When a Roomba can no longer function properly, it will inform you about this. For example, if the Roomba's brushes stop spinning, the robot vacuum can tell it to clean the brushes.
However, it's common for the Roomba to keep telling you to clean the brushes even though you've already done so. Based on many questions and comments surrounding this issue, I've noticed that it was often the same cause.
Roomba cannot function properly with dirty brushes
A Roomba robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with several brushes: depending on the model – the number of brushes can differ – these are side brushes and floor brushes. These brushes rotate to collect debris from the floor and around the edges for the Roomba to vacuum. When a lot of dirt ends up in the brushes, it can happen that the Roomba brush is not spinning.
Roomba error code 2: clean brushes
In many cases, the robot vacuum cleaner stops working, after which you see a red light at the CLEAN button. By clicking this button you will then hear the Roomba error code 2: “Clean the brushes“. Do you get a different error message? Then view the list of all Roomba error codes to find out what the problem is.
Cleaning Roomba brushes is the solution
It is important to resolve this issue as soon as possible so that the iRobot Roomba can resume its cleaning activity. The solution is to disassemble the brushes and clean them properly.
Follow the steps below:
- Remove the side brush by loosening the screw
- Click the robot vacuum cleaner's brush and remove hair and other debris
- Click the side brush back and then screw it back on
- Now remove the floor brushes by opening the flap on the side
- Take out the floor brushes and remove hair and other debris (don't forget the tips)
- Place the floor brushes back into the Roomba properly
In the video below I show the above steps again.
Roomba keeps saying clean the brushes
As I mentioned in the introduction, the Roomba may keep telling you to clean the brushes. Even if you have checked them for hair and other dirt. In that case, you probably missed something.
At Vacuumtester.com I have helped many people with this problem. In many cases, there was still hair in the following locations:
- At the ends of the floor brushes (main brushes)
- Behind the caster housing
- At the bottom of the side brush
I recommend checking these locations for any hair buildup.
Problem still not solved?
When you've checked everything and don't see any dirt at all, resetting the iRobot Roomba may help. This will reset the robot vacuum cleaner to the factory settings. If that does not help either, there is a chance that the brushes are badly worn. In that case you need to replace the Roomba brushes.
Robbert Tigchelaar
Robbert Tigchelaar is the founder of Vacuumtester.com and is a true vacuum cleaner guru. With more than 10 years of experience in the world of electronic devices, he knows better than anyone what is important in a vacuum cleaner. When a new vacuum cleaner appears, he is eager to test it extensively.
