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This easy tutorial will teach you how to replace your Cricut pen holder. Keep your machine running smoothly and your projects looking flawless.

If your Cricut pen holder isn’t working as well as it used to, don’t worry—you didn't break your machine.
Over time, wear and tear (or an accidental tug) can make the pen holder loose or break.
The good news is replacing it is easier than you might think!
Let’s fix it up and get that machine running like new again!
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Broken Pen Holder
Recently, I was crafting with my Cricut Maker, and this little plastic piece broke off and fell onto the floor of my machine.
Then I noticed that my marker wasn't held securely in clamp A. Did I break my machine?
After some panic and quick googling, I realized the pen holder had broken, but there was an easy fix!
Replacement Piece
There are a couple of places to purchase the replacement pen holder.
You can purchase the Cricut Accessory Adapter Replacement from Cricut.com for $1.99.
This is a great price, but you must pay shipping unless your order exceeds $50.
I purchased the Cricut Accessory Adapter Replacement from Amazon.com. It costs $10, but I received free shipping because I have Amazon Prime.
This piece works for both the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore machines, and the replacement instructions are also the same.
How to Replace
Open your Cricut cutting machine, move the housing to the machine's center, and open Clamp A.
To remove the pen holder from the clamp, push up on it. It is tight, so you will need to push hard.
Once you have pushed it free, lift the piece out of the clamp.
Grab the replacement piece and push it down into clamp A. Push hard because it is a tight fit.
That is all there is to it!
Now, when I insert a pen and close the clamp, it holds!
I was even able to make a cute card!
More Cricut Ideas
Now that you can use Clamp A again, you can create so many fun things!
Here are a few fun ideas.
helenjroberts
My pen holder broke the first time it was used. I learned how to get my pens in it just so they would work but was never able to get my stylus to work. It would always pop out so I had to use the wheel to make my fold lines. I am glad to see that the broken piece can be replaced.
Katie Adams
I was so relieved when I learned that too, and that it isn't a very expensive fix. I knew I had to help spread the word!