On the covered Shark RV2900 Series POWERDETECT ThermaCharged robot vacuum, Error 6 means bumper error. Shark says there may be an obstruction in the front bumper or in the LiDAR bumper, and that the front bumper may be jammed. First, power the robot off and clear any obstructions or debris from the top, sides and bottom of the front bumper.
Differential
Likely causes of “Shark RV2900 Series POWERDETECT ThermaCharged robot vacuum showing Error 6”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The bumper reports an obstruction or a jam
What separates it The robot stops and shows error 6
How to confirm Power the robot off and clear any obstructions or debris from the front bumper
- 2
Debris in the front bumper
What separates it Hair or dirt is trapped in the bumper's edges
How to confirm Clear the top, sides and bottom of the bumper
- 3
A bumper that does not move freely
What separates it It does not spring back
How to confirm Press it toward the body from different points to test it
- 4
Debris in the LiDAR module
What separates it Hair or dust is caught in the top module
How to confirm Rotate the module 10 times clockwise with a cotton swab
- 5
A failed bumper sensor
What separates it The bumper moves and the error stays
How to confirm Contact Shark support
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the display shows error 6
- Whether the bumper moves freely
- Whether the LiDAR module looks dirty
- The robot's model number
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedWhat to do first
ReversiblePower the robot off and clear any obstructions or debris from the top, sides and bottom of the front bumper.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleShark's steps: check that the bumper moves freely by pressing it toward the body of the robot, first from the front on the right side, the left side and the middle, then from the top on the right, the left and the middle. It should spring in and out easily everywhere. Also inspect the LiDAR module on top for debris such as hair, and use a cotton swab to rotate the module 10 times clockwise to free anything caught in it. When finished, power the robot off by removing it from the base and holding the POWER button for 3 seconds, and when finished, slide it onto the base with the Shark logo facing upside down to power it back on and press VACUUM to start a cleaning mission.
Shark's tip: if the error keeps returning after all the steps, contact Shark support with your model and the error code.
Power the robot off
ReversibleClear any obstructions or debris from the top, sides and bottom of the front bumper.
Test the bumper
ReversiblePress the bumper toward the body of the robot, first from the front on the right side, the left side and the middle.
Test it from the top
ReversibleThen press from the top on the right, the left and the middle. It should spring in and out easily everywhere.
Inspect the LiDAR module
ReversibleLook at the module on top for hair and dust.
Free the module
ReversibleUse a cotton swab to rotate the module 10 times clockwise to free anything caught in it.
Restart the robot
ReversiblePower it off by removing it from the base and holding POWER for 3 seconds, then slide it onto the base with the Shark logo facing upside down and press VACUUM.
Wipe the bumper edges
ReversibleUse a soft brush or a dry cloth along the edges of the bumper to clear fine dust.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The error on this page
- Error 6, a bumper error.
- Parts involved
- The front bumper and the LiDAR module.
- Shark's guidance
- Clear the bumper, test it and free the LiDAR module.
- How the bumper works
- The front bumper is a floating plate that presses in when the robot hits something, and sensors behind it tell the robot where the obstacle is. If the bumper sticks, the robot thinks it is always touching something and stops, which is error 6.
- A weekly check
- Pet hair, thread and small crumbs collect along the edges of the bumper. Once a week, press the bumper in from a few points and clean along the edges, and you will rarely see error 6.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Shark's tip is that if the error keeps returning after all the steps, contact Shark support with the model and the error code
- !Do not force the bumper
- !Power the robot off before cleaning
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does Error 6 mean on a Shark RV2900 Series POWERDETECT ThermaCharged robot vacuum?+
Bumper error. Shark says there may be an obstruction in the front bumper or in the LiDAR bumper, and that the front bumper may be jammed.
How do I clear it?+
Clear debris from the bumper and test that it moves freely.
What is the LiDAR module?+
The spinning sensor on top that maps the room.
Can I clean it with a cotton swab?+
Yes, Shark says to rotate the module 10 times clockwise with one.
What if the error returns?+
Contact Shark support with your model and the error code.
Can a toy under the bumper cause error 6?+
Yes, a small item wedged beside the bumper can hold it in.
Do I need tools to clear it?+
No, a soft brush and a cotton swab are enough.