I am writing this in hopes of helping the many who are having difficulty updating their Cricut Expression.

I spent hours on this and Torrie Webb at Provo Craft was a saint in helping me with this problem. So here are the steps she took me through to get my Cricut Expression fully updated and able to work in the Craft Room.

Intro ---

I have a Mac laptop and needed to update my Cricut. When I went online, I initially tried to use Cricut Sync. This is incompatible with the Expression and the pop up window instructed me to use the Craft Room to update. I did as instructed, however, I could get the update started but it wouldn't complete Step 3.

Since I haven't used my Cricut often when I turned it on and looked at the display, it said I had version 2.1. Torrie mentioned this is an old version and there have been several updates since then.

Because of that, I had to FIRST update my Cricut Expression through the Design Studio software. . So it would be a 2-part firmware update ----> Design Studio then Craft Room.

SIDE NOTES:

1. If your computer is not recognizing the Cricut, use another printer cable. This happened to me and using a different cable made a difference.
   
   
2. Remove the cartridge from your machine. The update will not complete if you have a cartridge inserted.
   
   
3. Reboot your computer before you start to clear out anything that could hinder your process.
   
   
4. This entire process takes about 30-40 minutes. Set aside this amount of time so your won't get frustrated as you go along.
   
   
5. If you have a Mac and need to first update using the Design Studio, you will have to update it first on a PC. The Design Studio apparently only had a version for the PC. I actually did the entire update on the PC and this does not affect future compatibility in anyway. I will use the Craft Room with my Mac.
   
   
6. When you plug in your Cricut on a PC, you will get this pop up asking if you want Windows to install software. Close or cancel this window. It means nothing and closing it won't affect your firmware update.

BACK TO THE UPDATE --

Download both of the files below to your PC. Once downloaded, RUN the first link. This link is going to install Design Studio software on your PC. As it is installing, it will pull information from the second link you downloaded and you won't need to do anything with the second download.


Link 1
http://mirror.cricut.com/cds/fontpack/CDS_10404220.exe

Link 2
http://mirror.cricut.com/cds/fontpack/FontUpdate_V121009.exe


When complete there will be a Design Studio icon on your desktop. Open it. It takes a minute or 3 to open. Once open, choose CONTINUE WITH TRIAL.

Then at the top of the screen choose HELP > Update Cricut Firmware. A window will appear and follow the instructions in that window. I suggest you read the instructions first and then try to execute them. Just my suggestion.

When this process is complete, you will have updated the firmware of your Cricut to something other than version 2.1.

NOTE: When I finished with part of the install, I turned my Cricut off and on again and the display still said I had version 2.1. So I wouldn't worry about that. Something has been updated even if the version on the Cricut doesn't change.

After this Design Studio part is complete, you can now go to the Craft Room and start the firmware update as directed there. If you wanted, you could revert to your Mac for this part of the update. It was just easier for me to stay on my PC, so I did.

When you have completed the Craft Room update, your display will say version 2.43 and THIS is the version you need to utilize and print from the online Craft Room.

I hope this helps. I am writing this for those who will find themselves trying to do this in the middle of the night after Provo Craft is closed. Don't throw the machine in the trash. What I have written above is wordy, but print it out first and follow it as it worked perfectly for me!!

Good luck and happy cutting!!


Provo Craft, updating firmware for Cricut Expression, Cricut Expression, firmware update, Design Studio, Cricut expresion firmware, software update cricut expression,

Edited by user Wednesday, October 17, 2012 3:38:35 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I also encountered a problem with updating my Cricut Expression. I'm also using a Mac to update, and fortunately own a PC too. Using BigTimeBookie's directions in the exact specific order allowed me to update my Expression and finally use Craft Room.

On a side note, I'm quite disappointed with Cricut. I too tried to update on a Saturday, when of course, Support/Customer Service are not available. Instead of sitting on my hands, waiting for a reply, I kept searching the web for ideas and solutions to the problem. I found over and over again that Cricut's support appears to not have a good handle on IT solutions, nor a good handle on how to write an effective working program for Mac users. If Cricut truly wants to hear from their customers, and apply the feedback they receive then please do the following: be willing to offer a support system that is more available (as creating does not only happen Monday-Friday on a 7-6 schedule), stop assuming every customer owns a PC and write programming that will work on a Mac, and perhaps, since this is obviously an ongoing problem, when someone downloads the Mac option in the Craft Room, have a window with a disclaimer message noting that problems have been encountered by Mac users, with links to this forum post, and any others that have useful information for getting past the problem.

I want to try this - but I unfortunately don't own a PC and don't know anyone immediately that has a PC :( What options do I have? Do I just not get to use Craft Room. Please help provide solution for a MAC only user.

After hours being frustrated I ran across this post. I did exactly as noted and it worked. THANK YOU!! Honestly I didn't think anything would work as my machine is the first machine made by cricut and I have NEVER updated for the software. Lesson learned - will not keep machine updated so I don't go thru this again!! THANK YOU for taking the time and posting such great instructions!!