Exact model-family answer directory

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ troubleshooting

Choose the symptom actually shown by i5, i5+. iRobot Roomba; mapping, obstacle avoidance, self-emptying and mop functions vary. Error codes remain separate records because the same characters can mean different things on another platform.

no suctionbrush not spinningkeeps stoppingnot chargingshort runtimeerror light

Reviewed records

12 exact answers

Not sure where the fault is?

iRobot · short runtime

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ battery runs out too quickly

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, power mode, powered head, blockage, temperature and battery age change runtime.

Open record iRobot · brush not spinning

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ brush roll will not spin

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, hair wrap, floor setting, blockage, belt/head power and overload protection should be separated.

Open record iRobot · filter warning

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ filter warning stays on

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, the filter must be the correct part, clean, fully dry and seated while the airflow path is clear.

Open record iRobot · no suction

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ has weak or no suction

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, airflow must pass through the head, wand, bin, cyclone and fully dry filters without a leak or blockage.

Open record iRobot · keeps stopping

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ keeps stopping, pulsing or shutting off

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, blockage protection, dirty filters, battery temperature and motor overheating are common boundaries.

Open record iRobot · loud noise

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ makes a loud, rattling, whistling or grinding noise

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, sound location identifies an air leak, blockage, brush, bearing or motor fault.

Open record iRobot · gets lost

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ robot vacuum gets lost, stuck or misses rooms

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, lighting, sensors, map state, floor transitions and environmental traps matter more than repeated factory resets.

Open record iRobot · not docking

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ robot vacuum will not return to or charge on the dock

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, dock power, contact cleanliness, approach clearance, map location and battery state should be separated.

Open record iRobot · error light

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ shows an error light, symbol or message

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, the exact indicator pattern and operating stage are required before reset or parts replacement.

Open record iRobot · smell

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ smells bad while running

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, dirty bins/filters, trapped organic material and overheating odors require different action.

Open record iRobot · not charging

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ will not charge

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, outlet, charger, dock contacts, battery temperature and pack condition should be proved before replacement.

Open record iRobot · Wi-Fi

iRobot Roomba i5/i5+ will not connect to Wi-Fi or the app

For the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+, confirm supported Wi-Fi band/security, account and pairing mode before deleting maps.

Open record

Confirm the model first

Which units this covers, and how to tell yours is one of them

Every answer below is scoped to these model identifiers. A neighbouring model in the same line can use a different part, a different reset sequence or a different radio, so matching the identifier before following a procedure is the step that decides whether the rest of the page applies to you.

Model numbers and patterns: i5, i5+
What that covers: iRobot Roomba; mapping, obstacle avoidance, self-emptying and mop functions vary.

Published specification

What is true of this model and changes how you fix it

These are the properties that decide which procedure applies. Each is read from the manufacturer’s own published figures for this model, not carried over from a sibling that shares its retail name.

Type — ROBOT vacuum: A ROBOT vacuum with navigation and app control — symptoms are navigation, docking and brushes. The i5+ adds a Clean Base self-empty dock; the plain i5 empties its onboard bin.
Docking & (on +) self-empty: 'Won't dock/charge' is dirty contacts, a moved/unplugged dock, or blocked clearance. On the i5+, 'won't empty' is a full Clean Base bag or clogged path.
Brushes, wheels & sensors: Two rubber brushrolls, side brush, wheels and sensors — clear hair and wipe sensors if it gets stuck, circles or misses areas.

Where these figures were read. irobot.com Roomba i5 (robot vacuum; Clean Base on +), read 2026-09-01

Manufacturer support for this product line. iRobot Support — Roomba support. Official Roomba setup, error, mapping, cleaning and repair support.

Exact questions

Questions that only have an answer for the iRobot Roomba i5/i5+

Each answer below uses this model’s own published figures. The same question asked about a different model in the line has a different answer, which is why it is answered here rather than on a general page.

My Roomba i5 gets stuck under the same furniture.+

Robots wedge under low furniture that is just tall enough to enter but too low to exit. Use the app's keep-out zones (where supported) or a physical barrier to block that spot, or add small risers to the furniture. Also clear hair from the wheels and brushes, since a hair-bound wheel makes it lose traction and strand itself. Wiping the cliff sensors underneath helps if it also stops near thresholds or dark floors.

Structured depth, not empty permutations

Every published record carries a direct answer, scope, ordered fixes, risk notes and sources.

Device and manufacturer hubs share a consistent record system, but each answer carries the relevant controls, fault boundaries, consequences and official support entry point for that platform.

See the publication gate