Why Is My Roomba Not Charging on the Dock? Causes and Fixes

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A Roomba not charging on its dock is most often a dirty-contacts problem, on the robot or on the base. Clean them first, then check the base and reboot the robot if the error stays. Allow about 30 minutes.

Common symptoms and causes of a Roomba not charging

An iRobot that stops charging often shows a charging error code, on the robot or in the app. The code points to the cause.

• Error 19: the robot sits on its base but does not charge, usually because of dirty or damaged contacts.
• Error 21: the robot loses its charge on the base instead of keeping it, because of dirty or worn contacts.
• Errors 4 and 5: power is not reaching the robot (robot, battery, base or cord), often because of debris on the contacts.
• Power cord or wall outlet not plugged in firmly, base without power.
• Battery badly seated, at the end of its life, or not an original one.
• Robot left away from its base for a long time, with a deeply drained battery.
• Software glitch in the robot, fixed by a reboot.

Tip: write down the exact error code before you touch anything. It tells you which solution to start with.

Before you start

Identify your robot’s series (600, e, i, j, s or Combo), because the button combination for the reboot depends on it. You need a working wall outlet, a melamine sponge (Magic Eraser type), a microfiber cloth and, to replace the battery on e, i and j series, a small screwdriver.

Warning: unplug the base from the wall before cleaning its contacts, and never work on a base that is plugged in. Do not soak the contacts: the sponge should be barely damp.

Warning: never puncture, bend or heat a lithium battery, and do not short-circuit its terminals. A swollen battery will not charge again and goes to a battery collection point, never in the ordinary trash. Work on a non-flammable surface.

Warning: a factory reset erases data, namely the maps of your home and the Wi-Fi settings. A reboot deletes nothing. Write down your settings before any factory reset.

Good to know: opening the robot can void the warranty, so check the warranty end date before taking it apart. Damaged contacts mean replacing the robot or the base: keep your proof of purchase.

Solution 1: clean the charging contacts on the robot and the base

The charging contacts are the metal plates or strips that carry power from the base to the robot.

1. Unplug the base’s cord from the wall outlet and wait 60 seconds.
2. Lift the robot off the base and place it upside down on a flat surface.
3. Locate the metal contacts under the robot, then those on the base.
4. Rub the robot’s contacts with a slightly damp melamine sponge, or a cloth, until they shine.
5. Rub the base’s contacts the same way.
6. Check the color and position of the contacts: if they are green, copper-colored or pushed in, they are damaged and cleaning will not repair them.
7. Plug the base back into the wall firmly.

Then put the robot back on the base. It should start charging without showing error 19, 21, 4 or 5.

Tip: Darty’s repair service advises cleaning the contacts every week and wiping the sensor window with a dry microfiber cloth.

Solution 2: check the power, the indicator light and the base position

Roomba still not charging on its base with clean contacts? Check the power. A base with poor power or one placed at an angle gives the same symptoms as a dirty contact.

1. Unplug the power cord at the wall outlet and at the base.
2. Plug both ends back in firmly.
3. On a Clean Base, lift the lid and check that the red power light is on.
4. On a Home Base, check that the power light comes on when the base is plugged in (not confirmed by iRobot).
5. Place the base on a flat, stable surface, away from stairs (advice not confirmed by iRobot).
6. If you get error 19, lift the robot off the base.
7. Put the robot into sleep mode or Ship mode (the method depends on the model: check the manual or iRobot support).
8. Place the robot back on the base to wake it up.

On a Clean Base, the red light should be on. The robot starts charging as soon as it touches the contacts.

Solution 3: reboot or reset the robot

A reboot restarts the robot’s software without erasing maps, schedules or preferences. On models without Wi-Fi, it resets the clock but keeps the schedule. Allow up to 90 seconds.

Reboot the Roomba from the app

1. Open the app that controls your robot: Roomba HOME for the Mini, 100, 1000, 200, 2000, Plus 400 to 600 and Max 700 and 800 ranges, iRobot HOME for all other models.
2. In Roomba HOME, open the Robots tab, then the three-dot menu at the top right.
3. In iRobot HOME, open the product settings (Product Settings).
4. Tap Reboot Roomba.
5. Confirm the reboot.

Reboot with the robot’s buttons

1. Lift the robot off its base.
2. Hold the button or combination for your model for the time given below.
3. Release at the signal: a white light, a melody or a voice message.

