Are you having trouble with your Roomba?
Get tips to deal with your roomba issues.
Compared to other cleaning robots, Roomba robotic vacuums for small apartment offer the cleaning with the most convenience and comfort.
However, they may encounter with some problems at times, such as running out of battery power.
Of course they require frequent maintenance to extend the life span.
If you want to give your Roomba the best care, then make sure you see all the error numbers or listen to the beeps as that let you know what you should do for your Roomba needs.
In this Roomba troubleshooting guide, I’m going to discuss some issues often happening to the Roomba vacuum and give tips to deal with them.
Let’s have a look!
Table of Contents
How Do You Get the Roomba to Dock?
Find reasons your roomba wont dock.You find your Roomba not docking?
Find reasons your roomba wont dock.
For those who don’t know, the Roomba is a vacuuming robot. Therefore, it will return to the home base to dock itself once the cleaning cycle is over or it runs out of battery. When it docks itself, the system also starts recharging.
Surely you can manually send your robot home so that it can dock itself if prefer. This means you don’t have to wait for the cleaning cycle to be over or until the battery gets low.
The issue here is: your Roomba just won’t dock!
Or much worse, some find that their Roomba dies before docking.
Is there any way to fix it and how?
I must say this is a common issue with the Roomba 650, and the common reasons could be because of:
- Debris on the Roomba sensors underneath the unit
- Bad or no continuity of the Roomba sensors
- The docking station pins do not operate correctly
You can fix these problems, but it’s just temporarily.
In case your Roomba is out of the warranty period, you are recommended to give it a temporary fix to verify the issue first and then quickly purchase a new docking station for the replacement.
Most docking stations aren’t really cheap; nonetheless, it’s much better than buying a brand-new Roomba as well as more reliable than a temporary fix. Note that adding tape or paper in the docking station will lead to a potential fire threat.
How Do I Reset My Roomba?
Actually, resetting the software in your Roomba robot is quite simple.
Hold down the two buttons marked ‘DOCK’ and ‘SPOT’ simultaneously. You can find them located on either side of the ‘CLEAN’ button. Press and count to ten and then simply release them.
You will hear the ‘beep’ sound meaning the system will be reset. The progress will remove all scheduled cleaning times and resolve some problems relating to the software.
When you need to give Roomba battery reset?
If you see the dock light flashes, this means your Roomba’s power is getting low and needs to return to its charging station. However, as I said above, sometimes your robotic vacuum cannot find the docking station.
Or after a long time using, you may notice the time for charging becomes longer while the device quickly runs out of power.
Those signs let you know your Roomba robot’s battery needs a reset.
- Initially, you have to charge the unit as fully as possible
- Press the ‘CLEAN’ button to turn the Roomba unit on; next, press and hold down both the ‘DOCK’ and ‘SPOT’ buttons until you see the dim light from ‘CLEAN’ button
- The robot will chirp to indicate it’s been reset
- Plug your robot into the charger until the ‘CLEAN’ button turns green
- Continue charging the Roomba throughout 3 days, and the progress should not be interrupted
- Put the robot to work to drain out of its power so that you can do the battery reset again
If the run times do not improve, then you may want to buy a new Roomba battery.
How Many Years Does a Roomba Battery Last?
If you keep it properly, then the battery life expectancy for this robotic vacuum cleaner will increase.
I’ve been using iRobot Roomba for almost 2 years and it still works like a new one, just incredible. So personally I think the life expectancy of a Roomba battery would last more than 5 years.
For the long-term storage of a Roomba battery, you must remove it from your robot and put in a cool, dry place. Significantly, only store Roomba batteries after giving them a fully charge. In order to use the Roomba again, simply insert the battery and charge the device 100%.
Also, get the answer for why my Roomba won’t charge!
How to Tell If Roomba is Charging?
Signs to know your roomba is chargingAs you already know, your Roomba robovac uses a rechargeable battery which lasts for hundreds of cleaning cycles for the operation. Give it the right maintenance for a longer lifespan, and the key is to recharge the battery after every cleaning session.
You know a Roomba is charging if the solid green light is displayed on the charger whenever you plug it into an on-wall outlet.
Nonetheless, what if your current model charges through a Home Base?
It’s completely normal for the unit’s light indicator goes off while charging through the Home Base, and also you’ll find no light indicator on the Home Base itself. The answer for this issue is because both the robotic cleaner and the Home Base must converse energy during the charging process.
After the robot vacuum has docked, the power button on the Home Base will turn green within 4 seconds and then go out. Meanwhile, the tiny cleaning machine’s charging light will also show the green color once being connected to the Home Base; similarly, it will extinguish after a minute.
So, how to tell if Roomba is charging?
- Press CLEAN on the unit.
- The green power indicator means your robovac is fully charged.
- The amber color is a sign of still charging.
- When the light turns red, it could be a symptom of drained battery and you should charge it instantly.
