Roomba Problems & Troubleshooting Guide

Roomba robotic vacuums offer convenient cleaning but they could get wrapped up of some surfaces, may run out of battery power, and will need vacuum cleaner repair.

To best care for your Roomba, be prepared to listen for the error number or beeps so you understand what kind of Roomba repair needs.

In this Roomba troubleshooting guide, you will learn how to troubleshoot your Roomba including error codes, charging and battery life problems, sensor repairs and diagnostic mode.

Note: Over time iRobot has changed a number of the error code designations depending on the model. We have done our best to compile this information in our guide, but it is always a good idea to confirm the iRobot website for your particular model.

Roomba Error Codes

The following table is a list of common mistakes that correspond with the amount of beeps or voiced audio issue. Newer versions, such as the Roomba 980, should also tell you the precise issue.

Roomba Error

Possible Roomba Problems

Error 1

• Battery Connection
• Clean Battery Contacts & Reset Unit

Error 2

• Clogged Brushes
• Clean Brushes

Error 3

• Stalling
• Reset & Return To Charger

Error 5

• Charging Problem
• Remove Yellow Pull-Tab

Error 6

• Dirty Sensors
• Clean Sensors & Reset Unit

Error 9

• Dirty Bumpers
• Clean & Reset Unit

Error 10

• Dirty Wheels 
• Clean Wheels

Error 11

• Geographical Difficulty
• Remove problem areas, Boost Lighting, Clean Unit

Your Roomba will let you know that it's in trouble with a two-tone beep in the rhythm of "Uh-Oh!"

As soon as you hear this beep with older models, you will know to listen for another set of beeps; how many beeps will tell you what your robotic vacuum should return to work. Newer versions will voice the error amount.

Roomba Charging Error 1

This error is displayed by a single blinking routine and generally means your battery isn't connecting effectively.

A bumpy vacuuming path might have shaken things loose, or the battery contacts might be dusty.

Feel free to clean them with a soft cloth or dust grabbing disposable wipe, but never use a wet cloth on your battery contacts.

Roomba Error 2

If you hear that your Roomba chirp out an"uh-oh" and repeat two beeps, it means the brushes are obstructed.

Per Sharon Profess of C-Net, a weekly cleanup to pull the brushes and their corresponding bearings can reduce the risk of working with a Roomba shut-down.

Roomba Error 3

Remove the brushes and wash them using a comb or one of the provided cleaning tools to clean the brush of pet hair or long human hair that can tangle up your Roomba and stop it from functioning properly.

Roomba Error 4

If your Roomba has stalled and is exhibiting three blinks, reset the device and return it to the charger to rest and regain strength.

Generally this will clear the error; once you turn it on it will work normally as before.

Roomba Charging Error 5

This error generally happens to brand new Roomba owners. Reset the device, flip it over and remove the yellow pull tab to enable appropriate battery connection.

Charge the unit overnight to make sure it is completely powered and ready to go to work as soon as you're removed the pull tab.

Roomba Error 6

Your Roomba's cliff sensors that prevent it from tumbling down the stairs. If the detectors get dirty or blinded by dust, then the machine will get stuck and be unable to move alone.

Roomba Error 7

Wipe the detectors with a dry dust cloth to remove dust and debris, reset your unit and watch it go to work.

Roomba Error 8

Please note that black patches on your rug may also cause your Roomba to panic and avoid those "cliffs." Instructions on how best to defeat this overreaction are listed below.

Roomba Error 9

An "uh-oh" followed by 9 beeps means your Roomba has dirty bumpers, or has debris captured along the surfaces of the tool. Tap the sides to encourage the debris to drop out, clear it away and reset your Roomba.

Experts recommend removing the cover monthly to have at all of the nooks and crannies where dust, debris and hair may collect and clog up your Roomba.

The powerful suction of your Roomba can lead to debris being trapped within the body of the tool but outside the dirt capture bin, so this extra cleaning step is essential.

Roomba Error 10

If you get 10 beeps rather than 9, it means the side wheels are dirty.

Reset the machine, flip it over and spin the side wheels to loosen dust, dirt, hair and anything else can be stuck near the wheels.

Again, if you are getting a lot of these errors, your machine may be due to a maintenance.

Roomba Error 11

Error 11 refers to geographical difficulty.

Your Roomba knows where it's been and will gladly travel to new frontiers of cleaning via the sensors built into the tool, but if something in the area changes, the machine can not complete the intended route.

For example, per the experts at iRobot Roomba, if a door which has been opened in the cleaning area becomes closed, you get Error 11.

This error can also crop up if there is a lot of clutter in the space or in case you have a high or particularly bumpy threshold that the tool has to clear.

Roomba Not Returning To Base

The Roomba charging base has to be free of debris and clutter to your Roomba to get home to charge; if not, it is going to continue to wash until the battery is totally out of power.

