Presser foot down, but still get error "E1"

I have a different model with the same problem. It started after I took the cover off to fix something else. After I screwed the cover back on, I kept getting the E1 message even when the foot was already down. I took the cover off again, and I found that there is a metal tab at the top left of the front cover, that is pushed by a metal tab in the back that moves when you put the presser foot up or down. You can see this metal tab moving in the back if you put the foot up and down with the cover off. Just putting the foot down(I think) before putting the cover back on fixed it so one metal tab is on the correct side of the other metal tab.

Thank you for the solution. You saved me a trip to the repair shop and probably several $$$.
I was having the same problem after my basement flooded. The sewing machine would turn on (light worked, could digitally change the stitch type, etc), but every time I would press the presser foot, or the backwards stitch button, the E1 error code would pop up. Because of the water, I thought it might be electrical, but after reading the solution to the problem above, I figured out it was the tab that the presser foot moves at the top.
After you pull the machine apart, put the presser foot down and you will see a part that moves slightly to the side, on the other side of the case is a flat "hook" that the presser foot piece moves slightly to the side (you'll be able to wiggle it from side to side with your finger) and puts it in contact with a metal plate (making a complete circuit). If this piece isn't put in contact with the plate, then the machine thinks that the foot isn't down. I had the foot down when I put the cover back on and slid the cover a little to the left as I was putting it on to make sure the hook was engaged. After that it worked like a charm.