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October 03, 2026
Use this at-a-glance table as your first step when diagnosing any machine issue. Find your symptom, check the first action, then follow the link to the full article.
| You're seeing... | First Check | Go To |
|---|---|---|
| Machine not cutting yarn | Yarn type, scissors condition, opener adjustment | Scissors & Cutting Issues |
| High-pitched noise — oil fixes it | Oil metal bars around white/pink bearings immediately | Sounds & Vibration |
| High-pitched noise — yarn visible in gear | Remove yarn from white/pink gear or square bearings | Sounds & Vibration |
| High-pitched noise — oil + jam check fail | Electrical issue — contact support or send in | Send-In Repair |
| Motor slowing or stopped | Oil → check adapter → check cord | Motor & Power Issues |
| Needle bent or broken | Replace needle, check pile height gear | Needle Issues |
| Yarn falling out of needle | Shutter strip too far back — move forward | Yarn Tension |
| Yarn breaking at needle eye | Shutter strip too far forward — move back | Yarn Tension |
| Yarn trapped in scissors | Tighten set screw under scissors | Scissors & Cutting Issues |
| Machine not tufting at all | Check pile height gear position (should be 13–14) | Needle Issues |
| Cloth showing through front of rug | Foot/needle misalignment — raise foot until needle hole is even with foot | Yarn Tension |
| Yarn not staying in cloth | Push harder against cloth; check yarn density and cloth type | Yarn Tension |
| Need factory pile height setting | Duo: 52/43mm | AK-I: 55/45mm | AK-II: 54/53mm | Pile Height & Factory Settings |
| White gear stuck | Power off, locate obstruction, oil generously | White Gear Issues |
| Bolt fell off machine | Retrieve nut inside, re-attach using gear access procedure | White Gear Issues |
| Scissors rusty or stiff | Apply 3-in-1 oil to scissor joints | Scissors & Cutting Issues |
| AK-5 power issue | Confirm using original AK-5 adapter only | Motor & Power Issues |
| Pile height wrong after adjusting | Check gear hole (avoid even numbers without bar adjustment) | Pile Height & Factory Settings |
| Grinding or rattling sound | Oil machine; tighten white cover nuts | Sounds & Vibration |
If your machine has stopped working, start with this quick test to find out whether the problem is mechanical or electrical:
If it rotates smoothly: the problem is likely electrical. Contact support@tufttheworld.com and we can assess and fix it.
If it is hard to rotate or stops: something is blocking the moving parts. This is not an internal or electrical problem. Keep turning slowly and look for what the moving parts are hitting. Common culprits are bent scissors or a part that has shifted out of place. This is usually an easy fix and often happens with normal use.
Remember to oil your machine every couple of hours of use. If you can't find the obstruction, contact us and we can look at the machine.
If your machine suddenly starts producing an uneven or irregular tufting pattern, inspect the foot — it may be bent. Compare the two sides of the foot; if one is bent, gently bend it back with a pair of pliers so it matches the other. Also check that the machine is cutting cleanly, as poor cutting can cause a similar change.
October 03, 2026
One of the most exciting things about tufting is that texture is a design element — not just a material property. Here's how to use it intentionally.
October 03, 2026
Getting your design from paper (or screen) onto your tufting cloth is one of the first steps in every project — and there are a few approaches depending on…
October 03, 2026
If you teach workshops or run a studio, we offer 25% off bulk supplies. The discount can be combined with current sale prices on machines.