Sewing Machine: Why won't my sewing machine needle move?
A disengaged clutch, broken drive belt or internal drive gear failure can prevent the needle from moving.
Engage the hand wheel clutch if you have it disengaged for bobbin winding. If the needle won't move with the clutch engaged, unplug the sewing machine and check the drive belt. Replace the drive belt if it's broken.
If the drive belt is okay, an internal drive gear failure is likely preventing the needle from moving. You'll typically need to have a service technician examine the sewing machine and fix a drive gear failure.
THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR SEWING MACHINE PROBLEM
Replace the sewing machine drive belt
The drive belt transfers motor rotation to the hand wheel and upper shaft. If the belt breaks, the hand wheel won't move and the bobbin-winding spindle won't spin. Examine the drive belt and replace it if it's worn or broken.
Sewing machine drive belt
How to replace a sewing machine drive belt
If your sewing machine hand wheel or upper shaft won't turn, the drive belt might be broken. This DIY repair guide and video show how to replace a sewing machine drive belt in just 15 minutes.
Most common symptoms to help you fix your sewing machines
Choose a symptom to see related sewing machine repairs.
Main causes: dirty shuttle race, improper thread routing, incorrect thread tension…
Main causes: dirty shuttle race, wrong thread tension, bad needle timing, damaged needle, using the wrong type of needle…
Main causes: thread bunched up in the shuttle race, bad needle timing, internal drive gear failures…
Main causes: machine needs lubrication, internal gear failure…
Main causes: problems with the feed dogs, setting stitch length to 0…
Main causes: lack of lubrication, lint buildup, worn drive belt, faulty drive motor…
Main causes: disengaged clutch, broken drive belt, internal drive gear failure…
Main causes: faulty foot pedal, locked drive gears, wiring failure, bad drive motor…
Main causes: power supply failure, bad power cord, faulty On/Off switch…
Most common repair guides to help fix your sewing machines
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your sewing machine.
How to replace a sewing machine on/off switch
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How to replace a sewing machine drive belt
You can replace a broken sewing machine drive belt in about 15 minutes. …
How to replace a sewing machine drive motor
If the drive motor on your sewing machine runs roughly or doesn't run at all, you can replace it in about 30 minutes usi…
Effective articles & videos to help repair your sewing machines
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your sewing machine.
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