The most common cause for the Silhouette CAMEO 3 not cutting or not cutting through is a problem with the blade - specifically the Autoblade.
If you are using the Autoblade in your CAMEO 3 it's important to make sure it's loaded into the blade carriage correctly to ensure it cuts. The Autoblade can only be used in the left carriage in the Silhouette CAMEO 3. The grooves on the back of the Automatic Blade should line up with the grooves on the left/red carriage on the CAMEO 3. Press the blade completely down and then lock it into place by pressing the tab all the way in. Here's a picture of the autoblade correctly positioned in the carriage.
If it looks like either of these two pictures, it won't cut correctly.
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| Autoblade is not fully into the carriage and therefore will not cut |
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| Silhouette CAMEO 3 Automatic blade is not fully pressed down into the carriage and therefore won't cut |
If the blade is correctly positioned in the Silhouette cutting machine, but the CAMEO 3 still isn't cutting correctly the next thing to check to make sure you have the correct blade selected in Silhouette Studio. When the CAMEO 3 is found, the Cut Settings window will include the AutoBlade in the Blade Type drop down menu. However, it's not the default. If you don't change the setting to the Autoblade the machine will think you are using the manually adjusted ratchet blade and will not adjust the Autoblade's blade depth resulting in no cut or a partial cut.
If the Autoblade is correctly in the carriage and you have it selected in Silhouette Studio, but the machine is not cutting anything - check your cut lines. If the machine appears like it's going to cut and then says "Job Complete" without cutting anything, the cut lines are not on.
Go to the Cut Settings window and with the designs you want to cut selected, pick "Cut" or "Cut Edge".
If you are using the ratchet blade in your Silhouette CAMEO 3 you can use it in either blade carriage. If the Autoblade isn't cutting correctly I always suggest testing with the ratchet blade as well.
If the ratchet blade isn't cutting in your Silhouette CAMEO 3 there are several things to check. First, make sure you have the blade press down into the carriage, with the fin facing directly toward you and that it's locked into place.
You'll also want to make sure the white cap is screwed on completely. If the white cap on the very end of the blade is not completely screwed on it will prevent the blade from reaching the
material and therefore it can not cut. Twist it until it's hand tight.
Finally, you'll want to check to make sure that nothing is obstructing the blade such as dust from paper cuts or a small piece of vinyl.
Looking for more reasons why your Silhouette CAMEO isn't cutting? Check out this post which focuses on troubleshooting cut problems with the CAMEO 2, CAMEO 1 and Portrait.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!
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Hi - Ive just purchased a cameo 3 & I'm wanting to cut pretty thick leatherette / chunky glitter leatherette. Should I be purchasing a rachet blade or a deep cut blade to do this? The autoblade just isn't cutting all the way through :(
ReplyDeleteI'm having a love/hate relationship with my automatic blade. A project that should take 15 minutes, is taking an hour. I have to play with vinyl settings to get it to eventually cut. For instance, it does not cut heat transfer glitter vinyl on the appropriate setting, but has in the glitter cardstock setting. My blade is installed correctly and nothing is obstructing the blade. I'm new to this, so I'm thinking a few things may be the problem...
ReplyDeleteMy local Michaels only carries the cricut glitter vinyl. Is it thicker, so should the setting be different?
Could very well be user error. Lol. But, my project is ready to go with cut edge, cut lines.
Is something wrong with my machine?
I'm going to get a ratchet blade soon and see if that helps.
I appreciate all of your posts. They have helped tremendously!!! I'm hoping to figure this problem out soon. Thank you all in advance :)
me too! My blade on the lowest setting continues to cut right through the vinyl and cutting mat!
DeleteI was cutting card stock and my cameo 3 was not cutting through all the way. Then I was cutting vinyl tonight and it cut all the way through the backing. I noticed after the cut the autoblade was on 7. Shouldn't it have set itself on 2 for vinyl?
ReplyDeletewhat if it's not cutting right and you are using the ratchet blade? I really hate this machine. ugh. I want my old one back.
ReplyDeleteI am so disgusted with the new Cameo 3. Nothing but trouble and if you are able to get anybody on the phone, they can't help either. I use my cricut and am referring all customers at my scrapbook store to purchase the Cricut Explore instead.
