Roomba Robot Vacuum Battery Troubleshooting

Roomba robot vacuums take all the fuss out by vacuuming your floors automatically. But this intelligent device doesn’t just clean well. It also communicates errors very clearly. This article will teach you how to troubleshoot Roomba vacuum errors and get the unit functioning well again.

Roomba robot vacuums are using audio beeps/recordings and a blinking light to report charging errors. The sound and the number of light flashes correspond to charging errors 1-3 and 5-9. In many cases, performing a reset of the charging system will resolve the issue. Many errors can also be solved by rubbing isopropyl alcohol on dirty charging contacts found on the dock, the Roomba, and the battery itself.

Roomba Charging System Reset

Whenever you’re facing a battery-related problem with your Roomba, your first troubleshooting step should be to reset the charging system itself. For example, you might notice that your Roomba is running much shorter cleaning cycles than usual. Another common issue is that the Roomba might return to its docking station much sooner than usual, even though its battery is still full.

In many cases, resetting the charging system will allow your Roomba to charge and discharge correctly and return to its normal behavior.

How to do it:

Thankfully, this task is straightforward to carry out. Hold down the “Spot” and “Dock” buttons for 15 seconds or more to reset your Roomba’s charging system. Keep holding those buttons until the Roomba unit plays a song that lets you know it has been reset.

Once you hear that song, you can let go of the two buttons and see if your Roomba operates normally again. Bear in mind that any special cleaning schedules or other settings may also be reset along with this process, so you’ll need to input those again.

Roomba Battery Not Charging

If your Roomba vacuum is not charging, the most likely reason is that one or more of the contacts has become dirty. This issue could be with the charging contacts on the dock itself or those on the underside of the Roomba.

How to fix:

To fix this, you will need rubbing alcohol (e.g. isopropyl alcohol). This ingredient can be in the form of an alcohol wipe or rubbing alcohol that you will apply with a cotton pad or clean piece of cloth.

Here are the two areas you will need to focus on:

• The Charging Dock: Firstly, disconnect the charging dock from its power source. Then, you’ll be able to apply the rubbing alcohol onto the two charging contacts to remove any dirt that might prevent it from charging your Roomba.

Give the contacts a few seconds to dry completely before plugging the dock back into its power source and using it with the vacuum.

• The Roomba Unit: Turn your Roomba unit over, and you will see that there are two electrical contacts on its underside. Those contacts align with the two that you’ve just cleaned on the charging dock.

So, the same way as before, apply some rubbing alcohol to these contacts to clean them of any dirt that might prevent your Roomba from charging.

Your Roomba is exposed to the dirt on your floor very often. So, it’s essential to repeat this cleaning process once in a while to prevent any dirt from building on them.

Roomba Charging Error 1: Battery Is Disconnected

This error indicates that the Roomba unit does not sense a strong connection to its battery. There are plenty of reasons behind this.

Firstly, it’s possible that the battery being used isn’t a genuine Roomba battery. Besides that, the contacts could be dirty, preventing the Roomba from correctly sensing the battery inside.

Lastly, there could be dirt, debris, or a foreign object inside the battery compartment preventing it from connecting with the vacuum.

How to fix:

To fix this problem, first ensure that you’re using a genuine Roomba battery. These batteries are designed specifically to work with Roomba models and reduce the chances of this error happening.

Then, unthread the screws at the bottom of the Roomba to take the battery out. With an alcohol wipe, clean the battery’s contacts to remove any dirt. Then, clean the battery compartment of any dust or things like paper scraps that might have gotten stuck.

Lastly, replace the battery and secure the screws you removed earlier.

Roomba Charging Error 2: There’s A Charging Error

Roomba charging errors 2 and 3 points to a charging problem. In both cases, the manufacturer’s instructions are to contact their customer service hotline and speak to an expert to solve the problem.

However, the most likely reason for Charging Error 2 is that the Roomba is being charged with a third-party charger that is not delivering the correct amount of power. When that happens, the Roomba will enter its failsafe mode and flash the Charging Error 2.

How to fix:

If you are using a third-party charger for this Roomba, switching to an original Roomba charger would be the best thing to do. Alternatively, you could also follow the manufacturer’s instructions and contact their customer service hotline to confirm the cause of this problem.

Related post: Why is my Roomba’s battery not charging?

Roomba Charging Error 3: There’s A Charging Error

Charging error 3 on your Roomba is caused by a problem with the motherboard. This error could mean two things: contacts on the motherboard are dirty and need to be cleaned, or the board has failed and needs to be replaced.

How to fix:

Fixing this problem will require you to open the Roomba and inspect the motherboard. Check that the contacts are not rusted and that they are all free of dirt. If that doesn’t work, you will have to replace the motherboard.

Roomba Charging Error 5: Charging System Error

This error indicates that there is an error with the charging system. In simple terms, the battery is not charging even though it should, similar to what was described earlier in this article.

The most likely reason for this is that one or more of the charging contacts is dirty. There are two contacts on the charging dock and another two on the Roomba’s underside.

How to fix:

To fix this error, use rubbing alcohol to clean all of the charging contacts. Be sure to remove the power supply from the charging dock before cleaning the two contacts there. Then, turn the Roomba over and clean the contacts you find on the underside.

Lastly, remove the battery from the Roomba and clean the contacts there as well.

Roomba Charging Error 6: Battery Is Too Warm

Charging error 6 happens when the battery unit is too warm. Remember: Roomba batteries cannot function if they are too warm or too cold. They can get this way if you place the charging dock near heat sources like the back of a fridge (where the compressor gives off heat) or next to a dryer.

How to fix:

To fix this issue, place your Roomba charging dock away from any appliances or other heat sources.

Roomba Charging Error 7: Battery Is Too Cold Or Too Warm

Charging error 7 happens when the battery is too cold or too warm. This error can happen when the Roomba spends too much time around hot appliances like radiators. It can also happen if you use it outdoors on a cold winter’s day, for example.

How to fix:

This error can be prevented by using your Roomba indoors at room temperature. It’s also crucial to place the charging dock away from any heat sources as well.

Roomba Charging Error 8: Communication Error

Charging error 8 occurs when the Roomba cannot communicate with the battery. This error usually happens when using counterfeit or ‘compatible’ third-party batteries unsuitable for the Roomba.

However, if you’re sure that you’re using a genuine Roomba battery, then it could be that the battery’s contacts are dirty. Dirty contacts could prevent the Roomba from correctly sensing and communicating with its battery.

How to fix:

Firstly, check to ensure that you are using a genuine Roomba battery. If that’s not the case, you will want to invest in a genuine Roomba battery, preventing many of the errors on this list. 

If your battery is genuine, then you’ll need to unthread the screws holding its cover and remove the battery. Then, clean the battery’s contacts with rubbing alcohol. Give it a few seconds to dry, then reinstall the battery.

Roomba Charging Error 9: Lithium-ion Battery Error

Charging error 9 indicates that there is an internal fault in the battery itself. This fault could cause the battery not to charge or discharge correctly and prevent your Roomba from working at all.

How to fix:

Unfortunately, Roomba batteries cannot be repaired, so you will have to purchase a replacement battery. As you’ve seen from the errors mentioned above, it’s crucial that you only purchase genuine Roomba batteries compatible with the model you have.

That way, you will avoid any problems that come with using counterfeit batteries or so-called ‘compatible’ batteries from third-party manufacturers.

Also see: Shark Vacuum Troubleshooting