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Monday 26 January 2009

Resetting the Cricut

Here's the info from Cricut.com on how to reset your Cricut:

TECH SUPPORT NOOK - Reset Process
If your machine freezes, experiences power problems, cutting issues, or anything out of the realm of normal Cricut behavior, this reset procedure is a good place to start the troubleshooting process. Nine times out of ten, this will resolve the issue:

- First, turn your machine on with no cartridge loaded. Then you are going to roll all your gray dials (the two on the left and the one on the right) down to their lowest setting.

- Then you will want to grasp the green/gold cylinder blade assembly and use it to pull the entire gray carriage car unit (the one with the Cricut bug on it) along its track to the other side of the machine. Back in the cave where the gray carriage car usually sits there is a red button. Press that button and hold it down for about three seconds. Let go and then move the gray carriage car back into place.

- This next step will sound a bit odd, but many times it can fix your little "bug". You're going to roll all your dials all the way up and all the way down three times--three times for each dial.

- Then you are going to hit the "Cut" button and turn the machine off. Let the machine sit for a few minutes (15-20), load a cartridge, turn it on, and try a practice cut.

If this does not solve your problem, give us a call toll free at 1-877-727-4288 7am to 6pm MST Mon-Fri (make sure you are by your machine) and someone here will walk you through some troubleshooting tips and determine if a replacement machine is needed.

34 comments:

RAP said...

Thanks for this info. I'm printing it for future reference. Never know when you'll need it.

Becki and Alan said...

Thanks for this. We're experiencing horrendous problems with our new Expression. It was fine until we updated the firmware and now most of the time it puts no pressure on the blade so all we get is a slight "engraving" on the paper - not deep enough to cut through, but deep enough to ruin the paper! I'll try this reset and keep my fingers crossed..

Becki
xx

Janice said...

I, too, had a problem with the blade only tracing the design, not cutting. I reset my Cricut using the same procedure. It worked for a few days then I was back to the same problem. I reset it again and was able to make one 12" cut. The very next cut only went about 6" down the mat, then started to trace again. The third cut only cut about 3" down the mat. When I called (being on hold for forever!) I was told that my motor was going bad. The machine was only 2 years old!!!!

Sondra Hays said...

My Cricut Expressions in only a month old and I've yet to have any luck making it cut. Just as these others described, it barely touches the page. I guess I should return it since so many others are experiencing similar problems. My work hours don't allow me to call during their business hours.

Anonymous said...

We have an Expression and when you turn it on, it just resets, over and over after startup process.
The "reset" trick does not help, it will just act the same way.

Machine is only a few months old with a handful of uses.

If it worked, I would recommend it to others, but this thing will not reset after this so called fix.

Customer support was no help.

Next time we will get a Craft Robo.

Unknown said...

Thanks for this information, I thought it would solve my problem but it didn't. When i turn my Cricut on there is nothing showing on the scrren, it is just black squares, is there something else i can do.

Andrea L said...

I just received my Cricut Create the newest avaliable right now as a Christmas present and I took it out of the box, did each direction as followed and pushed the power button on and NOTHING! I heard the machine clicking but no lights or anything, my husband looked at it and didnt work for him or the reset button. I messed with it like 5 mins ago again and then got a couple of weird lines on the top screen, they blinked for a second tried to insert paper and nothing! I dont know what is up with this machine but has anyone else had this problem??

Narelle said...

I'd try updating the firmware again making sure you are selecting the correct cricut model.

rache said...

My cricut moves to middle and stats cutting but it pushes the mat out instead of holding on to it.
i am trying resetting like you explain and will see in 20 minutes.
thanks

lynnieb said...

my new cricut has only cut one image, the next one I tried all the buttons flashed green. I can't get it to stop, it was only a 2" image

The Potty Princess said...

I tried the resetting my cricut after it suddenly stopped cutting anything. It seems like there isn't enough pressure to push the knife through the paper, but nothing I have tried works. And I have tried EVERYTHING! I am pretty savvy when it comes to machines. My machine is now out of warranty and I am seeing a LOT of complaints about this product. I am very disappointed and am not quite sure where to go from here.

