Brother Sewing Machine Problems: 14 Common Issues (Solved)

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common problems that you may encounter with your Brother sewing machine.

From tangled thread to skipped stitches, we will provide you with solutions to help you fix these issues and keep your machine running smoothly.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sewist, this guide will help you troubleshoot and repair your Brother sewing machine.

Thread Tension Issues

One of the most common issues with Brother sewing machines is thread tension. Incorrect thread tension can cause a variety of problems, such as thread breaking, thread loops, and uneven stitches.

Here are some of the most common thread tension issues and how to fix them.

Thread Breaking

If your thread keeps breaking while sewing, it may be due to incorrect thread tension.

Here are some possible solutions:

• Check the upper thread tension. If it’s too tight, loosen it. If it’s too loose, tighten it.
• Make sure the thread is properly threaded through the machine, including the tension discs and the needle.
• Check the needle. A dull or damaged needle can cause the thread to break. Replace the needle if necessary.
• Check the thread itself. Poor quality thread can be more prone to breaking. Try using a different brand or type of thread.

Thread Loops

If you’re seeing loops of thread on the underside of your fabric, it’s likely due to incorrect thread tension.

Here are some possible solutions:

• Check the upper thread tension. If it’s too loose, tighten it. If it’s too tight, loosen it.
• Make sure the thread is properly threaded through the machine, including the tension discs and the needle.
• Check the bobbin tension. If the bobbin tension is too loose, tighten it. If it’s too tight, loosen it.
• Check the bobbin itself. Make sure the bobbin is properly wound and inserted into the machine.

Uneven Stitches

If your stitches are uneven or the tension is uneven between the top and bottom threads, it may be due to incorrect thread tension.

Here are some possible solutions:

• Check the upper thread tension. If it’s too tight, loosen it. If it’s too loose, tighten it.
• Check the bobbin tension. If the bobbin tension is too loose, tighten it. If it’s too tight, loosen it.
• Make sure the thread is properly threaded through the machine, including the tension discs and the needle.
• Check the needle. A dull or damaged needle can cause uneven stitches. Replace the needle if necessary.
• Check the thread itself. Poor quality thread can be more prone to uneven stitches. Try using a different brand or type of thread.

In conclusion, thread tension issues are a common problem with Brother sewing machines, but they can be easily fixed with some troubleshooting and adjustments.

By following the solutions listed above, you should be able to resolve most thread tension issues and enjoy smooth, even stitches.

Needle Problems

One of the most common issues with Brother sewing machines is needle problems.

In this section, we will discuss the two most common needle problems and how to fix them.

Bent Needle

A bent needle may cause damage to your machine when it lands on the wrong spot. It can also easily snap off and fly at you while you sew!

Here are the steps to replace a bent needle:

1. Turn off your machine. It’s always best to play it safe when you need to put your fingers next to the needle!
2. Lower the presser foot lever. This gives you better access to the needle.
3. Loosen the needle clamp screw by turning it towards you.
4. Remove the old needle by pulling it down and towards you.
5. Insert the new needle with the flat side facing the back of the machine. Push it up as far as it will go and tighten the needle clamp screw.
6. Double check that the needle is inserted correctly and is not bent.

Wrong Needle Size

Using the wrong size needle can cause a lot of problems with your sewing machine.

Here are some steps to ensure you are using the correct needle size:

It’s important to note that the above table is a general guide, and you should always refer to your machine’s manual for specific recommendations.

Using the wrong size needle can cause skipped stitches, broken threads, and even damage to your machine.

By following these steps, you can avoid needle problems and keep your Brother sewing machine running smoothly.

Bobbin Issues

Brother sewing machines are known for their reliability and durability. However, like any other machine, they can develop problems over time.

One of the most common issues with Brother sewing machines is bobbin-related problems.

In this section, we will discuss two of the most common bobbin issues: bobbin thread tension and bobbin winding.

Bobbin Thread Tension

One of the most common bobbin issues with Brother sewing machines is bobbin thread tension.

If the bobbin thread tension is not set correctly, you may experience problems such as skipped stitches, uneven stitching, and thread breakage.

Here are some common causes of bobbin thread tension problems:

• The bobbin thread is not threaded correctly
• The bobbin is not inserted correctly
• The bobbin thread is wound too tightly or too loosely

To fix bobbin thread tension problems, try the following solutions:

• Re-thread the bobbin thread, making sure it is threaded correctly
• Check that the bobbin is inserted correctly
• Adjust the bobbin thread tension using the tension screw on the bobbin case
• Make sure the bobbin thread is wound evenly and not too tightly or too loosely

Bobbin Winding

Another common bobbin issue with Brother sewing machines is bobbin winding. If the bobbin is not wound correctly, you may experience problems such as uneven stitches, thread breakage, and thread tangling.

Here are some common causes of bobbin winding problems:

• The bobbin is not inserted correctly
• The bobbin thread is not wound evenly
• The bobbin winder is not working properly

To fix bobbin winding problems, try the following solutions:

• Make sure the bobbin is inserted correctly
• Wind the bobbin thread evenly and not too tightly or too loosely
• Check that the bobbin winder is working properly

In conclusion, bobbin issues are common problems that can occur with Brother sewing machines.

By understanding the causes of these issues and following the solutions provided, you can troubleshoot and fix these problems quickly and easily.

Machine Jamming

Brother sewing machines are known for their durability and reliability, but even the best machines can experience issues from time to time.

One of the most common problems that Brother sewing machines can experience is machine jamming.

Machine jamming can be frustrating and can cause your sewing projects to come to a halt. Here are some of the most common reasons why your Brother sewing machine may be jamming and how to fix them.

