iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series error codes

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-1-left-wheel-hanging-or-stuck

The left wheel is hanging down or the robot is stuck. The spoken message is "Uneven ground. Place on a flat surface, and then press Clean."

Lift the robot off the floor, place it in the center of the room and restart the clean cycle.

iRobot's article says the robot is on an obstacle or uneven surface with the left wheel stuck. If it happened on a flat surface, check the wheel for obstructions, push the wheels up and down several times and shake out any loose debris trapped in the wheel well, and briskly turn both wheels by hand to make sure they turn freely with the same resistance. A Virtual Wall keeps the robot away from problem areas. If a wheel still fails, iRobot says to order a part from the iRobot Store or an authorized retailer. The j Series and s Series charts word this error the same way.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-10-right-wheel-problem

A right wheel problem. On the i Series, iRobot says the right side wheel cannot turn. The spoken message is "Wheel problem. See the app for help." The s Series chart says the right wheel encoder is not registering.

If the robot gives this error stuck under an obstacle, move it to a new location and press CLEAN.

iRobot's i Series steps: use a Virtual Wall to block off problem areas, check the side wheels for obstructions, push the wheels up and down and shake out debris, and briskly turn both wheels by hand. If it persists, reboot the robot, then remove the wheel module and place it back in and onto the home base and run it again. If it still persists you may need a replacement right-wheel module.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-11-vacuum-airflow

The vacuum is getting insufficient airflow. The chart says the vacuum motor is not activating. The spoken message is "Vacuum problem. See the app for help."

iRobot's steps: if the error persists, reboot the robot by holding the CLEAN button for about 20 seconds, which should clear the error from its memory. If it persists after a new filter and a reboot, iRobot says the Cleaning Head Module will need to be replaced, from the iRobot Store or an authorized retailer.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-12-drop-off-detected

The cliff sensors report a drop-off. The spoken message is "Drop off detected. Move to a new area, and then press Clean."

Move the robot to a new area and press CLEAN.

iRobot's chart lists the cliff sensors as what to check and has no separate article for error 12 on this page. iRobot's error 6 article says to wipe the cliff sensors with a clean, dry microfiber or soft cotton cloth.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-15-internal-error

An internal error that the robot was able to take care of itself. iRobot says it is just letting you know afterwards. The chart calls it an internal board error (internal navigation error on the s Series).

Do nothing and press CLEAN to continue, especially if you have just reinserted the battery.

iRobot's article says that if the battery is removed and reinserted, the robot signals error 15 on power-up, which is expected. If error 15 happens on every cleaning job: reboot the robot by pressing and holding its button for 9 seconds (the light ring swirls clockwise in white for up to a minute and a half and shuts off when the reboot is done), then try removing the battery for ten seconds and reinstalling it, then revert the Smart Map to a previous version from History.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-16-bumped-on-start-or-tilted

The robot cannot start cleaning because it is tilted or the bumper is possibly dislodged. The chart says it bumped upon start. The spoken message is "Move to a flat surface, then press Clean."

If the bumper looks dislodged, follow iRobot's steps to refit it; otherwise move the robot to a flat surface and press CLEAN without moving it as you press.

iRobot's steps if the message repeats on a flat surface: press and hold the CLEAN button for 10 seconds until all indicators illuminate and release it (you hear a series of tones), press and release CLEAN once and wait five seconds, then press CLEAN to start a new job. If you use scheduling, open the iRobot HOME app after rebooting to confirm the schedule is intact. If the message persists, contact iRobot Customer Care.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-17-navigation-problem-didnt-finish-cleaning

The robot cannot complete, and has canceled, its cleaning job. The spoken message is "Navigation problem. See the app for help." iRobot's chart says the robot entered an unknown area and got lost, unable to return to the dock; the s Series chart says it ended the mission at a different location than the dock or start point.

