How to troubleshoot your sewing machine

Problem

Solution

Cannot thread the needle

• Needle is not in the correct position - raise the needle.
• Needle is not installed correctly- remove the needle and reinstall.
• Needle is bent, dull or broken - replace the needle.
• Upper threading is incorrect - rethread the upper machine.
• The wrong size needle is being used - check your manual and use the correct size.

Bobbin thread is not winding neatly

• The thread is not passed through machine guides properly - rethread.
• Bobbin spinning too slowly - make sure machine is set to full speed.
• The thread was not wound correctly - wind the thread ⅚ times around the bobbin, clockwise before winding the bobbin.
• The bobbin was not on the winding post correctly - make sure it is clicked in place before filling.

Bobbin thread is not pulled up to make stitches

• The needle is bent, snapped or dull - replace the needle.
• Bobbin is inserted incorrectly - reinsert the bobbin/case.

Needle breaks

• Needle is not installed correctly - reinstall, following instructions.
• Needle clamp screw is not tight enough - tighten the screw.
• Needle is bent or dull - replace the needle.
• Needle is not suitable for the fabric you are using - use a different type of needle, suitable for the fabric composition.
• Upper thread tension is too tight - adjust thread tension settings.
• Fabric is pulled during sewing - apply no pushing or pulling motion when sewing.
• Your bobbin is not suitable for your machine - replace with a style recommended in the manual.
• Upper threading is incorrect - rethread correctly.
• Bobbin is set incorrectly - reset.
• Presser foot is attached incorrectly - reset.
• Screw of the presser foot holder is loose - tighten the screw.
• Your fabric is too thick - only use fabric that your machine can pierce when the handwheel is turned.
• Stitch length is too short - adjust the stitch length.
• Bobbin is incorrectly wound - re-fill the bobbin.

Upper thread breaks

• Machine is not threaded correctly - rethread.
• Knotted or tangled thread is being used - untangle.
• Needle is not appropriate for the thread being used - use a different thread or needle.
• Upper thread tension is too tight - adjust thread tension.
• Needle is bent, snapped or dull - replace.
• Needle is installed incorrectly - reinstall.
• The bobbin is not suitable for the machine - replace with a recommended style.
• While sewing, thread has tangled - rethread upper and lower thread.

Thread is tangled on the wrong side of the fabric

• Upper threading is incorrect - rethread.
• Needle or thread are not compatible with the fabric - use suitable needle and thread for fabric composition.

The upper thread is too tight

• Bobbin thread is not correctly installed - reinstall.

Bobbin thread breaks

• Bobbin is set up incorrectly - re-set.
• Bobbin thread is incorrectly wound - refill bobbin.
• The bobbin is damaged or doesn't rotate - replace the bobbin.
• The thread is tangled - remove tangles and excess thread.
• The bobbin is not suitable for the machine - replace with a recommended style.

Fabric puckers

• Upper/lower threading is incorrect - rethread.
• Needle or thread are not compatible with the fabric - use suitable needle and thread for fabric composition.
• Needle is bent - snapped or dull, replace.
• Stitches are too long when sewing thinner fabrics - shorten the stitch length.
• Upper thread tension is too tight - adjust thread tension settings.
• Incorrect presser foot used - use suitable foot.

Skipped stitches

• Machine is threaded incorrectly - rethread.
• Needle or thread are not compatible with the fabric - use suitable needle and thread for fabric composition.
• Needle is bent, snapped or dull - replace.
• Needle is not installed correctly - reinstall, following instructions.
• Dust or lint is clogging machine - clean machine with a brush.

No stitching

• Needle is bent, snapped or dull - replace.
• Bobbin is set incorrectly - reset.
• Upper threading is incorrect - rethread.

The needle hits the needle plate

• The needle clamp screw is loose - tighten.
• Needle is bent, snapped or dull - replace.

Fabric being sewn cannot be lifted/removed from the machine

• Lift the fabric, trim threads below it - clean out machine/bobbin area.

Stitches are not sewn correctly

• The presser foot is not the right type for the stitch/fabric - use an appropriate foot.
• Thread tension is incorrect - adjust tension of the upper thread.
• Feed dogs are in the down position - lift the feed dogs.

Problem

Solution

Thread tension is incorrect

• Upper threading is incorrect - rethread.
• Bobbin is set incorrectly - reset.
• Needle or thread are not compatible with the fabric - use suitable needle and thread for fabric composition.
• Presser foot holder is not attached correctly - reattach.
• Thread tension is set incorrectly - adjust thread tension.
• Bobbin thread is incorrectly wound - refill bobbin.
• Needle is bent, snapped or dull - replace.
• The bobbin is not suitable for the machine - replace with a recommended style.