iRobot Roomba: what each light, error and message means
A Roomba i, j, s or e series tells you about itself with the light ring and its voice. White means awake and normal, blue means it is doing something special, red means a problem. When the ring turns solid red the robot speaks an error message with a number; press CLEAN (or the bumper, if the robot is on) to hear it again. Charging faults have their own ‘Charging Error’ numbers, which are not the same list as the cleaning errors.
The light ring sits around the CLEAN button on the i, j and e series and the Combo 10 Max, and around the lid on the Roomba s9. The error numbers on this page are from iRobot’s chart for the Roomba i Series; iRobot publishes separate charts for the j, s, 600, 800 and 900 series, where a number can mean something else.
Solid red light ring
There is an error. The ring stays red and the robot speaks an error message; on Wi-Fi models the same error also appears in the iRobot Home app.
Roomba i, j, s and e series, Combo 10 Max. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Pulsing red light ring
The robot is charging, but the battery is still too low to start cleaning.
Roomba i, j, s and e series, Combo 10 Max. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Red sweep toward the rear
The dust bin is full and needs emptying.
Roomba i, j, s and e series (on the Braava m6 mop the same light means the water tank is empty). 1 step from iRobot on its page.
Blue clockwise spinner
The robot is in Wi-Fi pairing mode, waiting to be connected through the app.
Roomba i, j, s and e series, Combo 10 Max. iRobot gives no step for this.
White clockwise swirl
The robot is starting up or updating its software. Nothing is wrong; wait for it to finish.
Roomba i, j, s and e series, Combo 10 Max. iRobot gives no step for this.
Error 2
The multi-surface rubber brushes under the robot cannot spin.
Says:
Clear the brushes, then press Clean
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 6
The robot keeps detecting a drop (a ‘cliff’), so it will not move. iRobot says to check that the cliff sensors underneath are clear of debris.
Says:
Drop off detected. Move to a new area, and then press Clean
Roomba i Series. 3 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 8
The vacuum has poor suction.
Says:
Vacuum problem. See the app for help
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 9
The bumper reads as pressed all the time: it is jammed with debris or has come loose.
Says:
Tap the bumper to unstick, then press Clean
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 14
The robot does not detect its bin. iRobot says to make sure the filter is fitted in the bin and to check the bin detect switch.
Says:
Reinstall the bin, then press Clean
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 15
An internal board error: a fault inside the robot rather than something you can clear from the brushes, wheels or bin.
Roomba i Series. 1 step from iRobot on its page.
Error 17
The robot went into an area it did not know, got lost while cleaning and could not get back to the Home Base.
Says:
Navigation problem. See the app for help
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 18
The robot finished cleaning but could not dock on the Home Base.
Says:
Docking problem. Place on the Home Base to charge
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Error 26
The vacuum motor stalled; iRobot names a clogged filter as a possible cause.
Says:
Vacuum problem. See the app for help
Roomba i Series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Charging Error 4 or 5
Too little current (or none) is reaching the battery from the dock or the robot, so charging has stopped.
Roomba 500 to 900 series, e, i, j and s series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Charging Error 6 or 7
The battery is too warm or too cold to charge, so the robot has stopped charging to protect it.
Roomba 500 to 900 series, e, i, j and s series. 2 steps from iRobot on its page.
Sources
iRobot’s own support pages and manuals only, read on the date shown. Nothing here comes from third-party “error codes explained” sites.
- iRobot Customer Care: What do the Lights on the Light Ring Mean? — Roomba i, j, s and e series and Roomba Combo 10 Max. homesupport.irobot.com Checked 2026-09-29.
- iRobot Customer Care: The Roomba i Series Error Messages Chart — Roomba i Series. homesupport.irobot.com Checked 2026-09-29.
- iRobot Customer Care: Charging Error Chart: All Roomba® and Braava® Models — Roomba 500 to 900 series, e, i, j and s series, and Braava m series (Charging Errors 1 to 21). homesupport.irobot.com Checked 2026-09-29.