Brother sewing machine error codes: E01–E11 and F codes

Reviewed against manufacturer documentation · Last updated 2026-07-03

Brother computerized machines (CS, XR, HC, Innov-ís and similar series) show E codes for conditions you can fix at the table and F codes for internal faults. Nine of the eleven E codes are simple safety lockouts — here is the full list, based on Brother’s own support documentation.

Brother E and F error codes
Code	What it means	How to clear it
`E01`	Presser foot is raised	Lower the presser foot lever, then continue.
`E02`	Buttonhole lever is down but a non-buttonhole stitch is selected	Raise the buttonhole lever (or select a buttonhole/bar tack stitch).
`E03`	Buttonhole stitch selected but the buttonhole lever is up	Lower the buttonhole lever, then sew the buttonhole.
`E04`	Bobbin winder shaft is pushed to the winding position	Push the bobbin winder shaft back to the left (sewing position).
`E05`	Foot controller conflict — a button was pressed while the foot controller is plugged in	Either unplug the foot controller or use it (not the start/stop button) to sew.
`E06`	Motor locked — usually tangled thread in the bobbin area or a bent needle	See the step-by-step E6 fix below. This is the most common “scary” Brother code.
`E07`	No stitch pattern selected	Select a stitch, then press start again.
`E08`	Speed controller is set for stitch-width control	Turn off width control mode, or sew with the foot controller.
`E09`	Twin needle mode is on with an incompatible stitch selected	Switch to single-needle mode or pick a twin-needle-compatible stitch.
`E10`	Selected stitch is not compatible with the straight-stitch needle plate	Swap back to the standard zigzag needle plate before using that stitch.
`E11`	Needle plate cover was removed while the machine is on	Turn the machine off and refit the needle plate cover.
`F01–F**`	Internal malfunction (control board, power board, or motor circuit)	F codes are not user-serviceable. Note the exact code and contact a Brother authorized service center.

Good to know

Some Brother models display these as single digits (E1, E4) and others as two digits (E01, E04) — the meaning is the same. Codes can differ slightly on the newest models, so treat your manual as the final word.

Fixing E6, step by step

E6 means the main motor hit resistance and shut down to protect itself — Brother’s documentation attributes it to tangled thread or a bent needle. It looks alarming but is usually a ten-minute fix:

Switch off and unplug the machine.
Cut yourself free. Snip the top thread near the spool and gently pull the fabric away. Never yank fabric out of a locked machine — that bends needles and scratches the hook.
Open the bobbin area. Remove the bobbin cover, bobbin, and (on front-loading models) the bobbin case. Pull out every scrap of thread; tweezers help for strands wound around the hook race.
Brush out lint under the needle plate — compacted lint plus a stray thread is the classic motor-lock combination.
Turn the handwheel toward you (counter-clockwise). It should now rotate freely through a full revolution. If it still binds with all thread removed, stop — the machine needs a technician, and forcing it can damage the drive gears.
Fit a new needle, rethread top and bobbin, and test on scrap fabric at slow speed.

When it’s really a service job

Any F code (F01, F02, and so on) indicates an internal electronic fault — Brother directs owners straight to an authorized service center for these, and board-level repair is not something to attempt at home. The same applies if E6 persists on an empty, clean, freshly threaded machine: suspect the motor or main board rather than repeating resets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset a Brother sewing machine?

Turn the machine off, wait about 60 seconds, and turn it back on with the needle in its highest position and no fabric under the foot. Brother home machines do not have a hidden factory-reset combination for error codes — if a code returns after a power cycle, the condition that triggered it still exists (jam, lever position, or a fault needing service).

Why does my Brother machine show E6 every time I start sewing?

A recurring E6 almost always means thread is wrapped somewhere the quick clean-up missed — under the bobbin case, in the hook race, or around the take-up lever — or the needle is bent and striking the plate. Remove the needle plate, take out the bobbin case, pull out every strand of thread, brush out lint, refit everything, then rethread with a new needle. If E6 still appears with no thread jam at all, the motor or main board needs a technician.

Are these codes the same on Brother embroidery machines?

The sewing-side codes overlap heavily, but embroidery models add their own messages for hoop, carriage, and design errors, and higher-end models spell errors out in words instead of numbers. Check the manual for your specific model — Brother offers every manual as a free PDF on its support site.

Sources & further reading

Manufacturer documentation last checked on 2026-07-03.