How To Reboot Roomba: Complete Guide For All Models (2023)

The iRobot Roomba, an automated vacuum cleaner, has revolutionized household cleaning with its promise of convenience and efficiency. As is the case with any piece of technology, the Roomba may occasionally run into issues that disrupt its operation. Fortunately, most of these challenges can be overcome by performing a reboot or a reset on your device.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help you understand when and how to reboot Roomba, or when reset might be necessary. It will walk you through the steps involved in performing these operations, and offer solutions for typical issues that you might encounter with your Roomba.

Understanding When to Reboot or Reset Your Roomba

Rebooting or resetting your Roomba can often resolve technical glitches or performance issues. However, it’s essential to understand the difference between the two and when each is appropriate.

Rebooting is the process of turning your Roomba off and then back on again. It’s less drastic than a reset and can often resolve minor glitches or errors. On the other hand, resetting your Roomba returns it to its factory settings, erasing all your customized preferences. As such, a reset is typically performed when more significant issues occur that a reboot cannot fix.

Roomba Issues

Here are some of the common problems that might necessitate a reboot or reset:

1. Roomba Won’t Start: If your Roomba refuses to power up or begin its cleaning cycle, rebooting can often clear any temporary software glitch that might be causing this issue.
2. Charging Issues: If your Roomba isn’t charging properly, not recognizing the charging dock, or rapidly losing charge, a reset can help to rectify the problem by restoring the device’s default settings.
3. Erratic Behavior: If your Roomba is moving in an unusual pattern, bumping into walls or objects more frequently than usual, getting stuck in particular spots, or having difficulty navigating your home, a reboot might be in order.
4. Roomba Not Responding to Commands: If your Roomba doesn’t respond to commands given through the control buttons, the iRobot HOME App, or your smart home assistant (like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant), a reset can help restore this functionality.
5. Regular Error Messages: If your Roomba continually presents error messages even after you’ve addressed the issues, a reboot or reset may help clear these recurring errors.
6. Software Glitches: If your Roomba is having trouble installing updates, frequently restarting on its own, or you’re noticing other software-related issues, a reset can often help by clearing any problematic data and installing the latest software version cleanly.

The Process of Rebooting Your Roomba

If you’re experiencing minor issues with your Roomba robot cleaner, a reboot should be your first port of call. Here’s how to perform a reboot on different models:

1. Roomba e Series, i Series, s Series, j Series, and Roomba 900 series
   • Press and hold the CLEAN button on your Roomba for about 10 seconds. You can release the button once the lights on top of the Roomba turn off.
   • After the reboot, place your Roomba back on the Home Base to reactivate it.
2. Roomba 500, 600, 700, and 800 series
   • Remove your Roomba from the Home Base and flip it over.
   • Take out the battery, wait a few seconds, then reinsert it.
   • Place the Roomba back on its Home Base.

Resetting Your Roomba

If rebooting doesn’t resolve the issue, a more thorough reset may be necessary. Bear in mind that resetting your Roomba will erase all data and settings, restoring your device to its factory defaults. Here’s how to reset various Roomba models:

1. Roomba e Series, i Series, and s Series
   • Open the iRobot HOME App on your smartphone or tablet. Navigate to ‘Settings.’
   • Scroll until you find the ‘Factory Reset’ option and select it.
2. Roomba 900 series
   • Press and hold the HOME and SPOT Clean buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
3. Roomba 500, 600, 700, and 800 series
   • Press and hold the SPOT and DOCK buttons together for about 10 seconds.

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of maintaining a harmonious relationship with your Roomba, understanding how to reboot and reset your device is crucial. This knowledge allows you to effectively troubleshoot a variety of common issues, keeping your Roomba in peak operating condition.

However, if rebooting or resetting your Roomba doesn’t resolve your issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to iRobot’s customer service for additional support. Technology, as we know, isn’t perfect. But with a little patience and the right troubleshooting steps, you can ensure your Roomba continues to provide the convenience and cleanliness it was designed for.