How to Change Blade in Cricut: A Complete Guide for Beginners

How to change blade in Cricut with ease? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by numerous Cricut users. Don't worry; we have got you covered. The process is really simple! Open the clamp and insert your new blade. This guide provides step-by-step instructions covering the entire process of changing the blade.

Cricut machine blades need to be replaced because they wear down with use, especially when cutting thicker or tougher materials. If you're cutting with it quite often, you may need to adjust it every six weeks.

However, the exact time and frequency of blade changes depend on the machine's usage. If you use a different variety of materials every day, your blade is likely to be damaged faster than that of the casual crafter.

Note: Whether you have Explore, Maker, Joy Xtra, or Venture, the process of changing the blades is almost the same for all.

How Often Should You Change Your Cricut Blade?

I have listed down some of the tips that will help you remember when to change your blade:

• If you're cutting with the same blade regularly for more than two months while using more pressure, you'll likely experience mediocre results with your blade.

• Once you start facing difficulty while weeding your material, it's high time to change the blade.

• Once you've removed the old blade, avoid placing it back into the machine. In this case, the dull blade will ruin your cutting material, so it's necessary to replace the old one.

• If your blade is dragging while performing intricate cuts, then it's time to change your blade.

• The rotating blade, used for fabric and other soft materials, can get nicks, leading to skipped cuts and the need for replacement.

How to Clean Your Cricut Blade Before Replacement?

Before changing the blade, clean the existing one to see if it resolves the issue. To clean your blade, follow the instructions listed below:

1. Crush a piece of aluminum foil into a ball.

2. With the machine's housing, press the lever down about halfway.

3. Dip your blade into vinegar and press it into the foil ball 20-30 times. This will help dislodge any debris or residue from the blade.

4. After cleaning, carefully inspect the blade for any signs of damage, such as small bends, nicks, or chips. If you see such things, it's time to replace it with a new Cricut blade.

But if everything goes well, perform a test cut to check the sharpness of the blade.

Important: Exercise caution when cleaning or changing the blades to prevent injury, as they are sharp enough to cause harm.

Changing Deep Cut, Bonded Fabric, & Fine-Point Blades in Cricut

Please note that deep-cut, bonded fabric, and fine-point blades all utilize the same housing.

If you want to save some dollars, simply buy the new blades and swap them while cutting for different materials, because buying the whole blade housing will cost you five times more than buying just the blade.

Therefore, you should not touch your housing unless it has severe damage, as it is designed to last the lifetime of the machine.

Now it's time to learn how to change blade in Cricut easily.

Step 1: Locate Clamp B on your Maker/ Explore machine and open it. If you're using an older model, you need to unscrew the arms that hold the machine in place.

Step 2: Gently remove the blade housing from the machine.

Step 3: Push the plunger on top of the housing and carefully pull out the old blade. You can also use your tweezers or nose pliers to grab the end of the blade.

Step 4: Take the new blade from its packaging and remove the protective cover.

Step 5: Grab the end of your new blade with the pliers and depress the plunger on the blade housing again.

Step 6: Insert the new blade into the housing so that the sharp side of the blade is facing outward.

Step 7: The magnet in the housing will hold the new blade in place.

Step 8: Release the plunger, and you're ready to try out your new blade.

Step 9: Place the blade housing back into Clamp B and close the clamp.

Don't forget to perform a test cut before embarking on a large project.

Note: The Cricut Maker series checks the blade before cutting, while the Explore series does not. If you encounter any difficulty when trying to cut, verify that your blade is installed correctly.

Final Thoughts

You’re all finished. Your blade is ready for precise cutting projects. The only tricky part when changing your blade is to ensure that the blade is fully down before closing the clamp.

I hope this guide helped you while changing your blade in the Cricut machine with ease. Ensure to follow the instructions given above to change your blade safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to change blade in Cricut Joy and Joy Xtra?

If you want to change the blade in Joy and Joy Xtra, follow these steps:

1. First, open the clamp and remove the blade housing.

2. After pulling out the blade housing, gently push the plunger on top of the housing.

3. Carefully pull the blade straight out from the bottom.

4. Now, insert the new blade into the hole in the bottom. It will snap into place.

5. Release the plunger, return the blade housing to the clamp, and secure it closed.

How do I change the blade on a Cricut paper trimmer?

Follow the steps given below to replace the blade on a paper trimmer:

1. Locate the handle on the paper trimmer.

2. Lift or slide the handle to access the blade housing. You may need to tilt or slide the blade out of the track.

3. Place the new blade into the track, ensuring the cutting edges are facing the right direction.

4. Snap the handle back into place to secure the new blade.

How do you use Cricut tweezers?

Cricut tweezers are used for precise lifting and handling of small, delicate materials, particularly when weeding intricate vinyl designs or removing debris from the cutting mat. They are used by squeezing the handles to open the tips, placing the tweezers around the object, and then releasing pressure to secure it.

They are especially useful when removing blades from the blade housing, as they allow for gentle grasping of the blade's end and easy lifting out.

Visit: cricut.com/setup
crcut.com setup mac
install cricut design space app

Source: https://cricutcreate.blogspot.com/2025/05/how-to-change-blade-in-cricut-complete.html