Fix Ricoma 'No Needle' Errors Fast: MT-1501, Marquee 2003, CHT2-1506

Watch the video: How to Fix Ricoma Embroidery Machine 'No Needle' Errors (MT-1501, Marquee 2003, CHT2-1506) by Heart & Hustle Printing

If your Ricoma stalls with a blunt “No needle” or a needle position warning, the fix might be faster than you think. This guide follows the exact steps demonstrated in the video across three models—MT-1501, Marquee 2003, and CHT2-1506—so you can clear the error and get back to stitching in minutes. No guesswork, no deep dives into menus—just a careful manual adjustment matched to your machine’s display.

What you’ll learn

• How the “No needle” error appears on the MT-1501 and why the on-screen number flips to 0

• What the Marquee 2003’s red needle number means (and how to turn it black again)

• Where to look for the “241: Needle error” on the CHT2-1506

• The exact adjustment to make on each machine (red knob, wheel, or wrench on the hidden shaft)

• Simple checks to confirm the needle bar is back in position before you press START

Understanding Ricoma Embroidery Machine Model Numbers

What do the numbers mean? Ricoma model names reveal their head and needle counts. In the video, the presenter quickly decodes them: 1501 means 15 needles, one head; 1506 means 15 needles, six heads; and Marquee 2003 means 20 needles, three heads. This helps you know exactly which control layout and display style to expect on your shop floor.

Identifying your machine Before you start, confirm which model you’re using:

• MT-1501: classic display with a simple “No needle” message when things go sideways.

• Marquee 2003: the newer-style touch display that flags a red needle indicator and an alert box.

• CHT2-1506: status bar messaging with “241: Needle error,” plus a numeric needle indicator that can drop to 0 in an error state.

Quick note on scope This article focuses strictly on needle position errors shown in the video. It does not cover other accessories or hooping systems. If you’re researching unrelated terms, consider bookmarking them for later so they don’t distract you from the quick fix here embroidery machine hoops.

Fixing 'No Needle' Error on Ricoma MT-1501

Recognizing the 'No needle' message On the MT-1501, the display normally shows an active needle number—say “6.” When the issue occurs, it can flip to “0,” and attempting to start triggers a “No needle” message box that stops the job. If you only see the 0 and wonder why START does nothing, that’s the reason: the machine doesn’t see a needle bar in position.

When you try to stitch in this state, the machine refuses to start and the “No needle” message appears. This is a protective stop, not a failure of your design or a thread break—it’s the machine asking you to place the needle bar correctly.

Look closely at the needle indicator on the screen. When it reads 0, the machine is telling you there’s no valid needle selected or recognized in position. The solution is purely physical—no menu dive needed.

Step-by-step adjustment with the red knob

• Find the red knob on the machine. This is your manual control to move the needle bar into the correct index position.

• Turn the knob slowly—clockwise or counterclockwise—until the display changes from 0 to a valid needle number. Go gently and watch the screen.

You’ll see the indicator roll over from 0 to a number (for example, back to 6). That’s your confirmation that the needle bar is indexed and recognized again.

Quick check After the number appears, press START. If the machine begins the motion sequence normally, you’re clear to embroider. If not, keep the motion minimal—stop, and tweak the knob a hair further until the display shows an active needle. This step is modeled exactly in the video.

Pro tip On this model, the fix is all about patience: slow rotation, eyes on the display. Turning too fast can make you overshoot the sweet spot.

Watch out If the display remains at 0 after small, careful turns, stop and verify you’re rotating the correct red knob used for manual indexing. For anything beyond what’s shown in the video, consider pausing and revisiting the demonstration so you can mirror the exact motion.

Context note If you arrived here by searching widely for accessories, remember that this fix is independent of hooping gear like magnets or frames and doesn’t require any hoop changes magnetic embroidery hoop.

Resolving 'Needle Bar Not Positioned' on Ricoma Marquee 2003

Understanding the red needle indicator On the Marquee 2003, the display shows the active needle number in black during normal operation. When the needle bar is out of position, the model throws an alert dialog—“130: Needle bar is not positioned correctly”—and the on-screen needle number turns red (for example, “#1” in red). That red color is your visual cue that the needle isn’t indexed.

If you see red, the machine won’t run. This is intentional: the Marquee 2003 waits for a correct physical position before it allows motion. When the needle number turns back to black, you’re back in business.

Using the adjustment wheel for proper positioning

• Locate the adjustment wheel on the machine (shown clearly in the video).

• Turn the wheel slowly in either direction. The key is light, incremental movement.

• Watch the display: when the red needle number flips to black, you’ve repositioned the bar correctly.

Quick check With the needle number now black, press START. You should see the normal load-and-go behavior (the model performs a short spin/load before starting). If the alert returns, stop immediately and nudge the wheel slightly until the display is stable in black.

Pro tip On this newer touch-display model, color is everything. Red means “out of position,” black means “ready.” Keep your eyes trained on that indicator while you make tiny wheel adjustments.

Watch out Don’t force the wheel. The video’s fix works because the movement is subtle. Forcing the mechanism can create a new problem the video does not cover.

