- Appliances
- Sewing machines
BL
Janome sewing machine BL: buttonhole lever not lowered to sew
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
On Janome sewing machines such as the DC7100, the BL message on the LCD display with a flashing buttonhole lever icon warns that buttonhole sewing was started without pulling the buttonhole lever all the way down.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Switch off the sewing machine before changing or adjusting foot R. Janome safety instructions require turning the power switch to OFF (O) whenever making adjustments in the needle area, such as attaching or removing the presser foot.
- Push the buttonhole lever all the way up when finished. Never force the buttonhole lever past its stop limit, and always push the lever fully upward after finishing buttonhole sewing before selecting regular stitches.
Safe checks you can perform
- Pull the buttonhole lever all the way down and restart the machine
- Verify installation of automatic buttonhole foot R and slider alignment
- Push the buttonhole lever fully up after sewing and retest detection
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Authorized service check and adjustment of the buttonhole lever sensor
- Do not attempt this professional task: Inspection of presser bar height and automatic buttonhole foot R stopper contact
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Authorized service check and adjustment of the buttonhole lever sensor
What they doInspect the buttonhole lever microswitch and its connection to the LCD control board when the BL warning remains active with the lever pulled fully down.
They must show youlowering the buttonhole lever with automatic foot R attached clears the BL message and completes a sensor buttonhole.
In writingthe adjustment or repair carried out on the buttonhole lever detection assembly.
Inspection of presser bar height and automatic buttonhole foot R stopper contact
What they doCheck the alignment of the presser bar and the stoppers on automatic buttonhole foot R so the buttonhole lever trips the sensor accurately at both ends of the buttonhole.
They must show youa test buttonhole sewn with balanced stitch density on both sides and automatic stop at completion.
In writingthe verification of the buttonhole lever travel and automatic foot R engagement.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Pull the buttonhole lever all the way down and restart the machine
- Who:
- You
- How:
- Stop sewing when the BL message and flashing buttonhole lever icon appear on the LCD screen, pull the buttonhole lever all the way down to its limit, and restart the machine.
- Result that matters:
- The buttonhole lever is positioned at its full lower limit next to the automatic buttonhole foot R bracket.
- If the BL warning disappears from the LCD and the Janome DC7100 sews the buttonhole sequence, the lever had simply been left raised.
- If the BL message and Pip-pip-pip beep continue when starting, inspect the installation of automatic buttonhole foot R.
- Evidence to keep:
- Photo showing the buttonhole lever pulled all the way down next to presser foot R.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
Verify installation of automatic buttonhole foot R and slider alignment
- Who:
- You
- How:
- Turn the power switch to OFF (O) before working in the needle area, check that the pin of automatic buttonhole foot R is snapped into the presser holder groove, and ensure there is no gap between the slider and the front stopper.
- Result that matters:
- Automatic buttonhole foot R securely seated, button clamped in the rear holder, and no space between the slider and front stopper.
- If there was a gap at the slider or foot R was loose, reseat it, pull down the buttonhole lever, and sew a test buttonhole on scrap fabric with interfacing.
- If foot R and the slider are properly aligned but the LCD still shows BL, test resetting the lever through its full travel.
- Evidence to keep:
- Photo of the automatic buttonhole foot R showing the slider touching the front stopper without a gap.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
Push the buttonhole lever fully up after sewing and retest detection
- Who:
- You
- How:
- Push the buttonhole lever upward as far as it will go, reselect the desired buttonhole pattern on the LCD, and pull the buttonhole lever completely down again before starting.
- Result that matters:
- Verify whether the internal buttonhole lever switch registers the transition from raised to lowered.
- If pulling the lever fully down stops the icon from flashing and allows sewing, the sensor registered the full lever stroke.
- If the BL message persists with the buttonhole lever pulled all the way down, contact an authorized Janome service center or the store where the machine was purchased.
- Evidence to keep:
- Note of the selected buttonhole pattern number (11 to 16) and photo of the BL screen warning.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Appliances
- Brand
- Janome
- Product type
- Sewing machines
Known code variants
- BL
- BL warning
- buttonhole lever BL
- error BL
- mensaje BL
- message BL
- palanca de ojales BL
What it means
The official Janome DC7100 Instruction Book (Sensor Buttonhole section, page 30, and Warning Signals and Troubleshooting, pages 56 and 57) states that if you start sewing a buttonhole without lowering the buttonhole lever, the LCD screen displays the message BL, the buttonhole lever icon flashes, and the machine emits the Pip-pip-pip invalid operation beep. Other Janome models may differ in display symbols, and the BL warning alone never proves that the lever switch or sensor is defective without first checking the lever position and automatic buttonhole foot R.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Switch off the sewing machine before changing or adjusting foot R. Janome safety instructions require turning the power switch to OFF (O) whenever making adjustments in the needle area, such as attaching or removing the presser foot.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
- Lowsource verified
Push the buttonhole lever all the way up when finished. Never force the buttonhole lever past its stop limit, and always push the lever fully upward after finishing buttonhole sewing before selecting regular stitches.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Buttonhole sewing started without pulling down the buttonhole leverCommon
A buttonhole stitch pattern was selected and the machine was started before pulling the buttonhole lever all the way down to its stop limit.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
- Gap between the slider and front stopper on automatic buttonhole foot RPossible
The automatic buttonhole foot R is not properly snapped onto the presser holder groove or there is a gap between the slider and the front stopper, preventing proper lever engagement.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
- Misaligned or faulty buttonhole lever detection switchLess common
If the buttonhole lever is pulled completely down between the stoppers of foot R but the BL message and flashing icon remain active, the internal lever sensor requires service.
Evidence: Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
Virtual technician
Does BL still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Janome DC7100 Libro de Instrucciones / Instruction Book (PDF)
Janome · 2026 · official_doc
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