MODEL REFERENCE

Brother HS-2500

7 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

E1presser foot raised during operation

Lower the presser foot lever before continuing.

E2buttonhole lever lowered for another stitch

Raise the buttonhole lever before continuing.

E3buttonhole lever raised for buttonhole or bar tack stitch

Lower the buttonhole lever before continuing.

E4bobbin winder shaft moved to the right

Move the bobbin winder shaft left before continuing.

E5start/stop button pressed with foot controller connected

Disconnect the foot controller before using the start/stop button, or operate with the foot controller.

E6motor locked by tangled thread

Clear tangled thread from the bobbin case and refit it. Replace a bent or broken needle, then thread the upper thread correctly before continuing.

F1-F9possible machine malfunction

Contact the nearest authorized service center.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing

The needle threader can not be used. (For models equipped with the needle threader lever.)2 checks

The needle holder is below its highest position.: Raise the needle by turning the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) until its mark points up, or press the needle position button once or twice.
The needle is installed incorrectly.: Install the needle correctly.

The sewing light does not come on2 checks

The sewing lamp has damage.: Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The machine is switched off.: Switch the machine on.

Bobbin thread does not wind neatly on the bobbin3 checks

The thread runs incorrectly through the bobbin-winding thread guide.: Rethread the bobbin-winding thread guide correctly.
The bobbin turns slowly on a model with a sewing speed controller.: Slide the sewing speed controller right to increase the speed.
On models with fast bobbin winding, the pulled-out thread is wound incorrectly around the bobbin.: Wrap the pulled-out thread clockwise around the bobbin five or six times.

The thread does not pass through the eye of the needle. (For models equipped with the needle threader lever.)2 checks

The needle holder is below its highest position.: Raise the needle by turning the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) until its mark points up, or press the needle position button once or twice.
The needle is installed incorrectly.: Install the needle correctly.

The needle threader lever does not lower to the correct position. (For models equipped with the needle threader lever.)1 check

The needle is below the required position.: Push the needle position button.

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

The bobbin thread is wound incorrectly.: Remove the thread wrapped below the bobbin winder seat, then wind the bobbin correctly.

The sewing machine does not work7 checks

The machine is unplugged.: Connect the machine to the power outlet.
The main power switch is off.: Switch on the main power.
The bobbin winder shaft is in the right-hand position.: Shift the bobbin winder shaft left.
The foot controller is being used incorrectly.: Use the foot controller correctly.
Neither the foot controller nor the start/stop button, on models with that button, has been pressed.: Depress the foot controller or push the start/stop button.
The presser foot lever is up.: Move the presser foot lever down.
On a model with a start/stop button, the button was pressed while the foot controller was connected.: Use the start/stop button only with the foot controller disconnected. Disconnect the foot controller to use this button.

Fabric being sewn with the machine cannot be removed1 check

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

The needle breaks13 checks

The spool or its cap is fitted incorrectly.: Refit the spool or spool cap correctly.
The upper thread is threaded incorrectly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The needle is installed incorrectly.: Install the needle correctly.
The needle clamp screw is not tight.: Tighten the screw firmly with the disc-shaped screwdriver.
The needle is bent or dull.: Replace the needle.
The thread and needle do not suit the fabric.: Choose a thread and needle suited to the fabric.
The presser foot does not suit the selected stitch.: Attach the presser foot suited to the stitch.
The upper thread tension is too tight.: Reduce the upper thread tension.
The fabric is being pulled too hard.: Guide the fabric lightly.
The area around the needle plate hole is scratched.: Replace the needle plate and contact your retailer or nearest authorized service center.
There are scratches around the presser foot hole.: Fit a replacement presser foot. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The bobbin case is scratched.: Replace the bobbin case. Contact your retailer or nearest authorized service center.
The bobbin is not designed for this machine.: Use only a bobbin designed for this machine, as other bobbins will not work properly.

The upper thread breaks11 checks

The upper thread is routed incorrectly, for example because the spool is fitted incorrectly, the spool cap is too large, or the thread has slipped out of the needle bar thread guide.: Rethread the upper thread correctly, using the spool cap that best matches the spool's size.
The thread has knots or tangles.: Remove the knots or tangles.
The needle does not suit the thread being used.: Choose a needle suited to the stitch type.
The upper thread tension is too tight.: Reduce the upper thread tension.
Thread is tangled, possibly in the bobbin case.: Remove the tangled thread. If it is tangled in the bobbin case, clean the bobbin case.
The needle is bent or dull.: Replace the needle.
The needle is installed incorrectly.: Install the needle correctly.
The area around the needle plate hole is scratched.: Replace the needle plate and contact your retailer or nearest authorized service center.
There are scratches around the presser foot hole.: Fit a replacement presser foot. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The bobbin case has scratches or a burr.: Fit a replacement bobbin case. Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.
The bobbin is not designed for this machine.: Use only a bobbin designed for this machine, as other bobbins will not work properly.