• i and s series: CLEAN button for about 20 seconds.
• j series and Combo 10 Max: about 9 seconds, on the CLEAN button according to a third-party guide (iRobot does not name the button).
• Roomba 800 and 900 connected to Wi-Fi: about 10 seconds (button not specified: see the manual).
• Roomba Essential: HOME and SPOT together for about 12 seconds.
• e series and 500, 600 and 700 series without Wi-Fi: HOME and SPOT together for about 10 seconds, until the beep.
• 600 series with a green dot under the robot: remove the bin, then the battery, for about 30 seconds.
• Roomba Combo with a switch on top: flip it to Off, wait 10 seconds, then back to On.
• Mini, 100, 1000, 200, 2000, Plus 400 to 600 and Max 700 and 800 ranges: Power button for about 10 seconds, then 3 seconds to turn it back on.

Does your model appear on two lines? Follow the manual or iRobot support.

The robot should light up white and play a melody, or a voice message, within 90 seconds.

Remove and reinstall the battery

This clears errors 19, 21, 4 and 5; lift the robot off its base first. On e, i and j series, the battery sits under a screwed-on cover, and opening it can void the warranty: to reach it, follow steps 2 to 5 of solution 4. For other series, follow the manual or iRobot support.

1. Take the battery out of the robot.
2. Leave it out for at least 30 minutes if error 19 persists.
3. Put the battery back in.
4. Place the robot on its base and start a charge.

The error code should clear and charging should resume.

Solution 4: diagnose and replace the Roomba battery

A battery at the end of its life no longer holds a charge. A battery that is not an original can also cause unexplained charging errors.

According to user reports, a robot left away from its base for several months can end up with a completely drained battery.

For e, i and j series:

1. Get an original iRobot lithium-ion battery that fits your series.
2. Turn the robot over onto a flat, non-flammable surface.
3. Unscrew and remove the side brush.
4. Unscrew the 5 screws of the bottom cover, then remove the cover.
5. Unclip the old battery.
6. Fit the new battery until the locking tab clicks.
7. Screw the cover back on with its 5 screws.
8. Refit the side brush.
9. Place the robot on the Home Base if it does not start.

The robot should wake up and charge without showing an error. Take the old battery to a collection point.

Good to know: a battery taken out of the robot goes to sleep after 15 minutes, which is why you put the robot on the base. The iRobot replacement battery, part number 4706313 (lithium-ion, 2,210 mAh), is meant for e, i and j series according to iRobot’s official UK store, with a 2-year warranty. Its fit with the Combo j7+, j9+ and 10 Max is not confirmed: check before you buy.

If you need to replace the battery on an e or i series, here is where to find an original iRobot battery.

Genuine iRobot lithium-ion battery for Roomba e and i series (4624864)

This genuine iRobot lithium-ion battery replaces one that no longer holds a charge on Roomba e and i series robots. It avoids the charging errors that a non-genuine battery can cause.

• AmazonSee at Amazon

If nothing works

Stop if the error persists after cleaning the contacts, checking the power, rebooting and leaving the battery out for 30 minutes. The same goes if the contacts are green or copper-colored. If a new original battery does not charge either, the base or the robot’s circuit board is at fault.

Contact iRobot customer support with:

• the robot, charged as much as possible and within reach;
• its serial number;
• proof of purchase (invoice or receipt from an authorized reseller) to claim the warranty.

Out of warranty, compare repair and a new machine: our Roborock vs Dreame comparison for choosing a robot vacuum helps you decide if your Roomba is reaching the end of its life.

As a last resort: the factory reset

A factory reset is not the same as a reboot. It erases all the robot’s data, including maps and the Wi-Fi connection. Use it only if the reboot fails.

Warning: iRobot recommends contacting customer support before any factory reset. Button combinations on third-party sites contradict each other: go through the app or support.

Take better care of your Roomba: our toolbox

These tools and genuine parts help you clean, maintain and, when needed, replace what wears out on your robot.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Roomba battery is dead?

If the robot does not hold a charge after you clean the contacts, check the base and reboot, the battery may be at fault. Trying a new original battery settles it: if that one does not charge either, the base or the robot’s circuit board is the problem.

How do I reset a Roomba?

For a charging problem, start with a reboot, from the app (Reboot Roomba) or by holding the robot’s buttons for your series. It deletes neither maps nor schedules. A factory reset erases everything: iRobot advises contacting its support before using it.

How long does a Roomba battery last?

iRobot does not publish an official lifespan. Third-party guides and forums mention about 2 to 3 years, sometimes 1 to 2 years depending on use. An original replacement battery carries a 2-year warranty according to the iRobot store.