Are you stuck before you even get to use your Cricut machine? You open your new Cricut box with excitement, and you sit down to set it up. Then the trouble starts, as the app does not download, the file stops halfway, the install fails, or the app will not open at all. This happens to new Cricut owners, beginner crafters, and small business starters every day, and a new laptop, low storage, or system limits can also cause problems.
I understand this because I faced and resolved it many times when I started using Cricut. That is why I decided to write this blog and share the solution clearly. Here, you will learn the most common Cricut Design Space download problems and 4 easy solutions to fix them step by step.
Many Cricut users face issues while downloading or installing the Cricut Design Space software during the first setup.
The download does not start at all after clicking the download button
The file begins downloading, but stops halfway or freezes
The installer downloads but fails to open
The setup gets stuck in the middle and does not finish
Error messages appear, such as an unsupported operating system alert
Messages show that some data could not be downloaded
Slow internet
Outdated system software
Antivirus and firewall programs are blocking the file
Before trying advanced fixes, it is better to go through some basic checks first.
Check your internet connection, because the Design Space app needs a stable network to download and load properly.
Restart your Wi-Fi router.
Switch to a USB cable connection.
Make sure your operating system has enough storage.
Check that your computer or phone meets the basic Cricut system requirements.
Use a supported web browser and install any pending system updates.
Your browser saves cache and cookies to load pages faster, but over time, this stored data can cause download problems. When the cache becomes outdated or damaged, Design Space may fail to download or freeze during setup.
Open the browser settings. In Chrome, go to Privacy & Security.
Choose Clear browsing data, and select cache and cookies.
Next, you have to confirm and close the browser.
Afterward, reopen the browser and try downloading Design Space again.
In many cases, the download starts after this step.
Sometimes, a firewall or antivirus software can block Design Space while it’s downloading or opening. These security tools may see the file as a risk and stop it from connecting to Cricut’s servers, which can cause failed downloads or the app not launching.
To test this, open your antivirus or firewall settings and turn them off.
Also, add Design Space as a trusted app or exception instead of disabling protection.
If you use a VPN, turn it off as well. After these changes, relaunch the app and try the download again.
If it works, re-enable your program and keep Cricut allowed to avoid future issues.
If the download keeps failing, reinstalling Design Space can fix the problem. A broken or incomplete installation may leave hidden files behind, which can cause ongoing errors. Removing everything and starting fresh helps clear that corruption.
First, close Design Space and uninstall it from your computer.
After that, delete any leftover Cricut folders from your system files, then restart your computer.
Once your system is back on, visit Cricut’s website - cricut.com/setup and download the latest version of Design Space.
Install it again, then sign in, and try using the app.
Design Space may fail to load because of
Temporary cache issues
An outdated app
A weak internet connection
Antivirus software
Close the app on your computer.
Next, open the LocalData folder where Design Space stores temporary files.
On Windows, this is inside your user folder. On Mac, it’s in the Library > Application Support area.
Delete all files inside the LocalData folder, then empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.
Restart your PC, reopen the app, and use the Force Reload option.
First, make sure the app is fully closed on your PC.
On Windows, open File Explorer and go to the Local AppData Design Space folder.
After that, open the LocalData folder and delete all files inside it.
Next, empty the Recycle Bin to remove the files.
Restart your system, open Design Space again.
Lastly, use the Force Reload option to refresh the app.