Have you ever heard the old adage, “When all else fails, read the directions.” If you follow the CAMEO 3 setup instructions I can almost guarantee smooth sailing ahead.
However, I’ve compiled a few troubleshooting tips, just in case you have an issue. Since this post is regarding troubleshooting, I want to mention Silhouette America’s robust troubleshooting FAQ section on their website, which is available for reference any time, day or night!
Firmware
First off, make sure that your Silhouette CAMEO® 3 has the latest firmware installed.
DON’T ASSUME THAT SINCE IT’S A NEW MACHINE IT AUTOMATICALLY HAS THE LATEST FIRMWARE.
I can’t stress this enough. Update the Firmware before going any further in the setup process. To do this, go to https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/firmware, and download the file for the CAMEO 3 that is compatible with your operating system. See below for a picture of the Firmware Update page.
Just by updating your Firmware, you’ll be mitigating 99% of any possible problems.
CAMEO 3 Firmware Bricked
If you tried to update your firmware and the process was interrupted (your computer restarted, froze, etc.) you may have experienced a bad firmware update. If you’re in that boat, never fear, it’s fixable! Check out the steps listed on the Silhouette America FAQ regarding CAMEO 3 Firmware Bricked. Once your Firmware is updated, ensure your software is also up-to-date to prevent any further issues.
Silhouette Studio® Software Update
Click here to update your software. As of this post’s publishing date, the most recent version available is V3.8.150.
If you would like to verify what version you are currently running, follow these steps:
- Open Silhouette Studio®
- Click on ‘Help’ in the top menu
- Choose ‘About Silhouette Studio®’
This will open a pop-up window in Silhouette Studio® that will tell you which version you are currently running. You can see in the photo below that I’m running Silhouette Studio® Business Edition V3 Release 3.8.150ssbe.
Tip: Before updating your software, you may want to backup your library to ensure that you don’t lose any designs during the update.
Updating your software will ensure your computer, Silhouette Studio®, and the CAMEO 3 are all communicating properly, which will mitigate a lot of potential issues.
Bluetooth
Start Here: Read this short how-to (also includes an easy-to-follow video) from Silhouette America on How to Connect Bluetooth for CAMEO 3.
If you followed all of the steps in the tutorial link above and you are still having issues connecting, then read on for a few additional troubleshooting tips to get your Bluetooth feature up and running.
- First off, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but… Have you checked to ensure that your computer is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0? Unfortunately, a lot of people who are having trouble connecting the Bluetooth feature ultimately realize that it is in fact their computers that don’t support Bluetooth. Click here to verify if your computer is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0.
- Is your computer’s Bluetooth turned on? Use another computer or smartphone to verify that the CAMEO 3 is visible via Bluetooth. I used my phone’s Bluetooth (see photo below) to verify that my CAMEO 3 was recognizable and the problem was my laptop. My computer required me to manually turn the Bluetooth on. So, if you can “see” your CAMEO 3 on another device’s Bluetooth, then you can narrow down the issue. Start by Googling the make and model of your computer in addition to the phrase “turn Bluetooth On” or “troubleshoot Bluetooth” for tips regarding your computer’s Bluetooth.
- Not to beat a dead horse but I can’t stress this point enough: Have you updated the Firmware and Studio Software? These components are essential to the symbiosis of the CAMEO 3 and your computer. Bluetooth will not connect properly if you haven’t completed these steps.
Pause Error
Was your CAMEO 3 working like a charm when suddenly you notice it’s stuck on Pause and will not cut any jobs? I haven’t heard about this issue lately, but it did seem to be a headache for some back in August/September so I thought that I would touch on it just in case it happens to you.
- Cancel any pending jobs in Silhouette Studio® (if you are able)
- Shut down Silhouette Studio®
- Turn off the CAMEO 3
- Unplug the CAMEO 3
- Wait 1 minute allowing the machine to shut down completely
- Then plug in your machine
- Open Silhouette Studio®
- Lastly, turn back on the CAMEO 3
CAMEO 3 Shuts Itself Off
The CAMEO 3 has a built in sleep timer. You decide how long you want it to stay on, the default is fifteen minutes. It goes up to thirty minutes or turns off altogether.
- Power on the CAMEO 3
- Select the gear icon in the Upper Right of the touch-screen
- Scroll down using the down arrow
- Select the ‘Sleep Mode’ option
- Using the arrow buttons scroll to your choice of length for the sleep timer (or off)
- Select the back arrow several times to return to the main loading screen
Once I realized the machine had a sleep timer, and it wasn’t an actual issue with my machine, it no longer bothered me. If it goes into sleep mode while I’m working I just tap the screen to wake it up.
The CAMEO 3 is awesome and shouldn’t cause any issues. However, I hope that this guide was helpful, just in case you encountered a problem. Hopefully by now you and your CAMEO 3 are lean, mean cutting machines! Lastly, if you’re still experiencing issues you can always reach out to the Silhouette Support Team.
What is your best CAMEO 3 tip?
