Roborock won't connect to WiFi: causes and fixes

A Roborock that won't connect to WiFi is usually trying to join a 5 GHz network, waiting too long after a WiFi reset, or blocked by special characters or WEP security. Here are the fixes from Roborock's support pages and manuals.

Researched by Riley Hart · updated Oct 27, 2026 · How we research

Short answer

Roborock robots join 2.4 GHz WiFi only, so a 5 GHz network is the most common reason setup fails. Reset the robot's WiFi until it says Resetting WiFi and the indicator flashes slowly, then add it in the Roborock app within the time limit. Give the app location permission, and on iPhone local network access. If it still fails, Roborock says to remove special characters from the network name and password and switch WEP security to WPA or WPA2.

Find your code

What you see	Likely cause	Fix
Robot never appears in the app	Network is 5 GHz	Join a 2.4 GHz network; Roborock robots do not support 5 GHz
WiFi indicator off	WiFi turned itself off after waiting	Reset WiFi again; it switches off after 30 minutes (1 hour on some models) without a connection
Setup fails at password step	Wrong password	Check the password carefully and retype it
App cannot see the robot	Location permission off	Allow location access for the Roborock app
Fails on iPhone	Local network access off (iOS 14 or later)	Turn on local network access for the Roborock app
Fails every time	Special characters like !@#$ in name or password	Remove special characters in your router settings
Fails on an old router	WEP security	Switch the router to WPA or WPA2
Fails with phone data on	Cellular data or VPN interfering	Turn off cellular data and any VPN on the phone, then retry
Weak or dropped connection	Poor signal where the robot sits	Move the robot somewhere with better signal, reset WiFi, update the app
Still fails after all steps	Router DNS or settings	For advanced users, Roborock suggests setting the router DNS to 8.8.8.8, then rebooting the robot and router

From Roborock's WiFi connection fails article, a Roborock support reply on its US forum, and the Q Revo, Q5 Pro+ and robot vacuum manuals, checked October 27, 2026.

Still broken?Repair or replace

If the same code comes back after the fix, contact Roborock support first, especially under warranty. Out of warranty, compare the repair quote with a new robot's price and 3 year cost.

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Step by step checks, in order

Roborock's own WiFi troubleshooting article gives these steps. Retry setup after each one.

Make sure your phone and the robot use a 2.4 GHz network. If your router shows one name for both bands, check its settings for a 2.4 GHz option.
Reset the robot's WiFi (see below) so it waits for a new connection.
In the Roborock app, choose your home network, not the robot's own WiFi network.
Give the Roborock app location permission. On iOS 14 or later, also allow local network access.
Type the WiFi password carefully.
Turn off cellular data and any VPN on your phone.
Reboot the robot and the router, then try again.

How to reset WiFi on a Roborock

Roborock's manuals say to open the top cover, find the WiFi indicator, and press and hold the two buttons shown in your manual until you hear the voice alert Resetting WiFi. The buttons differ by model, so check the diagram for yours. The reset is done when the WiFi indicator flashes slowly. Then add the robot in the Roborock app with Add Device or the plus button.

Move fast. The Q Revo manual says WiFi turns off after 30 minutes of waiting, and the Q7+ manual says 1 hour. If it times out, reset WiFi again.

A factory reset is a last step. Roborock says it disconnects WiFi, rolls the firmware back to the factory version and erases schedules, maps and cleaning logs.

Router settings that block Roborock

Roborock lists three router settings that stop setup. Special characters such as ! @ # $ in the network name or password, WEP security, and in some homes the router's DNS. Change the name or password in your router settings, switch to WPA or WPA2, and if you are comfortable with router settings, set DNS to 8.8.8.8.

A Roborock support reply on its US forum also says not to use an Android tablet, iPad, or iPhone 5 or 5C for setup, because of compatibility problems.

When to contact Roborock support

If the robot connects and then drops suddenly, Roborock's manual says to check your router settings or contact customer service. If none of the steps work, contact Roborock. In the US, Roborock lists [email protected] and 1 855 960 4321.

When a new robot makes more sense

WiFi trouble is almost always a network setting, not a broken robot, so replacing the robot is rarely the fix. If your home only has a 5 GHz network and you cannot add 2.4 GHz, a robot vacuum that supports 5 GHz is the only way round it. Check our robot vacuum rankings for current models.

Questions people ask

Does Roborock work with 5 GHz WiFi?

No. Roborock's support article and manuals say the robots support 2.4 GHz WiFi only.

How do I reset WiFi on my Roborock?

Open the top cover and hold the two buttons your manual shows until it says Resetting WiFi. The WiFi light then flashes slowly while it waits for the app.

Why does my Roborock WiFi light turn off during setup?

It times out. The Q Revo turns WiFi off after 30 minutes of waiting and the Q7+ after 1 hour. Reset WiFi and start setup again.

Why can't the Roborock app find my robot?

Check location permission is on for the app, and on iPhone that local network access is on. Turn off cellular data and VPN, and make sure you picked your 2.4 GHz home network.

Will a factory reset fix Roborock WiFi?

It can, but Roborock says it erases schedules, maps and logs and rolls back the firmware. Try a WiFi reset first.