How to Reset the Roomba Battery

Roomba robot vacuums and mops are remarkable appliances that take virtually all of the effort out of cleaning floors and carpets. When they're not performing as expected, that high level of hands-off convenience diminishes. Fortunately, many of the most common issues reported by Roomba users, such as reduced battery life, glitchy software and less effective cleaning, can be solved with a simple reset process. This reset option is available on all Roomba series including older ones, although the procedure differs slightly from model to model.

Roomba batteries do have a limited life span, so if you've been using your robot vacuum or mop for several years, the battery might need to be replaced. Try the Roomba battery reset first before ordering a new battery. If the reset doesn't improve your robot's performance, it's probably time to replace the battery.

To reset the battery for a Roomba model with only a CLEAN button, such as S series and I series robot vacuums, press and hold the CLEAN button for 20 seconds and then release the button. A swirling white ring should appear in the light ring around the CLEAN button for the I series and around the bin lid for the S series. The light will swirl for up to one and a half minutes and then turn off. When the light goes off, the reboot is complete.

With these models, the process resets the Roomba's clock but not its schedule. Consult the manual for instructions for resetting the clock.

To reset the battery for a Roomba model in the 700, 800 or 900 series, connect the robot to the charger and press and hold the CLEAN button for 10 seconds. When you see blue text reading "r S t" on the display, release the button. You should hear a beeping tone, which tells you the reset was successful. Leave the Roomba undisturbed for at least 16 hours.

This reset process restores the Roomba vacuum's factory settings, so you will need to program the clock and schedule again. Consult your manual for instructions.

Use this method to reset the battery for Roomba models with both DOCK and SPOT buttons in addition to a CLEAN button. These include Roomba E series, Wi-Fi connected 800 and 600 series, 500 series and 600 series models. The HOME button is marked by a house icon, and the SPOT button has a plus sign over a circle. The buttons might be above and below the CLEAN button or on either side of it depending on the model.

Remove the Roomba robot from its charging dock and if the machine is off, press the CLEAN button to turn it on. Press and hold the HOME and SPOT buttons at the same time for 10 seconds and then release them at the same time. You should hear the beeping reboot tone, which indicates the reboot was successful. Connect the Roomba to its charger for at least 12 hours or until the CLEAN button lights up green. This reset process restores the Roomba vacuum's factory settings, so you will need to program the clock and schedule again.

To reset the battery and restore factory settings on a Braava jet M Series, press and hold the CLEAN button for 20 seconds. Release the button and you should see a white light swirling clockwise around the tank lid. When the light turns off, which should take no more than a minute and a half, the reboot procedure is complete.

For older Roomba models, such as those in the Discovery series, you need to physically remove the battery to perform a Roomba battery reset. Turn the robot upside down and find the tabs on the sides of the battery. Press the tabs inward and lift the battery out of the machine. Press the POWER button for at least 15 seconds and then release it. Replace the battery by setting it back in its spot and pushing until the tabs click.

Charge the Roomba by plugging it in only and not using the charging station at this time. Charge the robot until the POWER button lights up green and then remove the charger cable. Run a full cleaning cycle using the MAX button if your model has one or several regular cycles otherwise. Run the robot until the battery dies and charge it again before regular use.