Check whether anything in the cleaning area changed during the job, such as a closed door or moved furniture.

iRobot lists these causes: the space is too large for one mission, the carpet is too thick (shag), a doorway threshold the robot cannot drive back over (Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers can section it off), a room too dark for the localization camera, excessive clutter, or a maintenance issue such as a loose caster wheel. Its cleaning steps: wipe the camera window on the top surface with a microfiber or soft cotton cloth lightly dampened with water or screen cleaner, and wipe debris off the floor tracking sensor on the underside with a clean, dry cloth.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-19-undocking-problem

The robot is having trouble undocking from the Home Base. The chart says it failed to undock and may have bumped something near the dock. The spoken message is "Undocking problem. Clear obstacles, and then press Clean."

Clear any obstacles in front of and around the Home Base, then press CLEAN.

iRobot's steps: if the message persists, perform a robot reboot by removing the battery, move the Home Base to a different location in the home and start the robot from the Home Base, because environmental interference may stop it navigating as expected. If it still persists, start the robot off the Home Base, which may give a different error message, and use the chart for that one.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-2-brushes-cannot-spin

The multi-surface rubber brushes cannot spin. The spoken message is "Clear the brushes, then press Clean."

Test the robot on a hard floor if the error happened on thick or high-pile carpet, which iRobot says can slow the brushes enough to cause it.

iRobot's steps: remove the brushes by pushing the green tab on the right side of the brushes and opening the cleaning head door, then run the robot without brushes on a flat surface. If error 2 clears, clean hair and debris off the brushes, especially under the end caps, reinstall them and re-test, and clean them at least once a week. If the error returns with clean brushes, you may need replacement brushes. If error 2 persists with no brushes installed, contact iRobot Customer Care.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-21-lost-communication-with-mobility-board

An internal communication error: the robot lost communication with its mobility board.

Press CLEAN to restart the cleaning mission.

iRobot's steps: if the message persists, perform a robot reboot and test again. If a reboot does not clear it, try removing the battery, and after ten seconds reinstall it and test again.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-23-battery-authentication-failure

Battery authentication failure. The battery may not be iRobot authentic. iRobot's article says Error 23 and Charging Error 17 mean the same thing.

Confirm you are using an authentic iRobot lithium-ion battery.

iRobot's steps: this error and others can occur with aftermarket purchased batteries. If the message persists, perform a robot reboot. If it persists after the reboot and your battery is iRobot authentic, contact iRobot Customer Care.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-25-34-38-39-76-1003-internal-communication

Internal errors. iRobot's chart lists error 25 as an internal board or communication error, 34 as an internal communications error, 38 and 39 as power communication issues, and 76 and 1003 as internal communication errors. The spoken message is "Please see the app for help." The chart says to reboot the robot for 25, 34, 38 and 39.

Reboot the robot as iRobot describes for this line.

iRobot's article for the neighboring error 21 gives the steps: press CLEAN to restart the mission, perform a robot reboot and test again, and if that does not clear it remove the battery, wait ten seconds, reinstall it and test again. iRobot's chart gives the same reboot instruction for these codes.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-26-vacuum-stall

The vacuum is getting insufficient airflow, a vacuum stall where a filter clog is possible. The spoken message is "Vacuum problem. See the app for help."

iRobot's steps: if the error persists, reboot the robot by holding the CLEAN button for about 20 seconds. If it persists after replacing the bin filter and rebooting, the Cleaning Head Module will need to be replaced.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-27-vacuum-motor-over-temperature

The vacuum is not functioning. The chart says the vacuum motor is over-temperature from a clogged filter or a bad impeller. The spoken message is "Vacuum problem. See the app for help."

Check the bin filter, since the chart names a clogged filter or a bad impeller.

iRobot's article says the vacuum is not functioning and you may need a replacement cleaning head module from the iRobot Store or an authorized retailer. If you believe you are in warranty, contact iRobot Customer Care.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-29-software-update-in-progress

The robot was started while a software update was being performed. The chart says an error occurred while upgrading software.

