Is your Roomba not charging? Are there any flashing lights on it? There is a high chance your vacuum cleaner is having some battery-related issues.
Stay tuned to find out more.
Launched back in 2022 by a popular personal robot designer iRobot, Roomba is an automatic vacuum cleaner that can help you tidy up your house. It’s a robotic device featuring sensors to detect obstructions and dirty patches while navigating the floor. These smart robots can also sense the presence of stairs, to avoid steep falls.
Also, there are some high-end models of Roomba that are equipped with an onboard camera, working seamlessly with an in-built mapping and navigation program. These AI robots can move from one room to another covering all the surface area and finding the charging base by themselves.
However, many users have complained that their Roomba stopped charging out of the blue and there is a constant flashing light on it.
In this article, I will discuss the possible reasons why is your iRobot not charging and what can you do to fix the problem without needing any technical expertise.
Let’s get going.
Why My Roomba Won’t Charge
Before we attempt to fix the solution, let’s try to understand what are the possible reasons behind the Roomba battery not charging:
The electric contacts/Charging port
As we all know that electric contacts may form a sticky material if they stay in contact for long. Also, it’s common for electric wires to form an oxide layer over a long period of time. This material is prone to dust and may interrupt the functioning of the charging port.
Software-related Glitch
A software issue in your Roomba may stop it from indicating the charging status. Meaning, that even if your device is charging, there will be no way of knowing that.
Power Socket
All the switchboards and power sockets are prone to electric snags from time to time. It’s possible that your power socket itself is not transferring the electricity to the charging dock.
Battery
Roomba is a moving device and sometimes can trip as well, resulting in battery displacement or loosening up. If your battery is not properly connected to the endpoints, the device will not change.
Docking Station
Similar to the charging port on Roomba, the connection ports located on the docking station may stop operating properly due to excessive debris or gunk. The dust present in the charging ports on the dock may interrupt the connection between the Roomba and the ports, resulting in low/no power supply.
Roomba Not Charging? Here’s What To Do
Here are some quick solutions to fix the charging issue on your Roomba vacuum cleaner:
Check The Power Supply
Before we perform any of the technical fixes, it’s a good idea to check whether your power outlet is discharging the electricity to the charging dock.
To ensure this, plug in the dock to a few different power outlets. Make sure the connection is tight enough when you connect the device.
If you see the power indicator flashing, that means your Homebase is successfully connected to the power supply.
Adjust/Replace The Batteries
As I mentioned above, with physical devices like Roomba, it’s common that sometimes the batteries get displaced from their original place or simply loosen up.
Also, please pay attention to the flashing light to determine various battery-related issues with your Roomba cleaner.
Here is a list of the issues and their respective indications:
| Indicator Blinking | Possible Issue |
| One time | Battery is not connected |
| Two times | Charging problem |
| Three times | Charging problem |
| Five times | Charging problem |
| Six times | Battery is getting too hot |
| Seven times | Big temperature fluctuations in battery |
| Eight times | No connection between with battery |
| Nine times | Faulty battery |
To readjust the battery, simply undo the screws on the back, but the battery correctly and close the back panel.
You can also try to replace your battery entirely. We strongly suggest purchasing the original Lithium-ion battery for extended life and better performance. You can browse Amazon for some third-party batteries if you want.
Also, here are some quick tips to ensure a long-lasting battery:
- Keep your cleaner plugged in when not in use to have the battery at its best performance.
- Always keep the cleaner/dock in a cool and dry place. Higher temperatures decrease the battery life significantly.
- Clean the electric ports, and battery connectors often to keep them safe from dust and debris.
- The more you use the cleaner, the better it is for the batteries. Don’t worry, they are rechargeable.
Reset Your Roomba
If none of the above-mentioned methods have worked for you, the penultimate option is to attempt a factory reset on your Roomba vacuum cleaner. This will reset all the settings to default including technical (software errors) and memory-related issues.
| Tip: A factory reset will wipe out all the customization and schedules, and personal settings from your cleaner. Make sure you program it once you finish the factory reset. |
Here’s how you can do it.
- Press and hold and clean button for a few seconds.
- When the indicator starts blinking, release the buttons.
- Wait for the device to restart
Contact iRobot
For 99% of the time, the factory reset will solve any kind of technical issue with the Roomba cleaner. However, if you are unable to track your issue, there is a high chance your device might be experiencing some hardware issue.
In that case, the best is to call the experts. We suggest you only use Roomb’s service in case of hardware issues and repair. You may reach Roomba care at 1 877 855 8593.
If your cleaner is under warranty period, you may get a free repair or even a replacement, depending on the type of damage the device sustains. The whole process may take up to 8 working days.
You can similarly check for hardware damage on the charging dock. There are several third-party docks available on Amazon and eBay, however, we suggest you go with the official iRobot dock for the long life of your cleaner.
FAQs
Q. Why won’t my Roomba charge?
A. There can be a number of reasons why your Roomba won’t change such as a battery issue, a problem with the charging port/docking station, or a software-related issue.
Q. Why is my Roomba not charging?
A. Sometimes your Roomba vacuum cleaner won’t charge because of battery displacement. Open the back cover and try to re-adjust your battery.
Q. How do I know if my Roomba needs a new battery?
A. Check the blinking light. If it’s flashing 9 times, you may have a damaged battery that needs a replacement.
Q. How can I tell if my Roomba is charging?
A. You will be able to notice the green light when your device is charging.
