Roomba not charging
DIRECT ANSWER
Read the state, then pick the next check
| What you see | What it suggests | Next check | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dock is dark and the robot shows no charging | Possible power problem, or a dock that never lights | Test the outlet and cord, then check how your dock's light behaves | iRobot: Roomba not turning on or charging |
| Charges when placed by hand, not after returning | Charging worked in that position; the return or alignment is the next suspect | Follow Roomba not docking | iRobot: Roomba not turning on or charging |
| Seated, with dull or dusty contacts | A film on the contacts may be blocking current | Clean the contacts with the material your model specifies | iRobot: Cleaning charging contacts and docking sensors |
| Error 6 or 7 | The battery is too warm or too cold to charge | Move the robot to room temperature, away from heat | iRobot: Charging errors 6 and 7 |
| New robot or battery shows no lights | The battery may still need waking | Wake it on the dock, or use the official section for your exact model | iRobot: Roomba not turning on or charging |
| Full charge, but it stops early | A runtime question, separate from charging | Run iRobot's runtime test before considering a new battery | iRobot: Short runtime diagnosis |
What to check, in this order
The dock isn't getting power
A loose cord at either end, a switched strip or a dead outlet will stop charging. Many Home Bases light for about four seconds after plug-in, then go dark. The standard docks for Essentials 1, 100/1000 and 200/2000 have no light, and the Combo 10 Max and Essentials 2 docks stay lit for about 60 seconds.
The robot isn't seated on the contacts
Uneven flooring or a rug edge can hold the contacts apart. Some newer models need a set orientation or a small gap when placed by hand. If the robot charges when you place it but not after it returns by itself, see Roomba not docking.
Dirt on the contacts, or the wrong cleaning method
Dust on the metal contacts can block current. What you clean them with depends on the model. iRobot's general guidance for older Home Bases allows lightly damp melamine foam or a damp cloth on the contacts, with the dock unplugged. The j7+ manual and the Auto-Fill and Auto-Wash docks call for a dry cloth. Sensor windows and cameras get a dry cloth on every model.
Charging error caused by temperature
Charging errors 6 and 7 mean the battery is too warm or too cold to charge. iRobot recommends a room temperature of 60–75°F (15.5–23°C). Keep the dock away from heat sources and let a cold robot warm up before trying again.
The battery is asleep, not seated or worn
A new iRobot lithium-ion battery has to be woken on the dock. A pack that was taken out and refitted may not be seated the way the model's instructions require. Wear is a separate question about runtime after a confirmed full charge, and it comes after every other check.
HOW TO FIX IT
Unplug the dock and lift the robot off it before touching the contacts or the battery. If a battery is swollen, leaking or unusually hot, or a contact looks burned, stop charging and contact iRobot. Never open, short or charge a damaged pack.
Restore and confirm dock power
Unplug the cord, then push it firmly back into the dock and the wall. Test the outlet with another device and skip switched strips. The dock light alone won't settle it, since some docks never light. If the cord is damaged, stop using it and contact iRobot.
Seat the robot and look for a charging signal
Put the dock on a hard, level floor and set the robot so its contacts meet the dock's. Then check the battery level in the app or your model's light signal. Newer models with orientation or gap rules are covered in iRobot's article.
Clean the contacts the way your model allows
Unplug the dock first. For older Home Bases, iRobot says to wait 60 seconds, then use lightly damp melamine foam or a damp cloth on the contacts only. On the j7+ and on Auto-Fill or Auto-Wash docks, use a dry cloth. Keep melamine off sensor windows. Green or copper-colored contacts are damaged; leave them alone and contact iRobot.
Read any charging error
For error 6 or 7, move the dock away from heat and wait until the robot reaches room temperature, ideally 60–75°F (15.5–23°C). Then try again. If the error keeps coming back, contact iRobot.
Wake a new battery or follow your model's section
A new iRobot lithium-ion battery has to be woken on the dock. If the robot stays dark, find the section of iRobot's article that names your exact model. The newer 100, 200, Plus and Max models appear in sections with different model lists, so don't borrow steps from another one. Reseat the battery only with your model's official removal steps.
Separate short runtime from not charging
If the robot reaches full charge but stops early, look at errors, the cleaning path and software first. Then run iRobot's runtime test on a hard floor with the dock unplugged. Carpet shortens runtime. If the result still points to the battery, read the Roomba battery replacement guide.