Additionally, make certain that there are no other chargers in the area and that you're charging base is at least 4 feet from stairs or quite uneven surfaces.

Be sure that the home base is plugged in completely and wipe away any dust on the docking surface.

Roomba Battery Reset May Be Required

If you find that the Roomba dock light flashing, the tool knows that power is getting low and it needs to head to the charging station.

As previously stated, if it can't find the docking station due to debris, dust, clutter or a stairway that is too close, the Roomba won't charge.

Over time, you might notice the charging time growing short or that the tool runs from cleaning power sooner than it used to.

A robot battery reset might be in order.

   
To do this, control the device as fully as you can. Press the "blank" button to turn the unit on, then press and hold both buttons around the clean button until the "blank" button dims.
   
The robot will chirp to indicate it has been reset. 

Rather than using the docking station, plug your robot into the charger before the "clean" button turns green.
   
Continue charging for another three day period. This cycle shouldn't be interrupted.
  

Go on and place the robot to operate until it runs out of power and perform the battery reset process again.

Your run times should improve. When they don't, you probably need a new Roomba battery.

While these batteries are made to recharge, rechargeable batteries have a limited life and will finally lose the capacity to hold a charge or distribute their charge fully.

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Roomba Remote Not Working

For those who have multiple robots, it's important to eliminate their power source before attempting this. It's also important to ensure than your current batteries do not have to be replaced.

700 & 800 Series

For 700 series and 800 series Roombas, charge your Roomba and turn it off. Put new batteries in your remote and press clean.

You should observe the times of the week flash on the remote. Lay the remote on top of the Roomba.

Once it turns on, hold down the left and right direction arrows until all of the lights on the distant flash and you can be sure that the unit is paired.

500 Series

For the 500 series Roomba, charge your Roomba and remove it from the bottom. Install three of the four essential AA batteries into your remote, then press and hold the left directional arrow while you add the previous battery.

Continue to hold the arrow button until the times of the week flash from right to left. Put the battery cover and lay the control on top of your Roomba.

Hold down the Day and Minute buttons at the same time before the lights flash. The pairing should be complete.

Roomba Black Carpet Fix

Since the Roomba robot repair service protects this wondrous tool from taking a flying leap down your staircase, you really don't want to cover the cliff sensors.

But if your rugs have black patches, this may be your only option to get the black parts of your rugs properly cleaned.

This is where the virtual walls become crucial.

With the detectors covered, you can secure your Roomba from a stair-related boo-boo with a virtual wall to keep it away from the stairs.

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What Is Roomba Diagnostic Mode?

Roomba Diagnostic Mode lets you check the detectors. It is important to note that getting into diagnostic mode means you

• Hack on the tool
• may void your warranty 
• can do severe harm to the programming, 
• and should only use this as a Hail Mary option, where the next step is trashing your robotic vacuum completely.

SEE ALSO: Best Robot Vacuums

But if you are facing having to toss your Roomba, getting into diagnostic mode is worth a shot.

You can't do anything in diagnostic mode until the device is fully charged, so if your battery is done for, diagnostic manner can not help you.

However, there are lots of sets of instructions to receive your unit into diagnostic mode, and when you're in you can check each sensor one at a time and chase down any ghostly dust bunnies from the system.

Roomba Not Docking

This is a frequent problem with the Roomba 650. It could the result of:

• Debris on the Roombas sensors underneath the unit.
• Bad or no continuity of the Roombas detectors (located on the bottom of this 650)
• Finally, and most likely, the docking station pins aren't operating correctly.

For the last stage, the matter is inside the docking station. There are metal strips that flex to act like springs and then push the ping/buttons up when the Roomba docks.

Over time the metal gets weak and doesn't spring back like it should. In the video, Jacky uses masking tape to help buffer the distance and keep the pins up. This should only be a temporary fix.

If you're out of your warranty period, I would recommend trying a temporary fix to verify that that is the issue and then look at purchasing a new docking station.

I am aware that docking stations aren't inexpensive, but it is much less expensive than buying a new Roomba and it is more reliable than a inexpensive fix. Not to mention, adding paper or tape at the docking station presents a potential fire hazard.

Final Thoughts

• Pick up clutter.
• Shield it from the staircase
• Make it easy for the Roomba to contact the charger.

Conclusion

A well-maintained Roomba can give you hours of free time back because it cleans when you are gone. If you have.This tool needs proper care and maintenance to keep on tooling around your house. This article we have discussed some common Roomba vacuum problem and troubleshooting guide. If you want to properly maintain your Roomba vacuum perfectly, you can follow this article.

Do you have a Roomba vacuum? Black Friday Deals now coming on, if you have it, just enjoy the holiday. You just need to schedule the Roomba and then all task is done by it.