Below is a video guiding on how to charge and maintain the battery for Roomba 700 and 800 series:
If you’re using the 900 series, then the most convenient way to solve this issue is to download the iRobot app. All the status of the Roomba batter will be displayed on the screen giving you the ideal time to perform a cleaning cycle.
See also: The best Roomba model to buy
Why is Roomba Not Connecting to Wifi?
Turn on the iRobot HOME app and suddenly you see the message: “There was a problem connecting to Roomba. Sorry. Please entry.”
Is this your first time encountering this type of matter? You found your Roomba not connecting to wifi and are in need of a solution for this trouble? No need to worry as we’re going to tell you how to solve this!
Make sure you follow these simple steps accurately:
- Place both the Home Base and your robovac in somewhere specifically having excellent wifi coverage.
- See if the wifi indicator on the robot vacuum turns green or not; then, follow the instructions on the iRobot app to reform the connection between your phone and the robot wifi network.
- The tutorials are written steps by steps; thus, all you need is to stick to it in order to complete the wifi setup process.
In case you’re unable to find your robot cleaner in the available network, try to reboot both the Roomba and router, close the app, and start the wifi setup course over again.
What if the problem persists?
Then I recommend you to have a check on the wifi setting of your router and make sure it’s compatible with the whole setup process.
How Often Do You Empty a Roomba?
Tips to maintain the roomba dustbinIt’s advisable that you should empty your Roomba after every cleaning session, according to iRobot makers. In addition, you’re also suggested to rinse the dustbin with warm water and let it air dry.
The first thing to do is to perform the bin removal from your robovac body.
Most of Roomba models have the dustbin attaching to a receptacle located from the back of the machine. Undock the robot from its charging station initially. Simply push down the release tab and pull the bin towards you in order to remove it.
With newer models, the dustbin has the center-mounted design which means the consumers can easily unravel it directly out of the top of the vacuum without disconnecting it from the Home Base.
For example, Roomba S9+ is now equipped with this style of bin for more advanced convenience.
To lengthen the lifespan of a Roomba robotic cleaner, it’s a must to take dustbin maintenance to the next level. Even Roomba S9+ and Roomba i7+ are packed with the Clean Base allowing both to empty themselves once in 2-3 days. The dirt will be stored in a disposable bag that can hold up to 30 dustbins full of debris and can be cleaned up in a snap.
In general, you should empty the bin as often as possible and do not forget to clean the air filter as well.
How to Get Roomba to Clean Whole House?
Ideally, you expect the iRobot Roomba to sweep and clean everywhere of your house; nevertheless, there are a couple of obstacles that might prevent it from reaching the perfection.
Find the best Roomba for hardwood floors
Like this robovac is not designed to move up and down the stairs, for instance, and it can only climb up at the height of 0.8 in. So, it’s impossible for the machine to give the cleaning to each room if your apartment is multi-level.
Fortunately, here are some tips you can try out in case you want to gain the most out of the robotic vacuum cleaner:
1. Black carpets
Want your black carpet to be cleaned?
Well, then you need to turn off the cliff sensors on the robot vacuum. Make sure your home has no stairs or any sunken area within reach before doing this. Or, you can make use of the virtual walls to prevent your Roomba from reaching such places.
2. Edge cleaning
Not many people know but the Roomba does have a nifty feature which you should take advantage of to clean up all the edges of doors, stairs, and walls in your house. This feature guarantees that no part will be left with dirt and debris.
In order to utilize this function, you need to turn on and log in the iRobot HOME app; then, access the Preferences section.
3. Remain tip-top condition
You should give your Roomba the maintenance once per week. It’s necessary to clean out any entangled fur or dust stuck in the dustbin – using a soft brush included in the package to brush it off. Otherwise, the robot vacuum’s cleaning capacity will be drain and soon damaged.
Offer the unit a deep clean each month. The iRobot makers suggest you opening the spiral brushes and bearings using the screwdriver; you should clean everything trapped in there.
Remember to replace filters and brushes every three months.
4. Furniture rearrangement
It’s essential to consider furniture arrangement if you want more space for the Roomba to move, access, and clean easier. Move something like stools and sofas if you find your robovac having a hard time to displace here and there.
This is the essential tip especially if your apartment has very low clearance.
Before planning to purchase a Roomba, always be certain about sparing some space for it to move around or to get it to flush to the walls.
5. Fix the cable mess
Did you know that cables are one of reasons avoiding your Roomba from accessing all areas? The fact is that those cables clutter around and make it hard for the robovac to move from place to place. Much worse, they sometimes can become entangled, and because of this, the cleaning cycle usually stops out of the blue.
The good advice in this case is to tie all of your cables together using the cable tie and put them neatly in certain places. Then, cover them with trunking as a way to keep them off the floor.
How Long Does a Roomba Take to Clean a Room?
