There is nothing frustrating as when your Roomba not picking up dirt. This issue is something most people dread. Roombas are an excellent addition to any home. Vacuuming is commonly regarded as one of the most tedious household duties, and as a result, many people do not vacuum as frequently as they should. Roombas keep floors clean without you having to lift a finger, but like any vacuum, their functionality can deteriorate for no apparent reason.
If the filter and brushes on a Roomba are dusty or wearied, it won’t take up dirt. When the dustbin is full and the bin sensors are completely covered in dirt, it will also stop cleaning. A clogged gearbox in the cleaning head module can also be a problem. If not, it may be because you’re in a dry, static-prone environment.
What do you do if it suddenly starts to function poorly? To begin with, Roombas necessitate some upkeep. They aren’t completely forgettable. Even though they are advanced enough to charge themselves, they still need to be cleaned by people
Why Is My Roomba Not Picking Up Dirt?
The Roomba does not appear to be cleaning effectively, and even after a cleaning cycle, dirt remains. The garbage can is overflowing. It’s possible that the trash can’t take any more dirt because it’s already full. If this is the case, press in the direction of the yellow arrows to remove the collection bin and empty it. The filter could also be worn out or clogged, resulting in the Roomba losing suction. The sensors are filthy if this happens when the bin is empty. They’re the rectangles that extend inside the dustbin door’s cutouts. Wipe both sides of the bin door, as well as the rectangles themselves, to allow them to see each other.
Suction is loosened when a vacuum is used. If the fan that powers the vacuum’s suction makes strange noises, stops making noises or loses suction power completely, it could be broken. If this is the case, the collection bin as a whole must be replaced.
How To Fix Roomba Not Picking Up Dirt?
There are various ways or steps to fix a Roomba that’s not picking up dirt. They are as follows:
Step 1: Clean The Bin Sensors And Ports
Because of its sensors, your Roomba vacuum works well. Its pair of full-bin sensors are some of its most important sensors. These are the rectangles that extend to the dustbin door. Its sole purpose is to indicate whether the trash can is already full. A patent from iRobot says that Roomba’s full bin sensors use piezoelectric sensors to find dirt.
It won’t be able to communicate properly if these are blocked. And it may prevent your robot from picking up any dirt. To avoid this from happening, clean the full bin sensors every time you empty the dustbin. Wipe the sensors and ports with melamine foam or a magic eraser to clean them. Although, a microfiber cloth will serve if you don’t have any.
Follow the steps below to clean full bin sensors:
- Remove the dustbin and empty it.
- Wipe the sensors and ports with a soft cloth.
- And then put the dustbin back where it belongs.
Keep in mind that there are a total of six pieces to clean. The package comes with two full bin sensors, two sensor ports on the inside, and two sensor ports on the outside.
Step 2: Clean The Debris From The Brushes
While your Roomba vacuum may clean your home automatically, it does not clean itself. Roomba has a trash can that collects dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris. However, some debris may become trapped on the machine’s brushes or brushes. That could be why your Roomba runs but doesn’t collect any dirt on your floors.
Hair strands can twist around brushes, accumulating extra filth. obstructing the doorway or halting the rotation of the brushes. Because Roomba does not clean itself, any debris caught on its brushes must be manually removed.
To clean the dirt from the Roomba brushes, follow these steps:
- Turn the Roomba machine on its side.
- To open the brush guard, lift the slightly attached tabs.
- Remove the brushes by gently pulling them out
- Remove the side brush caps.
- Remove any hair or dirt that has gotten lodged in the brush cap shafts. To untangle tangled hair strands, use a scissor.
- Replace the brush bearings if necessary.
- Put the brushes back on.
- Return the brush guard to its original position.
Roomba brushes should be cleaned once a week for best operation, according to iRobot. If you have pets, do it twice a week.
Step3: Clean The Gearbox In The Cleaning Head Module
If you have already cleaned the brushes and Roomba, on the other hand, continues to malfunction, You could try cleaning the head module gearbox if that’s the case. It might also become clogged with dirt and dust. The Roomba’s gears are kept by cleaning the head module.
