What Does This Error Mean?

A Janome automatic needle threader that misses the eye is almost always due to the needle not being fully inserted into the clamp or the needle being in the wrong orientation. Insert the needle with the flat side toward the back, push it up as far as it goes, and tighten the clamp screw firmly before using the threader.

Affected Models

Janome 3160QDC
Janome 6700P
Janome Skyline S9
Janome Memory Craft 9450
Janome HD3000
Most Janome models with built-in needle threader

Common Causes

Needle not pushed fully up into the needle clamp
Needle flat side facing forward instead of backward (toward back of machine)
Threader hook bent from being forced sideways during use
Needle size too fine for threader hook to enter the eye (below 60/8)
Thread not routed through the small guide on the threader lever before engaging

How to Fix It

Re-insert the needle with correct orientation.

Loosen the needle clamp screw and remove the needle. Hold the needle so the flat side faces directly toward the back of the machine (the groove faces toward the front). Push the needle all the way up into the clamp until it stops. Tighten the screw firmly and try the threader again.
Raise the needle to its highest position.

Turn the hand wheel toward you until the needle is at its absolute highest point. The Janome threader mechanism only aligns with the needle eye when the needle is fully raised. Even a few millimetres too low will cause the hook to pass below the eye.
Route the thread through the threader guide hook.

On Janome's threader lever, there is a small thread guide hook that must be used before engaging the lever. Pass the thread through or around this guide following the threading diagram in your Janome manual. If this step is skipped, the threader hook pushes through but no thread loop forms.
Use the correct needle size range.

The Janome automatic threader works reliably with needles sized 70/10 through 100/16. Very fine needles (60/8 and below) have eyes too small for the hook. For fine needles required for delicate fabrics, thread manually.
Check and straighten the threader hook.

Look at the tip of the threader arm — the small wire hook should point straight toward the needle. If bent sideways or up/down, use very fine tweezers or needle-nose pliers to gently bend it back into alignment. Then do a dry run (no thread) to confirm the hook passes through the needle eye before threading with thread.

When to Call a Professional

A bent threader hook can often be carefully realigned with fine-nose pliers. If the hook has broken off, a replacement threader mechanism is available from Janome authorised dealers.