Did you just buy a Roomba vacuum?
Well, a new Roomba will happily clean away all the dirt and debris from any where in your house within one and two hours.
If you use the machine weekly for a year or two, you will realize the battery power has been reduced – the cleaning time lasts for 30–40 minutes after two years. And, 40 minutes are not be enough for the robot to clean a single room.
That’s why you must give your Roomba the maintenance constantly.
Summary
Should you get one for your home?
If you dislike vacuuming and are interested in gadgets, then the Roomba machine is definitely a choice for you.
Reliable and versatile, this well-maintained robotic vacuum cleaner will give you hours of free time and let you enjoy the comfort of your sofa because it enables to clean everywhere in one go.
If you want to keep the Roomba moving around your place for a long time, the key is to provide it proper maintenance and care.
- Clean it frequently
- Protect it from the stairs
- Keep your Roomba close to the charger so that it can dock itself with ease
Did you enjoy this guide? Have any issue with your Roomba?
Don’t mind leaving your comments below and we will soon come up with solutions that you probably find useful.
Storing the battery at 100% charge is not recommended for Li-ion batteries, rather it at a 70% charge. Running the battery down at 0% is not recommended for normal operation, only for calibration.
Thanks for your opinions, I appreciate this!
I have a roomba 890 and when you start, it’s makes noise and will spin but does not travel. I held button 10 seconds to reset but did not fix. I cleaned with my fingers app 6 senors ( appears to be seniors) and did not fix. Machine is almost a year. It’s at a cabin do no internet and not used much
Hi Chuck,
If Roomba is making a clicking or thumping sound while cleaning, it means the extractors cannot turn. Please clean the brushes or extractors.
If Roomba backs up or spins in circles, run Roomba in an open area with no obstacles present for 2 minutes to determine if the robot will stop with an error message. If it does, follow the troubleshooting steps for the appropriate error message.
Sincere!
.
I have a similar problem. Here is the history:
It was exposed to water. I let it dry a week before turning on. I then got a battery charging error. I replaced the battery
My Roomba now turns on, spins the edge brush, and I feel air blowing, but the wheels will not turn.
What might cause this?
How can I fix it or diagnose the problem?
Oh I forgot to add this is a Roomba 805, purchased at Costco.
Machine is 3 weeks old have cleaned both filter several times in that period of does not pull material into dust Ben what do I do with it sounds like fun is not turning
mY iROBOT TELLS ME THERE IS A #26 PROBLEM . WHAT IS WRONG. mY VACUEM IS ONLY 2 WEEKS OLD
Hi dear,
Error twenty six (26) means the vacuum is experiencing insufficient airflow. … Next, inspect the fan/scroll/vacuum assembly for debris. Be sure to inspect both the entrance and exhaust. Remove any debris using compressed air (or Air Duster).
Sincere
My i8+ is brand new and I have the same issue.
My roomba i4+ does not map all the rooms in my bungalow house, it skips a bedroom, the front entrance and a bathroom. I have tried to map more then once, deleted the previous map before I attempted to remap but it still skips some of the rooms. Please advise.
Hi Sylvie,
Roomba may choose not to clean all the rooms if there’s too much obstructions on its path. This can be random objects and scattered wires on the floor, blocking low lying furniture, dark carpets, or inadequate room lighting. Roomba can also skip rooms if the device itself is not well-maintained.
What to do?
– Make sure that you have set the Roomba to clean all rooms and not specified ones.
– Make sure there is adequate lighting available for the Roomba and it will start working properly.
– Turn the Roomba over and start cleaning the brushes and the sensors.
– Start the mapping process from scratch and make sure that the whole area gets mapped correctly.
– Remove the obstacles from their way and let it configure the dimensions of your whole house.
Hope this helps!
My old Roomba seems to be stuck on spot clean. No forward motion. Just spins.
Hello, so I have cleaned everything and still likes to go in a circle. Cheers
Hello my Roomba 671 is stuck on spot cleaning. I have cleaned all parts still spot cleaning and no forward motion. THX
A Roomba may frequent the same place multiple times due to an immense amount of dirt on the floor, or more likely due to dirty sensors or low light.
Sincere
Roomba will not cycle through the days when setting time. Stuck on Sunday only
II have an I roomba it’s about eight years old. But it was never used until last year. It quit running , I replaced the battery. But now it’s still does the same thing it will go for a while stops then you have to press the button for it to start back up again n can you tell me what the problem is?
Hi Tony,
Roomba’s clock can be viewed in either the 12-hour (AM/PM) format or the 24-hour format. To toggle between the two views, press and hold the DAY and MINUTE buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds until Roomba beeps and the clock briefly illuminates, indicating the clock format has been switched. Roomba’s clock will switch back to the default 12-hour (AM/PM) format when Roomba’s battery is disconnected or significantly discharged.
have new battery charger does turn green for 4 seconds have push clean and held the spot and dock for 10 seconds the clean button turns orange flashes for 60 seconds then goes off still does nothing what is wrong
I have new battery The charger does turn green for 4 seconds I pushed clean button then held the spot and dock for 10 seconds The clean button turns orange and flashes for 60 seconds Then goes off and does nothing What is wrong?
