Roomba error codes: what each one means and how to fix it

Roomba error codes come in two groups. Cleaning errors like 1, 2, 5, 6 and 17 point to stuck wheels, brushes, cliff sensors or navigation. Charging errors like 8, 9 and 120 point to the battery or charging contacts. Newer Roombas also use 1010 for docking.

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

Short answer

As of October 27, 2026, the Roomba errors people see most are Error 1 (a wheel is hanging or stuck: move the robot to a flat spot), Error 2 (the brushes cannot turn: clean them), Error 5 and 7 (a drive wheel is stuck: spin it by hand and clear debris), Error 6 (dirty cliff sensors or a dark floor: wipe the sensors), Error 17 (the robot gave up on the job: improve lighting and clear clutter) and Error 1010 on the newer 100, 200, Plus and Max models (it cannot find its dock: clear the path and reboot). Charging errors such as 8, 9 and 120 point to the battery; iRobot says to reseat it and use a genuine iRobot battery.

Find your code

Code	What it means	What to do
Error 1	A side wheel is hanging down or the robot is stuck on an obstacle or uneven floor	Move Roomba to a flat spot in the middle of the room and press CLEAN; push the wheels up and down and shake out debris
Error 2	The brushes or extractors cannot turn	Open the brush frame, remove hair and debris (also under the end caps), refit and press CLEAN
Error 5	One or both side wheels cannot turn	Push the wheels up and down, shake out debris, and turn each wheel by hand; both should spin freely with the same feel
Error 6	Cliff sensors are dirty, or the robot is over a drop or a dark surface	Wipe the cliff sensors with a dry cloth; move the robot to a lighter area; block dark rugs or ledges with a Virtual Wall or a keep out zone
Error 7	A side wheel is stuck (800 series chart)	Turn the side wheel by hand to free it and clear debris from the wheel well
Error 9	The bumper is pressed in or its sensor is dirty	Tap the bumper several times to free it and clean around it
Error 10	A side wheel is stuck or the bumper is not sensing obstacles	Spin the side wheels by hand, then check and clean the bumper
Error 11	Vacuum error (800 series)	Check and empty the bin, check the filter, and follow the help in the app
Error 14	The robot cannot detect the bin	Remove the bin, refit it and press CLEAN; check the bin and its contacts
Error 17	Roomba could not finish and canceled the job (j series and Combo 10 Max)	Improve lighting, clear clutter, check for closed doors and thick rugs, clean the camera and floor tracking sensor
Error 18	Roomba cannot get back to the dock or its starting point	Check the dock has power and a clear path, and clean the charging contacts
Error 1010	The robot cannot see or reach its dock (Roomba 100, 200, Plus 400, 500, 600, Max 700 and 800)	Clear the path and open doors, reboot (hold power 10 seconds, then 3 seconds), clean wheels and sensors, then remap if it keeps happening
Charging error 1 or 101	The robot does not detect the battery	Remove and refit the battery
Charging error 2 or 102	Charge fault from too much current	Make sure the battery is a genuine iRobot lithium ion battery and check for liquid damage
Charging error 4, 5, 104 or 105	No current or low current between the dock and robot	Clean the charging contacts on the robot and the dock
Charging error 6, 7, 106 or 107	Battery too hot or too cold	Let the robot reach room temperature, then charge again
Charging error 8	The robot cannot talk to the battery	Remove and refit the battery, use a genuine iRobot battery, clean the contacts
Charging error 9, 11, 109 or 111	Battery failure or battery hardware fault	Refit a genuine battery; iRobot says the battery may need replacing
Charging error 114	Internal battery failure	Replace the battery
Charging error 17 or 117	The battery may not be a genuine iRobot battery	Fit a genuine iRobot battery
Charging error 19 or 119	Charging timed out	Remove and refit the battery and clean the charging contacts
Charging error 20 or 120	Battery fault or battery not ready to charge	Take the battery out for 15 minutes and refit it; replace it if the error stays
Charging error 21 or 121	Docked but not charging	Clean the charging contacts

From iRobot support articles and the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo owner's guide, checked October 27, 2026. Charging codes 1 to 21 show in the older iRobot HOME app and 101 to 121 in the newer Roomba Home app. Cleaning error meanings vary a little by series; the app shows the version for your robot.

Still broken?Repair or replace

If the same code comes back after the fix, contact iRobot 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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Two kinds of Roomba errors

iRobot splits its codes into cleaning errors and charging errors. A cleaning error stops a job. The robot plays a tone, says the number out loud on most models, and shows a red light. Press CLEAN once on older models to hear the message again.

