Sewing machine keeps jamming: how to fix it

First, free the machine safely

Forcing the handwheel or yanking fabric can bend the needle, damage the hook or throw the timing out. Work gently.

1. 1

   Switch the machine off and unplug it.

2. 2

   Cut the upper thread above the needle and cut the bobbin thread under the fabric if you can reach it.

3. 3

   Gently rock the handwheel towards you a little at a time to release tension; never force it.

4. 4

   Remove the presser foot and needle plate as your manual describes and lift out the fabric.

5. 5

   Remove the bobbin and bobbin case if removable, and pick out every loose thread with tweezers.

6. 6

   Brush out lint, refit the parts and turn the handwheel through a full turn by hand to check it runs freely.

Note:Unplug the machine before removing the needle plate or reaching near the needle. If the handwheel still will not turn after clearing threads, stop and contact a qualified sewing machine engineer.

Cause 1: threading and thread tails

A machine threaded with the presser foot down misses the tension discs, so loose thread piles up underneath and can lock the hook. Always raise the foot before threading. At the start of a seam, hold both thread tails behind the foot for the first few stitches, so the bobbin thread is not pulled down into the bobbin area.

If jams start on the first stitch, also check that the take-up lever was at its highest point when you started. Our thread bunching under fabric fix covers this tangle in detail.

Cause 2: lint and stray threads

Lint builds up fast, especially with fleece, denim and cotton wadding. Packed lint around the feed dogs and hook slows the mechanism and can trap thread. Clean under the needle plate every few projects, more often with fluffy fabric, and follow the oiling instructions in your manual if the machine needs oil.

See how to clean and oil a sewing machine for a step by step routine.

Cause 3: needle and bobbin problems

A bent or blunt needle can hit the plate or hook and stop the machine. Fit a new needle of the right size and type for the fabric, inserted fully with the flat side facing the back on most domestic machines. The needle size guide helps you choose.

Wrong bobbins are another common cause. Bobbins look alike but differ in height and profile, and the wrong one can wobble and catch. Check the manual and read are bobbins universal. Make sure the bobbin is wound evenly and inserted in the right direction.

Cause 4: fabric pulled into the plate

Thin or soft fabrics, and seams started right at the edge, can be pushed down into the needle plate hole, especially on zigzag. Start a few millimetres in from the edge, use a straight stitch plate if your machine has one, or put a scrap of tear-away stabiliser or tissue under fine fabric. A smaller needle helps too.

If your machine jams often on thick seams, it may be working near its limit. Our best heavy duty sewing machines guide covers machines built for denim and canvas.

See heavy duty sewing machines →

Frequently asked questions

Why does my sewing machine jam at the start of a seam? Usually because the thread tails were not held, the machine started at the very edge of the fabric, or the take-up lever was not at its highest point.

Why is my Brother or Janome machine jamming? The causes are the same across brands: threading, lint, wrong bobbins and bent needles. Check the manual for brand specific bobbin types and cleaning steps.

Can a jam damage my sewing machine? Forcing a jammed machine can knock the timing out. If the needle no longer meets the hook correctly after a jam, an engineer needs to retime it.

How often should I clean my machine to stop jams? Brush out lint every few projects and after sewing fluffy fabrics. Follow the manual for oiling intervals.