{
  "$schema": "robofaults-fault-record/v0",
  "kind": "error",
  "brand": "roomba",
  "page_en": "https://robofaults.com/roomba/error-26/",
  "page_es": "https://robofaults.com/es/roomba/error-26/",
  "code": "26",
  "slug": "error-26",
  "device_type": "vacuum",
  "name_en": "Vacuum airflow choked",
  "name_es": "Aspiración obstruida",
  "badge": "ERR 26",
  "severity": "warn",
  "severity_note_en": "suction is gone until the filter and airway are cleared",
  "severity_note_es": "no hay succión hasta despejar el filtro y el conducto",
  "series": [
    "i",
    "j",
    "s"
  ],
  "tools_en": "compressed air recommended",
  "tools_es": "aire comprimido recomendado",
  "time_min": 15,
  "difficulty": "easy",
  "safety": "none",
  "safety_note_en": "",
  "safety_note_es": "",
  "meaning_en": "Error 26 means <b>airflow through the vacuum is restricted</b> — almost always a dirty filter. Clean or replace the filter, check the fan inlet and exhaust for debris, then reboot with a twenty-second CLEAN hold.",
  "meaning_es": "El error 26 significa que el <b>flujo de aire de la aspiración está restringido</b> — casi siempre por un filtro sucio. Limpia o sustituye el filtro, revisa la entrada y la salida del ventilador y reinicia manteniendo CLEAN unos veinte segundos.",
  "causes": [
    {
      "title_en": "Filter past its service life",
      "title_es": "Filtro fuera de su vida útil",
      "detail_en": "Dust-caked filters are behind most error 26 reports. Two months is the practical limit.",
      "detail_es": "Los filtros apelmazados de polvo están detrás de la mayoría de los errores 26. Dos meses es el límite práctico.",
      "likelihood": "most_common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Debris in the fan path",
      "title_es": "Residuos en el conducto del ventilador",
      "detail_en": "Wedged fluff at the vacuum entrance or exhaust chokes flow even with a fresh filter.",
      "detail_es": "Las pelusas encajadas en la entrada o la salida de aspiración ahogan el flujo incluso con un filtro nuevo.",
      "likelihood": "common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Worn cleaning head module",
      "title_es": "Módulo del cabezal desgastado",
      "detail_en": "If the error keeps returning with a clean airway, the module's fan assembly is failing.",
      "detail_es": "Si el error vuelve una y otra vez con el conducto limpio, el conjunto del ventilador del módulo está fallando.",
      "likelihood": "rare"
    }
  ],
  "steps": [
    {
      "title_en": "Replace or clean the filter",
      "title_es": "Sustituye o limpia el filtro",
      "detail_en": "Tap the filter clean against a trash can, or better, fit a new one. Keep water away from it.",
      "detail_es": "Sacude el filtro contra el cubo de basura o, mejor, monta uno nuevo. Mantenlo lejos del agua."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Inspect entrance and exhaust",
      "title_es": "Revisa entrada y salida",
      "detail_en": "Check both ends of the vacuum path for lodged debris and blow them out with compressed air.",
      "detail_es": "Comprueba ambos extremos del circuito de aspiración en busca de residuos y sóplalos con aire comprimido."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Reboot with a long CLEAN hold",
      "title_es": "Reinicia con una pulsación larga de CLEAN",
      "detail_en": "Hold CLEAN for about twenty seconds, let the robot restart, and run a test job.",
      "detail_es": "Mantén pulsado CLEAN unos veinte segundos, deja que el robot se reinicie y lanza una limpieza de prueba."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Replace the cleaning head if it persists",
      "title_es": "Cambia el cabezal si persiste",
      "detail_en": "A recurring error 26 with clean parts means the cleaning head module itself needs replacement.",
      "detail_es": "Un error 26 recurrente con las piezas limpias significa que el propio módulo del cabezal debe sustituirse."
    }
  ],
  "parts": [
    "roomba-filter-eij-3pack",
    "roomba-filter-s-series-3pack"
  ],
  "related": [
    "8",
    "11",
    "27"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label_en": "iRobot Support — i Series, Error 26",
      "label_es": "Soporte de iRobot — Serie i, error 26",
      "url": "https://homesupport.irobot.com/s/article/2416",
      "kind": "official"
    },
    {
      "label_en": "iRobot Support — i/j Series, Error 26",
      "label_es": "Soporte de iRobot — Series i/j, error 26",
      "url": "https://homesupport.irobot.com/s/article/31106",
      "kind": "official"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "official",
  "last_verified": "2026-07-05"
}