Roomba Won't Charge at the Home Base — Fix Guide

What Does This Error Mean?

A Roomba that won't charge is almost always caused by dirty charging contacts on the robot or the dock, or the dock not having power. Cleaning the contacts takes 2 minutes and fixes this in most cases.

Affected Models

Roomba 600 Series
Roomba 800 Series
Roomba i3
Roomba i7 Plus
Roomba j7+

Common Causes

Charging contacts on the Roomba base are dirty (common with pet hair households)
Home Base charging contacts are covered in dust
Home Base is not plugged in or the outlet has no power
Roomba battery has reached end of life
Roomba drove onto the dock at an angle and is not making contact
Home Base power adapter is damaged

How to Fix It

Check that the Home Base is plugged in and the outlet has power. The Home Base has a small indicator light — confirm it is lit.

It sounds obvious, but a Home Base that got unplugged by a family member or kicked loose from the socket is a very common cause of charging failures.
Clean the two large charging contact pads on the underside of the Roomba (near the front) using a dry cloth or a cotton swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.

The contacts are large metal discs. Pet hair, dust, and floor grime coat them over time and prevent electrical contact with the dock.
Clean the corresponding charging contacts on the Home Base dock (two upright metal strips on the front face of the dock).

Both sides of the charging connection need to be clean. Clean the dock contacts with a dry cloth.
Manually drive or place the Roomba directly onto the dock, ensuring both contact pads on the robot align with both contact strips on the dock. You should see the Roomba's indicator pulse to show charging.

If the robot docked at a slight angle, one or both contacts may be missing the dock strips. Adjust the robot's position.
Try plugging the Home Base into a different outlet to rule out a power issue with the socket or circuit.

If the Roomba charges on a different outlet, the original outlet or its circuit has a power issue.

When to Call a Professional

If the dock has power and contacts are clean but the Roomba still will not charge, the battery may need replacement. If the robot is under warranty, contact iRobot support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if Roomba is actually charging?

When charging correctly, the Roomba's indicator light will pulse white (or show a steady colour depending on model). On the iRobot Home app, the battery icon will show a charging lightning bolt. If you see no indicator and the app shows battery level not increasing after 30 minutes, charging is not happening.

Can I charge Roomba without the Home Base?

Yes. Most Roomba models include a direct charging cable that plugs into the robot, bypassing the dock. Direct charging is useful for diagnosing dock contact issues. However, for daily use, the Home Base is more convenient and is how the robot automatically charges after each clean.