On the covered iRobot Roomba 900 series, error 2 means the debris extractors cannot turn. The spoken message is "Clear Roomba's debris extractors, then press CLEAN to restart." First, clear the debris extractors, as the spoken message says. Then: iRobot's chart lists the debris extractors as what to check.
Differential
Likely causes of “iRobot Roomba 900 series error 2”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Hair or string wound round the extractors
What separates it The extractors cannot turn
How to confirm Clear them
- 2
A jammed extractor end cap
What separates it The roller stops
How to confirm Remove and clean the end caps
- 3
Debris in the bearings
What separates it The roller binds
How to confirm Clean the bearings
- 4
A worn roller
What separates it The roller wobbles
How to confirm Replace the extractors
- 5
A cable or rug fringe
What separates it The robot picked it up
How to confirm Clear the floor
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What is wound round the extractors
- Whether they turn by hand
- Whether the end caps are clean
Try in this order
0 of 12 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleClear the debris extractors, as the spoken message says.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleiRobot's chart lists the debris extractors as what to check.
Turn the robot over
ReversibleRemove the extractors.
Cut away hair and string
ReversibleCarefully.
Clean the end caps and bearings
ReversibleWith a dry cloth.
Refit the extractors
ReversibleUntil they click.
Replace worn extractors
ReversibleIf they bind.
Remove and inspect both extractors
ReversibleTake the two rubber debris extractors out of the cleaning head and pull off the end caps. Hair wrapped around the axles is the usual reason that they cannot turn, and cutting it away with scissors usually clears error 2.
Spin them by hand and refit
ReversibleEach extractor should spin freely in your hand. Refit them with the correct color on the correct side, since they are not interchangeable, and run a short clean to confirm that the robot no longer stops.
Check the bin and the filter first
ReversibleA full bin or a clogged filter can reduce the airflow that the extractors work against. Empty the bin, tap the filter and refit both, then try a run before you take the cleaning head apart.
Look for a thread or a hair braid under the end caps
ReversiblePull each end cap off its extractor and look at the axle. A tight braid of hair or thread under the cap can lock the rubber roller, and a pair of tweezers or fine scissors will clear it.
Inspect the gears at the head's side
ReversibleThe extractors are driven from one side of the cleaning head. Look at the gear teeth for a hair wound around the shaft or a broken tooth, and clean the gear if it is clogged.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The extractors
- The rubber rollers that lift debris can wind up hair and string, and the robot stops them when they jam.
- Cleaning routine
- Remove the extractors, cut away wound hair, wipe the bearings and refit.
- iRobot's chart
- The chart lists the debris extractors as what to check.
- Maintenance habits
- Remove the extractors after each week of cleaning, cut wound hair and wipe the bearings. A drop of care now avoids a jammed roller that strains the motor. If the extractors are cracked or worn, replace them, because worn rollers pick up less debris.
- Cords
- The 900 series has no cord detection, so tidy the floor before a run. A phone charger cable sucked into the extractors is the commonest cause of error two.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the extractors do not turn after cleaning, contact iRobot
- !Replace worn extractors
- !Remove cords from the floor
- !If the extractors spin freely when removed and error 2 returns, contact iRobot support with the model of the 900 series robot
- !Do not run the robot with a tangled roller, which strains the motor
- !Keep the robot off the charger while you work on the cleaning head
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does error 2 mean on a iRobot Roomba 900 series?+
The debris extractors cannot turn. The spoken message is "Clear Roomba's debris extractors, then press CLEAN to restart."
What does it say?+
Clear Roomba's debris extractors, then press Clean to restart.
How often should I clean them?+
After a busy week.
Are they replaceable?+
Yes.
What are the debris extractors?+
They are the two rubber rollers that lift dirt from the floor into the bin, and they turn against each other, so a jam on one stops both.
Could the cleaning head motor be the cause?+
If the extractors spin freely when removed and the error stays, the cleaning head module may be faulty, which iRobot support can confirm.
Will a software update help?+
It is unlikely, since error 2 describes a mechanical jam rather than a software fault.
Why does error 2 mention both extractors?+
The two rollers are geared together, so a jam in either stops both.
Can I wash the extractors?+
Rinse them in water, dry them fully and refit them, but never wash the cleaning head module itself.
Do I need a tool to remove them?+
No, they lift out by hand, though a small screwdriver helps with a stiff end cap.
What if the extractors turn freely and the error stays?+
The cleaning head's motor or gearbox may be at fault, so contact iRobot support with the model number.