Roomba i3, i4 and i7: filter, brushes, battery and error codes

Find your serial number

Open the iRobot app, scroll to Product Settings and tap "About" for your robot to see the serial number. On the robot itself, remove the bin, turn the robot over and look where the bin sat.

The i3, i4 and i7 use the same filter, brushes, edge brush, caster and battery listed below, so you don't need to tell them apart to buy parts. A plus sign (i3+, i7+) means it came with a self-emptying base.

iRobot's care schedule for the i-series

Empty the bin and clean the filter

1. Press the bin release button on the back of the robot and pull the bin out.
2. Empty it over the trash.
3. Grab the side of the filter and pull it out of the left side of the bin. Tap it against the trash can to shake off debris.
4. Refit the filter and the bin. The robot reports Error 14 if the bin or filter isn't in place.

Clean the brushes, caster and sensors

Dual multi-surface rubber brushes

1. Turn the robot over. Push the green tab on the right side of the brushes to open the cleaning head door.
2. Lift out both rubber brushes. Pull hair and debris off the square and hex pegs on the brush ends.
3. Clear debris on and under the gray bearings, then refit the brushes and close the door.

iRobot warns that heavy hair build-up can permanently damage the robot, which is why the brushes are on the weekly list.

Front caster wheel

1. Pull the caster wheel firmly to remove it.
2. Spin it by hand. If it's stiff, push firmly to remove the axle and clear any hair or debris.
3. Refit the axle and push the wheel back in. A clogged caster can damage floors.

Edge brush, cliff sensors and charging contacts

Loosen the edge sweeping brush with a coin or small screwdriver, clean the brush and its post, and refit it. Wipe the cliff sensor openings with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. For the charging contacts, unplug the Home Base, wait 60 seconds, then rub the contacts on the robot and base with a lightly dampened melamine sponge until they shine.

Replace the battery

iRobot publishes the battery swap as an owner job. The pack is the genuine iRobot lithium-ion battery for the e, i and j series: item 4624864, which iRobot's US store now lists as item 4854069.

• Phillips screwdriver
• Coin or flat screwdriver

1. Turn the robot upside down on a soft, flat surface.
2. Loosen the edge sweeping brush screw with a coin or flat screwdriver and remove the edge brush.
3. Loosen the 5 screws holding the bottom cover with a Phillips screwdriver and lift the cover off.
4. Unclip the old battery and lift it out.
5. Set the new battery in the well; its tab secures it.
6. Refit the bottom cover so it sits flush with the sensors, tighten the 5 screws, then refit the edge brush and its screw.
7. Put the robot on the Home Base to wake the new battery before its first run.

i-series error codes

When something is wrong, the light ring around the CLEAN button turns solid red and the robot speaks an error. Press CLEAN to hear it again. These are iRobot's i-series meanings; older 600 and 800 series robots use a different list.

When it won't turn on or charge

1. A new battery or robot must be woken up on the Home Base before first use.
2. Make sure the Home Base has power. Its light comes on for about 4 seconds, then stays off while the robot charges.
3. Clean the charging contacts on the robot and the base, and clear the brushes and caster.
4. Try again. A red light on the robot is normal and means the battery is too low to start.
5. Remove the battery and refit it. This reboots the robot and clears errors; you don't need to wait before refitting.
6. If there are still no lights, contact iRobot with the serial number and proof of purchase.

Charging error numbers

Related fixes and models

• Roomba not charging
• Safe battery replacement