An iRobot Roomba – like many other robot vacuum cleaners – does not have a dust bag. You will therefore have to empty the dust container regularly. In fact, iRobot recommends doing this after every cleaning.
But, what if you've emptied it completely and Roomba keeps telling you to empty the container? Then something is wrong. In this article I will tell you how it can happen that you keep getting these and more importantly: how you can solve this as quickly as possible.
How do I know when the Roomba needs to be emptied?
Let me start with the question of how to find out that a Roomba needs to be emptied. As I mentioned just now, iRobot1iRobot Care Procedure Frequency, iRobot.com recommends emptying Roomba after each cleaning. In a previously published article I already explained that this can even have a positive effect on the Roomba battery life.
If the dust container is too full, a Roomba can let you know in several ways:
- A red light that sweeps down
- Some Roomba models have a trash can icon that lights up
- Roomba gives an error code
Roomba error codes for dust container issues
When the Roomba shines a red light, it does not always mean that there is a full dust container. It is always recommended to press the CLEAN button to make sure that the dust container is full. View in the table below which error codes indicate that something is wrong with the dust container.
| Error code | Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Error 8 | Vacuum cleaner problem | Vacuum cleaner has poor suction power | Clean dust container and filter and check blockages |
| Error 14 | Replace dust container | The dust container is not detected | Check whether the dust container and filter are properly connected |
| Error 26 | Vacuum cleaner problem | Filter clogging | Check the filter and clean it or replace it with a new one. |
| Error 30 | Vacuum cleaner problem | Vacuum cleaner cannot start | Clean the Roomba filter or replace it with a new one. |
| Error 36 | Empty the dust container | Full dust container sensor is dirty | Clean the dust container well under the tap and let it dry. |
When Roomba shines a red light, it does not always mean that there is a full dust container
Do you hear a different error code? Then find out what the problem is in my complete list of all Roomba error codes.
Why does Roomba keep telling me to empty the container?
When you empty the Roomba correctly (read here how to empty a Roomba dust container) you naturally assume that the robot vacuum cleaner will resume its cleaning activities. However, it can happen that the Roomba keeps saying that the dust container needs to be emptied.
Reasons why Roomba thinks its dust container is still full
There are a number of possible reasons why a Roomba keeps telling you to empty the container:
- The dust container has not been emptied properly
- The dust container is very dirty after emptying
- The sensors at the dust container are dirty
- Roomba's filter is clogged or worn
- The Case of the Roomba itself is dirty
As you can see there are several possible causes. Let's take a quick look at how to fix this error message.
Solution: this is how you solve the error message
If a Roomba keeps saying the dust container is empty, chances are the sensors are dirty. It is therefore smart to start with that.
Clean the full dust container of sensors
Did you know that there are no fewer than six different sensors that monitor whether the dust container of a Roomba is full? I have made a usefull illustration where all sensors are visible:
When cleaning the sensors, it is important to use a dry, clean cloth. Do not use liquids, cleaning agents or dirty cloths.
When cleaning the sensors it is important to use a dry, clean cloth
Clean Roomba container and filter
Does the Roomba still tell you to empty it? Then it is possible that the dust container is heavily soiled. You can wash the dust container with water. Make sure to remove the Roomba filter beforehand, because it can't stand water.
In addition, a clogged filter can also cause Roomba to think that the dust container is full. Cleaning a Roomba filter is easy, but you can't do it with water. Do you use the filter for longer than two months? Then you have to replace the filter with a new one.
Roomba Replacement Filter
Ik hoop dat mijn handleiding ervoor gezorgd heeft dat de Roomba niet meer zegt dat hij geleegd moet worden. Mocht je nog problemen ervaren, laat dan gerust een reactie achter onderaan deze pagina.
References
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.
