Why Does My Roomba Just Go in Small Circles?

The Roomba vacuuming robot from iRobot can be a great timesaver, but a flaw in the design may cause the Roomba to begin moving in circles rather than proceeding properly around the room. This problem has become known, informally, as the "circle dance."

Cause

The circle dance usually happens when the sensors that track the Roomba's movement around the room become dirty and gradually fail.

Fixing the Problem

Empty the dirt bin, and use a can of compressed air to clean out the space between the bumper and the rest of the robot. If this fails, open the Roomba's cover, and clean out any dust or hair that has gotten inside the device.

Warning

Opening the Roomba to clean its insides will void your warranty. Contact iRobot for official support if your Roomba is still under warranty.

References

• iRobot: Roomba Discovery/400 Series Is Circling