iRobot Corporation

Yes, Roomba really works! Roomba uses a unique and powerful patented 3-stage cleaning system to sweep and vacuum most home floor surfaces, including hardwood, laminate, linoleum, low-pile carpet, medium-pile carpet, tile, slate and other hard surfaces.

Independent testing proves that Roomba works as well as or better than standard upright vacuums on hard floor surfaces and low to medium-pile carpet when used for routine cleaning. What's more, Roomba's compact shape allows it to reach under beds and other furniture, so it actually cleans more of your floor than a standard upright can.

Note: Roomba is not designed to clean shag carpet or rugs with tassels or fringes. However, if you do have rugs with fringes or tassels, there are a few easy ways you can prep your room in order to use Roomba.

How should I remove and clean Roomba's brushes?

Your iRobot Roomba comes with a cleaning tool to help you keep Roomba's brushes free of hair and other debris. For optimal cleaning performance, you should clean your Roomba's brushes every 2 or 3 cleaning cycles. If you own a pet that sheds long hair, it is recommended that you remove and clean the brushes after every cleaning cycle.

How to clean Roomba's brushes:

1. Empty Roomba's vacuum bin and place Roomba upside down on a flat surface, with the front bumper facing away from you.
2. Remove the brush guard by pushing on the two yellow release tabs.
3. Remove the main brush and flexible brush.
4. Use the cleaning tool to remove as much hair and dirt as possible from the brushes (if you do not have the cleaning tool, use a comb or fork). Also, ensure thatboth brushes have a yellow bearing on the end and that the opposing end has a square profile. Caution: If you lose a brush bearing, contact iRobot Customer Support immediately and we'll send you a replacement, free of charge.
5. Remove the yellow bearings by rotating them until they easily slide off the brushes. Clean the bearings thoroughly (use a paperclip or other small object to clean inside the bearing).
6. Replace the brushes and brush guard.
7. Remove the side brush with a screwdriver and remove any hair under it.

Remove Roomba's brush guard	Remove brushes from Roomba	Cut hair away from brushes with cleaning tool
Remove hair with cleaning tool	Remove Roomba's brush bearings	Clean Roomba's brush bearings with cleaning tool
Replace Roomba's brush bearings	Replace Roomba's brushes	Replace Roomba's brush guard

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To keep Roomba cleaning at peak performance, we recommend you change Roomba's filter every 1-2 months. Here's how:

1. First remove Roomba's dust bin, and then locate the yellow plastic filter frame that has the upward pointing arrows.
2. Pull the yellow filter frame away from the dust bin to remove it.
3. Remove the black filter from the yellow filter frame by unsnapping it from its seated location. Please take notice of the direction the filter comes out as the new filter will go back in the same manner.
4. Insert new filter into the yellow filter frame ensuring that the black tabs on the filter are pointing down and are on the inside of the yellow filter frame.
5. Insert the yellow filter frame back into the dust bin and push it tightly to ensure a good seal. Then reinstall the dust bin to the Roomba.

Remove dust bin	Pull filter from bin	Insert new filter in yellow frame
Insert new filter into frame	Replace filter frame in dust bin

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Roomba has intelligent Cliff Sensors that detect edges and tells Roomba to avoid them. However, there may be situations where the cliff-avoidance system is less effective. Some of these include:

1. Rounded stair edges
2. Slippery surfaces
3. Clogged Cliff Sensors due to external dirt

If Roomba is not sensing an edge, inspect the Cliff Sensors for dirt. Do this by first emptying the vacuum bin and placing Roomba upside down on a flat surface. Visually inspect the four Cliff Sensors under the bumper and clean them out with compressed air. If the sensors are clean and work in other areas of the house, then it will be necessary to add a physical barrier (or a virtual wall) across the problem area to prevent the Roomba from accessing it.

How long should the Roomba battery last?

With proper care, one iRobot Roomba battery can last for hundreds of cleaning cycles before you need to replace it. Here are some things you can do to extend Roomba's battery life and keep Roomba cleaning at peak performance:

Use your Roomba frequently. Your Roomba is powered by a rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, which lasts the longest when you use it regularly.

Keep the brushes clean.If the brushes and brush axles get clogged with hair and other debris, your Roomba will strain to spin them, using more battery power than normal. In extreme cases, the battery can even be damaged.

Keep your Roomba plugged in when not in use. If you have a Home BaseT, keep your Roomba docked in the Home Base and plugged into the charging brick. If you don't have a Home Base, keep your Roomba plugged into the APS Fast Charger.

Make sure you are charging your Roomba correctly.When your Roomba is plugged in correctly, the solid green light should be illuminated on the charger or on the Home Base.

Plug your Roomba in as soon as possible after using Max Mode. Leaving your Roomba unplugged for more than 24 hours can damage the battery.

Place your Roomba and the Home Base on a smooth, hard surface when your Roomba is plugged in. Make sure your Roomba and the Home Base have plenty of space for ventilation. Do not charge your Roomba on a carpet or rug.

Charge and store your Roomba in a cool, dry place. Keep your Roomba out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat such as windows, radiators, heating vents, and large appliances.

Remove the battery when not using your Roomba for a long period of time. If you will not be using your Roomba for more than a few weeks, fully charge the battery, remove it, and store it in a cool, dry place. When you want to use your Roomba again, insert the battery and fully charge it. Leaving your Roomba plugged in for weeks when it is not being used can damage the battery.

