Question 1

my roomba i3+ light ring is flashing blue in one spot and it's going in circles, is it broken?

Accepted Answer

Nah, that's a feature, not a bug. A flashing blue light ring means it's in Dirt Detect mode. It found a particularly dirty area and is working harder on it. WHAT'S HAPPENING The robot is moving over the same area multiple times until its sensors indicate the area is clean. This is normal. Let it finish. OTHER BLUE LIGHTS TO KNOW Solid Blue Spiral: You pressed the Spot Clean button. It will clean a 3-foot (1-meter) diameter area and return to start. Pulsing Blue: You pressed the Home button. It's navigating back to its Home Base. IF IT'S ACTUALLY STUCK If it's circling because something is jammed, it will eventually stop and show a solid red error light. Then press CLEAN to hear the audio alert. Common jams are in the brushes or front wheel. HEADS UP For the best Dirt Detect results, use the robot frequently to maintain well-conditioned floors. Remove excess clutter before it runs.

Question 2

the self-emptying base on my roomba i3+ isn't sucking the dirt out of the robot, what gives?

Accepted Answer

Check for a blockage in the robot's bin or the base's dust disposal port. FIX Remove and inspect the robot's bin. Open the bin door and empty it manually. Clear any debris clogging the vacuum path or the bin door opening. Clean the full bin sensors. Wipe the inner sensors with a clean, dry cloth. Do not spray with water. Check the dust disposal port on the bottom of the robot and the corresponding port on the Home Base. Clear any obstructions. Ensure the bin is correctly seated. The robot communicates with the base only when the bin is fully inserted. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Clean the charging contacts. Dirty contacts on the robot and base can disrupt communication. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth or melamine foam pad. Listen for an error. A red light ring sweeping toward the rear indicates the bin is full. If it empties but still shows this, the sensor is dirty or faulty. HEADS UP Always disconnect the robot from the Home Base before cleaning or maintaining it. Do not open the Home Base yourself; there are no user-serviceable parts inside.

Question 3

can i use my roomba i3+ on multiple floors? like if i carry it upstairs will it find its base?

Accepted Answer

No. The i3+ maps and cleans one floor at a time. It cannot navigate to a Home Base on a different level. For a second floor: You need a second Home Base charging station set up on that floor. The robot will only seek the base on the floor it started cleaning. To move it: Carry the robot and place it directly on the Home Base on the new floor to charge. Start the cleaning job from that base. Prevent falls: Wherever you place the Home Base, ensure it is at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) away from stairs. If a room has a balcony, use a physical barrier. SETUP TIP Use the iRobot HOME App to set separate cleaning schedules for each floor if you have multiple bases. HEADS UP The robot is for dry floor use only. Do not use it to pick up spills or allow it to become wet.

Question 4

how often do i really need to clean the filter on my roomba i3+? it seems to clog fast.

Accepted Answer

You should clean the filter once a week, or twice a week if you have a pet. It's the most common cause of reduced suction. Here's how to do it right: Press the bin release button and remove the bin from the robot. Remove the filter by grasping both ends and pulling it straight out. To clean it, tap the filter firmly against the inside of your trash container to dislodge dust. Do not wash the filter or use water on it. Reinsert the filter with the ridged grips facing out. Place the bin back into the robot until it clicks. The robot will not run if the filter is installed incorrectly. IF SUCTION IS STILL LOW Empty the bin more frequently. The full bin sensor also needs cleaning every 2 weeks. Wipe the inner sensors with a clean, dry cloth. Replace the filter. Even with regular cleaning, you should replace the filter every two months for peak performance. Wash the bin. Remove the filter first, then rinse the bin with warm water. Dry it completely before reassembling. The bin is not dishwasher safe.

Question 5

my roomba i3+ is making a horrible grinding noise from the bottom, what do i check?