Hi! I just replaced the original blade I bought in December for a new one (automatic)since I wanted to start cutting cardstock in addition to the polyester film I've been using for a few months very successfully. Since I replaced it, I've been battling several issues. These includes blade ripping the cardstock, blade not cutting all the way through, blade cutting the perforated lines so much that they totally detach everything and so forth. I went back to the polyester film for another project and again the blade is not cutting through, but only in some places. Like parts of my image are correctly cut and others only scored. I unplugged everything, let it rest for an hour and plugged it back in. Same problem. What is going on?? This is taking all my patience, my cardstock and my sanity!!! Please help!
ReplyDeleteMy problem, is it is cutting way to deep. All the way to my sticky board. If the blade was not in correctly, then I would think it would not cut well. Mine is cutting way to well. Any advise?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this!! My machine wasn't printing and I was trying everything and getting so upset. I have an autoblade and from reading this the final thing I tried was seeing if the cap on the blade was not fully screwed in... that was the problem. As soon as i fixed that, i was back to cutting! Thank you!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't get the autoblade to work at all- I use the recommended setting and it cuts all the way through to the mat, I adjust the force setting/ depth settings, and it won't cut through at all- it barely leaves an impression. I wasted almost an entire roll of heat transfer vinyl and still haven't gotten it right.
ReplyDeleteI can cut with my ratchet blade, take the same file, use the same cut settings with a brand new premium blade, and it won't cut through sticker vinyl (650). Any ideas? There is not a fin so I don't think it is how it is positioned in the blade holder, but, am not sure.
ReplyDeleteCan you please email the the blog silhouetteschoolblog@gmail.com with an image? Thanks.
DeleteMy cameo 3 is cutting all the way through to the mat on the right hand side and barely leaving an indention on the left hand side. Ive only had it since june. I've waisted and entire roll of heat transfer vinyl trying to get it to work. I've had to purchase a new mat because it cut all the way through so many times. I've even tried lowering the force setting to 4 and still its cutting all the way through. Ive checked my auto blade to make sure its placed properly and to see if anything was stuck on the blade. It did click when I was checking it and the red line moved. But shouldn't it have reset itself when I placed it back in the cartridge? Please help me I'm at my witts end and I wanted this machine so badly to use in my classroom. I was so excited and now I'm just sad that I cant use it.
ReplyDeleteCan you please email the the blog silhouetteschoolblog@gmail.com with an image - the blade may be not inserted correctly or there may be some other issue I can identify with an image? Thanks.
DeleteMy cameo 3 looks like its cutting, the job will finish and nothing has been cut. I want to hulk smash this machine. Was cutting fine 10 minutes ago!
ReplyDeleteMake sure there's nothing stuck in your blade
DeleteMy rollers won't roll at all so my material never loads. What is wrong?!
ReplyDeleteYikes. If you are pressing load and the rollers are not rolling, I think you'll need to contact Silhouette America's technical support. I have not heard of this issue.
DeleteI just got the Silhouette Cameo 3. I have spent 5 hours and have not been able to do one thing. I am so frustrated. I am trying to cut a simple design. I load the vinyl, the display says "working" and next thing you know if says job complete and nothing was cut. The blade didn't even move. I read the same complaint above and it stated to go to the "cut settings window" to pick cut or cut edge. I do not see a "cut settings window". I really hate that there are very little instructions with this thing. It is just not user friendly.
ReplyDeleteGo to the Send panel. If your design does not have thick red cut lines around it, select the design and click "Cut" from the Action area. This will turn on the cut lines.
DeleteThis was very helpful!!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have been back and forth with support and nothing helped me figure out why the blade would quit adjusting all of the sudden. I have watched a bunch of tutorials, but finally this post figured it out. The blade cap was loose! Works just fine now. Thank you SO MUCH!!!
ReplyDeleteWe just got a cameo 3 and we've only used it a couple times, once was to cut font out of construction paper (pretty easy no issues) then we go to cut out of cardstock, IT WILL NOT CUT! I have an older silhouette so I know the ins and outs. We have manually adjusted the autoblade to cut depth and force and 2 passes and the thing WILL NOT CUT cardstock! It doesn't even make an imprint on mat with force of 33!! :o This should have been a simple project that has taken us 3 times as long. Not productive at all. Is there any help for us???
ReplyDeleteI have had my cameo three for a while, I had a Cameo 1 before this. It's always worked great. It stopped cutting correctly so I ordered a new blade. It is not the blade:( The auto blade is not adjusting at all!!! And the project starts cutting but doesn't finish correctly. So when I go to weed it, only the first few letters are actually cut. SO FRUSTRATING!!!
ReplyDeleteHey there! I would make sure that your firmware is up to date. You can find it here: https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/firmware
Delete