Cricut Mug Press Blinking Orange/Red Power Light

The power light on the Cricut Mug Press may blink orange or red, indicating an error or being ready to connect. Orange light blinking is still normal because it shows that the machine is waiting for a connection. Red blinking light, on the other hand, indicates an error. Here are the troubleshooting methods to fix this issue. 

Problem 1: Orange Blinking Light

A Cricut Mug Press blinks an orange light when it is in pairing mode and waiting for a device. If the machine is not activated, it will blink an orange light. 

Solution 1: Activate the Mug Press 

If Mug Press hasn’t been activated, it’s the main reason behind an orange light. Here are the steps to activate it. 

Step 1: Download & Install Cricut Design Space 

1. Visit design.cricut.com on a browser and search for your machine’s name in the search field. 

1. Accept the Cricut terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and click on the Download button to start the download. 
2. Go to the Downloads location, and double-click on the file to let it install. 

Step 2: Sign in to the Cricut Account 

Once the Design Space is installed on the computer, the next step is to sign in to the Cricut account using the correct credentials. 

1. Open the Design Space on the computer. And choose to sign in if you already have an account. 
2. Click the Create Cricut ID option if it’s your first time creating an account. 
3. Fill all the fields and set a strong password. Re-enter the password to confirm it. 
4. Log in using the account details. 

Step 3: Register the Cricut Mug Press 

Once the account is set up, the final step is to register the machine using these steps. 

1. Select the “Set up a heat press” option on the screen, and click Continue.
2. Select Mug Press from the on-screen list of machines. 
3. The screen will guide you to install the machine on a flat surface and in a well-ventilated place. 
4. Connect the machine to a USB cable, and connect the other end to the computer. 
5. The Design Space may run a firmware update. Let it finish, and don’t shut down the PC during this process. 

Finally, the Mug Press is connected to a device and has been activated. Check if the orange light disappears. 

Solution 2: Check the USB Cable Connection 

If the machine is already activated, its USB connection might be loose. Therefore, check if the USB cable is securely connected to the machine and computer. 

Solution 3: Reset the Mug Press 

If the orange light is blinking even when the machine is activated and well-connected, reset it using these steps. 

1. Press and hold the power button on the Mug Press for 5 seconds to turn it off. 
2. Release the power button. 
3. Again, press the power button to turn it on. 

Check if the orange light turns solid green. 

Note: If you’re working on a project, the Mug Press blinks orange light while heating and then turns solid green once heated and ready to use. So, don’t panic until it happens due to other reasons. 

Problem 2: Blinking Red Power Light 

A red blinking light indicates errors with a Mug Press. These are the possible reasons behind a red power light: 

1. There is a voltage issue. 
2. The machine is too cold. 
3. You’re using an incompatible mug. 
4. The firmware update was unsuccessful. 

Use the following troubleshooting methods to fix this problem. 

Solution 1: Adjust the Temperature 

The heat press is not suitable for cold environments. It has to be heated up in order to transfer the design onto sublimation mugs. Ensure that it’s at room temperature. 

Solution 2: Use a Compatible Mug Only 

A Cricut Mug Press doesn’t work with any random mug. It needs Cricut’s special sublimation mugs with ceramic coating to transfer the design more effectively. 

Solution 3: Update the Firmware 

Firmware is a software necessary to manage the Mug Press’s internal functions. It updates during the machine’s activation process. If the update is unsuccessful, it may blink the red power light. Update the firmware by following these steps: 

1. Open the Design Space on the computer and click the Settings menu at the top. 
2. Select Machines, and then select Update Firmware. 
3. Click Start to run the firmware update. 
4. It will update automatically on the computer. 

Note: Do not shut down the computer during this process.