My machine will only work using the big cones
 

For two years, my sewing machine was a nightmare. The thread kept breaking or the sewing machine said the thread was broken, even when it wasn't. I couldn't sew but for a couple of minutes at a time before this happened. It was horrible. I hated my new machine. Then I bought a cone of Gutermann thread and I haven't had a problem since. No more thread breakage. I just bought some Prescencia thread and it works fine also. So, my machine loves the cones. I bought a really nice cone holder that has a cover with a hole on the top and a metal stick standing on top with a loop to put the thread through before you thread your machine. So, why would a machine like a cone over regular thread? Any ideas?

Question: did you try a regular spool of thread in the cone holder? Maybe it just likes to be fed that way. And do you happen to be using an L500?

Bernie, you took the words right out of my mouth. As I read the problem, that was my first thought. My machine has both an upright feed and a sideways feed. It all depends on how the thread is wound on the spool
Sue

It's an upright spool holder on my sewing machine, so just like the cone holder. And no, it's not an L500. It's a Bernina.

The reason I asked is that my machine (L500) would give that same erroneous message.