How to Troubleshoot the Internal Timer on a Roomba

The Roomba home vacuuming robot can be programmed to clean your floor at a specific time.

iRobot manufactures cleaning robots. Roomba is its home vacuuming robot. Some Roombas have built-in timer functions so you can schedule the cleaning cycle. The schedule is programmed on a remote control, and then that schedule is sent to the Roomba's internal timer. Problems tend to be with the remote control scheduler communicating with the Roomba's internal timer.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh batteries
• Damp cloth

Instructions

1. Replace the battery on the remote control if the schedule isn't getting to the Roomba's internal timer. Verify that the Roomba is turned on.

2. Set the time on the remote scheduler if you're using it for the first time. Open the front cover on the remote control. The display will turn red and read "Set Time." Press "New," "Save" and "Delete" all at the same time. Press the plus button to change the day. Press the right arrow button to move to the hour on the display. Then use the plus and minus buttons to change the hour. Follow the same procedure for minutes.

3. Point the remote control directly at the Roomba. Give the Roomba a wipe if the Roomba doesn't play its schedule receiving song. It's possible the infrared receiving eye is dirty. Put the Roomba near the home base or place it on the charging home base when sending a schedule to the internal timer. The amber "Status" light on the Roomba should blink when it's received the schedule.

4. Place the Roomba in the center of the room or on its charging base when the amber scheduling status light blinks.

5. Switch off any Virtual Walls when using the Roomba's schedule receiving function. The Virtual Walls also use infrared, and the Roomba can get confused by the multiple infrared signals.

References

• iRobot: Roomba Discovery 400 Series Manual