It might be a bit daunting figuring out “how to know if Roomba is charging” if you are a new Roomba user.
For some, you might not be used to a particular model of Roomba vacuum, but when other models seem to act as they are supposed to, you feel there is a problem with them.
That being said, one thing you need to understand is that all Roomba models behave differently as regards to there charging status, and in this article, we will learn in detail how each model identifies its different charging status and what you should do if your Roomba battery ceases to charge.
How to Know if Roomba is Charging
The fact that Roomba robot vacuum cleaners run on rechargeable batteries makes them simple to use. In addition, it can run for 2 hours and withstand over 400 charges.
Now, what if you don’t know when your Roomba is charging or what each indicator means? How will you determine whether or not the Roomba is charging?
Well, in later Roomba versions, the charging light will not appear until you push the clean button once. However, this may differ from previous models that are common around.
NB: You can also check the charge state of newer models using the iRobot apps.
All you have to do is look for the battery symbol in the iRobot app, in the top right corner of your screen.
This only works for the most recent Roomba models, e.g., the 900 series.
As a result, we shall explain what each charging indicator on all available Roomba vacuum cleaner models means.
ROOMBA MODEL | Demarcations |
500 | Amber Pulse: No battery & charging Red: Low battery Amber: Partially charged Green: Fully charged Quick Amber Pulse: 16 hours refresh charge |
600 | Amber Pulse: No battery & charging Red: Low battery Amber: Partially charged Green: Fully charged Quick Amber Pulse: 16 hours refresh charge Light pulses during the charging process |
700 | Red: No battery Red: Low battery Amber Pulse: Charging Green: Fully charged Quick Amber Pulse: 16 hours refresh chargeLight displays 60s during the charging process |
800 | Red: No battery Red: Low battery Amber Pulse: Charging Green: Fully charged Quick Amber Pulse: 16 hours refresh chargeLight displays 60s during the charging process |
900 | Red: No battery Red: Low battery Amber Pulse: Charging Green: Fully charged Quick Amber Pulse: 16 hours refresh chargeLight displays 60s during the charging process |
i7 & i7+ | Red: No battery Amber Pulse: Low battery Blinking white: Charging White: Fully charged Swirling white: Software updateLight displays during the charging process |
i3 & i3+ | Red: No battery Amber Pulse: Low battery Blinking white: Charging White: Fully charged Swirling white: Software update |
Recommended: Roomba Charging Error 5
How to tell if the Roomba i7+ is Charging
If you own a Roomba i7+, one thing you’ll notice is that the charging status slightly differs from earlier Roomba models. if you are confused about how to tell when it is charging, here is a guide you can follow.
- If your i7+ model has a low battery, it will display an amber pulse light.
- If your i7+ model displays a red light, it means the battery is empty.
- If your i7 shows a blinking white light, it is charging.
- A white light indicates your Roomba is fully charged.
Roomba Charging Light
Generally, most Roomba vacuum cleaners behave differently when they are charging.
For some, they turn on a light while charging, while for others, it completely turns off while charging.
But then, how to know if Roomba is charging and which of these models’ lights stays on or go off while charging to confirm the behaviour of your current Roomba vacuum?
“Here is a guide.”
If you are using the Roomba 500 or 600 line, the light will pulse every four seconds while charging.
For Roomba 700, 800, and 900 models, the light will be on for the first 60 seconds and go off while it is charging.
For the i3 series, when it is charging, there is no visible light.
The i7 series displays a light while it is charging.
NB: Simply click the CLEAN button once to display the battery status and swiftly switch back to the machine’s default display mode for models that don’t show throughout the whole charging procedure.
How Long does it take Roomba to Charge the First Time?
Does the Roomba take a long time to charge when you first get it? You may have heard that it takes 2 hours to fully charge a Roomba vacuum cleaner, but this is not true for a new Roomba vacuum cleaner.
One thing about a new Roomba vacuum is that the battery has probably not had a charge in a while. However, it will be partially charged.
As a result, you shouldn’t use it right out of the box; instead, wait until the battery has been attached for around 12 hours. Also, the battery needs to be fully charged before use.
Roomba’s Charging Light Turns Off
If your Roomba’s charging light turns off once it is charged, then it might be due to the way the model works.
Before you conclude that you’re in default due to this, here are some things you need to know.
- Roomba 500 or 600 model—the light will pulse every four seconds.
- Roomba 700, 800, and 900 models—the lights will be on for the first 60 seconds.
- Roomba i3 model—there’s no light when it’s charging.
- Roomba i7 model: the light will be on when it is charging.
Does the Roomba’s Charging Light Stay on?
It depends on the model you are using. You should check the information above this heading one to figure that out before concluding that your Roomba isn’t working.
What to do when the Roomba is not Charging
The Roomba runs solely on batteries. If the batteries are not charged, they won’t work.
So charging becomes a necessity, but if you are faced with a situation where your Roomba isn’t charging, what should you do about it?
Here are the different things you can do to troubleshoot it:
Clean the Contact Points
Following each vacuuming operation, dirt and debris accumulate and become entangled on the contact points.
To avoid this constant buildup, wipe these contact areas regularly with a microfiber cloth; if necessary, apply alcohol.
After cleaning, plug it back in to test whether it charges.
Check the Power Outlet
In rare circumstances, your power outlet may not be producing enough power to charge your Roomba vacuum.
If you’re not sure, you can try another power outlet or use another electrical gadget in the same outlet to be sure.
The Charging Point is Clogged with Dust
Dirt is lodged in the dock station contact points all the time, and if it collects too much, it might block these ports. This can prevent the vacuum from charging.
However, you may avoid this by cleaning the docking station with alcohol or a damp cloth.
Adjust the Battery Position.
In rare cases, you may find that your Roomba does not charge right away.
If that is the case, the batteries may be shifted from their original location during delivery. So you don’t have to fret.
All you have to do is put the batteries back into their container, and after that, check to see if your Roomba vacuum charges properly.
Roomba Battery Soft Reset
You can get information on how to soft reset your ROOMBA battery in the manual, but for most models, it follows this process.
- Press the “CLEAN” button to start your Roomba.
- Hold down the “DOCK” and “SPOT” buttons simultaneously for around 10 seconds.
- Release both of these buttons when you hear the vacuum’s customary beeping sound.
- Charge your Roomba for 12 hours, and afterwards, run it.
Purchase a new Battery
If your Roomba batteries are faulty or have passed their shelf life, they may stop working correctly.
If that is the case, you may need to acquire a replacement, but don’t worry because replacement batteries are reasonably priced and simple to replace.
You can get it from Amazon or the official iRobot website.
To replace it, follow the steps below.
- Simply detach the battery compartment.
- Remove any accumulated filth.
- Screw the container back on and insert the new battery.
Conclusion
By now you should have been able to figure out “how to know if Roomba is charging” and the different troubleshooting steps you can take if your Roomba isn’t charging.
If you found this article useful, please share it and bookmark our website, as we are constantly updating our How to Tech Gadgets posts.