Troubleshooting Common Robot Vacuum Issues

As with any piece of tech, there’s nothing more frustrating than when it stops working the way it’s meant to - especially your robot vacuum. Whether it won’t stop beeping, keeps giving you error messages you don’t understand or simply isn’t sucking up dirt the way it’s meant to, we’ve seen it all before! If your robot vacuum is acting up, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can try to get it back up and running. 

We’ve compiled all the most common issues with robot vacuums and their solutions. If yours is looking under the weather, read on and play robot doctor at home to see if you can get an easy fix without the need for extra help. 

Resolving Navigation and Mapping Problems

If your robot vacuum is driving around like it’s gone blind all of a sudden or can’t seem to find its way back to the charging station, there are a few common causes. Usually, the most common problem is the camera and sensors. Over time, they can collect dirt and grime, and without a regular wipe down, it’s like driving with a dirty windscreen after dark for your robot vacuum. Give the sensors a clean with an alcohol wipe to remove any household grub. 

If you’re still experiencing issues, sometimes the wheels can be at fault. This can be especially common for 2-in-1 vacuums, with the struggle coming from heading between carpet and hardwood. Whether they’re all tied up with hair or are worn down and can’t run smoothly, removing any obstructions or replacing the wheels can make your robot run like new again. 

Addressing Battery and Charging Issues

If your robot vacuum won’t charge or you’re getting notifications that it’s consistently at low battery, there are a few things to check first. For robot vacuums that locate their docking station and plug themselves in, there are two main things to check. 

You’ll want to make sure that the signal that’s going between the robot and the docking station is strong enough to work properly. If your vacuum gets too far to navigate back, it can wander around aimlessly for a while before parking itself near the dock. Keeping your docking station in a spot that’s easy to access is important. Try moving it to a more open area on a flat surface to ensure that your robot vacuum isn’t getting blocked physically or by poor signal strength if the dock is hidden behind furniture. 

If your robot vacuum can plug in fine but doesn’t seem to hold charge for long, it might not be charging for long enough between uses. Make sure to check your robot's unique needs, plug it in and charge it fully before each use. To extend your battery life, it’s best to avoid running it completely flat. Generally, your battery should last two to three years of use before it needs to be replaced entirely. 

Remedying Reduced Suction and Cleaning Problems

The most obvious and frustrating problem that can occur with robot vacuums is that they stop cleaning or the suction is lacking. The main cause of your robot simply pushing dirt around instead of picking it up is usually mechanical. 

If you’ve already cleared your robot’s dust bin and it’s still not sucking up dirt properly, you’ll want to start by looking at the intakes of the vacuum itself to see if there are any obstructions. Whether it’s a clump of dirt or a whole lot of dog hair, if it hasn’t quite made it into the vacuum’s bin, it’ll stop anything else from being pulled through, too. 

You can gently brush trapped debris out with an old toothbrush or use a cotton bud to get rid of the blockage. We also recommend checking that the wheels and filter are clear of any hair tangles and dust to make sure your vacuum can move freely and move about without overheating. 

Your filters, especially those on HEPA filter vacuums and pet-friendly robot vacuums, also need to be cleaned regularly and will need to be replaced after a while. The time a filter lasts will depend on your robot vacuum use and what it’s cleaning up. If it’s been a while since you last changed it, your robot vacuum may let you know, and you’ll need to order a replacement.  

Connectivity and App-related Solutions

Troubleshooting robot vacuum connectivity errors can seem daunting, but they’re usually pretty straightforward to fix. Most robot vacuums connect to your home’s WiFi, which they use for navigation, including features like no-clean zones and letting your robot know where the stairs are. If your WiFi is spotty, this alone can be enough to confuse your robot vacuum. Try resetting the router to start off with and reconnecting your vacuum through the app. 

If you’re still having trouble, the next thing to check would be that your robot is connected correctly - you’ll typically want them on the 2.4GHz network. Check your robot’s guidebook to make sure yours is on the right WiFi setting. 

Finally, if you’re having issues with app-to-robot connectivity, our main suggestion here is to make sure your app is up to date. If you’re on an older version, bugs can crop up and limit your ability to switch and control your robot vacuum. 

If all else fails and you’re still not sure what’s going on, don’t forget that the team at Robot Specialist are experts in the industry and can take care of your sick robot. Our robot repair service is comprehensive and covers all the common ailments that crop up, from poor suction or a short run time to error codes, weird noises and charging issues. 

For world-class customer service, you can contact our team anytime for a free, no-obligation quote.