A charging error shows up while the robot sits on the dock. iRobot uses codes 1 to 21 in the older iRobot HOME app and 101 to 121 in the newer Roomba Home app. Charging error 8 and cleaning error 8 are not the same thing, so check which screen or light you are looking at.

The 2025 Roomba lineup, including the 105, 205 and Max 705 and 775, leans on the Roomba Home app. The owner's guide for the 205 lists no number codes. A flashing red light means low battery or an error, and the app gives the steps. For these models the most common code is Error 1010.

Wheel and brush errors: 1, 2, 5, 7 and 10

Most stuck robot errors trace back to the drive wheels or the brushes. Hair, string and grit work their way into the wheel wells and the brush end caps over time.

Turn the robot off and flip it onto a towel.
Push each drive wheel up and down a few times and shake out loose debris.
Spin each wheel by hand. Both should turn freely with the same resistance.
Pop out the brushes, pull hair off the ends and from under the end caps, and refit them.
Set the robot on a flat, open floor and press CLEAN.

Sensor and navigation errors: 6, 9, 17, 18 and 1010

Error 6 means the cliff sensors think the robot is at a drop. Dust on the sensors is the usual cause. Dark rugs and black tile can also look like a drop to the sensor. iRobot says a rug hanging over a stair edge can trigger it too.

Error 9 is the bumper. Tap it a few times so it springs back out, and clean around it. Error 17 on the j series means the robot gave up on the job. iRobot points to dim light, closed doors, deep shag rugs, thresholds the robot cannot cross back over, and a dirty camera window.

Error 18 and Error 1010 both mean the robot cannot get home. Check that the dock is plugged in, that nothing blocks the area in front of it, and that the dock has not moved. iRobot also says bright reflections can confuse the docking sensors. If 1010 keeps coming back, delete the map and let the robot build a new one.

When a repeat error means a worn part

A code that clears and comes back on a clean, flat floor usually means a part has worn out. iRobot names the likely part for each one. Error 5 or Error 1 on a flat floor, or a wheel that is clearly harder to turn by hand, points to the wheel module. Error 2 that returns with clean brushes means the brushes need replacing, and iRobot says to test with the brushes removed first. Error 6 that stays after cleaning, on a light floor, can mean a sensor fault.

Charging errors 9, 11, 109, 111 and 114 point straight at the battery. Error 20 or 120 that stays after a 15 minute rest also means a new battery. iRobot warns that non iRobot batteries can cause these errors and can void the warranty.

Contact iRobot Customer Care when an error stays after these steps, when a wheel will not turn at all, or when Error 2 shows even with the brushes out. Have the robot charged and with you, the serial number, and proof of purchase from an authorized seller if you want a warranty claim. Check the warranty terms and your purchase date before you buy parts, since a covered robot may get the part for free.

Simple resets that clear many codes

A reboot clears many one off errors. On the newer 100, 200, Plus and Max models, iRobot says to hold the power button for 10 seconds, then hold it for 3 seconds to turn it back on. For charging codes, iRobot often says to remove and refit the battery, or leave it out for 15 minutes.

iRobot says to clean the brushes at least once a week. Wiping the cliff sensors, charging contacts and camera window now and then also heads off many of these codes.

Roomba models in our rankings

Floors · iRobot Roomba Max 775 Combo Best for low maintenance hard floor cleaning $1,000 Check price →Full profile

Floors · iRobot Roomba 105 Vac + AutoEmpty Dock Best for Roomba fans with hard floors and no pets $450 Check price →Full profile

Floors · iRobot Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo Best for small spaces with no room for a dock $4705.6/10 Check price →Full profile

Questions people ask

What does Roomba error 1 mean?

A side wheel is hanging down or the robot is stuck on something. Move it to a flat spot and press CLEAN. If it happened on a flat floor, clean the wheel wells and spin the wheels by hand.

What does Roomba error 2 mean?

The brushes cannot turn. Remove the brushes, clear hair from the ends and end caps, and refit them. If it comes back with clean brushes, iRobot suggests new brushes.

How do I fix Roomba error 6?

Wipe the cliff sensors on the underside with a clean, dry cloth. If the robot stopped on a dark rug or near a ledge, move it and block that area with a Virtual Wall or keep out zone.

What is Roomba error 1010?

On the Roomba 100, 200, Plus and Max series it means the robot lost or cannot reach its dock. Clear the path, reboot the robot, clean its wheels and sensors, and remap if it keeps happening.

Why does my Roomba say charging error 8?

The robot cannot talk to the battery. Remove and refit the battery, make sure it is a genuine iRobot battery, and clean the charging contacts.

What does Roomba error 17 mean?

On the j series and Combo 10 Max, the robot could not finish and canceled the job. Better lighting, less clutter, a clean camera window and smaller cleaning areas usually help.