# Cricut Mug Press blinking orange or not heating

Source: https://bladeandmat.com/blog/cricut-mug-press-blinking-orange
Published: 2026-10-09
Publisher: Blade & Mat

**Short answer:** A blinking orange power button means the Cricut Mug Press is in Connect mode, waiting for activation or a firmware update. If the press is new, finish activation through cricut.com/setup with the press connected by USB. If you held the power button too long, press and release it to turn the press off, then press once to turn it on. Solid orange means it is heating and solid green means it is ready.

The Cricut Mug Press has one button and one light, so the color and pattern of that light is how the press tells you what is going on. A new owner often sees a blinking orange light that never changes, which makes the press look broken. In most cases it is simply waiting for activation. This page covers what each light pattern means, the steps Cricut documents for blinking orange and red lights, why a press will not heat, and when to stop and contact Cricut Member Care.

## What the Mug Press lights mean

These meanings come from Cricut's Mug Press help pages. The Mug Press is a one-touch press: it has no temperature or time setting to change, so if it does not reach green, the cause is activation, power or a fault rather than a wrong setting.

| Light | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No light | Standby or off | Press the power button once |
| Blinking orange | Connect mode: activation or firmware update needed | Complete setup at cricut.com/setup |
| Solid orange | Warming up | Wait for green |
| Solid green | At temperature and ready | Insert the mug and close the lever |
| Blinking green | Auto-off in progress | Press the button to keep it on |
| Solid red, other lights flashing | Error detected | Follow the error steps below |

Cricut Mug Press power button lights

## Fix a blinking orange light

Activation needs a computer. Cricut's setup for the Mug Press runs through a desktop browser with a USB connection, so a phone alone may not complete it. If the computer does not see the press, try another USB port and the original cable. The same kind of connection troubleshooting applies to cutters; see [Cricut not connecting by Bluetooth](https://bladeandmat.com/blog/cricut-not-connecting-bluetooth) for general tips.

1. If the press is new, connect it to your computer with the USB cable it came with and plug it into power.
2. Go to cricut.com/setup, choose the Mug Press and follow the activation steps until the app says it is complete.
3. If the press was already activated, check for a firmware update through the same setup process and let it finish without unplugging.
4. If you held the power button for more than about 5 seconds, the press enters Connect mode on purpose. Press and release the button to turn it off, then press once (do not hold) to turn it on.
5. Once activation or the update finishes, the light should turn solid orange as it heats, then green.

Note: The heating surface gets very hot. Keep the press on a heat-safe surface, keep fingers away from the heating band, and let it cool before you move it.

## Fix a red light or error

When the power button turns solid red and the other lights flash in a pattern, the press has detected an error. Cricut lists several possible reasons: a voltage problem at the outlet, a press that is too cold, an incompatible mug, or a firmware update that did not finish.

Work through them in order. Turn the press off and unplug it. Plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip. If the press was stored somewhere cold, let it warm to room temperature. Make sure you are using a sublimation-ready mug that Cricut lists as compatible. Then run the setup at cricut.com/setup again to finish any firmware update. If the red light returns, note the pattern of flashing lights and contact Cricut Member Care.

## Press turns on but will not heat

Do not open the press or try to bypass any part of it. The heating band is not user serviceable. If the press is under warranty, Cricut Member Care can arrange next steps once they have the light pattern and your purchase details.

- Light stays blinking orange: it is still in Connect mode, so finish activation.
- Light goes off after a while: auto-off has turned the press off; press the button again.
- Light stays solid orange for a long time: check the outlet and avoid power strips; contact Cricut if it never turns green.
- Light turns red: follow the error steps above.

## Getting good results once it works

Most mug problems after the press works are about the mug and the transfer, not the press. Use sublimation-ready or Cricut mug blanks, Infusible Ink or sublimation transfers, and wrap the design tightly with heat-resistant tape. See [how to use the Cricut Mug Press](https://bladeandmat.com/blog/how-to-use-cricut-mug-press) for the full process and [what is Infusible Ink](https://bladeandmat.com/blog/what-is-infusible-ink) for which blanks work.

If you outgrow the Mug Press and want to press tumblers or larger batches, our guide to [mug and tumbler presses](https://bladeandmat.com/best/best-mug-and-tumbler-press) compares machines with adjustable time and temperature.

[Compare mug and tumbler presses](https://bladeandmat.com/best/best-mug-and-tumbler-press)

## Frequently asked questions

**Why is my Cricut Mug Press blinking orange?** It is in Connect mode. A new press needs activation at cricut.com/setup, and an activated press may need a firmware update. Holding the power button too long also puts it in Connect mode.

**Can I use the Mug Press without activating it?** No. Cricut requires activation before first use. Once it is activated, it works without the computer.

**Can I change the temperature on the Cricut Mug Press?** No. It is a one-touch press with a fixed setting. Presses with adjustable temperature and time are covered in our [mug and tumbler press guide](https://bladeandmat.com/best/best-mug-and-tumbler-press).

**Why does my Mug Press turn off by itself?** It has an auto-off safety feature. A blinking green light means auto-off is in progress; press the button to keep it on.

## Gear guides for this topic

- https://bladeandmat.com/best/best-mug-and-tumbler-press
- https://bladeandmat.com/best/best-heat-press-for-t-shirts