A Roomba that can’t find its dock usually has one of three problems: the dock can’t be seen, the contacts are dirty, or something is blocking the path home. The steps below follow iRobot’s own support guidance for all Roomba models and are ordered from the quickest check to the last resort. Do them in order and test after each one.
Quick fixes (2 minutes)
- Check the dock has power. Unplug the dock’s power cord and push it back in firmly. The dock’s power light comes on and then turns off after about four seconds. That is normal and saves energy. If the light never comes on, try another outlet.
- Look at where the dock sits. Put it on a hard, level surface against a wall, with a clear path in front and at least 4 ft (1.2 m) away from stairs. If it has been moved, rotated or knocked during a cleaning job, the Roomba can’t find its way back.
- Clear the area around it. Remove clutter, cables and rugs near the dock.
Clean the contacts and sensors
- Wipe the charging contacts on both the dock and the robot with a lightly dampened melamine foam sponge (a “Magic Eraser”). Residue on the contacts can stop the robot from charging even when it reaches the dock.
- Remove any stickers, tape or paint from the Roomba’s bumper and the dock.
- On the Roomba Essential, peel the thin plastic film off the infrared window on the bumper and the dock.
Test whether the robot and dock recognise each other
Place the Roomba on the dock by hand. Both the dock and the robot should light up. If the robot does not light up within about 90 seconds, check the contacts on both for debris or damage; if they are clean and intact and it still doesn’t light up, contact iRobot Customer Care.
Reset the “go home” behavior
- Press and hold the robot’s button for 3 seconds to clear the previous cleaning job.
- Turn the Roomba so it faces the dock from within about 6 ft (1.8 m), then send it home using the HOME button or the iRobot HOME app.
- On a j Series, hold the robot button for 2 to 5 seconds to send it home.
- If it still fails, turn the robot on and send it home again.
Check for infrared interference
If you own more than one Home Base, keep them at least 8 ft (2.5 m) apart so their signals don’t confuse the robot.
Error 18: “cannot return to the Home Base”
iRobot defines error 18 as the Roomba being unable to return to the Home Base or its starting position. The fix is the same checklist above, plus two extra steps: clear the area in front of the starting position, and move the dock to a different location and start a cleaning job from it, since interference in the old spot can affect navigation.
Still not docking?
If every step fails, contact iRobot Customer Care with the robot charged, its serial number and proof of purchase for warranty claims. If the robot docks but won’t charge, or the battery drains fast, read our guides on why a Roomba won’t charge and how long a Roomba battery lasts. For other faults, see the full Roomba troubleshooting guide.
FAQ
Why does my Roomba reach the dock but not charge?
Dirty contacts on the robot or the dock are the first suspect. Clean both, then check that the dock light comes on.
Why does my Roomba say it is going home but never arrives?
The robot can’t see the dock’s signal. Check the dock position, interference from a second dock, and anything stuck over the infrared window.
Does this apply to every Roomba?
iRobot’s guidance applies to all Roomba models. The only difference it gives is the button hold on j Series robots.
Sources
- iRobot support, Roomba won’t return to the Home Base
- iRobot support, Error 18
Good guidelines!
My Roomba 980 loses its front wheel and cannot mount the home base platform to recharge. I have to search the house for the wheel. It is usually under a chair with a metal ring base or under the beds in the master bedroom with several electrical chords underneath. How do I keep the front wheel from falling off the Roomba. It didn’t do that when it was new.
HOW DO YOU MAKE new ROOMBA E5 go to the docking station !?
Hi,
How to Send Roomba Home to Dock
– Verify that the home base is plugged in. If it’s not, your Roomba will be unable to locate it to dock.
– Pick the Roomba up and set it down within five feet of the home base.
– Press the “Spot” and “Clean” buttons simultaneously. The Roomba will now drive into the home base to dock.
Sincere
Worked. Thank you. Contacts dirty.
It’s idiotic that one buys a Roomba to save themselves the chore of sweeping floors and end up spending time maintaining the machine.
My Roomba E Series loses traction going up the ramp, just a small amount of help is all it needs. This just started a couple of weeks ago.
I’m having exactly the same problem…. Looking for a solution.
Hi Rick,
Check the wheels for obstructions.
Push the wheels up and down several times and shake out any loose debris that may be trapped in the wheel well.
Make sure the wheels turn freely.
If there is uneven resistance between the wheels, hold down Roomba’s SPOT and
DOCK buttons for 10 seconds to reset the robot and try again.
Check tires for wear and tear.
If tire treads are no longer visible, or if large tears are present, replace wheel modules.
If wheel module problems persist on flat surfaces when there are no obstacles present, replace wheel modules.
The other thing to consider is dirt/grime at the optical encoders that sense wheel motion. Take a look at those and clean those with some isopropyl alcohol. Last but not least, you can also check the drive motor on the module.
There are two wires, a Red and a Black one that connect to the motor.Find those two wires on the connector that plugs into the connector on the main board, apply power form a 9V battery to those wires, the motor should turn in one direction. than reverse the wires, and the motor should turn into the opposite direction. If it does not, replace the motor, if it does you may have a bad component, either a diode or a power transistor (pretty common) on the H Bridge.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Should the green button on the base stay lite up while iRobot is charging?
Hi Cindy,
Solid green means a full charge.
Any other solid color means the battery is not charged fully and is not charging.
Sincere
My Roomba I7 gave out Error 26 after leaving docking station. I aiir pressure cleaned, and removed hair and dust from all wheels and dust bin. Dry cloth cleaned all censors. Also removed cleaning head module and followed online cleaning instructions. Now I’m getting docking error message when roomba leaves docking station. I’ve tried a reboot several times.
My IRobot i&+ will not mount the charging base. It starts to mount the base but then hangs up and the wheels spend. Any suggestions?
IRobt i7+
Hi Norm,
Dirt or built-up debris may be preventing your robot from charging. Please unplug the base and grab a clean, lightly dampened melamine foam, such as a Magic Eraser to clean the contacts on the robot and base.
Note: If you do not have melamine foam, a lightly dampened cloth will do.
These are the only two acceptable materials that should be used to clear the contacts.
Damaged contacts could also prevent your robot from charging. If the contacts are green or copper colored, they are damaged and the robot or base with the damaged contacts needs to be replaced.
Please contact iRobot Customer Care.
Sincere
Ours is doing the same thing. I have yet to find anyone who understands this problem. Were you able to resolve it?