Hi Yvonne,
If the CLEAN indicator is blinking when it is on the Home Base®, this means a robot software update is in process. Allow the update to complete before attempting to start the robot. This could take up to 10 minutes.
To check the robot’s software, open the iRobot HOME App and select More ➔ Settings ➔ About (robot name).
If your robot does not have the latest software, you will be able to request an update on this screen within the iRobot HOME app.
If you are still experiencing difficulty, please contact iRobot Customer Care.
Sincere!
My Roomba completely charge and I’m not sure it’s charging anymore. It has a green light when o put it on the doc but then I have been unable to turn it on at all. Help
We suggest taking off the battery and placing it back in the robot to confirm the proper contact.
If your Roomba® i Series Robot Vacuum is not turning on or is not able to charge, please check the following:
The battery is installed.
Examine Home Base/Clean Base line cord and look for any damage.
Ensure the plug is secure into the base and outlet. Push in on both sides of the cord.
If charging using a Clean Base Charging Station, ensure when wrapping the cord on the cord wrap to not wrap it too tight as this could pull the cord out of the connector on the back of the Clean Base.
A new iRobot Lithium-Ion Battery must be woken up on the Home Base® before use. Plugin the Home Base, verify that the power indicator illuminates solid for 4 seconds, and then shuts off.
Place the Home Base on a hard flat surface and place Roomba on the Home Base. It may take several seconds for the robot to wake up. Verify the Home Base power indicator illuminates solid. The light will go out in approximately 4 seconds while the robot continues to charge. The light ring on the robot will illuminate to signal that it is charging. After 1 minute, the light ring will go out as the robot continues to charge.
If the light ring on the robot illuminates red and Roomba produces an error message when charging, consult the charging error messages chart.
My I Robot when running is making this annoying squeaking noise.
My ibot is less than 9 months old ahas developed an annoying squealing like a bad bearing. How can I get it fixed?
Hi,
Maybe you activated the mouse search feature. Maybe a little WD-40 in the wheel area…I wouldn’t take it apart too much unless you know how to assemble it.
Also, go easy on the WD-40, its a guy “thing” to spray all over.
I just checked, and I did a Google search on “Common Roomba Problems”..You can download free manuals, and some troubleshooting guides.
Maybe don’t run it, and you won’t have to listen to the squeak. I don’t own a Roomba, I have the old fashion Vacuum Cleaner.
the threading on gears of the brush spinner motor may be gone. open up the motor (see youtube on how to open the motor). replace the plastic gears. that should fix it.
i did the same for the same issue. just replaced the gear and everything worked well
my i robot roomba has a wheel problem#7 help me fix it i have cleaned or wiped with a cloth the wheels, sensers, the rollers the whole thing putt on the hardwood and pushed the white circle takes off for a minute and said wheel problem # 7 again help please
linda halsey
Hi Linda,
Check the wheels for obstructions. Push the wheels up and down and shake out any loose debris that may be trapped in the wheel well. Briskly turn both wheels by hand and make sure they turn freely and that each wheel exhibits the same amount of resistance.
Sincere
Hi Carol,
It’s usually caused by friction between plastic- and/or metal parts. Apply a bit of lubricant, e.g. a silicon spray or similar, but be careful not to spill any of this onto the wheels or moving parts themselves. Usually a tiny bit of lubricant will do.
Your Roomba has two main moving parts: Its wheels and its brushes. Try spinning them manually, if possible, and see if you can get it to make the squeaking sounds by yourself. That might give you a hint of where the problem is, and you can apply a bit of lubricant to solve the problem.
You could also try calling the manufacturer directly, and ask if they are aware of this problem, and what you could do about it.
My 960 is blinking red and I don’t know what to do. It has been on it’s base for days. What is wrong?
Hi Marge,
If the red light ring around the CLEAN button is pulsing, the Roomba i Series battery charge is too law to start cleaning. Make sure that the robot is docked to the Home Base or the Clean Base™ (for i7+ models) to start charging the battery. When the battery has reached a full charge the light ring will change to white.
When the red light ring around the CLEAN button is sweeping toward the rear, it is about time to empty the bin.
iRobot 675 battery dies before returning to the docking station
Mine said dirt detected so I cleaned it like always down to filter want turn on now love my tombs 😭😭😭
I replaced all of my brushes last week and now the rotating brush falls off every time my Roomba runs. I screw it back on tightly and then it falls off again the next day. I’ve replaced it many times before and never had this problem. I tried using a different screw but it still falls off. Help!
