{
  "$schema": "robofaults-fault-record/v0",
  "kind": "error",
  "brand": "shark",
  "page_en": "https://robofaults.com/shark/error-18/",
  "page_es": "https://robofaults.com/es/shark/error-18/",
  "code": "18",
  "slug": "error-18",
  "device_type": "vacuum",
  "name_en": "Wheel encoder failure",
  "name_es": "Fallo del codificador de rueda",
  "badge": "ERR 18",
  "severity": "warn",
  "severity_note_en": "robot can't measure wheel rotation until the wheels turn freely again",
  "severity_note_es": "el robot no puede medir el giro de las ruedas hasta que vuelvan a girar libres",
  "series": [
    "PowerDetect"
  ],
  "tools_en": "flashlight",
  "tools_es": "linterna",
  "time_min": 10,
  "difficulty": "easy",
  "safety": "none",
  "safety_note_en": "",
  "safety_note_es": "",
  "meaning_en": "Error 18 means a <b>wheel encoder failure</b> — the sensor that counts wheel turns reads nothing, usually because the wheel is jammed. Rotate each wheel a full 360° both ways and clear stuck debris.",
  "meaning_es": "El error 18 significa un <b>fallo del codificador de rueda</b> — el sensor que cuenta las vueltas no lee nada, normalmente porque la rueda está atascada. Gira cada rueda 360° completos en ambos sentidos y retira la suciedad.",
  "causes": [
    {
      "title_en": "Wheel jammed by debris",
      "title_es": "Rueda atascada por suciedad",
      "detail_en": "A wheel that can't physically turn produces no encoder pulses — Shark's fix starts with freeing the wheels.",
      "detail_es": "Una rueda que no puede girar físicamente no genera pulsos en el codificador — la solución de Shark empieza por liberar las ruedas.",
      "likelihood": "most_common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Hair inside the wheel housing",
      "title_es": "Pelo dentro del alojamiento de la rueda",
      "detail_en": "Fibres around the axle slow the wheel until its rotation no longer matches what the motor commands.",
      "detail_es": "Las fibras en el eje frenan la rueda hasta que su giro deja de coincidir con lo que ordena el motor.",
      "likelihood": "common"
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Encoder hardware failure",
      "title_es": "Avería del propio codificador",
      "detail_en": "The older IQ/AI manuals list wheel motor encoder failure as a contact-support fault — if cleaning never clears it, service is needed.",
      "detail_es": "Los manuales de IQ/AI clasifican el fallo del codificador como avería de servicio técnico — si la limpieza no lo resuelve, toca reparación.",
      "likelihood": "uncommon"
    }
  ],
  "steps": [
    {
      "title_en": "Power off the robot",
      "title_es": "Apaga el robot",
      "detail_en": "Take it off the base and hold POWER for 3 seconds.",
      "detail_es": "Retíralo de la base y mantén pulsado POWER durante 3 segundos."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Free both drive wheels",
      "title_es": "Libera ambas ruedas motrices",
      "detail_en": "Turn the robot over, remove wrapped debris, inspect inside the housings with a flashlight, and rotate each wheel 360° in both directions.",
      "detail_es": "Da la vuelta al robot, retira la suciedad enrollada, inspecciona los alojamientos con una linterna y gira cada rueda 360° en ambos sentidos."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Test the suspension",
      "title_es": "Prueba la suspensión",
      "detail_en": "Press each wheel in and release it so it springs back into place.",
      "detail_es": "Presiona cada rueda y suéltala para que vuelva a su posición por el muelle."
    },
    {
      "title_en": "Restart — persistent errors need service",
      "title_es": "Reinicia — si persiste, toca servicio técnico",
      "detail_en": "Power on and start a clean. An Error 18 that survives clean, free-spinning wheels points at the encoder itself — contact Shark support.",
      "detail_es": "Enciende el robot e inicia una limpieza. Un error 18 que sobrevive a unas ruedas limpias y libres apunta al propio codificador — contacta con Shark."
    }
  ],
  "parts": [],
  "related": [
    "5",
    "10"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label_en": "Shark Support — RV2800 Series Error Codes, Wheel Encoder Failure (Error 18)",
      "label_es": "Soporte de Shark — Códigos de error RV2800, codificador de rueda (error 18)",
      "url": "https://support.sharkninja.com/article/RV2800-Series-Error-Codes---Wheel-Encoder-Failure-18",
      "kind": "official"
    },
    {
      "label_en": "Shark Support — RV2900 Series Robot Error Codes (index)",
      "label_es": "Soporte de Shark — Índice de códigos de error de la serie RV2900",
      "url": "https://support.sharkninja.com/article/RV2900-Series-Robot-Error-Codes",
      "kind": "official"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "official",
  "last_verified": "2026-07-06"
}