MODEL REFERENCE

Brother PE500

24 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 messages

Shown on the machine display

—Cannot recognize the data: pattern may be corrupted

Choose a valid pattern file; the selected data may be corrupted.

—Cannot sew on this screen

Return to the embroidery screen before pressing Start/Stop.

—Check and rethread the upper thread

Stop and rethread the upper thread before starting again.

—Deleting a saved pattern

Wait for the machine to finish deleting the pattern.

—Do not send a USB transmission while embroidering

Avoid writing to or deleting from the connected Removable Disk during embroidery.

—Insert an embroidery card

Insert a compatible embroidery card before selecting it.

—Lower the presser foot lever

Lower the embroidery foot before starting or cutting thread.

—Not enough available memory

Delete an unneeded saved pattern before saving another.

—Confirm deleting the selected pattern

Confirm whether to delete the selected pattern.

—Raise the needle before changing embroidery pattern

Raise the needle before selecting or rearranging an embroidery pattern.

—Raise the presser foot lever

Raise the embroidery foot before initializing the unit.

—Reduce removable-disk patterns to 12 or fewer

Keep 12 or fewer patterns in Removable Disk before retrieving one.

—Retrieve the selected pattern

Retrieve the saved or USB pattern before pressing Start/Stop.

—Return the bobbin winding shaft to the left

Move the bobbin winder shaft left before using the needle-position or cutter button.

—Saving a pattern

Wait until pattern saving finishes.

—Select a pattern

Select an embroidery pattern before pressing Start/Stop.

—Bobbin thread is running out

Replace or refill the low bobbin.

—Embroidery carriage will move

Keep hands and objects clear while the carriage moves.

—Pattern too large for embroidery frame

Use fewer characters or a larger compatible frame.

—Safety device activated: tangled upper thread

Stop, clear tangled upper thread and inspect the needle before restarting.

—Embroidery card cannot be used on this machine

Use an embroidery card and design format compatible with this machine.

—Pattern downloaded for another machine cannot be used

Choose a downloaded pattern created for this machine.

—Attach the embroidery unit

Turn off the machine and attach the embroidery unit before using its controls.

—Winding bobbin thread

Allow bobbin winding to finish before starting another operation.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing

The machine does not operate5 checks

The machine is not turned on: Switch on the machine.
The start/stop button was not pressed: Press Start/Stop to begin.
The presser foot lever is raised: Lower the embroidery foot lever.
The bobbin winder shaft is on the right side after winding the bobbin: Slide the bobbin winder shaft back to the left after winding.
The embroidery unit is not attached on the machine: Attach the embroidery unit before starting.

The needle breaks10 checks

The needle is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the needle securely.
The needle clamp screw is loose: Tighten the needle clamp screw with a screwdriver.
The needle is bent or blunt: Fit a new needle.
The upper thread tension is too tight: Reduce upper thread tension.
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 service center to replace the burred needle plate.
The area around the hole in the embroidery foot is scratched, or has a burr on it: Ask an authorized Brother service center to replace the burred embroidery foot.
The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it: Ask an authorized Brother 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 was not threaded correctly: Rethread the upper thread along its guide path.

The upper thread breaks9 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 path and use a spool cap that fits the spool.
There are knots or tangles in the thread: Remove knots and tangles from the thread.
The upper thread tension is too tight: Reduce 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: Fit a new needle.
The needle is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the needle securely.
The area around the hole in the embroidery foot is scratched, or has a burr on it: Ask an authorized Brother service center to replace the burred embroidery foot.
The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it: Ask an authorized Brother 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.

Bobbin thread does not wind neatly on the bobbin2 checks

The thread is not passed through the bobbin-winding thread guide correctly: Route the thread through the bobbin-winding guide as shown in the manual.
The thread that was pulled out was not wound onto the bobbin correctly: Wrap the free thread around the bobbin five or six times clockwise before winding.

The lower thread is tangled or breaks4 checks

The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the bobbin thread correctly.
The bobbin is scratched or does not rotate smoothly, or has a burr on it: Replace the scratched or rough bobbin.
The thread is tangled: Remove 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 is tangled on the wrong side of the fabric1 check

The upper thread was not threaded correctly: Rethread the upper thread along its guide path.

The thread tension is incorrect4 checks

The upper thread was not threaded correctly: Rethread the upper path, including the spring left of the guide cover.
The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the bobbin thread correctly.
The thread tension is incorrect: Balance upper and bobbin tension as described in the manual.
A bobbin designed specifically for this machine is not used: Use only the bobbin specified for this machine.

The upper thread is too tight1 check

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

Stitches are skipped4 checks

The upper thread was not threaded correctly: Rethread the upper thread along its guide path.
The needle is bent or blunt: Fit a new needle.
The needle is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the needle securely.
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 embroidering4 checks

Dust has accumulated in the bobbin case: Clean lint from the bobbin race.
The upper thread was not threaded correctly: Rethread the upper thread along its guide path.
The bobbin case is scratched, or has a burr on it: Ask an authorized Brother 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 thread does not pass through the eye of the needle2 checks

The needle has not been raised to the correct position: Raise the needle with the needle position button.
The needle is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the needle securely.

The stitch is not sewn correctly2 checks

The thread tension is incorrect: Balance upper and bobbin tension as described in the manual.
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 threader lever does not lower to the correct position1 check

The needle has not been raised to the correct position: Raise the needle with the needle position button.

The lamps do not come on2 checks

The lamps are damaged: Contact an authorized Brother service center for lamp repair.
The machine is not turned on: Switch on the machine.

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.

Embroidery unit does not move2 checks

No pattern selected: Select an embroidery pattern before starting.
The embroidery unit is not set up correctly: Reconnect and set up the embroidery unit using the manual steps.

Embroidery not neatly done11 checks

The fabric is not fully stretched on the embroidery frame. The fabric is loose: Stretch and secure the fabric evenly in its embroidery frame.
No stabilizer material is attached: Attach stabilizer behind the fabric before embroidering.
The thread is tangled and the bobbin case, etc., is plugged up: Remove tangled thread and clean the race if the bobbin area is blocked.
The thread tension is incorrect: Balance upper and bobbin tension as described in the manual.
The upper thread was not threaded correctly: Rethread the upper path, including the spring left of the guide cover.
The bobbin thread is incorrectly installed: Reinstall the bobbin thread correctly.
Objects are placed near the carriage or embroidery frame: Move objects clear of the embroidery carriage and frame travel.
Material coming out of the embroidery frame is causing problems: Rehoop loose overhanging fabric, then rotate the pattern if needed.
A heavy fabric is being embroidered, and the fabric is hanging off the table: Support heavy fabric on the table while embroidering.
The fabric is catching. It is pinched: Stop and free the pinched fabric before continuing.
The carriage was moved while the embroidery frame was being removed or attached during embroidery: Keep the carriage steady when attaching or removing the frame.

Two or four beeps after an incorrect operation1 check

The machine rejected the last operation.: Follow the LCD advice 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