When you are faced with the cloud is unable to communicate with Roomba messages on your Roomba app, there is one major thing you should check. The WiFi router!
Aside from the wifi router, another related thing you might want to check is the internet connection, but the problem could come from elsewhere.
Sometimes it could be a result of a software glitch or unstable power, which you might not be aware of.
And since that is the case, I have outlined all the possible reasons behind the “The cloud cannot talk to Roomba” error message and what you should do about it to troubleshoot it.
Why the cloud Cannot Talk to Roomba?
Just as a earlier mentioned, you can’t be so sure that the problem is coming from the router or the internet service provider alone.
It can be caused by an array of things, and when it happens, it restricts you from performing actions such as setting up schedules, creating “keep out” zones, using voice commands, etc., which could be dissatisfying.
But since you are here to figure out how you can fix that, I will be breaking down each of the possible reasons that could have caused this, followed by what you should do to resolve it.
The Roomba vacuum is not Connected
The Roomba app will show the error message “the Cloud cannot talk to Roomba” if your Roomba is not connected to a wifi network or abruptly disconnects from the network, which will cause it to cease functioning.
The Internet Signal isn’t Stable
Since Roomba depends on the internet to accomplish tasks like upgrading its software, etc., this error message will always appear when the internet is unreliable, unavailable, or frozen.
Power outages occur less frequently than network outages. The robot might not be able to connect to the cloud if the room suddenly goes black every few seconds owing to a shaky power surge.
The Router is far Away
Typically, this is not an issue. However, if the internet becomes sluggish or unreliable, it can become an issue.
Your Router uses 5.0 GHz
Given that most routers provide both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz, it can switch if you do not set it to 2.4 GHz.
So you have to make sure the Roomba is connected to the router via the 2.4 GHz frequency, or else it won’t operate and can produce this error message.
How to Repair the Cloud Cannot talk to Roomba
Here is what you should do if your robot’s app is still showing the “the Cloud cannot talk to Roomba” warning or if your robot is not connected to the Internet and you are left with a “try again later” message:
Reconnect the WiFi again
If you see this notice, you should first verify your wifi connection to see if your Roomba is linked to it.
Additionally, you must reconnect it again to establish that connection, whether it is already established or not.
That being said, here is how to go about it.
- Go to the Roomba Home app.
- Connect your phone to the WiFi network that your Roomba will be using.
- Tap “Add Robot” on the app.
- Give your robot a name.
- Tap Connect to connect your Roomba to the Wi-Fi on your device.
- Finally, wait for the setup to complete.
Reset your Roomba completely
These error messages may occasionally be the consequence of a software bug. Given that this is a characteristic of all electrical equipment, the robot vacuum is not any less effective as a result.
If your Roomba is still displaying the warning “The Cloud cannot talk to Roomba” after you have verified that the wifi is connected, you may need to do a hard reset.
To do that, follow the instructions I’ve listed below if you don’t know how to accomplish it.
- Place your Roomba on its back.
- Remove the bolts that hold your Roomba’s bottom cover in place with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
- Remove the bottom panel to reveal your Roomba’s battery.
- Remove the battery from the container and let it sit outside for 5 minutes.
- After this time, reconnect the batteries inside your robot.
Aside from WiFi troubles with your router, the internet might occasionally be the root of the problem.
You may not notice this right away unless you are out of power or your service provider’s network is unreliable.
In any case, you may readjust and repair issues with your internet by power cycling the router or reconnecting the internet line.
Here’s how to power cycle your router if you don’t know how.
To power cycle, your router, unplug it from the power supply for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes is finished, reconnect the adapter and test it.
For the internet cable, Unplug and wait 60 seconds after unplugging the internet wire from your router before rejoining it.
Change the position of the router
The fact that your router is too far away from the device to which it is attached is one of the subtle consequences that might cause an error problem.
If this happens to you, try moving your robot vacuum closer to it to see if the issue is resolved.
If this is the situation and you must keep your Roomba in a professional setting, you can buy a wifi extender.
Recommendation: The Best WiFi Extender for Your Home
iRobot Roomba Factory Reset
You might need to execute a factory reset if you’ve tried every one of the suggestions above without success.
A factory reset, according to some users, worked for them. However, because a factory reset resets all of your settings to their default positions, it might not be the best initial move.
That being said, here is how you can go about it.
- At the same time, press the Home, Spot, and Clean buttons on your Roomba.
- Wait for the LED ring around the “Clean” button to start flashing.
- When you see the LED flash, let go of the three buttons.
Note: If you let off the buttons before the LED begins to flash, your Roomba might not be factory reset.
The Roomba connected to Wifi but not the app.
It may be a software bug or a network issue if your Roomba is connected to WiFi but the app isn’t. If this occurs, the first thing you should do is reconnect your Roomba to the wifi network, and then try the solutions listed above to repair your Roomba.
Roomba will not connect to the App
Generally, here is how to connect your Roomba App:
- Launch the iRobot Home app.
- On the CLEAN screen, select Settings.
- Now choose Wi-Fi Settings and select your desired network.
- Enter the network password (if required).
If you’ve done all of this and your roomba still won’t connect to the app, reboot it and force close the Robot App.
If these don’t do the trick, follow the troubleshooting guides above.
How to Connect a Roomba to a WiFi Network (5 GHz)
Not all Roombas can connect to a 5 GHz frequency. If you are using a Roomba 60 model or anything below the i6 series, forget it.
However, a Roomba model such as the Zoozee robot vacuum cleaner would connect to a 5 GHz WiFi router.
Conclusion
When the error message “the cloud cannot talk to Roomba” appears on your iRobot App, you ought to be able to fix it by now.
If you haven’t been able to do so till now, contact iRobot Roomba customer care if you haven’t been able to fix yours yet.