Why Is My Cricut Not Cutting? (5 Solutions)

After coming up with a design and sending it through Cricut, you’ll be frustrated if you fail to get the desired results.

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced crafter, you may experience some issues with the Cricut machine.

There are different reasons why your Cricut machine is not cutting.

You’ll experience issues because of software issues or calibration problems.

We’ll delve into the 5 common Cricut cutting issues and I will give you the solution to each one of them.

The 5 common issues include…

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1. Design Software Issues

During the design phase, you can use software such as Design Space.

Although the tool is comprehensive, some cutting issues can come about if the settings are not aligned.

You should be conversant with using the tools present in Design Space if you want to get the type of cut you desire.

After purchasing a cricut machine it is important for you to go through the manual so that you will know how to operate the machine or alternatively you may ask for help from the place of purchase.

2. Print and Cut Issues

There are different reasons why Cricut will make incorrect cuts on the print then cut project.

Fortunately, these issues can be fixed.

If you’re not sure about the error you’re experiencing, you can start with trial and error until the issue fades away.

Some of the common issues you may be experiencing include:

• The image is not flattened to the proper shape
• The printed design fails to come out in its actual size
• The machine is not well calibrated
• The sensors aren’t able to find the image

One of the major features of the Cricut machine includes Print Then Cut.

At times, you may have a hard time getting it right.

The Print Then Cut feature currently can’t work with Android devices.

However, the feature will work well from a computer compared to a tablet.

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  • CUTS SMART MATERIALS LIKE A BREEZE - The Explore 3 is compatible with the all new Smart Materials (up to 12 ft) like Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock and more - all of them work without a mat. Way to go for clever crafting
  • APP BASED CRAFTING TOOL WITH WIRELESS-BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY - With just a few clicks, create personalized & custom designs with this cutter using the cloud-based Design Space app that works on mobile phones & laptops (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac)
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  • LET’S MAKE - Make more than you ever dreamed possible with Cricut Maker 3, the ultimate smart cutting machine. With the ability to cut more than 300 materials, and compatible with more than 13 tools to cut, score, write, deboss, engrave, and more.
  • ACCESS TO BEGINNER’S GUIDES, EXPERT-LED COURSES and WORKSHOPS – Build the skills to create w/ confidence w/ the Learning Plan built into Design Space upon registering your machine. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started on day 1.
  • EXTRA LONG, PRECISE CUTTING FOR LARGER PROJECTS – Cricut Smart Materials allow you to go bigger than ever before - cut a single image up to 12 ft (3.6 m), or repeated cuts up to 75 ft all without a mat in one go.
  • DESIGN APP WITH ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES – Use with Cricut Design Space, our free app to kickstart and customize your projects. Design Space assists you through selecting your materials and utilizing the right tools. (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac)
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  • Compatible with your home inkjet printer to print then cut full-color design
  • Free, easy-to-learn Design Space app

3. The Attach Tool

One of the common errors as you use Design Space includes failure to use the “attach” tool.

Suppose you have numerous images or shapes in your design, and you go ahead and send them for cutting without using the “attach” tool.

In that case, they won’t come out as expected since the Cricut will adjust the shapes automatically in a bid to save space while using less material.

You can look into the layers panel, and you’ll find the “attach” tool (it is close to the bottom of the screen).

You’ll select all the items you need and click on attach.

You can check the preview screen to ensure all the items you need have been attached.

The design will also appear on the preview screen in the manner that it should be cut using the Cricut.

Furthermore, Cricut moves the whole design to the left corner at the top unless you want to drag the design to another place.

The design will then be locked before the cutting process.

4. The Size of the Printed Design Isn’t Actual

When printing out a design, you’re supposed to print the actual size; this helps the Cricut to get the desired dimensions of the cut.

The measurements of the printed material are supposed to match with the measurements Design Space wants the Cricut to cut.

5. The cricut blade is blunt.

You may be surprised to find out your cricut is not cutting certain materials because the blade is dull.

Blades can become blunt when used for a long time.

It is important for you to replace with new sharp ones.

SaleBestseller No. 1
Cricut Explore 3 & Digital Content Library Bundle - Includes 30 images in Design Space App - 2X Faster DIY Cutting Machine for all Crafts, Cuts 100+ Materials Blue
  • CRICUT EXPLORE 3 & DIGITAL CONTENT BUNDLE- This Cricut Machine bundle comes with a digital library of 30 images. In setting up the machine, you will be guided to register & the digital content will automatically be entitled to your account
  • 2X FASTER SMART CUTTING MACHINE - Let your creativity and imagination soar with the new Cricut Explore 3 that's smarter & faster, and holds a supremacy in achieving astonishing cuts, scores, drawings & more with ultimate precision & jaw-dropping speed
  • CUTS 100+ MATERIALS WITH EASE - The included Premium Fine-Point Blade lets crafters make precise, intricate cuts from a variety of popular materials like cardstock, vinyl decal, iron-on and more. Also works with glitter paper, cork, and bonded fabric
  • CUTS SMART MATERIALS LIKE A BREEZE - The Explore 3 is compatible with the all new Smart Materials (up to 12 ft) like Smart Vinyl, Smart Iron-On, Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock and more - all of them work without a mat. Way to go for clever crafting
  • APP BASED CRAFTING TOOL WITH WIRELESS-BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY - With just a few clicks, create personalized & custom designs with this cutter using the cloud-based Design Space app that works on mobile phones & laptops (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac)
SaleBestseller No. 2
Cricut Maker 3 & Digital Content Library Bundle - Includes 30 images in Design Space App - Smart Cutting Machine, 2X Faster & 10X Cutting Force, Cuts 300+ Materials, Blue
  • DIGITAL CONTENT BUNDLE-This Cricut Machine bundle comes with a digital library of 30 images. In setting up the machine, you will be guided to register and the digital content will automatically be entitled to your account
  • LET’S MAKE - Make more than you ever dreamed possible with Cricut Maker 3, the ultimate smart cutting machine. With the ability to cut more than 300 materials, and compatible with more than 13 tools to cut, score, write, deboss, engrave, and more.
  • ACCESS TO BEGINNER’S GUIDES, EXPERT-LED COURSES and WORKSHOPS – Build the skills to create w/ confidence w/ the Learning Plan built into Design Space upon registering your machine. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started on day 1.
  • EXTRA LONG, PRECISE CUTTING FOR LARGER PROJECTS – Cricut Smart Materials allow you to go bigger than ever before - cut a single image up to 12 ft (3.6 m), or repeated cuts up to 75 ft all without a mat in one go.
  • DESIGN APP WITH ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES – Use with Cricut Design Space, our free app to kickstart and customize your projects. Design Space assists you through selecting your materials and utilizing the right tools. (iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac)
SaleBestseller No. 3
Cricut Explore 3 Smart Cutting Machine
  • Works with 100+ materials, including popular materials like vinyl, iron-on & cardstock
  • Cuts intricate designs with precision
  • Writes, draws, foils, scores, and more
  • Compatible with your home inkjet printer to print then cut full-color design
  • Free, easy-to-learn Design Space app

Why Is My Cricut Not Cutting?

Your Cricut is not cutting (or indeed your Cricut is cutting in the wrong place) because…

  1. Design Software Issues
  2. Print and Cut Issues
  3. The “Attach” Tool Issues
  4. Size Design Issues
  5. The Cricut Blade Is Blunt

These are the most common Cricut cutting errors

Last update on 2025-02-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API