• Fringe on a rug can cause a problem for your RoombaRug image by Pomidors from Fotolia.com
  
  Troubleshooting a Roomba robot vacuum is fairly simple. Some common problems are caused by a low battery, while others occur because of debris clogging the brushes or vacuum intake. With a little patience, you'll find the source of the trouble and have your robot vacuum working again.
  
  

Roomba Shuts Off

• If your Roomba powers on, then beeps and shuts off, check the axles of the cleaning brushes and clear away any hair or other material that's obstructing them. Be sure that the unit is fully charged and the battery is securely in place. Empty the particle bin. Remove and clean the brushes, especially the ends, or axles.
  
  

Decreased Performance

• If you've noticed that your Roomba isn't cleaning as well as it used to, make sure that the battery is completely charged and securely in place. The particle bin, including the filter, and the vacuum intake should be empty. The vacuum's impeller, which is shaped like a small fan and located to the left of the vacuum intake, must spin freely. Look at the air filter and examine it for clogs or damage. Take off all the brushes and axles and make sure there's nothing wound around them, and check the wheels and wheel axles, as well.
  
  

Roomba Becomes Stuck

• The Roomba might get stuck at times, especially if it hasn't cleaned the room before. Some common causes of this problem are a rug's fringe or a string winding around the brushes or wheels, one or more wheels not making contact with the floor, the unit getting wedged between two objects, or the Roomba bumping into movable objects, moving them and blocking its own path. The unit will try to get free by turning itself in various directions. If it's unsuccessful, it will stop its cleaning cycle, flash the "room size" buttons and beep at intervals. After five minutes, it will shut down to save power. To solve these problems, move objects out of the unit's path or block things that cause it to get stuck or shut down. Check the particle bin to be sure it's empty, turn the Roomba back on, press the cleaning cycle button to restart it.
  
  

Roomba Doesn't Work

• Check the batteries in the unit's remote and replace them if necessary. Turn the power button on and off to make sure the Roomba is working. If it doesn't come on, ensure that the battery is completely charged and securely in place. Clean the beam receiver with a soft, dry cloth. The beam receiver is located on the outside front of the frame, next to the handle. Also wipe the transmitter area on the front end of the remote. Be sure you're close enough to the Roomba for the remote to function, and that you're pointing the transmitter end of the remote at the Roomba.