Roborock Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them

Try this first, whatever the code

Before you look up a specific number, these five steps clear the majority of Roborock errors.

1. Read the message in the app

   The Roborock app names the problem and often shows a diagram of the part to check. It is more specific than the voice prompt.

2. Move the robot to a clear, flat spot

   Many errors (3, 4, 7, 8, 16) simply mean the robot is stuck, tilted or hanging over an edge.

3. Clean the brushes, sensors and filter

   Pull hair off both ends of the main brush, remove the side brush and wipe every sensor with a soft, dry cloth.

4. Restart the robot

   Hold the power button to turn it off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

5. Update the firmware

   Roborock fixes bugs through app updates. Check for firmware in the robot's settings.

Every Roborock error code at a glance

Wording varies a little between models and app versions, but the numbers mean the same thing across Roborock's lineup.

Roborock's current manuals don't list Errors 19, 20, 25 or 26 for most models. If you see one of those, check the message in the app or contact support with your model name.

Sensor and navigation errors

Error 1: laser sensor (LiDAR) error

The round turret on top of the robot holds the laser distance sensor. If it can't spin, the robot can't map the room. Turn the robot on and watch whether the turret rotates. If it doesn't, turn it gently by hand, check that nothing is wedged around it (a sock or a cable is a common culprit) and restart. On models with a low-profile or retractable turret, such as the Saros and Qrevo Slim lines, check that nothing is pressing down on the top cover.

Error 2: bumper stuck

The front bumper should spring back freely. Tap it all the way around a few times and blow or wipe out any dust or grit caught behind it.

Error 4: cliff sensor error

The cliff sensors underneath stop the robot from falling down stairs. Dust on them, or a very dark rug that absorbs their infrared light, makes the robot think it's at an edge. Wipe each sensor with a dry cloth. If the error only shows up on one rug, add that rug as a no-go zone in the app.

Errors 15, 21 and 22: wall, vertical bumper and dock sensors

Error 15 means the wall sensor on the right side is dirty. Error 21 means the cover over the laser turret was pressed, usually because the robot squeezed under a low couch or bed. Error 22 means the sensor the robot uses to find its dock is dirty. All three are fixed by wiping the sensor and moving the robot to open floor.

Errors 3, 16 and 8: lifted, tilted or trapped

These mean the robot has climbed onto something it can't handle, like a floor vent, a pet bed or a thick threshold. Move it to flat floor and restart. For Error 8, Roborock also suggests removing the water tank if it's installed. To stop repeats, add a no-go zone or a virtual wall around the trouble spot in the app.

My tip: If the same spot triggers Error 8 every week, look at it from the robot's height. A dangling cord, a rocking chair runner or the edge of a bath mat is usually the trap.

Brush and wheel errors

Error 5: main brush jammed

This is the most common Roborock error in homes with pets or long hair. Flip the robot over, unclip the brush guard and lift the main brush out. Remove hair from the bristles, both end caps and the bearings, and clear anything stuck in the slots the brush sits in. Roborock also suggests turning on Carpet mode and running the robot again to see if the error clears. If you have a shedding pet, see our guide to the best Roborock for pet hair, which covers the tangle-resistant brushes.

Errors 6 and 17: side brush

Error 6 means the side brush is tangled. Pull it off (or unscrew it on older models), clean the hair off the post and refit it. Error 17 points to the side brush module rather than the brush itself. Roborock's fix is to reset the robot. If it comes back, the side brush motor may need service.

Error 7: wheels jammed

Press each drive wheel and spin it by hand. If it feels gritty or stops, pull out hair, string or debris wrapped around the axle. Don't forget the small caster wheel at the front, which can collect a surprising amount of hair.

Error 27: VibraRise system jammed

On models with VibraRise mopping (such as the S7 and S8 families), the mop plate lifts and vibrates. Remove the mop mount and check for anything caught in the lifting mechanism, then refit it until it clicks.

Dustbin, filter and fan errors

Error 9: no dustbin detected

Reinstall the dustbin and filter until they click. If the error stays, look at the side of the filter. Roborock filters have a small magnet that tells the robot the filter is in place. If yours has no magnet, often the case with cheap third-party filters, replace it with a genuine one.

