The thread keeps breaking. Could the AUTO tensioner be the problem ?

here are some suggestions, hope they help
Upper thread breaks
1.needle may be in backwards
Correct needle insertion
Correct needle insertion is mandatory for proper use of sewing machine.
Raise the needle bar to the highest point, then loosen the clamp screw to remove the old needle, place the new needle in the clamp with the flat side to the back of the machine or if using a round needle--the groove in the needle should face away from the shaft.
Push the needle all the way up to the stop or as far as it will go, then tighten the needle clamp screw
2.upper tension may be to tight--try 3 to 5
3.the needle may be bent or damaged--try rolling the needle on a flat surface to see if it's bent or not
4.thread may be hanging up in bobbin case--check area for loose threads or lint
???
Lower thread breaks
The most probable cause of lower thread breaking is improperly wound bobbin
1.always start with a empty bobbin
Never wind one color over the other
2.choose thread that is identical in color & type as the one to be used for upper threading
3.wind the bobbin evenly across & in layers
4.don't wind the bobbin so full that it would be tight & hard to insert into bobbin case
5.bent bobbin--replace
6.lint built up in the bobbin case--frequent cleanings will eliminate this problem, the more often you use the sewing machine the more often it needs to be cleaned
7.thread catching on the bobbin spring or latch on bobbin case, check to see that the bobbin is inserted completely & correctly, & that you are using the right kind of bobbin .