If the needle hits the plate, what could be wrong besides the needle being inserted wrong?

Cat Klass, June 2010

My fiancee had this problem. It was an advance present for the wedding to make her wedding dress. Singer could not cure the fault.This problem threatened to ruin our marriage.I examined the machine and found it was a manufacturing alignment fault.It was by now out of guarantee and Singer would not replace it.I had to put a piece of card behind the needle.
We lived happily ever after.

Mr R W Peters., June 2010

Hello Cat,
Either the needle is in the wrong way round, or the needle is bent, or the needle plate is not on properly and the very extreme is that the needle bar needs adjusting which is pretty unlikely.

drivewithken, June 2010