Error 10: filter blocked or wet

Tap the filter clean over a trash can. If you washed it, let it air-dry fully, ideally for 24 hours, before you put it back. A damp filter can damage the fan motor. Roborock filters are typically due for replacement every few months.

Error 18: fan error

Roborock's own fix sounds odd but works: tap or clap the side of the robot a few times to shake loose debris from the fan, then restart. Also empty the bin and clean the filter, since a blocked air path makes the fan work harder. If you see a "fan speed lowered" message, check for a blocked strainer and replace the filter. If Error 18 keeps returning, contact support.

Battery and charging errors

Error 13: charging error

Error 13 is one of the most searched Roborock codes. Roborock's US support page lists three steps:

1. Reseat the robot

   Push the robot onto the dock until the dock's indicator light turns off. That confirms the contacts are touching.

2. Clean the charging contacts

   Wipe the metal contacts on both the robot and the dock with a dry cloth, a cloth lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol, or a pencil eraser.

3. Check the power

   Make sure the power cord is pushed fully into the dock and the wall outlet. Try a different outlet if you're not sure the first one works.

Error 12: low battery

The battery is too low to start a clean. Put the robot on the dock and let it charge. If the battery drains much faster than it used to, it may be wearing out. Batteries usually last a few years.

Error 14: battery error

Error 14 usually means the battery is too hot or too cold, for example after sitting in a hot garage or a cold car. Let the robot reach room temperature and try again. Roborock's manuals don't list an owner fix beyond that, so if it returns, contact support. The battery may need replacing.

Error 23: can't return to the dock

Wipe the signal window on the front of the dock and make sure the dock sits against a wall on hard, level floor. Roborock recommends keeping about 1.5 feet clear on each side of the dock and about 5 feet in front of it.

Messages without a number

Newer Roborock robots often show a plain message instead of a code. These are the ones owners see most.

Dock problems: red light, no auto-empty, no mop wash

Dock light stays red

On auto-empty docks, a steady red light usually means a blockage or a part out of place. Roborock's steps: make sure the dock's dust bag or bin and its front filter are installed correctly, then clean the filter, air duct, suction inlet and air inlets. Also check that the dust bag isn't full.

Auto-empty doesn't start

Check that auto-empty is turned on in the app and the bag isn't full. Then look for a clog where the robot's dustbin meets the dock, and clean the evacuation port on the dock's ramp.

Error 42: maintenance brush jammed

This one applies to Ultra docks such as the S7 MaxV Ultra, S7 Max Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra. Roborock says that if the brush stops on the left side, something is caught in it, so remove it. If it stops on the right side, the dock's filter may be blocked or not installed correctly, so clean and reseat it.

Mop washing is weak or doesn't happen

Refill the clean water tank, empty the dirty water tank and make sure both are seated firmly. Scrub the washboard in the bottom of the dock. Dirt there makes mop washing less effective. If you have hard water, descale the dock and the robot's water outlets regularly.

How to reset a Roborock

There are three levels of reset. Start with the gentlest.

My tip: Save a backup of your map in the app before a factory reset. Remapping a large home takes a full cleaning run.

When it's time to contact Roborock support

Call or email support if a code comes back right after you clean the part and restart, especially Errors 14, 17 and 18, or an internal error that survives a factory reset. In the US, Roborock support is at support-us@roborock.com or 1-855-960-4321, available 24/7. Roborock robots sold in the US carry a one-year warranty, though batteries and brushes count as consumable parts, so have your order number ready.

If your robot is out of warranty and the repair is costly, it may be time to upgrade. Our guides to the best Roborock for carpets and the best Roborock for hardwood floors can help you choose.

How to prevent Roborock errors

1. Clear the floor before each run

   Cords, socks and phone chargers cause most Error 5, 7 and 8 stops.

2. Clean the main brush weekly

   More often if you have pets or long hair in the house.

3. Wipe the sensors every two weeks

   Cliff, wall and dock sensors all collect dust over time.

4. Replace consumables on schedule

   The app tracks the main brush, side brush and filter. Swap them when it tells you.

5. Use no-go zones for trouble spots

   Block off rugs with fringe, pet bowls and furniture the robot gets stuck under.

6. Keep the firmware up to date

   Updates improve navigation and fix known bugs.