Skip to main content

How to fix a robot vacuum that stops moving

Robot vacuums offer a hands-free way to keep your floors clean. But like all electronics, they sometimes run into issues that prevent them from working as intended. For robot vacuums, a common issue is when a device stops moving, rendering it all but useless. Figuring out what’s causing your robot to stop moving isn’t straightforward, as there are several different reasons this could be happening.

If you’re trying to figure out how to fix a robot vacuum that stops moving, here’s a quick rundown of everything you should check, along with general tips on how to solve the problem.

Recommended Videos

Check its wheels

Roborock S4 Max, review
Digital Trends

If your robot vacuum isn’t moving, it stands to reason that something could be wrong with its wheels. After cleaning your home for an extended period of time, it’s very possible something could get lodged between the robot chassis and its wheels, preventing them from spinning. To fix this problem, simply turn off your robot, flip it over, and give the wheels a quick inspection. Specifically, check for tangled hair, charging cables, or other types of cords and debris lodged into any crevices near the wheels.

Make sure its sensor is clear of debris

The Ecovacs X2 Omni in its dock.
Jon Bitner / Digital Trends

Many robots will stop moving if their sensor is covered up. This prevents it from rolling into obstacles (or down a set of stairs). You can fix this issue by wiping down the front of your robot with a soft cloth. Alternatively, ensure your home has enough light for your robot to see. Most modern robot vacuums can operate in the dark, but older models still struggle in lowlight environments — which could result in a stationary robot.

Check its internal brushes and dustbin

The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra left behind a fist-sized clump of fur in a small carpet.
Nick Mokey / Digital Trends

Robot vacuums can only clean your home if their brushes are spinning and their dustbins have space. Depending on your model, it’s possible that a jammed brush or full dustbin will stop it from moving. Thankfully, these are easy enough to check. Most dustbins are located on the top of the robot, so you can simply open the faceplate and visually confirm it has space. For the brushes, you’ll need to turn the robot off and then flip it upside down. From here, you can inspect its brush for tangles.

Check its battery level

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra in its dock.
Roborock

Most robot vacuums can run for about two hours before needing a recharge. If your robot isn’t moving, verify that it still has juice left in its batteries. If it doesn’t, return it to its dock for a refill. Take this time to also inspect your charging dock and ensure it’s properly recharging your robot. Some docks need to be turned on with a switch after being plugged into the wall. Forgetting to perform this step means your robot vacuum won’t charge.

Update its software

ECOVACS DEEBOT T10 OMNI with mobile app controls
Ecovacs

It’s not likely, but your robot vacuum might be acting up because it’s running on old software. Check your smartphone app to see if an update is available for your device. Updates typically require the robot to be in its dock and last for several minutes.

Reset your robot vacuum

The T10 mopping a floor.
Ecovacs

If all else fails, simply try turning your robot (and its dock) off. After a few minutes, power them back on. Like all electronics, sometimes your robot companion needs a reset.

Contact support

Still not able to get your robot vacuum moving? Then you might consider reaching out to customer support. The above problems are easy to fix on your own, but issues like a dead motor, faulty sensors, or broken internal components need to be handled by the manufacturer. With any luck, your product will still be under warranty, allowing you to get your robot vacuum working like new without dropping a dime.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Beatbot reveals futuristic AquaSense 2 Series pool cleaners at CES 2025
Beatbot AquaSense 2

The original AquaSense Series was wildly popular when it hit the market in early 2024, and at CES 2025, Beatbot officially revealed its successor, the AquaSense 2 Series. Consisting of three robotic pool cleaners and starting at $1,500, Series 2 models are designed to automate all aspects of pool cleaning. The high-end AquaSense 2 Ultra even incorporates AI technology into the mix, promising a superior clean.

AquaSense 2 is the most affordable of the trio at $1,499, yet the three-in-one pool cleaner is still pretty well-rounded. It can clean floors, walls, and the waterline, and can run for up to four hours before needing a recharge. Toss in obstacle detection, four unique cleaning modes, and an array of 16 sensors, and it’s well-suited for most pools.

Read more
Narwal debuts innovative robot vacuum with new mop-cleaning functionality at CES 2025
Narwal Flow

Narwal is responsible for some of our favorite robot vacuums, including the premium Narwal Freo Z Ultra, which features a modern aesthetic and ultra-quiet operation. The company’s track record of innovation continued at CES 2025 with the reveal of the Narwal Flow -- an upcoming robot vacuum built with a powerful new mopping system.

The Narwal Flow employs a new type of mopping system (dubbed the FlowWash Mopping System) that actively cleans its rolling mopping plate as it's cleaning your floors. This ensures you won’t be tracking dirty mops across the ground and should result in a better overall cleaning experience. The robot is equipped with both a clean and dirty water tank, allowing it to extract dirty water from the mop while simultaneously rewetting it. This allows the mop to remain in excellent condition without needing to head back to the docking station for self-cleaning.

Read more
Eureka makes big mopping improvements with the J15 Max Ultra
The Eureka J15 Max Ultra with its new side brush.

Eureka is responsible for some of the best robot vacuums on the market, and its lineup has grown even more exciting with the reveal of the Eureka J15 Max Ultra at CES 2025 . Capable of producing a staggering 22,000 Pa of suction and loaded with unique new mopping features, it’s poised to become one of the most versatile robot vacuums of the year.

The J15 Max Ultra builds on the success of last year’s J15 Pro Ultra, which offered cool features like FlexiRazer technology to cut through tangles and a self-cleaning base station to reduce manual maintenance tasks. Now, the J15 Max Ultra is upgrading its vision sensor technology -- ensuring it mops better than anything else in the Eureka lineup. Dubbed “IntelliView AI 2.0,” the detection capabilities of the J15 Max Ultra are now sophisticated enough to detect transparent liquids for an improved mopping experience.

Read more