Accepted Answer

Yeah, that's almost always something wrapped around a brush or stuck in the wheel. Power it off and flip it over. FIX Turn it off by taking it off the Home Base. Remove the Edge-Sweeping Brush. Use a small screwdriver to loosen the screw, pull the brush out, and clear any hair or thread. Remove the Multi-Surface Brushes. Pinch the brush frame release tabs, lift, and pull the brushes out. Take off the brush caps from each end and clear debris from underneath them. Also remove any hair from the square and hexagonal pegs on the opposite side of the brushes. Check the front caster wheel. Pull firmly on the wheel module to remove it, then pull the wheel out of its housing. Clear any hair wrapped around the axle. Make sure it clicks back in and spins freely. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Clear the vacuum path inside the robot. Remove the bin and look inside the opening where the bin sits for any stuck debris like a paperclip or gravel. HEADS UP Do not use the robot to pick up sharp objects, glass, or anything burning. A front wheel clogged with hair can damage your floor. If it's still not spinning freely after cleaning, contact Customer Care.

Question 6

why does my irobot roomba i3+ keep dying in the middle of the room and not going back to charge?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis: Failed navigation to Home Base due to dirty sensors, blocked path, or poor base placement. FIX Clean the sensors. Wipe the front bumper sensor, cliff sensors, and the charging contacts on both the robot and the Home Base with a clean, dry cloth. Use a melamine foam pad for built-up debris. Ensure a clear path. The Home Base needs 4 ft (1.2 m) of clear space in front of it and 1.5 ft (0.5 m) on each side. Move furniture, toys, or cords. Check base placement. The Home Base must be on a level surface against a wall, and at least 4 ft (1.2 m) away from stairs to prevent falls. Manually return it. When the battery is low, press the Home button. A pulsing blue light ring indicates it's seeking the Home Base. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check the power supply. Use only the provided power supply cord. Do not use a power converter or an unauthorized charger—this voids the warranty and can cause battery issues. Inspect the battery. The robot comes with a partial charge but needs 3 hours for a full charge before first use. For long-term storage, turn off the battery by removing the robot from the Home Base and holding the CLEAN button down for 10 seconds.

Question 7

roomba i3+ is stuck under my couch and can't get out, how do i stop this?

Accepted Answer

First, use the app to set a Keep Out Zone. If you don't have the virtual wall accessory, adjust your base placement and clear the path. Use the iRobot HOME App: Set a Keep Out Zone around the problem area to block it virtually. Use the Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier (if your model came with one). Place it in Halo Mode (switch to the halo position) to create a circular barrier around the couch legs. This protects a zone about 12 inches (30 cm) from the device's center. Reposition the Home Base: Ensure it's placed with at least 1.5 ft (0.5 m) of clearance on both sides and 4 ft (1.2 m) in front. A crowded base location can cause bad navigation from the start. Clear the run: Before cleaning, pick up objects like clothing, loose papers, and power cords. The robot can drag cords and pull objects off tables. IF IT'S ALREADY STUCK Manually retrieve it. Press the CLEAN button to pause it, or press the Home button to send it back to base (a blue light ring means it's seeking Home Base). Lift it out. HEADS UP Your robot moves on its own. Take care when walking in the area to avoid stepping on it.

Question 8

my roomba i3+ just has a solid red light and won't start, what's wrong?

Accepted Answer

A solid red light ring means an error. Press the CLEAN button once for the robot to tell you the specific problem with an audio alert. FIX Press CLEAN. Listen to the audio message. It will indicate the issue (e.g., bin full, wheel stuck, brush jammed). Address the problem it names. The most common is a full bin. Remove the bin, open the bin door, and tap the filter against your trash container to empty it. Ensure the bin is completely dry before reinserting it. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check for a jam. Remove the Edge-Sweeping Brush and Multi-Surface Brushes. Clear any hair or debris wrapped around the axles and from the brush caps. Clean the front caster wheel. Pull firmly on the front wheel module to remove it, then pull the wheel from its housing. Remove any hair or debris from the axle and inside the cavity. Make sure it clicks back in place and spins freely. HEADS UP If the wheel doesn't spin freely after cleaning, contact iRobot Customer Care. A stuck wheel can damage your floor.

iRobot Roomba i3+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum

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