Place the robot on its dock.

iRobot's step: place the robot on the dock for the software update to finish. If the robot has been on the dock a while and the white light ring swirls around the CLEAN button, an update is in progress. iRobot lists a white clockwise swirl as starting up or updating software, so wait.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-30-vacuum-failed-to-start

The vacuum is getting insufficient airflow, and the chart says it failed to start. The spoken message is "Vacuum problem. See the app for help."

iRobot's steps: if the error persists, reboot the robot by holding the CLEAN button for about 20 seconds. If it persists after replacing the bin filter and rebooting, the Cleaning Head Module will need to be replaced.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-32-smart-map-version-mismatch

The Smart Map version on the robot does not match the map saved in the app. The spoken message is "Please see the app for help."

Reboot the robot.

iRobot's chart lists the reboot as what to check. iRobot's error 15 article separately says you can revert the Smart Map to a previous version from History.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-33-unable-to-clean-smart-map-path

The robot cannot clean the path in its Smart Map, so it canceled the job. The chart says the path may be blocked. The spoken message is "Move to a new area, then press Clean."

Check whether anything changed during the cleaning cycle, such as a closed door or moved furniture.

iRobot's steps: use Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers to section off a transition the robot cannot drive back over, make sure the house has adequate daylight or dim light for the localization camera, clear excessive clutter, and wipe the camera window on the top surface with a microfiber or soft cotton cloth lightly dampened with water or screen cleaner. If the message persists, reboot the robot by pressing and holding CLEAN for 20 seconds.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-35-37-44-combo-pad-and-tank

Roomba Combo mopping errors on the j Series and Combo 10 Max chart. Error 35: the robot detected a pad that is not compatible. Error 37: the tank is low and needs to be refilled ("Fill the tank"). Error 44: the robot detected an issue with the pump. The spoken message for 35 and 44 is "Please see the App for help."

Check whether the pad and the tank are fitted and filled.

iRobot's chart lists these as Roomba Combo errors and gives no separate steps on this page.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-36-bin-full-sensor-not-cleared

The bin-full sensors were not cleared when the robot evacuated debris into the Clean Base. The spoken message is "Empty the bin."

Empty the bin and clean off the bin-full sensors on the cleaning head and the bin.

iRobot's article notes you can change the Bin Full Behavior under Cleaning Preferences: "Do not clean when full" (default) or "Keep cleaning when full," which iRobot finds helpful to clear a persistent error 36. Its cleaning steps start with removing the filter from the bin and rinsing the bin and bin door with water and letting them dry.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-4-left-wheel-stalled

The left wheel is stalled and jammed. The spoken message is "Clear the wheels, then press Clean."

Look for hair or debris in the left wheel well and a wheel that will not turn by hand.

iRobot's chart lists the left wheel as the thing to check and gives no separate article steps for error 4 on this page. The same wheel checks iRobot gives for errors 1 and 3 apply: check the wheel for obstructions, push the wheels up and down several times and shake out any loose debris trapped in the wheel well, and briskly turn both wheels by hand to make sure they turn freely with the same resistance.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-40-42-43-45-navigation-and-lid

Navigation and lid errors with no spoken message on the s Series chart. Error 40: robot stuck in a Virtual Wall beam. Error 42: failed to re-localize when direct cleaning. Error 43: the robot started in the Home Base IR halo off the Home Base (j Series: started in the dock Keep Out Zone). Error 45 (s Series): the lid was open at the start of a cleaning job, spoken as "Close the Lid."

Check the situation that matches your number: a Virtual Wall beam, the dock area, or the lid.

iRobot's chart gives these as causes with no separate steps on this page. The causes point at the fix: get the robot out of the Virtual Wall beam or the keep-out area it is in, or close the lid for 45, then start again.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-41-mission-timed-out

The mission timed out before completion. The spoken message is "Please see the app for help." The chart says to press CLEAN to restart the mission.

Press CLEAN to restart the mission.

iRobot's chart lists mission time-out as what to check and gives no further steps on this page.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-46-low-battery-not-on-dock

The robot ended its mission with a low battery, not on the dock. The spoken message is "Low Battery. Please charge."