IF IT STILL FAILS
WHEN TO STOP
Stop, unplug the dock and move the robot away from it if a battery swells, leaks or gets unusually hot, if a contact looks burned, or if a pack, plug or latch doesn't fit or the cover won't close flat. Contact iRobot. Don't charge a damaged pack, force parts or open the battery.
MODELS AFFECTED
| Model | Status | Firmware | Parts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roomba 614 | limited | 600 | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba 675 | limited | 600 | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba 690 | limited | 600 | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba 694 iRobot's battery table does not list the 694's original pack. Confirm any replacement with iRobot using the model and serial number. · Source | limited | 600 | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba e5 / e6 | limited | e | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba i1 / i1+ Newer i1 builds may use a battery door instead of the older bottom panel. Use the official removal steps for your exact build. · Source | limited | i | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba i3 / i3+ Newer i3 builds may use a battery door instead of the older bottom panel. Use the official removal steps for your exact build. · Source | limited | i | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba i7 / i7+ | limited | i | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba i8 / i8+ | limited | i | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba j7 / j7+ The j7+ manual says to wipe the robot's charging contacts and camera window, and the Clean Base contacts and visual docking target, with a dry cloth. For this model, follow the manual rather than the general damp-melamine advice for older Home Bases. A white spiral on the light ring means charging; a red spiral means low battery and charging. · Source On the j7+, placing the robot on the Clean Base by hand does not start auto-empty, so a missing empty cycle tells you nothing about charging. · Source | limited | j | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba s9 / s9+ | limited | s | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba Combo j7+ | limited | j | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
| Roomba Combo j9+ The Combo j9+ docks with its camera facing the station. Check that orientation when you place it by hand. · Source | active | j | Parts → | 2026-07-05 · Source |
Models resolved from the series chips above. Support status comes from our EOL library; rows link to the matching parts and firmware pages.
FIELD NOTES
It helps to split charging into three questions. Does the dock have power? Is the robot touching the contacts? Does the robot itself report that it's charging? The dock light can't answer the first one for every model, because some docks never light and others stay on for about a minute. Testing the outlet with another device tells you more.
Placing the robot on the dock by hand is a good narrowing test. If it charges that way, you know charging worked in that position at that moment. You don't know that every dock and robot part is healthy. If automatic returns still end without charging, the next thing to check is whether the robot finds the dock and lines up with it on its own.
Battery part numbers cause confusion. The pack that shipped with a model and the replacement sold today can carry different numbers, and matching capacity or a similar shape doesn't prove fit. If the old and new labels disagree, give iRobot your model and serial number and ask whether the newer part is an authorized substitute.
FAQ · REAL QUESTIONS
Does a dark dock light mean the dock is dead?
A dark dock alone doesn't tell you. Many Home Bases light for a few seconds after plug-in and then turn off, and some docks have no light at all. Test the outlet with another device and look for a charging signal on the robot.
Can I clean the contacts with a Magic Eraser?
Only where your model's guide allows it. iRobot permits lightly damp melamine on older Home Base contacts. The j7+ manual and the Auto-Fill and Auto-Wash docks call for a dry cloth. Keep melamine off sensor windows and cameras on every model.
What do charging errors 6 and 7 mean?
The battery is too warm or too cold to charge. iRobot recommends a room temperature of 60–75°F (15.5–23°C). Keep the robot away from heat sources, and contact iRobot if the error continues.
My new Roomba won't turn on. Is the battery bad?
Check the wake-up step before judging the battery. A new iRobot lithium-ion battery has to be woken on the dock. If it stays dark, follow the section of iRobot's article that names your exact model, and contact iRobot if it still won't respond.
It charges but stops early. Does it need a new battery?
Check errors, the cleaning path and software first. Then run iRobot's runtime test on a hard floor with the dock unplugged. Carpet shortens runtime, so one short run doesn't prove the battery is worn.
My j7+ didn't auto-empty after I docked it by hand. Is it charging?
Auto-empty won't tell you. The j7+ manual says hand placement doesn't start it. Look for the white or red spiral on the light ring, which shows charging.
Sources
Corrections
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