My does the exact same thing. How do I fix this problem?
Most likely the threads in the motor end are stripped. Email irobot customer support, chances are they’ll send you a new motor, it’s super easy to swap and they’ll include instructions. Or if they say you’re out of warranty, the motor modules are pretty cheap on the irobot website. luckily they design these robots to be repaired easily.
Sincere
Mine is brand new and it is not sucking up the hair it leaves clumps behind.
Not happy with it
My roomba is leaving clumps of hair/fibres all over the carpet when cleaning. How can I stop this?
Hello my Roomba 675 is only a couple of months old. When we first got it we had now problem getting our cleaning job done & returning to home base. Now Roomba seems to clean & clean however he never makes it home before he runs out of battery ( just under 2 hours). Is it normal to go over every area time & again? We try to run Roomba every other day so that there is not a lot of cleaning needed.
The dirt/pet hair just accumulates around the opening of the dust bin and doesn’t go all the way into the receptacle. I have replaced all the moving parts. Is this a symptom of needing a new battery?
650 iroomba docks but spins off whats wrong
E5 wanting to do circles some times brush will not turn, When this happens I will spin brush and wheel than it works. Any ideas what will cause this?
My model 677 is 3 months old, and tells me “Battery Low” when charging. What’s up with that?.
It is plugged in but when it is off to clean. It stops and says recharge robot
My Roomba 980 seems to ‘clean’ until it just about runs out of battery before it returns to the dock. It usually returns – (sometimes I have to clean the sensors). It runs sometimes for 2-.1/2 hours. I don’t have all that large an area – and I usually ‘set’ my furniture for when it runs in the morning. Why does it just keep running until the battery is almost run down before it returns to the dock. It used to run for about an hour and 15 minutes – and now it’s a lot longer. Recently – after almost 2..5 hours – I go downstairs and just push the home button and it will ‘cancel the job’ and return home. I change my filter, and purchase your kit every so often and replace the side brush. I clean it thoroughly each time it runs. It also seems ‘louder’ than it used to be. It’s going on 3 years old.
Hi Francine,
Your Roomba has two main moving parts: Its wheels and its brushes. Try spinning them manually, if possible, and see if you can get it to make the squeaking sounds by yourself. That might give you a hint of where the problem is, and you can apply a bit of lubricant to solve the problem.
You could also try calling the manufacturer directly, and ask if they are aware of this problem, and what you could do about it.
Sincere
My edge brushes do not turn anymore
Hi Debbie,
If Roomba is running quieter than it used to or it is no longer picking up debris, the brushes may not be spinning, or the bin may need to be cleaned. Please clean the main rubber brushes , corner brush, and bin then test to see if the brushes are picking up to debris, to do so:
– Ensure Roomba is turned off.
– Place a small amount of debris in front of the robot such as torn pieces of paper, small beads, or cereal.
– Press and hold CLEAN for 3 seconds to clear out the last cleaning job.
– Press CLEAN to run over the debris.
Sincere
My release button for the release bin won’t push down. Can I spray som WD on it or how do I get it to release my bin?
Hi Judy,
If the buttons become unresponsive, please use the following procedure to reboot the robot.
Press and hold the CLEAN button on the robot for 10 seconds then release. When you release the button, you will hear a tone. The White light ring will spin around the bin lid, and Roomba will then boot up. This can take around 1 minute.
Press CLEAN to start a new cleaning job.
If you use the scheduling feature, open the iRobot HOME App after rebooting to confirm that the schedule remains intact.
If problem persists, please contact iRobot Customer Care.
Sincere
My Model 980 will not change from high power to low when set to automatic. He runs on high all the time.
. How can i correct problem? Ralph is only 5-6 month old.
Why my roomba keeps getting error 5 when charging. It is 500 series. It could be the battery?
Hi,
Charging error 5 means the Roomba i Series charging system isn’t working correctly. Please remove the edge sweeping brush and bottom cover to access the battery and check that you are using an authentic iRobot® battery. Charging errors can occur with counterfeit batteries.
To fix Error 5 on your Roomba:
– Push the wheels up and down several times and shake out any loose debris that may be trapped in the wheel well.
– Briskly turn both wheels by hand, ensuring they turn freely and that each wheel exhibits the same amount of resistance.
Sincere
My I roomba 536 has a new battery and all light’s are green but the clean one is yellow….. Just put a new battery in today and is on dock. does this mean it’s charging?
Hi Ellen,
These are displayed while the robot is cleaning. While the robot is charging, press CLEAN to view the battery’s status.
Green: Fully charged.
Amber: Partially discharged.
Pulsing Amber: Charging.
Red: Nearly discharged.
Flashing Red: Discharged.
Sincere
Roomba 960 will not restart to clean complete house after charge. Tried to reset, but still starts over every time after it’s charged.
