Here are some common problems you may have while using your embroidery machine. This handy guide provides suggestions that may be of some assistance.
- Have your machine checked and serviced by a qualified mechanic at least once a year
- Keep the machine clean, change the needle often and use good quality thread
- Use a dust cover to protect the machine when not in use
Common Problems…
Machine making noises
Problem cause:
- Machine needs cleaning or oiling
- Blunt or damanged needle
- Machine needs servicing
What to do:
- Clean feed teeth and shuttle areas
- Insert new needle
- Check manual for oiling (some machines must be oiled by a qualified service person)
- Have machine serviced
Problems with metallic threads, thread kinks and twists back on itself
Problem cause:
- Tension too tight through needle
- Needle too small
- Thread feeding incorrectly
- No spool cap
What to do:
- Adjust the needle tension
- Use Metalfil needle with large eye
- Use a metal thread guide
- Use a thread net over the spool
- Turn spool over and/or place spool on a different spool pin
Stitching doesn’t go around the border of the design correctly
Problem cause:
- Fabric too loose in hoop
- Hoop too loose in frame
- Damaged of bent needle
What to do:
- Tighten fabric in hoop
- Tighten hoop in frame
- Insert a new needle
Needle breaks
Problem cause:
- Needle loose, bent or too small for fabric type
- Stitch position and presser foot not matched
What to do:
- Insert new needle and use correct size for fabric
- Use correct presser foot for stitch type and adjust the needle position accordingly
Upper thread splits and breaks constantly
Problem Cause:
- Machine not threaded properly
- Upper tension too tight or thread caught
- Needle not inserted correctly, damanged or too small for fabric type
- Burr on hook
What to do:
- Thread the machine again and/or adjust the tension
- Check the hook for damage
- Insert a new needle
Top thread is looped-up at the back of fabric
Problem cause:
- Tension not correct
- Machine not threaded correctly
- Thread not through tension disk
- Bobbin not inserted correctly
What to do:
- Adjust the tension
- Thread the machine again
- Take out a replace the bobbin
Thread slips out of the needle before beginning to sew
Problem cause:
- Take-up lever pulls the thread out as it lifts
- Trimming thread too close to the needle
What to do:
- Pull thread down and hold as the Take-up lever lifts for the first stitch.
Machine skipping stitches
Problem cause:
- Damaged, blunt or bent needle
- Incorrect needle for fabric type
- Needle not inserted properly
What to do:
- Insert a new needle
- Use the right needle for the fabric type
Bobbin thread breaks constantly
Problem cause:
- Bobbin incorrectly wound or damaged
- Bobbin case damaged or not threaded
What to do:
- Rewind and insert a new bobbin
- Replace bobbin case if damaged
If you have problems with your embroidery machine and none of these solutions help please give us a call on 1800 000 360.
Echidna Sewing 
Thank you that was very helpful ie machine embroidery problems.
Do you have anything on the correct stabilisers to use with various embroidieries and the hooping of such. I find all the the different stabilisers confusing
Ann
LikeLike
Hi Ann,
Here is a link to our stabilizer guide. We just have to update it to include the Filmoplast. http://echidnaclub.com.au/images/pdfs/WhichStabilizerShouldIUse-web.PDF
I hope that helps!
LikeLike
Hi
Could you help me resolve my ricoma machines needle is suddenlt alternating in numbers
LikeLike
Hi Che,
Unfortunately we don’t service many Ricomas and without having a more detailed explanation our guess would be that your encoder is sending irregular signals to machine’s main board so its likely your encoder will need to be replaced. We would suggest contacting your nearest Ricoma service centre.
We hope that helps!
LikeLike
Good day! I just want to ask the possible solutions to the embroidery machine because all odd number needles will stop stopping when embroidery while even number needles are continuous embroidering…
LikeLike
Hi Jenny,
It sounds like you may be using the Reserved Needle setting. This is usually used to assign specific thread colours to certain needle bars manually. If you email our support staff at support@echidnasewing.com.au with what type of multi-needle machine you have they will be able to help you to determine if this is the issue and how to fix it.
Thanks!
LikeLike
Hello
please I have been having problems with my embroidery machine Doit DT 9090 ,I can’t use it for embroidery, when I contacted my supplier I was told it’s the embroidery compart that is connecting with the machine.
Please how can in solve this?
LikeLike
Hi, Unfortunately, we are unable to diagnose the issue without seeing the machine in person as we are not familiar with the Doit brand. We suggest you take this to your local mechanic to take a closer look at the issue.
Good Luck
LikeLike
We want to load the pattern on the machine. But when we insert the flash memory into the computer, the machine does not detect the patterns. We need to set it via another machine and then we need to get the required pattern from any computer. The computer of the machine can just detect as data not a file and we can not load it directly to the 3040. What can be the reason? I will be grateful if you could help me.
LikeLike
Hi Emir, We are not familiar with the machine you are using. Is this an industrial machine?
LikeLike