Won't Charge / Charging Error
iRobot Robot Vacuum
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
A Roomba that won't charge is most often caused by dirty charging contacts on the robot or the dock. Wiping both sets of contacts with a dry cloth is the fastest fix and resolves charging problems in the majority of cases.
Affected Models
- Roomba i series
- Roomba j series
- Roomba s series
- Roomba e series
- Roomba 600 series
- Roomba 900 series
Common Causes
- Charging contacts dirty — oxidation or grime preventing current transfer
- Dock not plugged in or power adapter failed
- Roomba not aligned correctly on the dock
- Battery completely drained — needs time to begin accepting charge
- Battery failed after many charge cycles
- Dock moved to a location with insufficient clearance for Roomba to dock autonomously
How to Fix It
-
Clean the charging contacts.
The charging contacts are the two metal pads on the underside of the Roomba and the corresponding metal spring contacts on the dock. Use a dry cloth or melamine foam (Magic Eraser) to scrub all four contacts until they are shiny. Oxidised or dirty contacts are the most common cause of Roomba charging failures. After cleaning, place the Roomba on the dock and check the indicator light.
-
Check the dock power supply.
Ensure the dock is plugged in and the indicator light on the dock (if present) is on. Try plugging the dock into a different wall socket. Check the power adapter for any visible damage. A simple power supply failure is easy to overlook if the cleaning focus is on the robot itself.
-
Manually place the Roomba on the dock.
Rather than sending the Roomba home, place it manually on the dock so the contacts align correctly. The charging light should activate within 30 seconds. If it only charges when placed manually (not when docking autonomously), the dock location may have changed or there is a navigation issue preventing correct alignment.
-
Let it charge for a full 2–3 hours.
A deeply discharged Roomba battery may not show any charging indicator for the first 15–30 minutes. Leave the robot on the dock undisturbed for a full 2–3 hours before concluding it is not charging. The Roomba app will show the battery percentage increasing once charging has begun.
-
Replace the battery.
Roomba batteries typically last 2–4 years or 300–400 charge cycles. An old battery may not hold a charge at all. Replacement Roomba batteries cost £25–£60 and are user-replaceable — the bottom panel lifts off to access the battery. Use a genuine iRobot battery or a reputable third-party battery with the same capacity rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Roomba is charging?
When a Roomba is charging correctly, a pulsing white light appears on the clean button (or a solid amber light on older models). In the iRobot Home app, the battery icon shows a charging animation and the percentage increases over time. A solid red light indicates a charging fault. No light at all means the robot is not receiving power — check the dock connection and clean the contacts.