The lower thread is tangled or breaks5 checks

The bobbin thread is wound incorrectly.: Wind the bobbin thread correctly.
The bobbin is scratched or does not turn smoothly.: Replace the bobbin.
The thread is tangled.: Remove the tangled thread and clean the bobbin case.
The bobbin is not designed for this machine.: Use only a bobbin designed for this machine, as other bobbins will not work properly.
The bobbin is set incorrectly.: Reset the bobbin thread correctly.

The fabric is wrinkled8 checks

The upper thread is threaded incorrectly or the bobbin is fitted incorrectly.: Thread the upper thread and wind the bobbin thread correctly.
The spool or its cap is fitted incorrectly.: Refit the spool or spool cap correctly.
The thread and needle do not suit the fabric.: Choose a thread and needle suited to the fabric.
The needle is bent or dull.: Replace the needle.
When sewing thin fabric, the stitch is too long or the fabric feeds incorrectly.: Place stabilizer material beneath the fabric while sewing.
The stitch is too coarse for the thin fabric being sewn.: Reduce the stitch length or place stabilizer material beneath the fabric while sewing.
The presser foot does not suit the selected stitch.: Attach the presser foot suited to the stitch.
The thread tension is set incorrectly.: Adjust the upper thread tension.

Stitches are skipped5 checks

The upper thread is threaded incorrectly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The thread and needle do not suit the fabric.: Choose a thread and needle suited to the fabric.
The needle is bent or dull.: Replace the needle.
The needle is installed incorrectly.: Install the needle correctly.
Dust has collected under the needle plate or in the bobbin case.: Remove the needle plate cover, then clean the plate and bobbin case.

There is a high-pitched noise while sewing4 checks

Dust has collected in the feed dogs or bobbin case.: Remove the needle plate cover, then clean the plate and bobbin case.
The upper thread is threaded incorrectly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The bobbin case is scratched.: Replace the bobbin case. Contact your retailer or nearest authorized service center.
The bobbin is not designed for this machine.: Use only a bobbin designed for this machine, as other bobbins will not work properly.

The fabric does not feed7 checks

The feed dogs are in the lowered position.: Move the feed dog position lever to [target position missing from source].
The stitch is too fine.: Increase the stitch length.
The thread and needle do not suit the fabric.: Choose a thread and needle suited to the fabric.
Thread is tangled, possibly in the bobbin case.: Remove the tangled thread. If it is tangled in the bobbin case, clean the bobbin case.
The presser foot does not suit the selected stitch.: Attach the presser foot suited to the stitch.
The needle is bent or dull.: Replace the needle.
Zigzag foot “J” tilts on a thick seam when stitching begins.: Keep zigzag foot “J” level while sewing by using its locking pin, the black button on the left side.

The fabric feeds in the opposite direction1 check

The feed mechanism has damage.: Contact the retailer or your nearest authorized service center.

The upper thread has tightened up1 check

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

The thread tension is incorrect8 checks

The upper thread is threaded incorrectly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.
The bobbin thread is wound incorrectly.: Wind the bobbin thread correctly.
The bobbin thread is fitted incorrectly.: Refit the bobbin thread correctly.
The thread and needle do not suit the fabric.: Choose a thread and needle suited to the fabric.
The presser-foot holder is attached incorrectly.: Refit the presser-foot holder correctly.
The thread tension is set incorrectly.: Adjust the upper thread tension.
The bobbin is not designed for this machine.: Use only a bobbin designed for this machine, as other bobbins will not work properly.
The bobbin is set incorrectly.: Reset the bobbin thread correctly.

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

The upper thread is threaded incorrectly.: Rethread the upper thread correctly.

The stitch is not sewn correctly3 checks

The presser foot does not suit the selected stitch.: Attach the presser foot suited to the stitch.
The thread tension is set incorrectly.: Adjust the upper thread tension.
Thread is tangled, possibly in the bobbin case.: Remove the tangled thread. If it is tangled in the bobbin case, clean the bobbin case.

Error codes

Troubleshooting

Manuals and sources