How to fix code E6 on a Brother sewing machine

Come learn with me. Time to fix a Brother Project Runway with an E6 error code and slow operation. This is a start to finish teardown and repair of a problem which causes the computer to think the motor is frozen.

Here are some of the products I use to repair sewing machines. These are affiliate links, they don't cost you any extra. They provide me a small commission if you purchase these products via this link. This helps me continue to provide videos for your enjoyment.

Here is an affiliate link if you would like to buy the sewing machine I talk about in the video.

Tri-Flow Sewing Machine Oil (my personal favorite)

Tri-Flow Grease (my favorite grease)

Bottle brushes

Nylon brushes

Makita vacuum

Makita impact driver

Wera screwdrivers

Starrett S423Z Steel scale set

Krud kutter

Denatured Alcohol

Towa tension tester

Pliers, Parallel Flat Nose Smooth Jaw

[kimberlysmith]

I wanted to let you know that my husband and I decided to tackle this repair ourselves after the repair shop wanted $80 just to look at it. We watched the video again and followed your instructions. I am happy to report that we fixed it! My sewing machine is working smoothly again and I am back to making face masks for my family and friends! Thank you so much!

[HappyGeneRC]

I like how you're doing this. Don't start skipping, I like seeing it all for continuity and you're not boring at all. Thx :)

[ecay]

I inherited three machines, a Kenmore 158, a Kenmore 385 and a singer classic 385 in the classic needs to be worked on for locked up, but they were my mom's and my grandmothers. I'm actually enjoying working on these cleaning them up, getting them working, figuring out what's wrong, finding out what I need to do to do this and even learning the sew on them. This is kind of something fun. I wish I had decided to do this when my mother was still alive and was selling, but I enjoy these videos watching how to fix things

[ninascraftflorievega]

Thank you for your tutorial. My CX155LA Brother sewing machine is about 5 years old, but it has about 4 hours of used and I keep it in a sewing machine case. I barely have used it because I got really sick and I had to pospone all of my crafting projects. Not I have to adjust some clothes because I lost lots of weight and my sewing machine keeps getting unthreatened and has given me the E6 code, so I checked the manual for troubleshooting and it says that don’t lubricante because it’s been lubricantes by the manufacturer for life. I am going to change the thread, needle and bobbing as suggested. If that doesn’t work, I will have my husband to open it and follow your tutorial. I opened it and it’s truly clean.😊

[juliettegolf]

I have several little Brother sewing machines and really love them because they’re light weight so they’re very portable, have good stitch quality, lots of different stitches and easy for beginner sewists to operate. They’re not expensive so I don’t expect them to last like my Bernina workhorse but I find that by removing the bobbin case and thoroughly cleaning the area after every use heads off potential problems. Amazing how much shedding fibers and bits of thread are produced by the end of a sew day. Those fibers can easily be removed with a nice little fluffy cosmetic brush and now, thanks to you, I won’t be afraid to take any of the machines apart to check for signs of rust and loose thread. I appreciate your videos and good camera work. Fast forward... good 👍

[pSL]

Perfect! I opened the case cleaned it out and oiled it. Runs better. About the all the different screws - after unscrewing I put some masking tape over the hole to keep the screw in. Was too easy to put back together -didn't have to remember which screw went where. Thanks!

[conniebanks]

Thank you for your detailed breakdown of machine. I was able to take my SW9130 apart, loosen bushing, get it back together and it works. Keep up the great work, you saved this 74 year old lady from having to buy a new machine. For the time being anyway.

[elizabethguyotte]

You’re a lifesaver!!! The same exact bushing on my machine was also locked up. This did the trick and got me back to making COVID-19 face masks without having to pay or wait for a repair shop. Very grateful!
Your verbal walk-through was spot on. Very easy to understand, and the video was easy to follow. The recommendations and honesty about the machine and “life” of the repair is valuable.

[chrismalcheski]

Had to perform surgery on an XR9000. Turns out it had the exact issue that you showed here. I could not have fixed it without this video. We are making masks and they're going faster than we can make them. One Air Force major said ours are far and away the best quality she's seen. So demand is high and we can't afford to be without the machine. Thanks to you it was up and running in an hour. Thank you a million times for this video!!!

[TD-nfqo]

So, my machine was flashing E6 and completely locking up on a regular basis. It seemed to be hitting something, but after opening it all up with your help...we think my machine ended up just needing grease. Seems to be working fine now, but we'll see how it goes. This was a great video to help us get over the fear of opening it all up! Thank you so much!!

[jordanhagan]

I find videos like this absolutely fascinating.
I wish more people would try and fix machines rather than just throwing them away.
My brother machine I only used it twice got a jam and it broke the threading mechanism and the machine is hitting The metal plate. £300 for a new one minimum 😤

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the world.

[janettejones]

Now how could fixing a sewing machine be boring? You are showing us how to do it, tools to use, and good lubricants! I'm extremely interested in a good free education. I like your personality too. Thanks for all your time you have put into these videos. J

[debrachristman]

I can't thankyou enough for your video. My Brother was completely locked up. I used something my husband had called blaster and left it sit acouple of days intermittently turning ithe bushing. I couldn't get ahold of the bushing so I wedged a little screw driver on the side being careful not to crack the plastic. Works like new. Thankyou!!

[martigray]

Your video was very helpful! I was getting the E6 code on my Brother xr9000 machine. I watched your video twice, took my machine apart -- cleaned and lubricated all moving parts. The bearing was frozen to the shaft, so I used a penetrating lubricant (my husband had available) and he helped loosen the bearing. After lubricating, vacuuming and cleaning, I put everything back together. The machine works great now! Thanks for your great tutorial!

[elspethwilliams]

I cannot thank you enough. I fixed my machine today using your tutorial. I oiled and cleaned it, flipped out the needle and reset the bobbin housing. I'm not sure what of that worked but it is back in good working order now. Thanks a million.

[angelalalala]

You just saved me money, time, anxiety and potentially from giving up sewing. This helped so much! Another guy took the whole shaft out and I was about to throw the whole machine away if I had to do that! Thanks again!!

[shellt]

Thank you for this video. My Brother sewing machine locked up with the E6 error. And with the assistance of your vid- I was able to fix it. I even pulled out the mother board to get behind it so I can oil up the bushing/shaft. You are correct that servicing/cleaning this machine will cost just as much as the machine itself. I use this machine as a backup to my Viking. Now that I know how to do some basic fixes- I can continue using it and REALLY get my money's worth. Thanks Again!

[AngelTorres-ctmh]

I have a Brother PRW LB 6800and when I reached 1 million stitches I had to have a new mother board. When I do clean before every use, I only remove lint, oil and insert a new needle. Thank you for a great tutorial and I will subscribe…..fr San Antonio, TX 🥰🥰🥰

[dreamweaver]

thank you so much for posting this! My brother sewer had the E6 error and wouldn't sew. My husband watched your video and was able to fix it!

[catherinelove]

Can’t thank you enough this video saved me a repair cost. Easy to follow along with you because I paused a few times . THANK YOU