The BSR doesn't "start" until you move the fabric. When you have it plugged in, the needle will be up. press the part of the foot pedal that is lower (closer to you) and the needle will go down. release and it will come up, bringing the bottom thread up. You can now move the threads out of the way to prevent knotting. Start moving your fabric (I hope you are working on a test sandwich) slowly at first and your needle will start moving slowly. During this period you learn to move the fabric fast enough to get consistent size stitches. Slowly speed up the movement of the fabric and the needle will move faster. I don't remember which, 1 or 2, but with one of the, if you stop moving the fabric, the needle stops. With the other one it continues moving but very slowly. I prefer for it to stop completely. Good luck.