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iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series · exact signal

iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series error 1010: meaning and exact next steps

error 1010 means The robot cannot make a path back to the dock. iRobot says this occurs while returning to the dock during or after a mission when the robot can no longer move across space it had crossed before. This answer applies only to Roomba i Series, j Series (including Combo 10 Max) and s Series robots whose light ring turns solid red and that speak an error message, as listed on iRobot's three error message charts. The three charts share one numbering, and a row says where a chart words an error differently. Older Roomba lines are on their own pages.

On the covered iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series, error 1010 means the robot cannot make a path back to the dock. iRobot says this occurs while returning to the dock during or after a mission when the robot can no longer move across space it had crossed before. First, look for a new obstacle, a door closed during the mission, or a dock that was moved or unplugged.

Part of iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series error codes guide

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  1. What to do first

    Reversible

    Look for a new obstacle, a door closed during the mission, or a dock that was moved or unplugged.

  2. Correct only the documented fault domain

    Reversible

    iRobot's causes: a new obstacle in the robot's path, a door on its route back that closed during the mission, moving the dock, unplugging the dock or covering it completely, or strong reflections or conflicting lighting that interfere with the docking sensors. To prevent it: clear obstacles and open doors on the robot's route, provide proper lighting and make sure it can find the dock. iRobot says error 1010 does not occur because a room is too dark to navigate.

  3. Clear the path and find the dock

    Reversible

    Open doors, move anything blocking the route and make sure the robot can see the dock's infrared window and the visual docking target.

  4. Reboot, clean the sensors, then remap

    Reversible

    Hold the power button for 10 seconds, then again for 3 seconds to restart. Wipe the robot's and the dock's sensors. If it still cannot find its way, delete the map and let it remap.

Evidence ledger

Sources behind this answer

01
iRobot Customer Care Roomba and Braava Series: Error 1010
02
iRobot The Roomba i Series error messages chart

Exact questions

Common questions about “iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series error 1010”

What does error 1010 mean on a iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series?+

The robot cannot make a path back to the dock. iRobot says this occurs while returning to the dock during or after a mission when the robot can no longer move across space it had crossed before.

Will deleting the Roomba map fix error 1010?+

It often does when the layout has changed. The robot creates a new map in a few runs.

Why does my Roomba say 1010 after I moved the dock?+

The map no longer matches where the dock is. Put the dock back or let the robot remap, since it plans its route home from the map.

Do I need to clean the dock for error 1010?+

Yes, wipe the dock's charging contacts and sensors as well as the robot's, because a dirty dock window hides it from the robot.

Wrong device or version?

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