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Question:   Your answer about the 550e is the best I’ve seen! I am having issues with my 350e. I’ve used it for years so I usually have no problem. Now it is playing up and doesn’t read any new USB sticks, but can still read older sticks. I have bought new, 2GB sticks, and I even formatted one to FAT 32 before I used it on the machine. Machine added a my design folder. I tried to load some designs into the folder, but the embroidery machine won’t show them. I would so grateful for any advice. Thank you Yvonne

Answer: 

What Usually Works with the Janome 350e:

• USB size: Preferably 1GB or 2GB, but never more than 2GB. Larger drives usually won't work, even if formatted.

• Format type: Must be FAT16. FAT32 might sometimes work, but FAT16 is more reliable on older machines like the 350e.

• File type: Only accepts .JEF files.

• File location: Files must be inside the "EMB" or "My Designs" folder (created by the machine itself).

• File name: Keep it short (8 characters or fewer), no special symbols, and always use the .jef extension.

???? Step-by-Step Fix:

1. Format USB in FAT16 (not FAT32):

   • On Windows, open Command Prompt and use:

     format X: /fs:fat 

     Replace X: with your USB drive letter. This forces FAT16 formatting.

   • Or use a small utility like HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool.

2. Let the 350e initialize the USB:

   • Insert the empty USB stick into the 350e.

   • Let the machine create its folder structure (usually adds MY_DESIGNS or EMB).

   • Then remove the stick and plug it into your computer.

3. Copy ONLY .JEF files into the machine’s folder.

   • Don’t put them in subfolders.

   • Make sure file names are short and simple, like bear.jef or flower1.jef.

4. Insert USB back into machine.

   • Go to Open > USB and see if they show up.

??Extra Tips:

• Avoid Mac-formatted drives or anything using exFAT or NTFS – those won’t work.

• Do not rename folders created by the machine.

• If it still doesn’t work, try another brand of USB stick — older machines prefer “dumb” sticks (no encryption, no partitions, no weird controllers).

  • Brands like SanDisk Cruzer, Kingston, or Verbatim work best.

If it still won’t read your designs after all that, let me know:

• What computer you’re using (Windows or Mac)?

• The exact USB brand and model.

• Whether the 350e can still save designs to the stick (not just read).

Happy stitching, and I’ll do my best to help further if needed! 

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