Wendy J. Leon
January 23, 2017
I was frantic over the whole Paused Cameo 3. I called and waited on the 1-800 number until they offered to call me back. I waited some more while trying to fix the problem myself to no avail and finally I came to this site and happened upon your sage advice and my wonderful Cameo 3 is again cutting like a dream. Thank you so much for being here for me and users like me. God bless you.
Sandra Ramos
January 27, 2017
I just got my Cameo hooked up. I need to figure out how to put the blade in. I am so scared to mess up. Please help me with a walk thru or lead me in the right direction.
Sierra Dungan
January 30, 2017
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Kelly Wayment
February 1, 2017
Excellent tips, Nicole!
Sarah Funke
February 11, 2017
anyone know what the preferred Cameo browser is. Can’ t find the info
Kelly Wayment
March 9, 2017
I’m not sure I understand your question, Sarah. Do you mean an internet browser?
Cindy
March 16, 2017
Yes which browser
I keep getting browser error and it looks weird in chrome.
Kelly Wayment
March 16, 2017
I use Safari and Firefox without issues. Please contact support@silhouetteamerica.com if you still need help.
Bridget Hall
February 22, 2017
I just got my cameo 3, I m trying to update the firmware for the first time. It gives me an error message that I need to connect and power on my cameo. Machine is turned on and connected to my computer. HELP!
Sierra Dungan
February 22, 2017
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Meg
April 26, 2017
I just updated my firmware last night and you have to totally shut the machine down and unplug power. Then hold the on button while you plug it in. This will put it in firmware update mode. GL!
Brean Zarate
February 25, 2017
I just got my cameo 3, started a project went to cut and it won’t cut thru on the left side. The right cuts just fine. What’s happening?
I have the studio and never had this problem.
Thanks
Sierra Dungan
February 27, 2017
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Tara
March 5, 2017
I was having trouble connecting to Bluetooth. So I saved my file to the local users design. This is where I have been saving all my projects and had several different folders. I logged out of silhouette and shut down my computer. I then went and shut off my cameo three and turned it back on. I then rebooted my computer and went back into The silhouette program at which time it indicated that I was connecting to the program. I said OK. I went to my library and all of my local user designs/folders had disappeared. Is there any way of retrieving all of my projects and designs? The only thing I can find is retrieving things from my cloud. But that only retrieves items that you’ve purchased from the silhouette store.
Kelly Wayment
March 9, 2017
Tara, please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Marsha Cosper
March 18, 2017
I have been watching Tutorials all day.. tried to cut my first item.. I have tried several attempts to cut an anchor.. simple outlined.. cameo the cut.. will not cut vinyl.. checked the blade.. it is in correctly.. I have tried to figure it out.. with no avail.. attempted several more times.. it cut the vinyl.. all kinds of ways.. got so upset.. have had it for a week.. ready to give up…
Kelly Wayment
March 21, 2017
Marsha, I suspect your issue may be that you need to choose the “automatic blade” as your blade type in the Cut Settings Window when you choose vinyl as the material. When you send your cut job, does the blade go through an up-and-down plunging motion before cutting? If this isn’t the problem, please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot further.
Missy
April 10, 2017
My computer software is up to date (version 3)
But my cameo machine is showing firmware- version V 1.08
I have unplugged, turned off, & moved USB ports but cannot get it to read firmware 3 from laptop– any suggestions ? Thanks in advance
Kelly Wayment
April 11, 2017
Missy, the software and firmware updates are different things. You can find the firmware update to download and then follow installation instructions here: https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/firmware Please contact Silhouette Support if you still need help. support@silhouetteamerica.com
Tami Poucher
April 23, 2017
i am switching from the cameo 2 to 3 how to i update it in my software? so i can cut from my computer
Kelly Wayment
April 24, 2017
Tami, you can find the current Silhouette Studio software that will run your CAMEO 3 here: https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software
Please contact support@silhouetteamerica.com if you still need help.
Christy Kristiansen
April 30, 2017
I’m making sign ‘stencils’ out of vinyl and painting them on wood . Any idea if i can use the stencil multiple times ? like 10, or 20 ?
Kelly Wayment
May 1, 2017
Christy, Silhouette makes a stencil material that will work for multiple uses, potentially up to 10-20 times. You can find it here and here (two different sizes, depending on your needs).
Wendy
May 1, 2017
I’m in panic mode. I have a cameo 2 and just added a 3. Followed all the steps but the 3 won’t show up in my business edition software. Any ideas??
Kelly Wayment
May 3, 2017
Wendy, please contact the support team at support@silhouetteamerica.com for assistance.
Wilco Appeldoorn
October 21, 2017
we have a new cameo 3 and can’t get it installed, when de proces reaches switch cameo on and connect the usb cable, that’s were the installation stops, a fault message appears that the cameo is not connected.
whatever we tried different usb ports, several printer cables, installation can not be finished.
Has anyone had this kind of prblem???
Kelly Wayment
October 30, 2017
Please contact support@silhouetteamerica.com for assistance.
alaa jameel
October 27, 2017
how to fix the cameo 3 device ???? is screen blue
bless I need fix
Kelly Wayment
October 30, 2017
Please contact the support team at support@silhouetteamerica.com or their live chat on silhouetteamerica.com for assistance.