In order: re-thread with the foot up. Change the needle, and check it is in the right way round and pushed fully up. Check the bobbin — class, direction, and that it is not empty. Clean the bobbin race. Check the needle is not bent. Check you have not knocked the stitch length to zero. Only then consider timing, which is a workshop job. Working the list in this order will fix the fault in a few minutes most of the time; starting at the end costs you a service you did not need.
Questions people actually ask
Where should I start?
Re-thread the machine completely with the presser foot up, then change the needle. Between them those two account for most stopped machines, and they take three minutes.
The needle moves but nothing stitches. What is that?
Usually the bobbin: empty, inserted the wrong way round, or the wrong class for the machine. Check the bobbin turns in the direction the manual shows — backwards gives no stitch at all.
Last reviewed 2026-08-11