Narelle said...

Sorry I missed this.... When you push on the blade housing is it still springy? If it's not the housing might be broken.

Anonymous said...

I had no problems with my Personal Cricut ,but I sure am with this Expression ! The screed says "the image is too large to cut, re-size and push cut." Well, it is a blank 12 x12 piece of card stock on a brand new 12x12 mat. I was trying to cut a 2 inch Dog test cut ! I tried the sequence to reboot, 3 times and was near ready to toss the machine out the window ! Now it is Saturday afternoon, and I have to wait till Monday to call! WTH !?!?!?!

Narelle said...

If you're using DS did you change your mat size to 12x12? Select the View menu, Mat Size.

Anonymous said...

My wife has a brand new Cricut Create that she received a year or 2 ago. It's been sitting in the box all this time and last night she decided to get it out and work with it.

At first it came right on and she made a practice cut. Then it went off and won't come back on. Now when you press the power button there is a click sound but the machine won't come on.

We've tried everything that we can find on message boards but most boards don't have an actual solution. Most of what I find is simply others talking about their issues but no soultion seems to ever be offered.

Do you know what is wrong with our machine? Do you know of a solution?? We would so appreciate any help you can offer besides telling us to call customer service. It's Saturday morning now and we can't call them until Monday anyway.

Thanks so much for any help!

Anonymous said...

I have an expression 2 that I got for Christmas. I havenot used it for the last 2 months and went to turn it on and it powers on, but does not go beyond the title screen. I have tried unplugging it and nothing. I have only used my cricut like 5 times since I got it forChristmas and am really bummed! Does anyone have any ideas...?

Narelle said...

You could try resetting it:
Turn the E2 off and press the magnifying glass, the pause key and the power button (at the same time)

You should see a rainbow test pattern and the rollers should start moving.

The blue calibration screen should come on showing a cross hair.

Click on the cross hairs as they appear. If it worked it should go to the mat screen.

If that doesn't help I'd suggest giving PC a call.

Narelle said...

@ Anonymous with the Cricut Create. Sorry I'm late seeing this....

If the reset didn't work and you've checked the power cord (is there a green light on it - I don't have a Create so don't know if that one has the light on the power pack) and tried a different power point the only thing I can suggest is actually calling customer support. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I have a expression 2 and have only used it twice and now it won't load the paper the rollers don't move. Any suggestions?

Narelle said...

You can try resetting it. Here's the instructions. If that doesn't work I'd give PC a call so they can troubleshoot it some more.

Download the latest version of Cricut sync (if you don’t already have it.) http://www.cricut.com/cricutsync/

With the E2 turned off:

Plug your E2 into the computer and open up Cricut Sync
Select “Don’t Update Now” if it prompts you to update.
Select the “Help” option
Select “Troubleshooting”
Answer the 5 questions that appear as follows:
• Yes
• No
• No
• No
• Yes
You will be prompted to put your E2 into recovery mode. To do that:

Hold down the Home button, the Pause button and the power button together.
A blue screen will appear.

Once the troubleshooting process is complete disconnect your E2 and try using your machine again.

If your issue has still not been fixed contact PC customer service on 1-877-727-4288 | Monday-Friday: 7am-6pm MST.

Jenny said...

I'm REALLY hoping this fixes the wonky cuts I'm getting from my machine...I'll know in about 6 more minutes...

Jenny said...

Seems to be better! I hope it stays that way!

Rhonda said...

I have a Cricut and Silhouette and so far have not had any issues. I am curious though having many electronics in my possession; I use a whole house surge protector. These electronic items are delicate and should be protected against power surges. My son has had to replace a fairly new refrigerator,relay boards on his dishwasher, and new pcs because he's been lax on getting a whole house surge protector. Just a thought.