If Roomba 900 series is not turning on or is not able to charge, please check the following:
– Be sure that the yellow battery pull tab has been removed from the bottom of the robot.
– If this is occurring with a new robot that has never been activated, the battery may have shifted during shipment. We suggest removing the battery and placing it back in the robot to ensure proper contact.
– Ensure the battery is installed.
– A new iRobot Lithium Ion Battery must be woken up on the Home Base before use. Place the Home Base on a hard flat surface and place Roomba on the Home Base. It may take several seconds for the robot to wake up. Verify the Home Base power indicator illuminates solid green. The light will go out in approximately 4 seconds while the robot continues to charge. The battery indicator on the robot should begin pulsing to signal that it is charging. After 1 minute, the battery indicator will go out as the robot continues to charge.
– If the troubleshooting indicator on the robot begins to blink and Roomba produces an error message when charging, consult the charging error messages chart.
– If Roomba does not charge, continue troubleshooting procedure.
– Reboot the robot.
– Examine Home Base line cord and look for any damage.
– Please remove the robot from the Home Base. Flip the robot over and remove the caster wheel. Ensure there is no built up debris in the caster wheel as this can cause the robot to not reach the charging contacts to charge. If debris found please perform caster wheel maintenance
– Clean the charging contacts on both the Roomba and the Home Base with a lightly dampened melamine foam such as a magic eraser and try charging again.
Thanks
My iROBOT ROOMBA gets off of the charger and starts running. I do not have it hooked to WiFi. It will awaken me in the middle of the night. I may come home and have to look for it. HELP
Hi Reta,
If Roomba does not return to the Home Base once a cleaning cycle is complete, verify the following:
– Examine the charger line cord and look for any damage.
– Plug the charger into a wall outlet and verify the power indicator illuminates solid green.
– Plug the charger into the Home Base to ensure that it is fully inserted with a tight fit. Verify the power indicator on the Home Base starts blinking approximately once every 4 seconds or it illuminates for 4 seconds and then shuts off. This is normal behavior, designed to conserve energy.
– Ensure there are no Virtual Walls®, Virtual Wall Lighthouses or other Home Bases located within 8 ft (2.4 m) of the Home Base that could be causing infrared beam interference.
– Place the Home Base in an open, uncluttered area.
– Ensure there are no foreign objects (e.g., stickers, tape, or paint) on the bumper or on the Home Base.
– Wipe down the charging contacts on the Home Base and robot with melamine foam (Magic Eraser) to remove any built up debris.
– Verify Roomba can return to its Home Base by manually by placing Roomba within 6 ft (2 m) of the Home Base and pressing Dock.
Thanks
Electric eye keeps popping out. Should I glue it in? Very annoying problem
My irobot’s brushes are working fine, but there doesn’t appear to be any suction.
Hi Kathleen,
The reason for your Roomba not sucking anymore could be for a few reasons. Perhaps the vacuum motor has worn out, this scenario should only happen to such a new unit under extreme conditions. It won’t normaly solve this type of problem, but have you tried a system reset on the Roomba by taking out the battery and holding down the power button for 30 seconds and then putting the battery back in and seeing if it works any better? The other thing I can think of that could be causing this is the rubber squeegee on the bottom of the Roomba. The 2 blue rubber skirts on the bottom of Roomba are essential, they help concentrate the vacuum suction. Are they damaged in any way? Depending on the surfaces you use your Roomba on they can wear pretty quickly and soon start losing their ability to focus the vacuum power.
Thanks!
Our Roomba keeps going off, sounds like it going to start up but it doesn’t start it just makes the sound. This happens all day and at night. I have rebooted it and finally factory reset it and it still keeps sounding off.
Hi,
The problem may simply be that the battery is too hot. Allow the robot to cool after use, and then attempt to charge it again. Another charging problem occurs when the Roomba seems to be fully charged but shuts down shortly into the cleaning cycle. Try charging directly from the power supply instead of the home base.
Thanks
Hi
I have had a 980 for many years, however the time of operation decreased so I invested in a new battery. My issue now is this. After docing for a long time, the red battery indicator on the unit keeps flashing (I have to press the clean button once to see the flash). The strange thing is that the app says that the battery has reached 100%, and when I remove the roomba from the doc and press the clean button, the battery indicator is green. Placing the unit back on the dock (without using it) makes the red flashing battery come back on. What could be wrong: The roomba, the brand new battery or the docking station? I spent 150 dollar on a new battery, and I don’t want to spend more without success.
Hi,
If the red light ring around the CLEAN button is pulsing, the Roomba i Series battery charge is too law to start cleaning.
Make sure that the robot is docked to the Home Base or the Clean Base™ (for i7+ models) to start charging the battery.
When the battery has reached a full charge the light ring will change to white.
Thanks
Our model 600 from Costco does an ok job of cleaning but runs out of battery power before cleaning the whole house. It returns to the dock for charging but just sits there. How do we get it to finish the cleaning job once the battery is recharged?