Side note on scope This section stays laser-focused on the Marquee 2003’s position indicator. If you were researching multi-brand gear while troubleshooting, set those tabs aside until you’re running again mighty hoops.

Troubleshooting '241: Needle Error' on Ricoma CHT2-1506

Locating the '0' needle count and error message The CHT2-1506 signals trouble in two places. First, the needle indicator can drop to 0. Second, a status bar shows a red message—“241: Needle error.” Unlike the Marquee 2003, you might not get a big pop-up. If you hit START in error state, it simply beeps and won’t proceed.

Adjusting the hidden shaft with a wrench The physical fix here is slightly different from the other models. The machine uses a shaft behind the display that indexes the needle bar, and you adjust it with a wrench.

• Find the hidden shaft behind the display, as shown in the video.

• Use a crescent wrench to make a careful, small turn.

• Watch the screen: you’re aiming for the needle indicator to return from 0 to a valid number (for example, 1), and for the “241: Needle error” message in the status bar to clear.

Pro tip Use the right tool. The video explicitly shows a crescent wrench to turn the shaft—don’t substitute with makeshift tools that could slip.

Quick check Once the display reads a valid needle number and the status bar is clean (no red error), you should be ready to embroider. If the beeping persists or the status bar still shows red, stop and re-adjust a touch more.

Watch out Avoid over-rotation. The goal is minimal indexing to the next correct position—tiny, controlled turns with the wrench. When in doubt, pause and compare your movements to the video’s demonstration.

From the comments No public comments were provided alongside the source material for this article. If you encounter a different Ricoma error, the presenter invites viewers to share it so a targeted walkthrough can be recorded.

General Tips for Ricoma Error Messages

When to seek professional help

• If the display indicators remain at 0 (or red on Marquee 2003) after careful adjustments as shown in the video, the issue may extend beyond simple indexing to a sensor or mechanical alignment matter. In that case, contact Ricoma support.

• Stop immediately if any abnormal resistance or grinding occurs while turning the knob, wheel, or shaft.

Preventative maintenance

• Move slowly and watch the display while making adjustments—don’t rely on feel alone.

• Keep your tools handy: the CHT2-1506 requires a wrench for the hidden shaft; the other models do not.

• Use the display as your truth: 0 means “no needle,” red means “out of position,” and a normal number in black means “ready.”

Scope reminders This guide is strictly based on the video’s three Ricoma models and their error indicators. It does not expand into unrelated gear, models, or buying guidance. If you’re in the middle of broader research—say looking up secondhand equipment—save that for after you’ve cleared the current fault commercial embroidery machine for sale.

If you work across brands, remember that displays and error language vary widely, and the exact controls shown here may not exist elsewhere. Keep this Ricoma-specific workflow separate from other brand notes you may have been compiling brother embroidery machine.

Planning your next steps Once you clear the error and finish the run, consider jotting down the simple, model-specific cue you used:

• MT-1501: red knob, watch for 0 to switch to a valid number.

• Marquee 2003: adjustment wheel, watch red needle number turn black.

• CHT2-1506: wrench on hidden shaft, watch 0 return to a valid number and the status bar clear.

If you’re organizing shop SOPs, keep screenshots of the displays (as shown in the video) in your troubleshooting binder. A picture of a red needle on the Marquee 2003, for example, is a fast way to show new operators what to watch for.

Lean, model-matched troubleshooting A powerful aspect of the video is that there’s no menu maze—just a minimal, mechanical reset tailored to each machine’s hardware. That’s faster training for teams and less downtime. If you standardize these checks, you’ll reduce false alarms, keep START presses intentional, and keep production moving.

Sidebars and distractions to avoid If you’re researching unrelated topics while troubleshooting, park them temporarily. For instance, hooping systems and accessories won’t change how these three models resolve this particular fault. Keep the focus on the display indicator and the small manual movement that brings it back into spec ricoma embroidery hoops.

Also, avoid cross-brand assumptions. The cues “0,” “red needle number,” and “241: Needle error” are specific to these Ricoma models as demonstrated. Don’t transpose color codes or error numbers from a different ecosystem best embroidery machine for beginners.

Conclusion: Keep Your Embroidery Business Running Smoothly The fastest way to clear Ricoma “No needle” and related needle position errors is to follow the display and make a precise, gentle movement with the correct control:

• MT-1501: red knob until the display shows a valid needle number (not 0).

• Marquee 2003: small wheel turn until the needle number changes from red to black.

• CHT2-1506: slight turn on the hidden shaft with a crescent wrench until the status bar clears and the indicator returns to a valid number.

These are quick fixes demonstrated end-to-end in the video, and they’re exactly what you need to get production back online. If your situation doesn’t match what’s shown—no change in the display, unusual resistance, or persistent alerts—pause and escalate to support rather than forcing the hardware. Otherwise, you’re only a careful quarter-turn away from your next finish.

Final reminder Stay focused on model-specific cues, move slowly, and confirm on-screen before pressing START. Keep your wrench handy for the CHT2-1506 only—and for everything else, let the display be your guide. If you’re juggling broader research, save those notes for after the run embroidery machine price.

P.S. If you organize brand-agnostic references for your shop, keep them in a separate section so they don’t clutter this Ricoma-specific fix flow mighty hoops for ricoma.