iRobot Roomba e5 Troubleshooting

The Roomba is unresponsive when the power button is pressed.

If the Roomba is flashing with a red light and displays a message reading “Low battery,” then you will need to connect the Roomba to the home base. Make sure that the home base power indicator is glowing green, and the battery indicator on the Roomba is pulsing. If the Roomba is fully charged, the battery indicator will remain a solid green color.

If the Roomba is not holding a charge or the home base is not responding, then the issue may be with one of these devices. Ensure the charging contacts are cleaned, and that there are no foreign objects on the bumper of the Roomba or the Home Base. If issues with charging persist, you can contact iRobot support through this link.

The Roomba leaves behind dirt and debris after or during a cleaning cycle.

If the Roomba is not picking up dirt and debris, then the bin that holds these may be full. You must first release the bin from the Roomba device. To release the bin you need to push the release button located on the back of the device. Once the bin is removed from the device you will find another button that opens the bin door. To empty the bin you need to press the bin door button, which should have a trash can logo on it. You can also clean and replace the filter while the bin is removed from the device. You can hold each side of the filter and pull it off of the bin. You can shake it over a trash can to remove any dirt and debris that may be stuck in the filter, then attach it back on to the bin or replace it with a new filter if needed.

If the Roomba is leaving behind dirt and debris while operating or after operating and it is not because the bin is full, then the multi-surface brush may be broken or not functioning properly. You need to start by flipping the Roomba device over. On the bottom there will be a green tab located on the multi-surface brush. Use this tab to remove the brushes from the multi-surface brush unit. Once the brushes are detached, ensure that all dirt, debris, hair, or anything else that may be tangled or attached to the brushes are removed. Also remove anything that may be in the multi-surface brush compartment. Reattach the brushes to the compartment and turn the Roomba back over. If the brushes are still not functioning properly or are broken to begin with you can find replacement brushes online for various prices.

If the Roomba is running into objects, then the sensors may be dirty or broken

If the Roomba is running into different objects, the sensors may be broken or may need to be cleaned. To check to see if your sensors need cleaning, simply flip your device onto the back where it is showing the undercarriage. There will be four sensors on each side of the Roomba and you may need to wipe the debris off with a damp wash cloth and a dry paper towel. If you have tried to clear all the debris from the sensors and it continues to bump into objects around your home, you might have to replace the sensors. These sensors may be purchased online for various prices.

The Roomba is unable to return when the “Dock” button is pressed.

If the Roomba was picked up while cleaning, it will likely be unable to know its placement when put back on the ground. This means that the “Dock” button on the Home Base will not work. First, make sure to press and hold the “Clean” button for three seconds to clear the previous cleaning job. Then, the Roomba needs to be manually placed within six feet of the Home Base before docking.

If the Home Base is near any perceived obstacles, the Roomba will not move to the Home Base. Ensure that the location of your Home Base is clear of any potential hazards. The Home Base must be at least four feet away from any obstacles, such as stairways. Ensure that the Home Base is also located against a wall with a clear point of entry for the Roomba after it completes a job. If the Home Base is located within eight feet of a Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier or another Home Base, then there is likely to be infrared beam interference; these objects should be moved out of this eight foot range if you continue seeing problems with your Roomba returning to the Home Base.

If the Home Base is broken, you can contact iRobot Support here. There are also separate home bases available online. If you are replacing the Home Base, make sure you are purchasing the correct home base for the Roomba e5.

The Roomba stops moving during a cleaning cycle.

If your Roomba e5 is having difficulty moving or won’t move while completing a cleaning cycle, then the left, right, or both wheels might be jammed. To make sure that these wheels are not jammed, flip the Roomba over and inspect both wheels for any hair or dirt/debris that could be wrapped around the wheels. Wiggle the wheels to shake out any dirt/debris. You may need to unscrew the side brush and bottom cover to access the wheel modules. From there, you can remove hair that might be stuck or you can replace the wheel module with a new one, which are sold separately online.

If your Roomba e5’s caster wheel (front wheel) is not spinning freely, then you may need to clean it. Simply pull on the caster wheel assembly and remove the wheel from the wheel housing. Remove the axle from the wheel. Remove any hair or debris on the axle, and wipe the axle and the wheel with a wet rag. Make sure you wipe out any hair or debris from where the caster wheel sits in the Roomba. Reinstall the axle into the wheel and the wheel into the wheel housing. Then put the caster wheel back into the Roomba. If the problem is still not solved, then you may need to buy a new caster wheel which is sold separately online.