Aside from the motor, one of the most significant components of a robot vacuum is the gearbox. The condition of the gears determines the direction, speed, and torque of the brushes. Its operation can be affected if it becomes blocked with dust and grime. Use caution when unscrewing the gearbox and cleaning its gears. Any flaw in your Roomba can cause it to malfunction or stop working altogether.
To access and clean the cleaning head module gearbox, follow these instructions:
- Remove the cleaning head module from the base completely by unscrewing it.
- Remove screws on the gearbox’s side.
- Remove the gearbox plate by unscrewing six screws and lifting it off.
- Remove any debris that has become lodged in the gears. If you’re shifting gears, keep track of where they’re going. If necessary, take a photograph.
- Replacing the gears which is a simple task.
- Remove the gearbox plate and close it.
- Also, any screws should be reinstalled.
Step 4: Empty And Clean The Trash Can
Once your Roomba’s dustbin is full, it will not pick up dirt simply because there isn’t enough room. To avoid this, make sure to empty the trash can regularly.
When the full bin indicator light goes off, you know the dustbin is full. Alternatively, if your Roomba unexpectedly stopped cleaning in the middle of a session, Make sure to empty your dustbin after each cleaning session for best results.
Here’s how to clean and empty the Roomba dustbin properly:
- To release the bin, press the bin release button on the vacuum’s back.
- Remove the garbage from the unit.
- Open the bin door by pressing it open.
- Empty the dustbin into the nearest trash can.
- Remove the filter from the side or top of the machine.
- Shake the bin to get rid of any remaining material.
- Toss the bin in the sink and wash it with warm water.
- Allow it to air dry.
It’s worth noting that the filter isn’t meant to be washed. So, ensure to remove the filter, particularly if you’re washing the dustbin. Furthermore, not all trash cans are washable. Make sure you’ve read through your user handbook.
Step 5: Make Sure The Filter Is Clean
Make sure to clean the filter as well while you’re cleaning the dustbin because it filters dirt and dust. It requires regular maintenance.
Filters, like brushes, should be cleaned once a week. If you have pets, do it twice a week. This ensures that the filter effectively filters out all dust and grime. assisting in the creation of considerably cleaner air in your home.
To clean the Roomba filter, follow these steps.
- Remove the vacuum cleaner’s dustbin.
- Place the filter on the dustbin’s side or top.
- Take it off and shake off any dust or grime that may have accumulated.
- Then put it back where it belongs.
If the filter is fitted incorrectly, the filter door will not close. It serves as a check to see if you’ve placed the filter appropriately.
Step 6: Roomba employs a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter
This type of filter captures 99 per cent of dust, grime, and allergens, according to research. is, in fact, more effective at filtering smaller particles.
HEPA filters are effective in removing dirt and dust from the air. But because it is used often, it is recommended that you change the filter on your Roomba every two months. According to a trial in Beijing,
HEPA filter loses 20% of its efficacy after 150 days. This means you need to replace the filter every 150 days. However, iRobot advises replacing Roomba filters every two months. You should also replace its brushes every 6 to 12 months. Especially if it has bristles already. This will let your Roomba collect more dirt and dust with less effort.
Step 7: Use A Humidifier Or A Static Guard To Reduce Static Electricity
Invest in a humidifier or a static shield. Roomba may not be able to pick up dirt if it’s in a dry, static-prone area, says iRobot. You can either use a humidifier in the room to solve the problem. This will help to humidify the air and reduce static buildup in any areas that may be affected. In static-prone regions, another alternative is to use a static guard particularly on some kinds of carpets or rugs.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Roomba?
The battery, according to iRobot, can last up to 2 hours and, according to our calculations, will last roughly 400 charges. That’s wonderful and dandy, but depending on how the robot’s battery is handled, you could have to replace it sooner than you’d want.
Is It Necessary For Me To Run My Roomba Regularly?
In the ideal scenario, with a hard surface like tiles, no carpets, no pets, and only a few busy people in the house, letting your Roomba run once a week should be enough. To keep the battery from deteriorating, you should run it at least three times a week.
Conclusion Roomba Not Picking Up Dirt
In general, a Roomba performs admirably. It navigates a room autonomously and picks up debris along the route as long as the room isn’t too big. It should be able to pick up common household items like pet hair and dust with ease—after all, it was intended for this reason. But it also needs the assistance of a human for it to function well at all times.