Hi Drew,
Roomba cleans an entire level of your home during one cleaning cycle. If its battery gets low before finishing a cleaning cycle, Roomba returns to the Home Base to recharge. It will return to its starting location and the cleaning cycle will end.
Thanks
New iroomba I i7 for a week did well but today it keeps saying error 26 and I’ve cleaned filter and bin and checked the brush caps. See no blockage but it starts and then stops a few seconds later. Even Reset but no change. What else can I try?.
Hi,
Begin by removing the Cleaning Head Module by following the instructions for changing the Cleaning Head Module.
Next, inspect the fan/scroll/vacuum assembly for debris. Be sure to inspect both the entrance and exhaust.
– Remove any debris using compressed air (or Air Duster).
– Replace the Bin Filter
Rotate the metallic portion of the Vacuum Motor three full rotations.
– Clockwise
– Then counterclockwise
If you are unable to rotate the Vacuum Motor:
– Elevate the robot 1 foot off a hard surface (be sure it is a surface or item of furniture that you are willing to potentially scratch or damage, such as a work bench) and drop it. (Optional or use in lieu of compressed air)
– Repeat the scroll clearing step.
– Replace the Cleaning Head Module after two attempts.
– Reinstall the Cleaning Head Module by following the instructions for changing the Cleaning Head Module.
Thanks
My room a gives me a verbal message after it stops saying that an internal error occurred. What is that? I’ve reset the cleaner and cleaned it, but it keeps giving me that error code.
Hi Rich,
Error fifteen (15) means Roomba is experiencing an internal communication error. Press CLEAN to restart the cleaning mission. If problem persists, perform a robot reboot.
If the message persists after rebooting the robot, please contact iRobot Customer Care.
For expedited service, please have the following ready:
Your robot charged and with you.
Your robot’s Serial number.
For warranty claims: Proof of purchase (receipt or invoice for purchase from an authorized retailer).
Thanks
Roomba battery will charge and adter a few minutes the charge error 5 comes on
Hi Robert,
Charging error five (5) means your robot’s charging system isn’t working correctly. Check that you are using an authentic iRobot® battery. Charging errors can occur with counterfeit batteries.
Sincere
Roomba battery is only a year old. roomba will run for a few minutes on hardwood floor, then proceed to a rug and immediately say recharge roomba. have cleaned wheels, new brush, cleaned roller and brushes are moving freely. what else can i do?
Hi Barbara,
Your Roomba has a sensor in the dirt bin that tells it to stop when its full. Apparently the sensor is either oversensitive or faulty in cases as its the SOURCE of the issue. Locate for the two metal pins on the side of the dirt collector when its disconnected from the Roomba.
Try this and see!
Sincere
The thing i like best about mine is the design for simple durability. These machines could have been a disaster to deal with for battery replacement and cleaning and maintenance, but instead they’re a triumph of industrial design.
When my Roomba is charging it leaves a message (charging error 8) I don’t know what to do about it.
Please Help
Thank You
Hi Judy,
Roomba error code 8 indicates that the motor and filter on your Roomba have stopped working. To fix error code 8, empty the bin and unclog the filter to get it working again.
Sincere
How can I get My i 11 to work on off day ?
I have a Roomba e6. It does not work to time anymore. I created a favourite of 45 mins and set a new job for 45 mins, it doesn’t stop, It keeps going for over an hour and I send it home through the app. I have deleted and re-created the favourite job, still doesn’t work. I also restarted Roomba, Any advice on how to get it work within a set number of minutes again?
Hi Nina,
According to the Roomba troubleshooting page, there could be multiple issues with your Roomba.
1) Your target station is too far away
2) There is an issue with your battery
To fix the first issue you should move your home station to a more central location. For the battery problem I would suggest cleaning the nodes on the battery first then start to think about buying a replacement battery.
Sincere
my machine has in red blinking ERR8 what is wrong with it
Hi Emmett,
If it’s the error 8, the motor is having problems spinning or the filter is clogged.
You should check the filter or replace a new one.
If after you have changed filter, cleaned bin, contacts and you are still getting the error 8. remove bin, take off the 4 screws on the bottom and gain access to the fan. Use a q-tip to clean the fan and spin it. My fan was dirty and stuck. Once fan is clean and moving easily put it back together and it should work.
Sincere!
I have a Roomba 665 and got wet while cleaning and device is out of power completely, tried to charge still no sign of power turning back on. Tried new battery and still not turning on.
Please help.
Hi Irene,
You’ve replaced the battery already; that’s very good. That’s the first thing you should ever do if the robot gets wet. Second, you really want to let the robot air out in a dry place to get any lingering moisture out of the Roomba. Compressed air may help.
