FAQs & Troubleshooting

If the fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be removed, the thread may have become tangled under the needle plate.
Follow the procedure described below to remove the fabric from the machine. If the operation cannot be completed according to this procedure, instead of attempting to remove it forcefully, contact your nearest Brother authorized service center.

Removing the fabric from the machine

1. Immediately stop the machine.
   
   
    
2. Turn off the machine.
   
   
    
3. Remove the needle.
   Refer to "How do I change the needle?".

   If the needle is lowered into the fabric, turn the handwheel away from you (clockwise) to raise the needle out of the fabric, and then remove the needle.

   
   
    
4. Remove the presser foot and presser foot holder.
   Refer to "How do I remove or attach the presser foot?" and "How do I remove or attach the presser foot holder?".

   If the thread is entangled on the presser foot, remove the entangled thread, and then raise the presser foot lever to remove the presser foot. Otherwise, the presser foot may be damaged.

   
   
    
5. Lift up the fabric and cut the threads below it.
   If the fabric can be removed, remove it. Continue with the following steps to clean the race.
   
   
    
6. Loosen the two screws on the needle plate with the included screwdriver and remove the screws.

   Be careful not to drop the removed screws in the machine.

   
   
    
7. Slightly lift up the needle plate, cut any tangled threads, and then remove the fabric and threads from the needle plate. Remove the needle plate.

   If the fabric cannot be removed, even after completing these steps, contact your nearest Brother authorized service center.

   
    
8. Remove the bobbin and the bobbin case.
   If threads remain in the bobbin case, remove them.

   (1) Bobbin case

   
    
9. Use the cleaning brush or a vacuum cleaner mini attachmentto remove any lint or dust from the feed dogs, the race and their surrounding area.

   (1) Feed dogs (2) Race (3) Cleaning brush

   Compressed can air is not recommended to be used.

   
   
    
10. Insert the bobbin case so that the  mark on the bobbin case aligns with the  mark on the machine.
     
11. Align the two screw holes in the needle plate with the two holes at the needle plate mounting base, and then fit the needle plate onto the machine.
    
    
     
12. Lightly finger-tighten the screw on the right side of the needle plate. Then, use the screwdriver to firmly tighten the screw on the left side. Finally, firmly tighten the screw on the right side.
    
    
     
13. Turn the handwheel to check that the feed dogs move smoothly and do not contact the edges of the slots in the needle plate.

    (1) Correct position of feed dogs (2) Incorrect position of feed dogs (3) Needle plate (4) Feed dogs

    Be careful not to drop the removed screws in the machine.

    
    
     
14. Check the condition of the needle, and then install it.
    If the needle is in a poor condition, for example, if it is bent, be sure to install a new needle.

    Before using the needle, place the flat side of the needle on a flat surface and check that the distance between the needle and the flat surface is even.

    (1) Flat side (2) Needle type marking (3) Flat surface (4) Even (5) Not even

    Never use bent needles. Bent needles can easily break, possibly resulting in injuries.

    Since the needle may have been damaged when the fabric was caught in the machine, we recommend replacing it with a new one.
    For details on replacing the needle, refer to "How do I change the needle?".

Checking machine operations

Check machine operations to confirm that installation has been completed correctly.

1. Turn on the machine.
   
    
2. Select the straight stitch ( middle (center) needle position).

   Do not yet install the presser foot and thread.

   
    
3. Slowly turn the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise), and look from all sides to check that the needle falls at the center of the opening in the needle plate.
   If the needle contacts the needle plate, remove the needle plate, and then install it again, starting with step13 in "Removing the fabric from the machine".

   (1) Handwheel (2) Opening in the needle plate

4. Select zigzag stitch ( ).
   At this time, increase the stitch length and width to their maximum settings.
   
   For details on changing the stitch width or stitch length, refer to "How do I adjust a stitch width or length?".
   
   
    
5. Slowly turn the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) and check that the needle bar and feed dogs operate correctly.
   If the needle or feed dogs contact the needle plate, the machine may be malfunctioning; therefore, contact your nearest Brother authorized service center.
   
   
    
6. Turn off the machine, and then install the bobbin and presser foot.
   Never use a scratched or damaged presser foot. Otherwise, the needle may break, or sewing performance may suffer.
   
   For details on installing the bobbin into the machine, refer to "How do I install the bobbin wound with thread?".
   For details on changing the presser foot, refer to "How do I remove or attach the presser foot?".
   
   
    
7. Correctly thread the machine.
   For details on threading the machine, refer to "How do I thread my machine?".
   
   
    
8. Perform trial sewing with cotton fabric.

   Incorrect sewing may be the result of incorrect upper threading or sewing thin fabrics. If there are poor results from the trial sewing, check the upper threading or the type of fabric being used.