MODEL REFERENCE

Brother Innov-is 80

15 errors · 20 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

E1the safety device has been activated

Stop and clear tangled thread before restarting the machine.

E2lower presser foot lever

Lower the presser foot before using an operation button.

E3return bobbin winding shaft to left

Move the bobbin-winder shaft left before using reverse or needle-position controls or the foot controller.

E4disconnect foot control

Disconnect the foot controller before pressing Start/Stop.

E5lift buttonhole lever

Raise the buttonhole lever before sewing the selected ordinary stitch.

E6lower buttonhole lever

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

E7select pattern

Select a stitch again before using Start/Stop or reverse stitching.

E8winding bobbin thread

Wait until bobbin winding finishes before sewing.

E9no more stitches can be combined

Reduce the combined character and utility decorative stitches to 35 or fewer.

E10change speed controller mode to off

Connect the foot controller or turn off stitch-width control with the speed slider.

E11release twin needle setting

Choose a pattern compatible with twin-needle sewing or turn off twin-needle mode.

E12delete the selected pattern

Choose Cancel to keep the current pattern or confirm deletion after changing stitch mode.

E13cannot change selected setting

Choose a pattern that permits the setting you want to change.

E14saving pattern

Wait until the machine finishes saving the pattern or stitch settings.

F01–F09f01–F09: Possible machine malfunction

Stop using the machine and contact an authorized service center.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing

The sewing machine does not operate5 checks

The machine is not turned on.: Switch the machine on.
The “Start/Stop” button was not pressed.: Press Start/Stop to begin sewing.
The presser foot lever is raised.: Move the presser foot lever down.
The “Start/Stop” button was pressed, even though the foot controller is connected.: Disconnect the foot controller before using Start/Stop.
The bobbin winder shaft is pushed to the right.: Shift the bobbin winder shaft left.

The needle breaks12 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 needle.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is not correct.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The presser foot that is used is not appropriate for the type of stitch that you wish to sew.: 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 spool is incorrectly installed.: Seat the spool correctly.
The area around the hole in the needle plate is scratched, or has a burr on it.: 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, or has a burr on it.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged presser foot.
The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it.: 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 only the bobbin specified for this machine.

The upper thread breaks11 checks

The upper thread was not threaded correctly (for example, the spool is not installed correctly, the spool cap is too big for the spool being used, 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.: Fit a needle suitable for the thread in use.
The upper thread tension is too tight.: Reduce the upper thread tension.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the bobbin case.: Clear the thread tangle and clean the race if the bobbin case is involved.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the needle.
The needle is incorrectly installed.: Install the needle correctly.
The area around the hole in the needle plate is scratched, or has a burr on it.: 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, or has a burr on it.: Ask an authorized Brother dealer or service center to replace the damaged presser foot.
The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it.: 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 only the bobbin specified for this machine.

The lower thread is tangled or breaks4 checks

The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed.: Refit the bobbin thread correctly.
The bobbin is scratched or does not rotate smoothly, or has a burr on it.: 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 only the bobbin specified for this machine.

The thread tension is incorrect6 checks

The upper thread was not threaded correctly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed.: Refit the bobbin thread correctly.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is not correct.: 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 incorrect.: Adjust the upper thread tension.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use only the bobbin specified for this machine.

The fabric is wrinkled6 checks

The upper thread was not threaded correctly, or the bobbin 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 not correct.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the needle.
If thin fabrics are being sewn, the stitch is too long.: Use a shorter stitch or place stabilizer beneath thin fabric.
The thread tension is incorrect.: Adjust the upper thread tension.

Stitches are skipped5 checks

The upper thread was not threaded correctly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The combination of fabric, thread and needle is not correct.: Choose needle and thread sizes suited to the fabric using the manual chart.
The needle is bent or blunt.: Replace the needle.
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 race.

A high-pitched noise is made while sewing4 checks

Dust has accumulated in the feed dogs or in the bobbin case.: Clean lint from the bobbin race.
The upper thread was not threaded correctly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it.: 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 only the bobbin specified for this machine.

The needle threader cannot be used2 checks

The needle has not been raised to the correct position.: Raise the needle with the Needle Position button before threading.
The needle is incorrectly installed.: Install the needle correctly.

The stitch is not sewn correctly3 checks

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

The fabric does not feed5 checks

The feed dogs are lowered.: Move the drop-feed lever right, viewed from the rear, to raise the feed dogs.
The stitch is too short.: Increase the stitch length.
The presser foot that is used is not appropriate for the type of stitch that you wish to sew.: Fit the presser foot specified for the selected stitch.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the bobbin case.: Clear the thread tangle and clean the race if the bobbin case is involved.
Zigzag foot “J” is slanted on a thick seam at the beginning of stitching.: Keep zigzag foot “J” level while sewing by using its locking pin, the black button on the left side.

Nothing appears in the LCD1 check

The brightness of the LCD is either too light or too dark.: Turn the machine off, hold Cancel/clear while powering on, adjust brightness with the stitch-width keys, then restart.

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

The last operation was rejected.: Follow the display instructions and correct the operation.

Four-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