cable into printer

Operator ID or Product Number Not Found 

Problem

Solution

Wrong ID or product number 

  • Enter correct ID or product number

Label Not Printing Correctly

Problem

Solution

No label present 

  • Check label dispenser for hidden label

Non-printed label partially exposed 

  • Ensure label is threaded properly 

System prints blanks, partials or across multiple labels 

  • Ensure label is threaded properly 
  • Clean the the printhead with Hobart printhead cleaning kit 

Jammed label

  • Restock labels

Package Not Wrapping Properly 

If the the package is not sealing properly on the sides, ends or bottom or it’s leaving tears and burns in the wrapper, check out these Hobart food wrapper troubleshooting techniques to put an end to the issue:

Problem

Solution

Dirty film selector rubber rollers 

Wet tray or film

  • Replace tray or film 

Wrong film size or type

  • Replace film with correct size and type 

Sealer belt temp too high 

  • Lower sealer belt temp to 325℉ (163℃)

Dirty elevator or underside of folds

  • Clean elevator and folds

Damaged or aged film 

  • Replace film 

Film tension to high 

  • Reduce film tension 

Dirty gripper 

  • Clean gripper

Foreign object in gripper 

  • Remove foreign object 

Loose film roller 

  • Tighten film collars on film arbor

Apply/Label mode activated

  • Reset to wrap mode 

Package Has Tails 

Problem

Solution

Dirty film gripper pads

  • Clean film gripper pads

Dirty elevator 

  • Clean the elevator 

Wrong film size and type 

  • Change film size and type 

Package Rolls on the Intake

Problem

Solution

Incorrectly loaded package 

  • Check package height and length 

Package not centered 

  • Center package on intake sensor 

Product overhanging tray 

  • Center product on tray

Dirty intake shelf

Package Jams

Problem

Solution

Product loaded incorrectly  

  • Center product on tray

Film threaded incorrectly 

  • Re-thread film 

Package not centered 

  • Center package 

Package fed through in wrong direction

  • Check package height and length

Intake Pusher Not Cycling Properly

Problem

Solution

Package weighs over 15 pounds

Hand wrap or re-wrap package

Run Screen activated

Select PLU to start

Scale tare error

Remove weight from platter

Wrapper is in label only mode 

Enable wrap and apply buttons

Wrapper Not Working

Problem

Solution

Power cord not plugged in 

  • Plug in power cord

Power switch is off

  • Flip power switch 

Circuit breaker is off 

  • Flip circuit breaker

Open store circuit protector 

  • Close store circuit protector 

Unresolved error code

  • Resolve error code and cycle stop switch 

Wrapper in label only mode

  • Enable wrap and apply buttons

Scale Warm-Up Message On Screen

Problem

Solution

Weight on platter

  • Remove weight from platter
  • Switch power off and on again

Date & Time Not Working

Problem

Solution

Incorrect time and date format

  • Enter valid time and date

Over Gross Weight Error

Problem

Solution

Too much weight on platter

  • Remove weight

Scheduling regular cleaning and maintenance is the best way to prevent costly downtime and repairs. Check out our expansive online library of Hobart food wrapper manuals and diagrams for detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Please contact a local authorized Hobart service agent who can help with this specific unit and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.



Share