MODEL REFERENCE

Brother Innov-is 40e

9 errors · 19 troubleshooting topics

The checks and guides below come from the official manuals for this model.

Find a code or problem on this model

Error codes

Shown on the machine display

E1e1: Presser foot raised

Lower the presser foot before pressing an operation button.

E2e2: Buttonhole lever lowered

Raise the buttonhole lever before sewing a non-buttonhole stitch.

E3e3: Buttonhole lever raised

Lower the buttonhole lever before sewing the selected buttonhole or bar tack.

E4e4: Bobbin winder shaft to the right

Slide the bobbin-winder shaft left before operating the machine.

E5e5: Foot controller connected

Disconnect the foot controller before using Start/Stop.

E6e6: Motor locked by tangled thread

Stop and clear tangled thread before trying to sew again.

E7e7: Twin needle incompatible with selected stitch

Choose a stitch compatible with twin-needle sewing.

E8e8: Pattern selection while twin-needle mode is on

Turn off twin-needle mode before selecting a pattern.

F1–F9f1–F9: Possible machine malfunction

Stop using the machine and contact your dealer or an authorized service center.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing

The sewing machine does not operate7 checks

The plug of the power cord is not inserted into an electrical outlet.: Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
The machine is not turned on.: Switch the machine on.
The bobbin winder shaft is moved to the right.: Return the bobbin winder shaft to the left after winding.
The presser foot lever is raised.: Move the presser foot lever down.
A stitch other than the buttonhole or bar tack stitch was selected and the start/stop button was pressed while the buttonhole lever is lowered.: Raise the buttonhole lever before sewing an ordinary stitch.
The buttonhole or bar tack stitch was selected and the start/stop button was pressed while the buttonhole lever is raised.: Lower the buttonhole lever for the selected buttonhole or bar tack.
The start/stop button was pressed, even though the foot controller is connected.: Use the start/stop button only with the foot controller disconnected. Disconnect the foot controller to use this button.

The needle breaks11 checks

The needle is incorrectly installed.: Install the needle correctly.
The needle clamp screw is loose.: Tighten the needle clamp screw with a screwdriver.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the damaged needle with a new one.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is incorrect.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The appropriate presser foot for the type of stitch that you wish to sew is not used.: Fit the presser foot specified for the selected stitch.
The upper thread tension is too tight.: Reduce the upper thread tension.
The fabric is pulled too much.: Guide the fabric lightly.
The area around the hole in the needle plate is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged needle plate.
The area around the hole in the presser foot is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged presser foot.
The bobbin case is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged bobbin case.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use a bobbin specified for this machine; older bobbins can be the wrong thickness.

The upper thread breaks11 checks

The upper thread was incorrectly threaded (for example, the spool is incorrectly installed or the thread has come out of the needle bar thread guide).: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
There are knots or tangles in the thread.: Remove the knots or tangles.
The selected needle is not appropriate for the thread being used.: Select a needle suited to the thread and stitch.
The upper thread tension is too tight.: Reduce the upper thread tension.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the bobbin case.: Clear tangled thread and clean the bobbin race if it is involved.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the damaged needle with a new one.
The needle is incorrectly installed.: Install the needle correctly.
The area around the hole in the needle plate is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged needle plate.
The area around the hole in the presser foot is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged presser foot.
The bobbin case is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged bobbin case.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use a bobbin specified for this machine; older bobbins can be the wrong thickness.

The lower thread is tangled or breaks5 checks

The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed.: Rethread the bobbin correctly.
The bobbin thread is incorrectly wound.: Wind the bobbin evenly and correctly.
There are scratches on the bobbin or it doesn’t rotate properly.: Replace the bobbin.
The thread is tangled.: Remove the tangled thread and clean the race.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use a bobbin specified for this machine; older bobbins can be the wrong thickness.

The thread tension is incorrect7 checks

The upper thread is incorrectly installed.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed.: Rethread the bobbin correctly.
The bobbin thread is incorrectly wound.: Wind the bobbin evenly and correctly.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is incorrect.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The presser foot holder is incorrectly installed.: Reinstall the presser foot holder correctly.
The thread tension is incorrectly set.: Adjust the thread tension.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use a bobbin specified for this machine; older bobbins can be the wrong thickness.

The fabric is puckered6 checks

The upper thread or bobbin thread is incorrectly installed.: Rethread the upper path and reinstall the bobbin thread.
The spool is incorrectly installed.: Seat the spool correctly.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is incorrect.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the damaged needle with a new one.
If thin fabrics are being sewn, the stitch is too long or the fabric is not being fed correctly.: Sew with stabilizer material beneath the fabric.
The thread tension is incorrectly set.: Adjust the thread tension.

Stitches are skipped5 checks

The upper thread is incorrectly installed.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is incorrect.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the damaged needle with a new one.
The needle is incorrectly installed.: Install the needle correctly.
Dust has accumulated under the needle plate or in the bobbin case.: Remove the needle-plate cover and clean the bobbin case.

A high-pitched sound is produced while sewing. A rattling noise is produced4 checks

Dust has accumulated in the feed dogs or in the bobbin case.: Clean the bobbin case.
The upper thread is incorrectly installed.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The bobbin case is scratched.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged bobbin case.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use a bobbin specified for this machine; older bobbins can be the wrong thickness.

The thread does not pass through the eye of the needle2 checks

The needle was not raised.: Press the needle-position button once or twice to raise the needle.
The needle is incorrectly installed.: Install the needle correctly.

The stitch is not sewn correctly3 checks

The appropriate presser foot for the type of stitch that you wish to sew is not used.: Fit the presser foot specified for the selected stitch.
The thread tension is incorrectly set.: Adjust the thread tension.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the bobbin case.: Clear tangled thread and clean the bobbin race if it is involved.

The fabric does not feed4 checks

The feed dogs are lowered.: Raise the feed dogs.
The stitch is too short.: Increase the stitch length.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is incorrect.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the bobbin case.: Clear tangled thread and clean the bobbin race if it is involved.

While winding the bobbin, the bobbin thread was wound below the bobbin winder seat1 check

You have not wound the bobbin thread properly.: Remove the thread wrapped below the bobbin winder seat, then wind the bobbin correctly.

Bobbin thread does not wind neatly on the bobbin3 checks

The thread is not passed through the bobbin-winding thread guide correctly.: Rethread the bobbin-winding thread guide correctly.
Bobbin spins slowly.: Slide the sewing speed controller right to increase the speed.
The thread that was pulled out was not wound onto the bobbin correctly.: Wrap the pulled-out thread clockwise around the bobbin five or six times.

Fabric being sewn with the machine cannot be removed1 check

Thread is tangled below the needle plate.: Lift the fabric, cut the threads beneath it, and clean the race.

The fabric feeds in the opposite direction1 check

The feed mechanism is damaged.: Have an authorized Brother dealer or service center inspect the machine.

The upper thread has tightened up1 check

The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed.: Refit the bobbin thread correctly.

The thread is tangled on the wrong side of the fabric1 check

You have not threaded the upper thread properly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.

Two or four beeps after an incorrect operation1 check

An incorrect operation triggered the LCD message.: Correct the operation shown in the LCD message.

Three-second beep and machine stops1 check

The machine locked, possibly on tangled thread.: Check and clear the cause before restarting.

Error codes

Troubleshooting

Manuals and sources