{
  "$schema": "robofaults-fault-record/v0",
  "kind": "error",
  "brand": "roborock",
  "page_en": "https://robofaults.com/roborock/error-18/",
  "page_es": "https://robofaults.com/es/roborock/error-18/",
  "code": "18",
  "slug": "error-18",
  "device_type": "vacuum",
  "name_en": "Fan error",
  "name_es": "Error del ventilador",
  "badge": "ERR 18",
  "severity": "warn",
  "severity_note_en": "suction is dead until the fan clears; a fan that stays dead needs service",
  "severity_note_es": "la succión está muerta hasta que el ventilador se despeje; si sigue muerto, toca servicio técnico",
  "series": [
    "S5",
    "S6",
    "S7",
    "S8",
    "Q"
  ],
  "tools_en": "none",
  "tools_es": "ninguna",
  "time_min": 15,
  "difficulty": "moderate",
  "safety": "none",
  "safety_note_en": "",
  "safety_note_es": "",
  "meaning_en": "Error 18 means the <b>vacuum fan has faulted</b> — usually debris in the fan or a filter so clogged the fan can't breathe. Empty the bin, clean and dry the filter, and reset the robot.",
  "meaning_es": "El error 18 significa que el <b>ventilador de aspiración ha fallado</b> — normalmente por suciedad en el ventilador o un filtro tan obstruido que no deja respirar. Vacía el depósito de suciedad, limpia y seca el filtro y reinicia el robot.",
  "causes": [
    {
      "title_en": "Debris pulled into the fan",
      "title_es": "Suciedad aspirada hasta el ventilador",
      "detail_en": "Fine dust past a badly seated filter ends up in the impeller. Roborock's odd-sounding official tip — clap the side of the robot — exists to shake it loose.",
      "detail_es": "El polvo fino que pasa junto a un filtro mal asentado acaba en la turbina. El curioso consejo oficial de Roborock —dar palmadas al lateral del robot— existe para soltarlo.",
      "likelihood": "most_common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Clogged or wet filter starving the fan",
      "title_es": "Filtro obstruido o húmedo que ahoga el ventilador",
      "detail_en": "With no airflow the fan works outside its expected load and trips the fault.",
      "detail_es": "Sin flujo de aire, el ventilador trabaja fuera de su carga prevista y dispara el fallo.",
      "likelihood": "common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Old firmware misreporting fan speed",
      "title_es": "Firmware antiguo que malinterpreta la velocidad del ventilador",
      "detail_en": "Roborock's newer guidance for Error 18 includes updating to the latest firmware.",
      "detail_es": "Las indicaciones más recientes de Roborock para el error 18 incluyen actualizar al último firmware.",
      "likelihood": "uncommon"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Failed fan motor",
      "title_es": "Motor del ventilador averiado",
      "detail_en": "If everything above checks out and suction never returns, the fan module itself has died.",
      "detail_es": "Si todo lo anterior está bien y la succión no vuelve, el propio módulo del ventilador ha muerto.",
      "likelihood": "rare"
    }
  ],
  "steps": [
    {
      "title_en": "Empty the dustbin",
      "title_es": "Vacía el depósito de suciedad",
      "detail_en": "A packed bin pushes dust into the fan path — Roborock lists this first.",
      "detail_es": "Un depósito a rebosar empuja polvo hacia el ventilador — Roborock lo pone en primer lugar."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Clean and dry the filter",
      "title_es": "Limpia y seca el filtro",
      "detail_en": "Rinse the washable filter and let it dry fully, or fit a new one.",
      "detail_es": "Enjuaga el filtro lavable y déjalo secar del todo, o monta uno nuevo."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Clap the side of the robot",
      "title_es": "Da unas palmadas al lateral del robot",
      "detail_en": "A few firm claps against the housing can dislodge debris sitting in the fan. Official advice, verbatim.",
      "detail_es": "Unas palmadas firmes contra la carcasa pueden soltar la suciedad alojada en el ventilador. Consejo oficial, literal."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Update firmware and reset",
      "title_es": "Actualiza el firmware y reinicia",
      "detail_en": "Install the latest firmware from the app, then reset the system and test suction.",
      "detail_es": "Instala el último firmware desde la app, reinicia el sistema y prueba la succión."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Contact support if suction stays dead",
      "title_es": "Contacta con soporte si la succión no vuelve",
      "detail_en": "A fan that never spins back up needs a replacement fan module — a bench repair.",
      "detail_es": "Un ventilador que no vuelve a girar necesita un módulo nuevo — es reparación de taller."
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    "roborock-filter-s5-2pack",
    "roborock-filter-s7-s8-2pack"
  ],
  "firmware_series": "s5",
  "related": [
    "10",
    "17",
    "9"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label_en": "Roborock Support — What should I do when error 18 occurs?",
      "label_es": "Soporte de Roborock — ¿Qué hago si aparece el error 18?",
      "url": "https://support.roborock.com/hc/en-us/articles/360035731631-What-should-I-do-when-error-18-occurs",
      "kind": "official"
    },
    {
      "label_en": "Roborock Support — What should I do if error 18 occurs? (newer models)",
      "label_es": "Soporte de Roborock — ¿Qué hago si aparece el error 18? (modelos recientes)",
      "url": "https://support.roborock.com/hc/en-us/articles/5747774156953-What-should-I-do-if-error-18-occurs",
      "kind": "official"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "official",
  "last_verified": "2026-07-05"
}