Put the robot on its dock to charge.

iRobot's chart lists the battery as what to check.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-47-48-invalid-calibration

Invalid robot calibration. The chart says to reboot the robot. The spoken message for error 47 is "Please see the app for help." Error 48's message is "Roomba's path."

Reboot the robot.

iRobot's chart lists the reboot for 47 and the robot's path for 48 as what to check.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-5-right-wheel-cannot-turn

The right wheel cannot turn and is stalled. The spoken message is "Clear the wheels, then press Clean."

Check the right wheel for obstructions.

iRobot's steps: push the wheels up and down several times and shake out loose debris from the wheel well, and briskly turn both wheels by hand, making sure they turn freely with the same resistance. If the wheels cannot be turned by hand, or the error persists on a flat surface with no obstacle, you may need a replacement right wheel module from the iRobot Store, an authorized retailer or iRobot Customer Care. The j Series and s Series charts word this error the same way.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-53-66-68-74-75-map-camera-and-limits

Messages on the s Series and i Series charts. Error 53 (s Series): a new cleaning head is not compatible with the current software and an update is required. Error 66: memory limit reached. Error 68: the camera failed during a cleaning job. Error 74: area limit for cleaning reached. Error 75: stuck around obstacles. The spoken message is "Please see the app for help."

Note which of the five numbers you have.

iRobot's charts give these as causes and link a separate article for each without more steps on the chart page.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-6-drop-off-detected-cliff-sensors

The robot is stuck over an edge, on a threshold or on a dark surface, and detects a constant cliff. The spoken message is "Drop off detected. Move to a new area, and then press Clean."

Move the robot to a new location and press CLEAN to restart.

iRobot's steps: you may need a Virtual Wall or a Keep Out Zone (with compatible robots) to block off problem areas. If that does not resolve it, the cliff sensors may be dirty, so wipe them with a clean, dry microfiber or soft cotton cloth. If the message persists, contact iRobot Customer Care. The article covers the i Series, j Series and Combo 10 Max.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-7-wheel-problem

A wheel problem. The spoken message is "Wheel problem. See the app for help." On the i Series, iRobot's article says the left side wheel cannot turn, and the chart says the left wheel is on the ground and the robot cannot sense it. The j Series chart says the side wheels cannot turn because the robot started on an uneven surface or got stuck on an obstacle. The s Series chart says the left wheel encoder is not registering.

If the robot was started on an uneven surface or got stuck, lift it, place it in the center of the room and restart the clean cycle.

iRobot's i Series steps: check the wheels for obstructions, push the wheels up and down and shake out debris, briskly turn both wheels by hand (if a wheel will not turn, push the robot backwards and forwards on the floor about a foot), and gently blow compressed air into the wheel well if you have it. If it persists, reboot the robot, then remove the wheel module and place it back in and onto the dock and run it again. If it still persists you may need a replacement left wheel module. Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barriers block problem areas, though the i1/i1+ and i2/i2+ are not compatible with them.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-88-89-99-mission-refused-or-incomplete

Error 88: the robot has determined it can no longer safely back up. Error 89: the robot has been running a mission for too long. Error 99 (i Series): the robot could not orient itself based on known landmarks, could not complete cleaning and canceled the job, and the mission report shows it as incomplete.

Note which of the three numbers you have.

iRobot's chart gives these as causes and links a separate article for each without more steps on the chart page.

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series code error-9-bumper-jammed

The bumper is jammed or stuck. The chart calls it a constant bump: the bumper is jammed with debris or dislodged. The spoken message is "Tap the bumper to unstick, then press Clean."

Briskly tap the bumper several times to dislodge debris trapped underneath, then press CLEAN.

iRobot's article adds that the bumper may have become dislodged from the robot during cleaning, and points to its dislodged-bumper instructions to align it properly. If the message persists, contact iRobot Customer Care.