After drying the Roomba out sufficiently, you may want to look at putting the battery back in to see how the Roomba runs. If it turns on, try to put it through a cleaning cycle and see how it behaves. If you get any kind of error codes, these may give you an idea of which components are defective and need replacing.
The home base, when connected to a power supply, outputs 2.9VDC approximately at its docking terminals. If you don’t get that, the base may be defective also. But, with the new power supply, you can plug it directly in to the Roomba and charge it, and see if the Roomba works or not.
Sincere
My Roomba says error 14, what is that?
Hi Cathie,
– When Roomba 900 series faces this Error 14 issue, it says “Error fourteen. Re-install Roomba’s bin then presses CLEAN to restart.”
– In the WiFi connection Roomba 600 and 800 series devices, it says, “Error one four. Please open the iRobot HOME App for help.”
– And finally, when Roomba 600, 700, and 800 series happens to face this error, it says “Error one four (1-4). Re-install Roomba’s bin then presses CLEAN to restart.”
The full bin and troubleshooting indicators will flash in the devices except for the iRobot Roomba 600 series as it doesn’t have a full bin indicator.
How to fix it: Error 14 or 1-4 means that Roomba is not able to detect an installed bin. So first confirm that the bin is installed and then wipe the bin contacts of both the robot and the bin with a neat and clean, dry cloth.
Sincere
My Roomba 960 will not connect to charge on the dock. I’ve cleaned all contacts and the only way it will start to charge is if I put something under it to lift it about 1/4″ then it will start to charge. What could be causing this?
Hi Rita,
First things first, check to see if the Home Base is plugged into the wall’s electrical outlet. There’s a chance that someone tripped over the wire connecting the Home Base to the wall socket. The plug may have come loose or completely out. If it’s not plugged in, the Base can’t turn itself on. The Roomba then won’t be able to detect where the Home Base is.
You should see that the power display on the Home Base displays a solid green light to show it’s switched on. If it’s plugged in and there’s no solid light, check to see if there’s an electrical current from that outlet. Find another electrical device like your phone and plug that into the wall. See if your phone starts charging. If your phone starts charging, then you know it’s something with the Roomba and you can skip the next Circuit Breaker section.
Next is checking the circuit breaker panel.
This check is only if you’re not seeing electricity from a specific wall outlet. Go to the circuit breaker panel for your home and check that the switch for that specific outlet is flipped on and activated.
If you’re not sure which switch is for that outlet, see if any switches are in the opposite direction from the others. Flip that one and check the outlet again. The switches usually have “on / off” text. The text should show if a switch is turned on or off. If you’re unfamiliar or just don’t want to mess with circuit breakers and general electric maintenance, find an electrician. Don’t do this yourself – find a more experienced person to help you with this.
Follow the length of the charger cable for the Roomba Home Base and check for any damage to the wire. For example, bent or exposed wiring.
A faulty cable will not charge the Home Base effectively. That’ll cause your Roomba to malfunction when it comes to docking. Check the plug as well to see if it’s bent or damaged. If the cable or plug is damaged, check if you’re still under warranty. Contact iRobot customer service to see if you can get it replaced or repaired.
Sincere
We’ve had a Roomba for about 5 years. Including the “Clean Base” Automatic dirt Disposal. But the self-cleaning function has NEVER worked, at all, from the beginning. How do I fix that?
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My IRobot will not run, I push the clean button and nothing. I tried to start from app, it said it’s running but is not. I reset also. Any idea or should I try to return? I just got it two months ago.
Hi Cherie,
If your Room Clean Button is Not Working, check the batteries for defects, power cycle or reset your Roomba, clean dust out of your Roomba, clean its Electrical Contacts and Filter, contact Customer Support, or replace your Roomba.
Sincere
My 4 year old Roomba 980 tells to clear debris extractors (error 2). I cleared the dirt from extractors, then replaced them with new extractors, replaced the filter, side brush, and battery. Also I removed and thoroughly cleaned the cleaning head module, reassembled it, and performed a factory reset of the Roomba but still get the same message to clear he debris extractors which are now brand new. The only other possibility would be to purchase a new cleaning head module for $60. Any suggestions?
Hi Steve,
What solved it? Look inside the brushes, inside the rubber tubes. No one tells you, but you have to clean it inside the brush. You can remove the gray-plastic part to clean the hair that is stored inside the brush. That was causing the error and fixed it for me.
Hope this helps!
Is this site real? It all sounds like a bad computer translation. None of these people are native English speakers. However, the Tips do seem helpful.
My Roomba, after full charge, when clean button pushed will beep and start up but the dock button will flash and Roomba will travel approx 6 ft turn and re turn to base. Any advice? Unit is approx 5 years old
If the dock light on your Roomba is flashing, it could mean a few different things. It could mean that your Roomba is having trouble finding its way back to the dock to charge. It could also mean that there’s a problem with the dock itself, like a loose connection or a malfunctioning charging port.
Sincere