On the covered iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series, error 18 means cleaning is complete but the robot could not dock. The spoken message is "Docking problem. Place on the Home Base to charge." The s Series chart says the robot is stuck in the Home Base IR after undocking. First, place the robot on the dock by hand so it charges.
Differential
Likely causes of “iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series error 18”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The robot cannot find the dock
What separates it Cleaning is finished but it did not dock
How to confirm Place it on the dock by hand
- 2
Clutter around the dock
What separates it The robot cannot approach
How to confirm Clear space either side
- 3
The robot is stuck in the dock's infrared signal
What separates it The s Series chart says so
How to confirm Move the dock away from reflective surfaces
- 4
Dirty charging contacts
What separates it It docks but does not charge
How to confirm Wipe the contacts
- 5
Environmental interference
What separates it Navigation is disturbed
How to confirm Check the surroundings
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the dock sits
- Whether the robot undocked properly
- Whether it happens at the same spot
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedWhat to do first
ReversiblePlace the robot on the dock by hand so it charges.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleiRobot's chart lists the robot's environment as what to check and has no separate article for error 18 on this page. Look at what is around the dock, since iRobot's error 19 article says environmental interference can stop the robot navigating as expected.
Place the robot on the dock
ReversibleBy hand, so it charges.
Clear the area
ReversibleAround the dock.
Move the dock
ReversibleAway from mirrors and glass.
Wipe the contacts
ReversibleOn the robot and dock.
Check the dock's power
ReversibleIs it plugged in?
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Finding home
- The robot homes in on an infrared signal from the dock. Mirrors, glass, reflective floors and bright sunlight can confuse it.
- iRobot's chart
- The chart lists the robot's environment as what to check, and for the s Series, a robot stuck in the dock's infrared after undocking.
- A good site
- A dock on bare wall with open floor in front, a plug nearby and no stairs close by gives the robot its best chance.
- The robot's approach
- The robot returns along a line from the dock's signal. A coffee table or a chair leg in that line makes it stop. Clearing a corridor of about a meter in front of the dock and half a meter either side makes docking reliable.
- Power at the dock
- The dock must be plugged in, with its light showing. A dead dock cannot guide the robot or charge it, so check the outlet with another device.
- When it keeps happening
- If error 18 repeats after the dock has been moved and cleared, check the contacts for corrosion and the dock's cable for damage. A dock whose light is on but whose charging contacts are dirty can fail to guide the robot properly.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it never docks after moving the dock, contact iRobot
- !Check the dock's power
- !Keep the dock against a wall
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does error 18 mean on a iRobot Roomba i Series, j Series and s Series?+
Cleaning is complete but the robot could not dock. The spoken message is "Docking problem. Place on the Home Base to charge." The s Series chart says the robot is stuck in the Home Base IR after undocking.
What does error 18 mean?+
Cleaning is complete but the robot could not dock.
What does it say?+
Docking problem. Place on the Home Base to charge.
Is the dock faulty?+
Often it is the position.
Where should the dock go?+
Against a wall with clear space.