MODEL REFERENCE

Brother PC-420/420PRW

14 errors · 15 troubleshooting topics

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

Find a code or problem on this model

Error messages

Shown on the machine display

—The safety device has been activated

Stop and clear tangled thread before restarting the machine.

—Lower presser foot lever

Lower the presser foot before using an operation button.

—Return bobbin winding shaft to left

Move the bobbin-winder shaft left before using an operation button.

—Disconnect foot control

Disconnect the foot controller before pressing Start/Stop.

—Lift buttonhole lever

Raise the buttonhole lever before sewing the selected ordinary stitch.

—Lower buttonhole lever

Lower the buttonhole lever before sewing a buttonhole, bar tack, or darning stitch.

—Select pattern

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

—Saving pattern

Wait until the machine finishes storing the pattern.

—Winding bobbin thread

Wait until bobbin winding finishes before sewing.

—No more stitches can be combined

Reduce the combination to 71 patterns or fewer.

—Change speed controller mode to off

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

—Change to single-needle mode

Choose single-needle mode or select a pattern compatible with twin-needle sewing.

—Delete the selected pattern

Delete the selected pattern before changing the first pattern in the combination.

—Cannot change selected setting

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

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing

The sewing machine does not operate4 checks

The machine is not turned on.: Switch the machine on.
The start/stop button was not pressed.: Press Start/Stop to begin.
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 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.: Attach the presser foot suited to 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 nee- dle plate is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Fit a replacement needle plate. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The area around the hole in the presser foot is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Fit a replacement presser foot. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The shuttle is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Ask authorized service to replace a scratched shuttle.
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 nee- dle bar thread hook).: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
There are knots or tangles in the thread.: Remove the knots or tangles.
The selected needle is not appropri- ate 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 shuttle.: Clear the tangled thread and clean the shuttle if needed.
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 nee- dle plate is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Fit a replacement needle plate. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The area around the hole in the presser foot is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Fit a replacement presser foot. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The shuttle is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Ask authorized service to replace a scratched shuttle.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use only a 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.: Clear the tangled thread and clean the shuttle.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use only a 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 incor- rectly 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 coarse.: 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 shuttle.: Remove the needle plate cover and clean lint from the shuttle.

A high-pitched noise is made while sewing4 checks

Dust has accumulated in the feed dogs or in the shuttle.: Clean the shuttle and remove trapped thread or lint.
The upper thread was not threaded correctly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The shuttle is scratched, or has a burr on it.: Ask authorized service to replace a scratched shuttle.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used.: Use only a bobbin specified for this machine.

The needle threader cannot be used2 checks

The needle was not raised.: Press the needle-position button to raise the needle 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.: Attach the presser foot suited to the selected stitch.
The thread tension is incorrect.: Adjust the upper thread tension.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the shuttle.: Clear the tangled thread and clean the shuttle if needed.

The fabric does not feed5 checks

The feed dogs are lowered.: Slide the drop-feed lever left to raise the feed dogs.
The stitch is too fine.: Increase the stitch length.
The presser foot that is used is not appropriate for the type of stitch that you wish to sew.: Attach the presser foot suited to the selected stitch.
The pressure of the presser foot is weak.: Turn the presser-foot pressure dial right to increase pressure.
The thread is tangled, for example, in the shuttle.: Clear the tangled thread and clean the shuttle if needed.

The sewing lamp does not come on1 check

The sewing lamp is damaged.: Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.

Nothing appears in the LCD1 check

The brightness of the LCD is either too light or too dark.: Adjust LCD brightness until the screen is visible.

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 messages

Troubleshooting

Manuals and sources