Thread Jamming

One of the most common reasons for machine jamming is thread jamming.

This can happen when the thread is not properly threaded through the machine or when the tension is not set correctly.

Here are some solutions to fix thread jamming:

• Check the threading: Make sure that the thread is properly threaded through the machine. If it is not, rethread the machine and try again.
• Check the tension: Make sure that the tension is set correctly. If the tension is too tight or too loose, it can cause thread jamming. Adjust the tension as needed.
• Clean the machine: Dust and debris can build up in the machine and cause thread jamming. Clean the machine regularly to prevent this from happening.

Bobbin Jamming

Another common reason for machine jamming is bobbin jamming. This can happen when the bobbin is not properly inserted or when the bobbin thread is not properly wound.

Here are some solutions to fix bobbin jamming:

• Check the bobbin: Make sure that the bobbin is properly inserted into the machine. If it is not, remove the bobbin and reinsert it.
• Check the bobbin thread: Make sure that the bobbin thread is properly wound onto the bobbin. If it is not, unwind the thread and wind it onto the bobbin again.
• Clean the machine: Dust and debris can build up in the machine and cause bobbin jamming. Clean the machine regularly to prevent this from happening.

By following these solutions, you can fix machine jamming issues and get back to your sewing projects in no time.

However, if these solutions do not work, it may be time to take your machine to a professional for repair.

Machine Not Stitching

If your Brother sewing machine is not stitching properly, it can be frustrating and can cause delays in your sewing projects.

There are two possible sub-sections that we will discuss: Machine Not Starting and Machine Not Stitching Properly.

Here are some common reasons why your machine may not be stitching and what you can do to fix it.

Machine Not Starting

If your machine is not starting, there could be a few reasons why:

• The power cord is not plugged in properly.
• The power switch is not turned on.
• The foot controller is not plugged in properly.

To fix this problem, make sure that the power cord is plugged in properly and that the power switch is turned on.

Also, check to make sure that the foot controller is plugged in properly and that it is functioning correctly.

Machine Not Stitching Properly

If your machine is not stitching properly, there could be several reasons why:

• The needle is not inserted correctly.
• The needle is dull or bent.
• The thread tension is not set correctly.
• The thread is not threaded properly.
• The bobbin is not inserted correctly.
• The bobbin thread is not threaded properly.

To fix these problems, try the following:

• Make sure that the needle is inserted correctly and that it is not dull or bent. If it is, replace it with a new needle.
• Check the thread tension and adjust it as necessary. Refer to your machine’s manual for instructions on how to adjust the tension.
• Check the threading of the machine and make sure that the thread is threaded properly through the needle and the tension disks.
• Make sure that the bobbin is inserted correctly and that the bobbin thread is threaded properly through the machine.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix most common problems with your Brother sewing machine.

However, if you are still experiencing issues, it may be best to take your machine to a professional for repair.

Conclusion

Brother sewing machines are reliable and efficient sewing machines that can help you accomplish your sewing projects with ease.

However, like any other machine, they can also experience problems that may be frustrating and time-consuming to fix.

In this article, we have explored some of the most common problems that Brother sewing machines may encounter and provided solutions to them.

Problems and Solutions

Thread Breakage

One of the most common problems that Brother sewing machines may experience is thread breakage.

This problem can be caused by several factors, including using the wrong type of thread, incorrect threading, and incorrect tension settings.

To fix this problem, you should:

• Use high-quality thread that is appropriate for the fabric you are sewing.
• Ensure that the machine is threaded correctly by following the threading instructions in the manual.
• Adjust the tension settings to ensure that they are appropriate for the fabric you are sewing.

Needle Breakage

Another common problem that Brother sewing machines may experience is needle breakage.

This problem can be caused by several factors, including using the wrong type of needle, incorrect needle insertion, and incorrect tension settings.

To fix this problem, you should:

• Use the correct type of needle for the fabric you are sewing.
• Ensure that the needle is inserted correctly by following the insertion instructions in the manual.
• Adjust the tension settings to ensure that they are appropriate for the fabric you are sewing.

Bobbin Issues

Bobbin issues are also common problems that Brother sewing machines may experience. These issues can be caused by several factors, including incorrect bobbin insertion, incorrect bobbin winding, and incorrect bobbin tension.

To fix this problem, you should:

• Ensure that the bobbin is inserted correctly by following the insertion instructions in the manual.
• Ensure that the bobbin is wound correctly by following the winding instructions in the manual.
• Adjust the bobbin tension to ensure that it is appropriate for the fabric you are sewing.

Machine Jams

Machine jams are frustrating problems that can occur when sewing with a Brother sewing machine. These jams can be caused by several factors, including incorrect threading, incorrect needle insertion, and incorrect tension settings.

To fix this problem, you should:

• Ensure that the machine is threaded correctly by following the threading instructions in the manual.
• Ensure that the needle is inserted correctly by following the insertion instructions in the manual.
• Adjust the tension settings to ensure that they are appropriate for the fabric you are sewing.

Machine Skips Stitches

Machine skips stitches can be caused by several factors, including incorrect threading, incorrect needle insertion, and incorrect tension settings. To fix this problem, you should:

• Ensure that the machine is threaded correctly by following the threading instructions in the manual.
• Ensure that the needle is inserted correctly by following the insertion instructions in the manual.
• Adjust the tension settings to ensure that they are appropriate for the fabric you are sewing.

In conclusion, Brother sewing machines are reliable and efficient machines that can help you accomplish your sewing projects with ease.

However, like any other machine, they can also experience problems that may be frustrating and time-consuming to fix. By following the solutions provided in this article, you can fix these problems and continue sewing with your Brother sewing machine.