Bobbin Not Winding / Bobbin Winder Not Spinning

How to Fix It

1. Push the bobbin winder spindle to the right.

   Locate the bobbin winder spindle on the top right of the machine. Slide the spindle fully to the right position — it should click or engage noticeably. When correctly positioned, pressing the pedal will drive the spindle to wind the bobbin. If the spindle is only partially moved right, the drive does not engage.

2. Route the thread through the bobbin winding guide.

   The thread from the spool must pass through the bobbin winding thread guide (a small metal pin near the top of the machine) before being wound onto the bobbin. Check your Singer manual for the bobbin winding path — it typically goes: spool > thread guide > bobbin winding tension post > a few wraps on the bobbin > then press the pedal.

3. Check the bobbin winder rubber ring.

   Look at the rim of the bobbin winder spindle — there should be a small rubber ring (O-ring) around it. This ring provides the friction that drives the bobbin to spin. If the ring is cracked, hardened, or missing, the bobbin cannot be wound. Replacement O-rings are inexpensive and available at any sewing supply store.

4. Wind a few wraps by hand before pressing the pedal.

   Thread the thread through the small hole in the top of the bobbin. Hold the thread end and wind 4–5 wraps clockwise by hand before pressing the pedal. This gives the bobbin enough purchase to grip the thread and begin spinning under power.

5. Confirm the needle is not moving while winding.

   When winding a bobbin, the machine should disengage the needle. On many Singer models, pushing the bobbin winder right automatically disengages the needle — the hand wheel spins freely. If the needle still moves during bobbin winding, the hand wheel disengagement button (if present) may not be released.