Roomba not charging
DIRECT ANSWER
COMMON CAUSES · RANKED
Dirty charging contacts MOST COMMON
Carbon dust builds a film on the metal strips of robot and dock. iRobot allows exactly two cleaning materials — lightly dampened melamine foam or a damp cloth. Nothing abrasive.
Dock has no power
A loose cord, a switched-off power strip, or a dead outlet. The Home Base light glows for about four seconds after plug-in and then goes dark — that is normal power-saving, not a dead dock.
Robot not seated on the dock
On a rug or an uneven floor the contacts never line up, so the robot sits there without drawing current.
Battery worn out or loose UNCOMMON
After a few years the pack stops holding charge; after a battery swap it may not be pressed in fully.
Damaged contacts RARE
Green or copper-colored contacts, or contacts stuck flat, are damaged. That part — robot or dock — needs replacement.
HOW TO FIX IT
Unplug the dock before cleaning its contacts, and take the robot off the dock before touching the battery.
Confirm the dock has power
Push the cord firmly into the dock and the wall. Watch for the four-second light on plug-in. Skip power strips with switches while you test.
Clean both sets of contacts
Wipe the strips on the robot's underside and on the dock with lightly dampened melamine foam (Magic Eraser). Let everything dry.
Re-dock and watch the charge signal
A 600 series pulses amber while charging. Newer i and j models switch their lights off after about a minute on the dock — check the battery percentage in the app instead.
Reseat the battery
With the robot off the dock, undo the battery door screws on the underside, pull the pack, and press it back in firmly. This also reboots the robot.
Battery still drains fast? Replace it
If the robot charges but dies in minutes, the pack is at end of life — pick the battery for your series below.
COMPATIBLE PARTS
As an Amazon Associate, RoboFaults earns from qualifying purchases. Prices are shown on the retailer's site.
XLife extended life battery (NiMH) — 600 series
Buy OEM or a known brand only; counterfeit packs are a fire risk and void any remaining support.
Check price on Amazon ↗Lithium-ion battery — e & i series
Unplug the robot and remove the bin before opening the battery door; dispose of old cells at a battery recycling point.
Check price on Amazon ↗Home Base charging dock
Clean the metal charging contacts with a dry cloth before assuming the dock itself has failed.
Check price on Amazon ↗Sources
Verification
Last verified: 2026-07-05 · How we verify a fault code
Corrections
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