How can I make Roomba return to its Home Base?

If you have a Roomba Self-Charging Home Base, Roomba will automatically dock itself and start recharging. However, if Roomba is stopped before reaching Home Base, you can also dock Roomba manually. Here's how:

1. Verify that the Home Base is plugged in and that the Power light is lit.

   

2. Make sure any virtual walls are 8 ft. (2.4 meters) away from the dock to avoid IR interference.
3. Place the Home Base in a relatively open and flat area without any obstacles.
4. Place Roomba about 3 ft. (1 m) in front of the Home Base and press the Spot and Clean buttons simultaneously. Roomba should drive itself back to the Home Base. If it doesn't dock on the first attempt, try the same procedure again until it does.
5. Once the Roomba reaches the Home Base, make sure the two green lights on the Home Base are lit and solid. If not, clean the electrical contacts under the Roomba and on the Home Base and repeat these instructions.

How can I prevent Roomba from getting stuck?

When Roomba gets into a tight spot, it will usually find its way out. We recommend that you watch Roomba the first couple of times you use it, so you can see if there are areas where it gets stuck, and move things as needed. Because Roomba lightly contacts walls and other objects as it cleans, remove any light items that may be pushed or knocked over. Of course, you will get better results if you clear the floor of any loose items before cleaning, just as you would if you were using a traditional upright vacuum.

A Note About Rugs

Roomba is not designed for cleaning deep-pile carpet, shag carpet, or rugs with long tassels or a fringe longer than an inch. If you do have a rug that has a long fringe, try one of the following before cleaning:

1. Tuck the fringe underneath the carpet.
   
2. Place a Virtual Wall Unit on or near the carpet fringe to keep Roomba away from the fringe.
   
3. If it is a small area rug that is easily lifted, remove and shake it out while Roomba cleans the floor.
   

When I turn Roomba on, it reverses in jerky motions, then shuts down. How can I fix this?

If this problem occurs, try the following:

1. Power off iRobot Roomba.
   
2. Remove and empty the dirt bin. Place the robot upside down on a flat, padded surface.
   
3. Check for any dust or dirt obstructing the Cliff Sensors (with Roomba upside down, the sensors are located in the four rectangular areas just inside the edge of the front bumper).

4. Next, press the front bumper in to make sure it springs back.

Roomba picked up liquid and the brushes or other components are wet. What should I do?

Roomba should only pick up dry dirt and debris. If its brushes pick up water or any other liquid, do the following:

1. Power off Roomba.
   
2. Remove and empty the dirt bin.
   
3. Remove the filter. Clean and dry all parts thoroughly.
   
4. Remove the brush guard and take out the brushes. Wipe both brushes well and allow them to dry before replacing.
   
5. Wipe the inside of the cleaning frame with a soft absorbent cloth until dry.
   
6. Once dry, reinstall all components.

What does it mean when Roomba's charging indicator light changes color?

Roomba's charge indicator light changes color according to Roomba's battery charge:

• Green - Fully charged
• Pulsing Amber - Charging
• Amber - Partially discharged
• Red - Nearly discharged
• Flashing Red - Discharged

Where is the charge indicator light located?

If you own a Roomba Red or Roomba Sage, the charging indicator light is located immediately to the right of the Power button.

On Roomba Discovery and Discovery SE models, the Power button indicates the robot's charge level.

Can Roomba handle pet hair?

Yes! Pet owners love Roomba's effectiveness in keeping up with pet hair. If shedding pets or long hair is an issue in your home, we strongly recommend that you remove and clean the brushes more frequently, especially if hair has accumulated between cleanings. For best results, you should run Roomba frequently to maintain your home free of pet hair, and clean Roomba's brushes every time you empty the dirt bin.

Why is Roomba rattling on hard floor surfaces?

1. Clean the Brushes
2. Make sure both yellow brush caps are installed correctly
3. Make sure the main brush and the flapper brush each have a yellow bearing installed correctly.

How do I install the Roomba 500 series battery?Please follow these instructions to install your new 500 series Roomba battery.

Please follow these instructions to install your new 500 series Roomba battery.

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How do I install the Bumper Extension?

Please follow these instructions to install the Bumper Extension.

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What are the different Cleaning Modes of the Roomba 500 series?

Clean Mode (all models)
Roomba automatically calculates the room size and adjusts its cleaning time appropriately.

Spot Mode (all models)
Roomba will spiral approximately 3 feet in diameter and then spiral back to where it started, intensely cleaning a localized area.

Scheduled Cleaning Mode (Models 550 and above)
When a cleaning time is programmed, Roomba enters scheduled cleaning mode. When Roomba is scheduled to clean, it will occasionally flash its next scheduled cleaning time to indicate it is scheduled. At the specified time, Roomba leaves its Home Base, cleans, and then returns to the Home Base to recharge when its done.

NOTE: When using Roomba with Virtual Wall Lighthouses™, Roomba will clean for approximately 35 minutes per room.

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Why does my Roomba back up for no apparent reason?

If Roomba starts to back up for no apparent reason and plays the "Uh-Oh" sound followed by 9 beeps, the bumper may be stuck with dirt and debris.

Please try the following steps:
Gently tap both sides of the bumper several times to shake out any debris that might be causing the bumper to stick.
Try cleaning around the bumper with compressed air.

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