Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Why does my Roomba keep cleaning the same area?

Robot vacuums are a game-changing smart home invention. They aren't a do-it-all device but rather something that does one thing (two for mopping variants) expertly. So even if you only save an hour from vacuuming your place, that's an hour you get to put back somewhere else in your life.

Related Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • Roomba Smart Vaccuum

Granted, like all technology devices, robot vacs aren't perfect. Machine learning or A.I. devices have to go through growing pains. Sometimes your Roomba or another robot vacuum will have an issue, like cleaning the same area repeatedly, even after it's been cleaned.

Here, we'll talk about how to fix your Roomba from repeatedly going over the same area. First, we have to identify what could be wrong with the Roomba itself. There are various reasons why it could not be performing optimally in cleaning your home. Some causes of a malfunctioning Roomba could be a lack of enough light, a lot of objects on the floor, malfunctioning wheels, or a dirty sensor. Let's go through how to fix these issues with a step-by-step plan.

iRobot Roomba 694 at Best Buy - Wi-Fi connected robot vacuum.

How to keep your Roomba from cleaning the same area

There isn't one easy fix for this issue. Try each of these troubleshooting steps to get the Roomba moving around the entire room and not just stay in one place.

Step 1: Update the app and system

First and foremost, make sure the iHome app and Roomba are updated to the latest firmware.

Step 2: Provide better light

Most robot vacuums require decent light to provide the best clean. Make sure when you run your Roomba's routines, the vacuum has adequate lighting.

Step 3: Tap the bumpers

Tap the side bumpers gently to free any locked dirt and debris, then press the Clean button again to start the Roomba back up.

Step 4: Clean the bumper and cliff sensors

If the sensors are covered or dirty, they will report to the Roomba mainframe that the area is dirty where the device is. Wipe clean the sensors to return to optimum cleaning.

Step 5: Check the wheels

Frequently, some dirt or string or other objects can get trapped in your wheels, preventing the Roomba from driving correctly. Clear the wheels of any debris.

Step 6: Reset the Roomba

One of the final software steps you can do is reset your Roomba. Do this by holding the Clean button for 10 seconds on either the dock or vacuum, and then do a full clean.

Step 7: Replace the battery

Removing and replacing the Roomba's battery is possible if you see it not cleaning optimally. You can charge it via another device to determine if it's the battery or the charger, then you can order another battery online. At this point, it may be necessary to go to the next step.

Step 8: Get it serviced

Before buying another Roomba, see if iHome will service the robot via warranty and get you a new one.

Roomba cleaning FAQ

Why is my Roomba not cleaning the whole house? There are plenty of reasons why your Roomba isn't cleaning the whole house. As stated above, it could be interference on the floor or a malfunction within the Roomba itself.

**Why does my Roomba keep going over the same area? ** A Roomba may frequent the same place multiple times due to an immense amount of dirt on the floor, or more likely due to dirty sensors or low light.

**How do I get my Roomba to remap my house? ** To remap your house with your Roomba, leave it in an open room, then choose the Clean everywhere option. This will get the vacuum to check everywhere it can go.

Does Roomba learn the floor plan? From the first cleaning session, Roomba's record where they can go and clean. This function allows the vacuum to optimize its cleaning route and ensure it doesn't miss any areas.

Upon doing all of these steps, you should have a working Roomba. If this begins to start happening frequently, it may be worth buying a brand new vacuum or a different model.

Editors' Recommendations

Amazon is having a big sale on Roomba robot vacuums, from $179
The iRobot Roomba S9 Plus robot vacuum cleaning the floor near the wall.

If you're thinking that you need help in keeping your floor clean, you'll want to buy a robot vacuum. iRobot's Roomba is the most popular brand for the smart home devices, and you're in luck because Amazon just launched a big sale that slashed the prices of some of its most popular models. We've gathered some of the best Roomba deals that you can shop right now, but you need to be quick with your decision because we don't expect these offers to last very long.
Roomba 694 -- $179, was $275

The iRobot Roomba 694 is an affordable robot vacuum, but it's got what it takes to maintain spotless floors in your home. It features the brand's three-stage cleaning system that can lift all kinds of dirt, dust, and debris from any surface, as well as its Dirt Detect technology that will make the robot vacuum focus on the areas of your home that require more attention. The iRobot Roomba 694 has a full suite of sensors that lets it avoid colliding into furniture and falling off ledges, which our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum says is one of the features to consider. It can run for 90 minutes before it automatically returns to its dock to recharge.

Read more
The best Amazon Alexa smart speakers
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020 release)on a table with a yoga matt and water bottle.

If you’re a fan of the highly capable Alexa voice assistant, the versatile app, and the easy connection with Amazon and smart home devices, then you definitely want a smart speaker with built-in Alexa capabilities. But which one? Amazon, of course, has its own line of Echo speakers that are designed for use with Alexa, but they aren't the only brand that supports Alexa for easy voice commands.

For this list, we focused on the best smart speakers you can find with Alexa built-in. These speakers allow you to make calls to your contacts, play music from your favorite streaming service, set up smart home routines, and even have Alexa help guard your home. Take a look!

Read more
This flash deal gets you a Roomba robot vacuum for just $180
iRobot Roomba 694 at Best Buy - WiFi connected robot vacuum

iRobot Roombas are the reigning kings of robot vacuum deals. What Band-Aid is to adhesive bandages, or Kleenex to facial tissues, Roomba is to the robot vacuum. Right now you can grab one of the cheaper models at a sweet discount. The Roomba 694 is down to only $180 at Crutchfield after a $95 discount. We don't know how long it will stick around, so grab it before it's gone.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694
iRobot's Roomba is one of the more expensive brands, but it's behind some of the best and most well-reviewed robot vacuums in the market such as the iRobot Roomba s9+, according to our guide on how to choose a robot vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 694 is a more affordable version, but you can expect the same topnotch quality that has made the brand a household name. The robot vacuum features a three-stage cleaning system that lets it pick up all kinds of dirt and debris from various surfaces, and once it's done or its battery gets low after up to 90 minutes of cleaning, it automatically returns to its base to recharge.

Read more