Cricut Maker 4 Issues

Some of the Cricut Maker 4 issues are not very common but can occur after prolonged use of the machine. These issues include the machine not turning on, not cutting specific materials, the cutting mat not holding on to the material, and firmware update failure. 

Problem 1: Cricut Maker 4 Is Not Powering On

It usually happens due to connection issues with the power supply. For instance, if the machine’s power cord is not well connected to a power source, the machine won’t power on. 

Solution: Check the Machine’s Connection

Verify that the machine’s power cord is securely connected to both the Maker 4 and the power source, and the switch is on. You can also try plugging the power cord into different wall outlets. 

Problem 2: Maker 4 Can’t Cut Certain Materials

The Cricut Maker 4 can’t cut certain materials due to incorrect blade settings or the cutting mat. 

Solution 1: Check if the Blade Is Properly Inserted

Follow the instructions below to check if the blade is properly inserted into the machine: 

Step 1: Open the Clamp B 

The Maker 4 has two clamps on the right side of the tool carriage: A & B. To open the tool carriage, open the lid on the machine upwards and pull out a small latch on the front of clamp B. 

Step 2: Check the Blade Housing

The blade is fitted inside a metal blade housing. These are the steps to thoroughly check it. 

1. Check that the housing sits straight and should not be tilted. 
2. If it’s tilted or incorrectly placed, fix its position. 
3. Ensure that the housing doesn’t feel loose. 
4. If it’s loose, click it gently into the clamp. It will fix the position, and the material will be cut perfectly. 

Step 3: Close the Tool Carriage

Once you check the blade housing, close the lid that you opened earlier. And now, take a test cut with a material of choice. 

Note: Ensure that the right blade is selected in the blade housing. The Design Space recommends a suitable blade according to the material type. For instance, Fine Point blade, Deep Point blade, etc. If the right blade is not inserted, it can also cause significant issues with material cutting. 

Problem 3: The Material Can’t Stay On the Cutting Mat

It usually happens when the cutting mat loses its stickiness over use, or you’re not using the correct cutting mat for the material. 

Solution 1: Check if the Cutting Mat Is Right

Cricut offers different cutting mats for different types of materials. If your material is not compatible with the mat, it will not cut with the Maker 4 machine. Hence, use these instructions. 

• Light Grip (Blue): Paper, vinyl, and light cardstock 
• StrongGrip (Purple): Wood, leather, and chipboard 
• Standard Grip (Green): HTV, regular vinyl 
• Fabric Grip (Pink): For fabrics, as the name suggests

If you’re not using the mats according to the material, cutting won’t happen. 

Solution 2: Wash the Cutting Mat

Over time and use, the cutting mat may lose its stickiness due to the accumulation of dust and dirt. In this situation, wash the cutting mat with dish soap and water, then dry it. Then you can use it again to cut the desired material. 

Problem 4: Firmware Update Failure 

Firmware is a software that acts as the brain of the Cricut Maker 4 machine. It controls the internal functions of the machine, enabling it to cut, write, draw, and perform other tasks. A firmware update failure happens when the computer screen freezes during an update, the Design Space app shows “update failed”, or “Device not found. If the firmware update fails, the Cricut Maker 4 will stop cutting. In this condition, follow these troubleshooting methods. 

Solution 1: Restart the Maker 4 

Restarting the Maker 4 will help resolve the firmware update failure. Let’s see how to restart it. 

1. Press and hold the power button on the machine to turn it off and let the lights turn off. 
2. Disconnect the machine’s power cable from the power source. 
3. Wait for 1-2 minutes, then reconnect the machine’s power cable to the wall outlet. 
4. Press and hold the power button on the machine to turn it on. 

If this method doesn’t fix the firmware update error, try out the next method. 

Solution 2: Try Updating the Firmware Again

As a troubleshooting step, you can try updating the firmware again. Follow these steps to do it: 

1. Open the Cricut Design Space and click the three horizontal lines in the top left corner. 
2. Select the Update Firmware option. 
3. A new screen will ask you to select the Cricut Maker 4 machine. 
4. The update will begin, and a confirmation message will appear once the update is complete. 

Finally, the Maker 4 is ready to function. 

Note: Don’t shut down the computer during this process.