When your Roomba robot vacuum malfunctions, a red light will flash along with an accompanying error code and message. This ‘light code’ allows you to pinpoint the issue at hand so that you can quickly work on resolving it.
Have you just heard your Roomba beep and received an error code you don’t know about? We are here to answer all your doubts, from what an error code is to how you can fix one.
Your Roomba robot vacuum cleaner may experience various issues; all these issues are neatly categorized by iRobot’s Roomba and are represented by error codes.
These error codes include a plan of action in addition to classifying mistakes and describing them like charging errors, communication error, etc. So, if you run into a problem, you must continue as per the message and follow the instructions to fix it.
When it comes to showing the error codes, different models behave slightly differently: some only beep, while others say what the issue is. Thankfully, the error codes themselves are often the same across all models.
This complete guide is designed to help you troubleshoot your Roomba error codes and provide you with the best possible solution to resolve them.
How do I Find Out Which Error Code is Involved?
The red light on Roomba around the Clean Button will light up, accompanied by an error message whenever you receive an error code.
You need to press the “CLEAN” button to replay the error message and find out more about the same.
By replaying the error message, you will hear instructions that you should follow to resolve the problem.
Did you see a blue light on your Roomba? You’re in luck! That’s just letting you know it is busy working and has everything under control.
Roomba Series Error Codes: Causes & Solutions
Here, we have mentioned the common errors and their respective causes and fixes in a table below, which you can refer to troubleshoot the error code on your Roomba device.
Depending on the particular model, iRobot has modified certain error code styles in recent years.
From the Roomba i-series to the 800-series and J-series, each product line has its own set of specific error codes.
The Roomba 800 only displays 11 error messages, compared to the extensive J-series which has more than 40 different codes. Although their numbers may differ, these light codes generally denote a similar issue.
Although we’ve tried our utmost to compile each one of them in our guide, it’s a smart option to visit the iRobot website or contact irobot customer care for your particular model.
Roomba Models Error Code Guide
| Error code | Message | Reason / Cause | How To Fix |
| Error 1 | Uneven surface Error | Left wheel hanging down or Roomba being stuck. | Move your Roomba to a flat surface. |
| Error 2 | Clean the brushes | The roomba floor brush is not rotating. | Clean roomba’s brushes. |
| Error 3 | Uneven surface | Right wheel hanging down or Roomba can’t move. | Lift & move Roomba to a flat surface |
| Error 4 | Clean the wheels | Blocked Left Wheel | Check the wheel for blockage and clean. |
| Error 5 | Clean roomba’s wheels | Blocked Right Wheel | Check the wheel for blockage and clean. |
| Error 6 | Cliff detected | Roomba detecting cliff sensor error. | Move Roomba from the current path and clean roomba’s cliff sensors. |
| Error 7 | Problem with wheel | Side wheel is stuck. | Put Roomba on a flat surface and restart the activity again. |
| Error 8 | Problem with Vacuum cleaner | Poor suction error/power. | Clean and re install roomba’s binand filter and check both for blockages. |
| Error 9 | Problem with Bumper sticks | Blocked bumper. | Tap roomba’s bumpers to Unblock. |
| Error 10 | Problem with wheel | Right wheel can’t turn. | Check for the blockage in right wheel. |
| Error 11 | Problem with motor | Vacuum motor is not starting. | Check for any kind of air blockages like dust or hair. Disassemble brush deck and rotate motor manually. |
| Error 12 | Cliff detected | Roomba is stuck or standing near a dark surface. | Inspect and Clean Roomba’s sensor and move it to another place. |
| Error 13 | Surface is uneven | Roomba wheels are on uneven surface. | Place your Roomba to a flat surface. |
| Error 14 | Replace dust container | Roomba not detecting dust container. | Check whether the dust container and filter are connected to each other. |
| Error 15 | _ | Roomba’s internal communication error | Often announced afterwards, after Roomba has solved it itself, so no solution required. |
| Error 16 | Place on a flat surface | Roomba can’t start because of being crooked or the bumper is not placed correctly. | Place Roomba on a flat surface, press CLEAN to restart. |
| Error 17 | Problem with Roomba’s navigation. | Roomba working on unmapped location and couldn’t go back to the charging station. | Lift and place Roomba to a mapped location to resume activities. |
| Error 18 | Problem with Roomba docking | Roomba can’t part itself to docking station. | Remove anything placed in front of the charging station. |
| Error 19 | Undocking problem | Roomba not being able to drive away from charging station | check and remove charging station blockage. |
| Error 20 | _ | Internal communication problem | Press the Clean button to restart. |
| Error 21 | _ | Internal communication problem | Press the Clean button to restart. |
| Error 22 | Press the Clean button to restart | Roomba is stuck. | Move Roomba to a already mapped area and press CLEAN button to restart. |
| Error 23 | _ | Unrecognized battery | Check whether the battery is authentic and whether it is actually suitable for your Roomba. |
| Error 24 | Place on a flat surface | Roomba is tilted. | Put Roomba on a flat surface and restart the activity again. |
| Error 25 | _ | Card error inside Roomba | Press the CLEAN button to resume activity. If the problem persists, reset your Roomba. |
