How to Troubleshoot a Roomba That Backs Up

Roomba vacuums can clean a variety of surfaces, including tile and carpeting.

The Roomba is a small round vacuum cleaner that runs on a rechargeable battery. This robotic vacuum cleaner sucks up dust and debris, like a traditional vacuum cleaner, but it also cleans tile and hardwood floors without damaging the flooring's surface. Sometimes your Roomba may not function properly, including backing up instead of moving forward and cleaning your carpet, tile or other type of flooring. The problem is solvable; you can easily return your Roomba back to its working state.

Things You'll Need

• Trash bag or can
• Canned air
• Nose mask
• Safety goggles
• Tweezers
• Soft cloth or rag

Instructions

1. Place your Roomba on a flat surface, such as a workbench, desk or table. Press the vacuum cleaner's front bumper down to check the device's spring compression and break up any caked-on debris. A debris-free Roomba goes all the way down and springs back up after releasing it.

2. Tap the bumper on all sides with your hands to further unclog the device and release any debris present on its wheels.

3. Place the debris in a trash bag or can. Continue tapping your Roomba's sides until its mechanisms are free of debris.

4. Turn your Roomba on its side and spray the vacuum cleaner's wheels, bumper, cliff sensors and other components with canned air. Wear a nose mask and safety goggles to keep any debris from entering your nose and eyes.

5. Check your Roomba's rear axle for strings, hair and other debris wrapped around it. Use tweezers to pull off any hair and other debris. If the debris is heavy or you can't unwrap strings from around the axle, you can remove the rear axle by pressing down firmly on its middle section. Don't forget to reinsert the axle and its wheels.

6. Wipe your Roomba clean with a soft cloth or rag. Test the vacuum cleaner by placing it on the floor and turning it on. If the Roomba is still not functioning properly, make sure the waste container on the side of the vacuum is not full of debris.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent your Roomba from backing up and running incorrectly, remove strings and debris from the vacuum cleaner's front and back wheels on a regular basis.

References

• iRobot: My Roomba 500 Series Is Circling
• iRobot: How Do I Clean the Front Wheel on My Roomba 500 Series?

Resources

• iRobot: iRobot Service & Support