🧵 Janome 350e Not Reading USB? Here’s How to Fix It!

If you’ve been happily stitching for years with your Janome 350e and suddenly it refuses to read new USB sticks — you’re not alone. 🧍‍♀️ Yvonne (a long-time user!) recently ran into this frustrating issue, and we’re here to help you get back to your beautiful embroidery in no time!

🔍 What’s Going On?

Older embroidery machines like the Janome Memory Craft 350e can be very picky when it comes to USB sticks. While it might read your old flash drives just fine, it often refuses to recognize newer ones — even if they're the same size.

But don’t worry — it’s usually an easy fix! 🙌

✅ The Perfect USB Setup

Before you blame the machine, make sure your USB stick is set up exactly the way the 350e likes:

🖥️ USB Stick Rules:

• Size: Use a stick that’s 2GB or less (yes, small!).

• Format: Format it as FAT16 — not FAT32 or exFAT.

• Type: Plain and simple USB 2.0 sticks are ideal (avoid fancy or high-speed drives).

• Folder: Let the 350e create the folder structure automatically (usually "MY_DESIGNS").

💡 Pro Tip: Insert a blank USB into your 350e and let it create the folder. Then remove and load your designs into that folder from your computer.

📁 Your Embroidery Files Must Be:

• Format: .JEF only

• Location: Inside the machine’s folder (e.g., MY_DESIGNS or EMB)

• Name: Keep it simple — no symbols, spaces, or long names

  • Good: flower1.jef

  • Bad: Cute! Design #1 final.jef

🔧 Step-by-Step Fix:

1. 💻 Format the USB Stick

   • On Windows: Use a tool like the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool or Command Prompt

   • Format as FAT (FAT16)

2. 🧵 Insert Into Janome 350e

   • Let the machine create its folders

3. 🖼️ Add Your Designs

   • Copy only .JEF files into the correct folder (no subfolders!)

4. ✨ Plug Back Into the Machine

   • Open > USB — your files should now appear!

🚫 Still Not Working?

Here are a few extra things to try:

• Swap to another USB brand (SanDisk Cruzer or Kingston often work best)

• Try a different computer (sometimes Mac leaves hidden files that confuse the machine)

• Test if the 350e can save to the stick (if not, it's definitely the drive!)

🧡 Final Thoughts

Your Janome 350e may be vintage, but it still has plenty of stitches left in it! Just a little patience, the right USB stick, and some formatting magic — and you're back in business. 🧵✨

Have you faced the same issue? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments! 💬👇