How to Fix a Brother Sewing Machine Stuck in Reverse With Pictures

Being in the middle of a project and having to stop to take a sewing machine to the repair shop because it’s stuck in reverse is a pain, especially if you have a deadline. Wouldn't it be nice and a whole lot easier if you could just DIY, fix it in no time having pictures to help along the way and get back to your sewing? That's what I thought anyway.

I was working on a recycling jeans project the other day and broke out my sewing machine which hasn’t been used in a long time, and probably why it still looks like new. Then when I went to use it and it would only sew in reverse I got a little aggravated. Now I have to stop what I am doing, find a repair shop that services Brother sewing machines, take it there and you know you almost always have to leave it. Then when you go to pick it up days later the worst part is paying the bill when you get there and putting everything your doing on hold until it is fixed, .

Being that I was really motivated to get these projects done and honestly having fun while I was doing it, I figured how hard can it be. So the Google search began. Then I was really shocked at how many people were having the same problem. I started to get even more aggravated when I saw a response to a very polite request from a woman that went like this, “For all you people that have the same problem just take the cover off and oil the mechanism. Make sure you move it back and forth while you oil it.” OK I’m no sewing machine tech, shoot I hardly ever even sew, making me wonder how I am supposed to know where this mechanism is, what it looks like, and how will I know when it‘s fixed. Now determined to find out, take pictures, and hopefully make it easy for everyone else by posting this hub, I began my mission and here’s how I did it.

You will need sewing machine oil (I used WD40 I don't know what the difference is but it worked) and a screw driver (I used the one that came with the machine)

Remember I am NOT a sewing machine tech so take into consideration this is what worked for me, and I thought it was pretty simple once I found the mechanism and saw how it worked.

1) The first thing you need to do is remove all the screws which hold the cover on. I took off the screws on the top, bottom, and sides near the handle and spool holder (pics 1,2,5 and some on bottom). If you start to lift off the cover and it seems difficult make sure to check for more screws and also the plastic piece as shown in pic #3. Just push the piece out so that it looks like pic #4 so that it doesn't catch. The top of the machine where the adjustment wheels are (pic#1) make it necessary to kind of pull out a little and then up.

2) Find the mechanism as shown by the red arrows in pics # 6 & 7. If you are still having trouble finding it just push down the reverse button and watch as the piece goes down to the right (pic #8). If you look at the end of that piece the mechanism is just below it.

3) Put some oil on the mechanism and push it up and down as in pic #9. I had to use what I thought was quite a bit. I also oiled all the other moving parts while I was in there. If your smart you’ll consult your manual for this, but I was in a hurry as always. You’ll notice the different pieces that move as you keep oiling and moving it up and down. It should also become easier as you do it. When you feel it’s gotten easier push it in the up position and push down the reverse button making sure it goes down. When you release the reverse button it should pop back up on it’s own. If it doesn’t do some more oiling and pushing up and down then check it again. Once it is automatically going back into position Walla your done.

4) Now you just put everything back together and get back to your project. Easy, wasn't it.
Once you’ve done this, you will have no problem oiling the machine on your own. I probably went a little overboard but I think of the moving parts like my arthritis and how I wish I cold put some oil in there to help (just kidding I think)