Why Is My Cricut Not Cutting Properly? (Easy Fixes)

[Finn Allen]

   

Is your Cricut machine cutting your materials incorrectly? For instance, you place vinyl on the mat, but it doesn’t cut the way you want. This results in a waste of material and time. So, you might be wondering why this happens. Such problems become even more irritating when you are in a hurry. However, there are several ways to fix this issue.

Generally, your machine doesn’t cut properly due to blade issues, incorrect blade settings, or dirt buildup. In this guide, you’ll learn simple ways to fix this problem. After reading this guide, you’ll understand the causes and solutions for a Cricut machine not cutting properly. Let’s start.

Fix 1: Check the Cutting Mat’s Condition

Before trying complex solutions, check the basic ones first. Sometimes, when the cutting mat loses its stickiness, the material shifts out of position and produces inaccurate cuts. In this situation, you can follow these steps:

• If your mat is too dirty, wash it with a mild detergent and water, and try cutting again.

• Use a scraper or a brayer to secure the material to the cutting mat so it doesn’t move during cutting.

• Ensure the cutting mat is aligned properly between the guides and rollers so it moves smoothly during cutting.

Fix 2: Adjust the Material and Pressure Settings

If the material selected in Design Space does not match the material placed in the machine, the cut may fail. Also, the pressure settings must match the material. Follow these steps to adjust these settings:

• After clicking the “Make It” button, you’ll see a preview screen showing the material.

• If it's not the right material, click “Browse All Materials” and select the right one.

• If the machine is tearing your material, you can set the pressure to the default or lower in Design Space.

• If your machine produces incomplete cuts, increase the pressure settings or enable the multi-cut feature to allow the blade to pass twice.

Fix 3: Clean the Blade Housing

If the blade housing is dirty, your cuts won’t be precise. Therefore, carefully remove the blade housing from the machine and release the blade. Usually, it's released by pressing the plunger. Without touching the tip of the blade, wipe it with a clean paper towel or gently press it into a ball of aluminum foil 15–20 times. This will clean the blade and help produce more precise cuts.

Fix 4: Replace the Blade

If the above methods don’t work, replacing the blade is the ideal solution. It is normal for blades in Cricut machines to become dull, and you may need to change them in a few months, depending on how often you use your machine. If you often use thicker materials, your machine’s blade may get dull earlier.

1. Remove the blade housing, release the blade, and discard it.

2. Then, insert the new blade into the housing.

3. Ensure that you don’t touch the blade’s tip.

4. If your machine requires replacing the entire blade housing, replace it as instructed.

Note: Always buy authentic blades for your Cricut machine and avoid third-party blades.

Fix 5: Perform Calibration

Calibrating your Cricut machine is an often-overlooked troubleshooting step when it's not cutting properly. Calibration helps the machine cut material properly by aligning it with the design. Therefore, if your machine doesn’t cut through material well enough, perform calibration. Follow these steps to perform it:

1. Go to the Menu option in Design Space, and then select Settings.

2. Select Machines, and then select Machine Calibration in Design Space.

3. From there, select “Print Then Cut” and follow the on-screen steps.

Design Space will display all the instructions to perform calibration.

FAQs

Why is my Cricut not cutting all the way through?

Your machine is not cutting all the way through because of dull or dirty blades, incorrect material settings, or incorrect pressure settings. Sometimes, it can be due to a cutting mat that has lost its stickiness.

How do I know if my Cricut blade is dull?

If your cutting blade is dull, it will be reflected in the materials it cuts. You’ll notice that it's tearing your material rather than cutting it cleanly. You may also notice that the blade cuts partially or creates cuts that are hard to weed.

Why is my Cricut cutting too deep?

If your machine is cutting too deeply, the pressure settings may be set too high. Sometimes, when you use a new blade, it cuts too deeply. Moreover, if you’ve selected the wrong  material, it may cut your actual material too deeply.

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