Why Does my Roomba Keep Cleaning the Same Area? Fix Guide

If you have ever asked, why does my Roomba keep cleaning the same area, don’t worry.

Other than the fact that you are not alone in this dilemma, it’s also something that a lot of Roomba owners experience.

And in this guide, we will be giving you a complete rundown of what’s causing it and how you can fix it.

If Roomba keeps cleaning the same area, performing a reset of your Roomba is usually the most common solution. However, if the problem persists, you also want to consider checking the wheels, the sensors, and the software in which it runs.

Before we try solving the problem, it’s good practice to try identifying what the root cause is.

This can help you have your Roomba up and running in no time.

Why Does My Roomba Keep Cleaning the Same Area?

There are many potential causes why your Roomba keeps cleaning the same spot.

However, there are a couple of issues deemed as the most common.

Stuck Bumper

A stuck bumper is most often the culprit of why it sticks just in the same spot.

Collected dust or dirt that isn’t cleaned and maintained properly could cause the dislodging of the bumper.

The specks of dirt on the sensor can make it hard for the Roomba to navigate appropriately.

Remember, the sensors are placed to prevent any potential bumps or accidents from happening.

Dirty or Obstructed Cliff Sensors

Roomba vacuum cleaners have cliff sensors as part of their safety requirements.

However, your device may not be able to perform its job correctly due to dirty cliff sensors.

When these are obstructed, they won’t recognize stairs or edges and may go over the same area repeatedly.  Regularly cleaning cliff sensors with melamine foam can help you solve this issue.

Malfunctioning Wheels

One thing that can be a problem would be its wheels. This usually happens if some loose dirt is trapped in between the wheels and other components.

Eventually, the wheels can get jammed, which could result in the vacuum cleaner repeatedly coming back to the spot where it was before.

So, be sure to check if the wheels of your vacuum are clean and aren’t obstructed by dust or debris.

Dirt Detect Technology

Roomba utilizes Dirt Detect™ Technology which facilitates the cleaner to focus on dirtier areas. It works harder to clean these spots until the sensor detects less dirt.

If this is activated, it could explain why sometimes, your Roomba keeps cleaning the same spot until it has completely removed the dirt.

You might think of it as something that’s bad, but it’s just doing its job of cleaning nastier and dirtier areas of your living space.

Infrared Interference from Other Devices

Another possible cause of your Roomba cleaning the same area is potential infrared interference from other devices.

If you have other devices nearby, such as a headset that uses the same technology as Roomba, the infrared rays they omit might interfere with the radiation given off by your cleaner.

As a result, your Roomba gets confused and forgets where to navigate, resulting in circling the same area.

So, try to get rid of devices that could cause any type of interference to the signals sent and received to and from the vacuum.

Maximum Suction Mode

Setting your Roomba to “Maximum Suction mode” all the time can sometimes develop an issue of going in circles.

So, to prevent this from happening, only activate this setting when it’s necessary. It’s the most ideal

Software Issues

Having software problems is another issue that can cause your Roomba to clean in loops.

For instance, a specific iRobot software update has caused navigation issues for some Roomba models.

Moreover, keeping the old version firmware or software of the cleaner on a new device can also be a problem.

Now that we’re aware of the specific causes, how do we fix them? What steps could we take to resolve it? s

How to Fix Your Roomba Cleaning the Same Area?

After determining the primary cause of your Roomba unusual behavior, it’s just right to fix it.

Here’s a quick rundown of the comprehensive fix method you can do.

Step #1: Reset Your Roomba

The first thing to do when you encounter this problem is to reset your Roomba. There are two ways to do this, depending on your Roomba model:

Resetting Roomba Models 500, 600, 700, and 800

1. First, turn off your cleaner.
2. Then, press and hold “Clean” for at least ten (10) seconds.
3. When you see the lights start blinking green and yellow, it’s the sign that it’s been reset.
4. The device should turn back on automatically.

Resetting Roomba Models Without a Dock

For Roomba models with no dock: Repeat the same process above. The main difference is that you need to turn the device on again after switching it off using the same button.

The only difference is that it just wouldn’t turn back on by itself.

Step #2: Tap the Bumpers Gently

Then, the next thing you do is tap your Roomba bumpers gently a couple of times.

What this does is help dislodge any debris or dirt stuck under the cleaner.

You can tap it with your bare hands or with cleaning material.

NOTE: Gently tapping the bumpers and resetting the device is usually more than enough to clear any particles inside to keep your Roomba behaving the way it should.

Step #3: Remove Small Objects

One thing that almost all vacuum cleaners share is their ineffectiveness when it comes to small objects.

The last thing you want is for your Roomba cleaner to suck up small objects.

So, check the floor for things that could possibly be the reason for congestion. This includes wires, papers, wrappers, and toys.

NOTE: Make sure to clear your floor by removing these objects and let your Roomba do the work.

Step #4: Clean the Sensors

Your Roomba has cliff and bumper sensors. If these are dirty, your device might not behave properly.

To clean the sensors, you can use a soft and slightly damp cloth or a microfiber towel.

Moreover, you can clean the filter by vigorously tapping it to remove any trapped dirt or debris.

Step #5: Check the Wheels

Next, check the wheels of your Roomba – and we’re not talking about checking its wheels like how you would check a car’s.

If it’s dirty, push them up and down a couple of times to eliminate the trapped particles.

After cleaning its wheels, gently turn them by hand to check if they freely spin.

You’d know if there are still trapped particles if the wheels show resistance when spinning.

NOTE: The wheels of your device are made of rubber. Rubber deteriorates over time, especially if they’re frequently used.

Step #6: Turn Off Dirt Detect Technology

If your area is dustier and dirtier than usual, try to deactivate the dirt detect feature.

This feature is what’s responsible for a thorough cleaning, which could make the device go in circles.

Here’s the process of how you can do it:

1. Open the Roomba app.
2. Navigate to Dirt Detect and turn it off.
3. Then, after completing one cycle, turn it back on and let it run for one cycle.

Through this, a huge chunk of dirt won’t interfere with your Roomba’s navigation.

Step #7: Check the Device’s Board

If none of the methods above resolves the issue, perhaps the motherboard is the culprit. Sometimes, your device might have problems with electrical parts.

You might think that checking the motherboard is something that requires great technical expertise. When, in truth, it does not.

Here is the process of how you can check and assess its motherboard:

1. Flip the device over and remove the screws.
2. Then, unscrew the backplate and pull the two (2) tabs on each battery’s ends.
3. Remove the brush module to have easier access.
4. Unscrew the ten (10) edge screws on the unit.
5. Lift the top plate and you should see the board.

If the board is dirty, ensure that you’ll clean it thoroughly. Clean it with extreme precision because you might do more harm than good.

Otherwise, if it’s already damaged/faulty, contact Roomba’s customer support team to help you get a replacement for the board or an overall replacement of the device.

That’s just about it! That’s how you can fix your Roomba’s unusual activity of cleaning in circles.

Read Next: Can I Move Roomba Home Base?

Final Verdict

To fix your Roomba’s circling problem, restart the device and remove any trapped particles underneath. Clear up the floor of any potential obstructions. Lastly, check whether the battery, sensors, and motherboard are running in good condition.

So why does my Roomba keep cleaning the same area? – You now know!  Hopefully, our guide was enough to help you identify the usual causes of this problem.

Because of how we presented it, you should have understood the process regardless of your technical experience.