You may also receive a read port error if there is not enough contrast between your registration marks and the paper you are using. I received that error countless times before I realized that it was because I'd been using some grey card stock that I'd purchased accidentally, and so was using it to test ideas. When I switched back to white paper, the robo no longer had problems finding the marks.

If you are still getting the error, try shining a light down where the head of the robo is. I've found that when I work at night, there is sometimes insufficient light for the robo to correctly read the marks, resulting in the error.

(read more under "Cannot Find Registration Marks")

Cannot Open Port

This error indicates that the computer cannot find the Craft Robo. Check to make sure that your computer is connected to the robo.

Does Not Support Multiple Pages

Actually not sure of the exact wording of this one, but basically I've discovered that when using Illustrator, the Robo does not like it when there are elements that are off the page. Even if those elements are on a layer that is invisible, the Robo will balk, thinking that you are asking it to cut items that are on multiple pages. Be tidy and delete anything that extends beyond the page.

Cannot Find Registration Marks

Check to make sure that all three registration marks are printing out on your sheet. Also, I have heard that some people have had problems when their ink was running low and the marks were faint or if there is not enough light on the marks.

When you insert your paper, make sure that the registration marks appear between the rollers. As you face the robo, there should be two marks closer to the robo (right and left) and one closer to you on the left -- if they are not that way, you have to configure your registration marks so that they do. When I had problems it was because I had to change the registration marks from horizontal to vertical or vice versa.

Roll your sheet in until the head of the robo is just about to touch the first registration mark. Send your document to cut.

If your robo cannot read the first registration mark, remove the sheet and reposition the paper on backing sheet -- I find that I have better luck with cutting if I move the paper about a quarter inch to the left. Just keep shifting it until it can read that first mark.

The robo makes two "passes" on each mark, one for each leg. If you listen and watch closely, you will get a clue by knowing which mark and leg it is having problems finding.

If it cannot find the second mark (the one closest to you as you face it), you may have the paper slightly at an angle. Also check to make sure that there is enough clearance at the back of the robo so that the backing sheet can extend behind the unit without any problem.

If it cannot find the third mark, I have found that I have to VERY slightly tilt the paper on the backing sheet, so that the near side of the paper is shifted VERY slightly to the left. This will allow it to find the second "leg" of that third mark.

Once you find that "sweet" spot, it doesn't hurt to mark your backing sheet so that you don't have to search for it again if you are cutting out a lot of this particular project.

Things to Try

Make sure that the Robo has enough space at the back to easily move the sheet back without hitting something. It can easily be enough force to throw off the registration (sometimes that is why it cannot find the third mark).

Make sure your Robo is hooked up to your computer correctly.

Restart the machine, restart your computer.

Simplify your design, deleting piece after piece to see if anything helps fix the problem. Make sure that there are no elements of your piece, even on layers that are not visible, that extend beyond the page.

Pray.