Petra said...

hello! ive tried all other avenues so i thought id give this site a try.
im from australia. my husband bought me an expression 2 for our anniversary. it worked great. but (stupid me) i wanted to use CCR, and the new firmware....(i love the idea of a quick cuts button) had various difficulties, but eventually got it to go CCR(took 2 weeks- but we are NOT computer people)so then i registered my machine, and downloaded the sync button. after 2 days and a 6 hour upload i finally got to the
"do not turn off the device, expression 2 updating, installing firmware- started" page with the green candy stripe moving bar
that was longer than 8 hours ago (i let it go overnight) and it hasnt changed. im at my wits end, because the machine was working great, until i tried to load firmware.
hoping you can help. have i ruined the machine?
the Australian distributor printblocks hasn't been very forthcoming. apparently there is only 1 person there that can answer questions and she is on holiday. any advice would be great.

Anonymous said...

I have a cricket expression that has been used very little. I also use Design studio. When I used design studio yesterday, it said that I needed an update. I proceeded to pick my machine and begin the download and installation process. All was apparently going well until 99% of the installation was complete. It then hung and gave me the error message saying installation failed, try again. I did this about three times and then decided to do what I needed to do without Design Studio. The machine comes on with the power button but continually loops at the start up screen. I press stop and I am able to continue doing what I want to do until I reach the load mat screen. Sometimes the mat will load, do 1 tiny cut in the center and unload the mat all by itself. Other times it will not load the mat at all and still other times, I get the error message that says that the image I have selected wont fit on the page noo matter how small I select the print to be. Any answers, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Unknown said...

Hi, I've had my cricut over a year but keep getting it out and putting it away after a try as my cuts are not as good as a friend can do on hers....getting very fustrated as these machines arn't cheap..I have a cricut expression 12x24. I have even bought a new winter lace cartridge to enhance my card but my snowflakes just look all destorted...please help the reset made it look better but not great as you'd expect.

Anonymous said...

I am having problems with my cricut. I turned it on this morning and it does not want to cut. It just goes to the opposite side of paper in a diagonal line and then goes up and down in a Dotting movement. Noe happy at all. Reseet has not worked for me.

Narelle said...

Sorry I'm late getting back to you Anonymous, Lyn and Shell. All I can suggest is giving PC customer service a call so they can help troubleshoot your problem. Good luck and hope you get your Cricuts working!!!

ItsShawnAgain said...

I have an E2 and when I try to cut a page of circles, it will cut them, but then it cuts some lines through the circles that cuts some of them into two pieces. Help!

Unknown said...

I have an E2 and the fonts have started jumping around the screen. If I tap "I" for instance, "K" will show up. Any idea how to get the screen back to normal? Thank you!

Narelle said...

@ Shawn: Sorry, I've just seen this. Hopefully your problem is now fixed. If not, let me know.

@ Kim: You could try recalibrating the E2. Click on the Settings button then click the right arrow four times. The calibration button is the top right button on that page. If that doesn't help you can do a reset:

Download the latest version of Cricut sync (if you don’t already have it.) http://www.cricut.com/home/support/cricut-sync

With the E2 turned off:

Plug your E2 into the computer and open up Cricut Sync
Select “Don’t Update Now” if it prompts you to update.
Select the “Help” option
Select “Troubleshooting”
Answer the 5 questions that appear as follows:
• Yes
• No
• No
• No
• Yes
You will be prompted to put your E2 into recovery mode. To do that:

Hold down the Home button, the Pause button and the power button together.
A blue screen will appear.

Once the troubleshooting process is complete disconnect your E2 and try using your machine again.

Unknown said...

I am having trouble with my Cricut Expression (original not 2). It will not turn on so I can't try the reset trick. I replaced the power supply cord in hopes that was the problem but it still will not do anything. The green light is on as well but still nothing. Help! I have never even used it but have had it in the box for a little over a year. :-/

Hogan's Adventure said...

So disappointed in my Cricut Expression...had it just over a year and it won't load any more. I tried the reset idea but that didn't work...so frustrating!!!

Narelle said...

Have you tried a different power cord and or USB cord?

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