| Error 26 | Vacuum cleaner problem | Clogged vacuum Filter | Clean the filter and replace it if required. |
| Error 27 | Vacuum cleaner problem | Motor is overheated or worn, clogged filter | Replace Roomba’s brush deck. |
| Error 29 | _ | Error during software update. | To resume software update, place roomba to the charging station. |
| Error 30 | Problem with Vacuum cleaner | Vacuum cleaner not being able to start. | Clean the Roomba filter or place a new roomba filter. |
| Error 32 | _ | Smart Map & the App map are different. | Push and hold the reboot button on Roomba for 9 seconds. |
| Error 33 | Place in new area | Roomba not cleaning the path as shown in map. | Make sure to remove any object placed in Roomba’s way. |
| Error 34 | _ | Internal communications error | Press CLEAN button. |
| Error 36 | Empty the dust container | Robot dust container sensor is dirty. | Clean dust container and the sensors. |
| Error 38 | – | Power problem. | Press CLEAN button. |
| Error 39 | – | Power communication error | Press CLEAN button. |
| Error 41 | – | Time out | Charge your robot vacuum. |
| Error 42 | – | Roomba not being able to understand the location | Return Roomba to the dock station and restart. Also, make sure to check the changes in the house made recently. |
| Error 43 | – | Roomba working in Keep Out Zone | Place vacuum in correct location and restart the activity. |
| Error 46 | Low battery level | Battery has drained out | Send Roomba for charging at the base station |
| Error 47 | – | Internal board error or invalid robot calibration. | Reset your robot vacuum. |
| Error 48 | Roomba route | Internal error or wrong vacuum calibration. | Remove objects in the robot way. |
| Error 66 | – | Full Storage memory | Place your vacuum to the base station. |
| Error 68 | – | Camera not working while cleaning | Reboot your Roomba. |
| Error 75 | – | Robot stuck. | Remove objects from Roomba’s path and to keep it running smoothly. |
| Error 88 | Could not backup | Robot vacuum is unable to backup. | Place Roomba near to the dock and press the CLEAN button. |
| Error 89 | Activity takes too long | Roomba is working for a long time. | Before using Roomba, be sure to scan the area and clear away any potential hindrances that could impede its progress. |
| Error 1003 | – | Internal communication error | Push CLEAN button to restart cleaning. |
*Struggling to find or understand an error code? Don’t hesitate to reach out; I’ll be happy to assist.
Use These Tips To Prevent Error Messages in Future
You can use the tips below to prevent future error codes and error messages.
- Ensure that your robotic vacuum cleaner has adequate time and room to become familiar with its new environment during setup.
- Before using Roomba, ensure that there are no objects on the floor.
- Keep your Roomba vacuum cleaner clean and clean it regularly.
However, if you are facing some specific errors, you can refer to the instructions below:
The battery disconnected error frequently arises if your Roomba vacuum cannot detect the battery. Use an original iRobot Lithium-Ion battery if you want to avoid this issue.
Also, see if anything is blocking the battery connection if you are using it and still seeing this warning.
You will get a Charging System Error if dirt interferes with the battery’s connection to the Roomba robot’s contacts. The problem should be fixed if the Home Base and Roomba robot’s charging connections are cleaned.
If you position your Roomba near a heating vent, furnace, or anything else that generates heat, the error “Battery is too warm” will frequently occur. Charging your Roomba cleaner at room temperature can avoid this issue in the future.
Roomba can show Communication Error if the battery is low or drained out. To avoid this issue, use original and compatible lithium ion batteries.
If the battery in the Roomba cleaner begins to malfunction, the Lithium-Ion Battery Error is shown. Depending on the particular model, this message may differ. If you see this error notice, you should contact iRobot customer service right away.
Summary
If there is an error with iRobot Roomba, it will communicate with red light and make a two-tone sound, followed by many beeps, or by speaking in a voice called error codes. You can replay the error code by pushing the bumper or the ‘CLEAN’ button at the base.
Your Roomba should continue to function properly for many years if you consistently respond to any error codes it may display. To prevent error codes from appearing, you should maintain & clean your Roomba once a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the symbols on my Roomba mean?
The different symbols on your Roomba indicate the status of your robot. The three main indicators are a triangle, an exclamation mark, and two arrows.
- The triangle symbol is a reminder that you should empty the bin after each cleaning cycle. This symbol will light up when the dustbin needs to be emptied.
- The exclamation mark symbol indicates an error or problem with the Roomba. If this symbol appears, you should check the manual to troubleshoot the issue.
- The two arrows indicate when your Roomba is in cleaning mode. The left arrow shows that it’s currently in Vacuum Mode, while the right arrow shows that it’s in Spot Clean Mode.
In addition, other symbols may appear on your Roomba, such as an X is a battery indicator and shows when you need to recharge the battery, or a spinning circle when it is currently cleaning.
How do I fix my Roomba bin error?
If your Roomba is displaying a bin error, then the dustbin needs to be emptied. To do this,
- Press and hold the CLEAN button until you hear a beep.
- Then, open up the dustbin lid and pull out the filter.
- Empty it into a trash can, replace it in the robot, close the lid, and press the CLEAN button again.