Sewing Machine Will Not Pick Up the Bobbin Thread: Solved!

By editorialstaff August 5, 2023 Troubleshooting 0 Comments

The leading reasons are tight thread, damaged needle, and incorrect bobbin placement. You should consider checking for proper adjustment of upper tension. The thread condition is also important, so you need to inspect it. Then, using a good needle, remove debris from the bobbin area, verify the correct bobbin placement, and adjust the bobbin thread tension.

Read the whole article to know the actual way of getting over the situation.

Table of Contents

Causes for Sewing Machine Will Not Pick Up The Bobbin Thread

When a sewing machine encounters difficulties in picking up the bobbin thread, several possible causes could be at play. Here are some prevalent reasons why this issue may occur:

The upper thread is too tight or needs rethreading
The needle is damaged or installed incorrectly
The bobbin case and bobbin need to be checked

Timing issues
Incorrect bobbin type or placement

Only knowing the causes won’t serve your purpose, so proceed further to get over the situation.

Check The Upper Tension:

First, check the upper tension. If the upper tension is too tight, it can cause the needle to struggle to catch the bobbin thread. Properly checking and adjusting the upper tension on a sewing machine can address the problem.

Then, incorrect upper tension can lead to various stitching problems, such as thread bunching, looping, or tangling. These issues can indirectly affect the machine’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread.

Thus, the chances of successfully picking up the bobbin thread are increased when tension is balanced, and tension-related problems are resolved.

Inspect The Thread:

Then, inspecting the thread is necessary. First, ensure the thread quality is good, avoiding knots and tangles. Second, verify the correct thread tension and proper insertion of the bobbin thread. Third, follow the correct thread path as indicated in the machine’s manual.

Finally, ensure the thread is inserted in the correct direction according to the machine’s requirements. By addressing these aspects, the machine’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread can be enhanced.

Verify Proper Threading:

Now verify the threading is proper. Thread bunching, looping, and tangling can be caused by incorrect threading. These problems can affect the machine’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread. So, Making sure the machine is properly threaded can help it pick up the bobbin thread more easily.

By following the thread path as indicated in the machine’s manual, you can ensure that the upper thread is properly positioned to catch the bobbin thread

Check The Needle:

Inspect the needle for any signs of damage, bending, or dullness. A compromised needle might fail to catch the bobbin thread effectively. If you find any issues, replace the needle with a new one as needed.

To avoid hindering the needle’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread, make sure the needle is installed properly. Insert the needle with the flat side facing the back and ensure it is fully seated in the needle clamp.

Inspect The Bobbin Case:

Debris like lint, dust, or thread remnants can accumulate in the bobbin case, disrupting the thread’s feeding process. To address this, remove the bobbin case and thoroughly clean it to ensure there is no debris inside.

Also, check the bobbin case for any signs of damage, such as cracks, chips, or burrs. These issues can adversely impact its performance. If you detect any damage, consider replacing the bobbin case as needed. By keeping the bobbin area clean and in good condition, you can improve the machine’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread.

Your Bobbin Case Is Full of Lint

If your bobbin case is full of lint, you’re not alone. Lint builds up in the bobbin case over time and can get so bad that it prevents the machine from catching your thread on the needle.

To prevent this, you should periodically clean your sewing machine bobbin case with a soft brush or small vacuum cleaner.

You may also want to try manually threading some sample projects as a way to keep track of how much friction there is on the threads when they come out of their little hole in front of where they go into another hole (which we will refer to as “the spool”).

This can help you adjust for any issues caused by too much friction between those two parts during use.

Your Bobbin Is Warped Or Damaged

If you see damage to your bobbin, it’s time to replace it. If the case where your bobbin is held is damaged and can’t hold a new bobbin, then try replacing the entire case with a new one.

If your bobbin is warped, you can try to straighten it out with the help of a pair of pliers. If that doesn’t work, try replacing it with a new one. Your Spool Is Damaged or Missing The spool is where the thread comes out when you pull on the end.

Check The Hook Timing:

Checking the hook timing is crucial in addressing the problem of a sewing machine not picking up the bobbin thread. By manually turning the handwheel and observing the needle and shuttle hook interaction, timing issues can be identified. If the timing is off, adjustments may be necessary, possibly requiring professional assistance.

Additionally, inspect the hook tip for any damage like burs or nicks and replace it if needed. Ensuring the use of a high-quality and compatible bobbin also helps improve thread pickup. By addressing these aspects, the machine’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread can be restored.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Why Is My Sewing Machine Not Pulling The Bobbin Thread?

When the upper thread is overly tight, it may hinder the needle from effectively catching the bobbin thread. To address this, rethread the upper thread, ensuring it is properly tensioned, and use the appropriate thread. These measures can help resolve the problem and improve the machine’s ability to pick up the bobbin thread.

How Do You Get A Bobbin Thread to Catch?

To ensure the proper pickup of the bobbin thread, make sure both the upper thread and bobbin thread are threaded correctly. Follow the threading path as specified in your machine’s manual to achieve the right thread tension and positioning.

Why Is My Bobbin Not Loading?

Why Is My Needle Not Picking Up The Bobbin Thread on My Janome Sewing Machine?

The first possible reason is incorrect needle placement. Make sure the flat side of the needle faces the back when inserting it. A needle that is bent, damaged, or dull may fail to properly catch the thread. So, make sure you are using a brand-new needle and replace it if necessary.

Conclusion

Now, you know why your sewing machine will not pick up the bobbin thread.

Go through the article and check all the parts as described in the article. Also, try to replace the specific feature that is asked to change without changing the time.