iRobot Roomba 500 and 600 Series Testing & Diagnostics

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. If you own a Roomba 500 Series Vacuum robot (including 600 series models), chances are you've encountered a problem with it at one time or another. In this video I show you various testing and diagnostics modes to isolate what problem you may be having with your own Roomba.
A couple of warnings though!
1. When testing, the safety features are disabled. So it will not know if there is a cliff or if it is against a wall, etc.
2. Be careful not to inadvertently change the behavior of your robot. Certain options can change the operation/behavior.
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY, DO NOT PERFORM ANY OF THESE OPERATIONS IF YOUR ROBOT IS CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY! When running tests, the data is stored in the Roomba's black-box (a data logger).
There are four distinct modes/options:
Diagnostics/Testing: This is the one many will want to use. It tests all the components of the Roomba. It can either run automatically in AUTO-ADVANCE Mode (Hold "CLEAN" and "DOCK", press "SPOT" 3 times) or you can choose the particular test by running in MANUAL-ADVANCE Mode (Hold "CLEAN" and "DOCK", press "SPOT" 6 times).
Mobility Testing: Many will not be able to perform this series of tests as you need a specially built platform for the robot to operate on. It is intended to test the robot's operation on soft/hard floors and the robot's movement. Can be run in AUTO-ADVANCE Mode (Hold "CLEAN" and "DOCK", press "SPOT" 9 times) or MANUAL-ADVANCE Mode (Hold "CLEAN" and "DOCK", press "SPOT" 12 times)
Software Date/Version: If you're curious about the date and version of the software your Roomba has, simply hold "CLEAN" and "SPOT" and press "DOCK" 6 times.
Real-Time Sensor Feedback: This feature lets you monitor a particular set of sensors while the Roomba is cleaning. You can monitor in real-time items such as the light touch sensors, the spin brush encoder, the IR receivers, etc. Simply hold "CLEAN" and "SPOT" and press "DOCK" 3 times. Use "SPOT" and "DOCK" to choose which sensor to monitor.
As sites have lost the very service manual I show in this video I now provide it on my OneDrive at the following link: 1drv.ms/b/s!AgWcy9Y7BuDAgaxGs...
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[@k.o.0]

Thank you! Manual link is still working in 2024 and is a great resource since I have three 500 series units from 2007!! Your instructions in the video are great and I have bookmarked it for future reference! Thank you!

[@jaybee5794]

Thank you!!! Easy instructions to follow. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video and help everyone out. Thank you again

[@wrenchingandwheeling1589]

Great video. I ran most of the tests trying to find out why my main brushed were not spinning. The test showed they would not spin. I dissembled and put a cordless drill on the shaft of the motor and let it spin the motor 30 seconds both ways.This cleans the commutator and brushes allowing for a better electrical contact. Tada. Brushes now work and back in business. Thumbs up bud.

[@wendydarjean3237]

Thanks for leaving this up and making it... My Roomba may be old, but it worked great! I replaced the battery and brushes, cleaned it really well. And that baby is back in action!. When/If this one dies for good, i will break down and buy another until then, my 560 will keep on its way! With the help of your tutorial that is :)

[@yewlay]

TQ very much for your prompt response. Will try as recommended and keep you posted.

[@neo21b21b]

Thanks for this tuto. Big fan of series 500 here, very cheap to find and it does great job.

[@iamcool3335]

this video was really helpful eventhoe my Roomba is a 650 all the tests worked thank you

[@d-d-i]

Gotta go thru some tests and diagostics. Recently got Roomba 520 for free, battery of it had died, bought new battery and it works prefectly. Really durable machine despite being 10 years old.

[@Botanifiles]

Very useful, thank you

[@Fabiano2222]

Thank you so much. Amazing video!!!!

[@patriciaterranova1074]

This is an interesting video to watch, even though my Roomba 530 doesn’t have the uppermost lighted displays, like day of week etc. It was helpful with resetting the robot after the entire machine was taken apart due to the “circle dance” we replaced the an entire electronic replacement: 4 bumpers (clear plastic lens) and the two front wheel bumpers (black enclosed part with spring). So far it’s being recharged, I pray it’ll move.

[@anerol64]

Thank you that was really helpful.

[@user-zd6sl9sf1j]

Thanks for this video!!

[@lttanguay]

Amazing video!

[@arlenejai-usa4752]

thanks for sharing this very important information my friend

[@colbatguano3958]

Normally, I'm a troll, but I have to say this is a great and useful video. Thank you. Good work.

[@fernando2385]

Muchas gracias por compartir y tomarte el tiempo de hacer el video.

[@samuelbatista6024]

¡Very good video! I fixed my Roomba because is saying a lot of "Error 1-8" and i am so impressed lol

[@Elena15441]

Great tutorial! Thank you. I have a question: if I get out of the testing mode by just turning the robot off, will it operate properly or I have to reset it first?

[@stevegastel9368]

Fantastic and very thorough video! Now to find out why I have a battery error 5 charging code

[@qzorn4440]

good job. thanks.

[@kirkdecker6228]

Great video. Nicely done. Where did you find the manual?

[@myNerdStuff]

thanks for info

[@mrgcav]

Excellent video! I have ERR3 Charging error. Is my battery bad ? No power except when in the charger.

[@JayseGreene]

Is there a way to enter this diag mode and turn off the cliff sensors?

[@nabilluis5365]

This unit is very effective picking up dog hairBISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop The dust bin also is effectively designed and holds a lot requiring less frequent cleaning than our other version - a more expensive room mapping version.

[@MrPlaidFace]

Just bought one today, it's amazing. Does a great job on hard surface dust pickup. It's really noisy though, oh well sure beats house work. God I'm lazy lol

[@lorenzomontgomery5058]

Guided Hand we are all lazy I see..lol

[@ennnnjjjnnkknnnnn7785]

I have to do how you did on my roomba620

[@ennnnjjjnnkknnnnn7785]

My roomba620 has a problem

[@ennnnjjjnnkknnnnn7785]

Roomba620 was charging error5

[@ennnnjjjnnkknnnnn7785]

Error3: roombas charging station is not working properly Error5: roombas charging station may not work

[@luisfelipethiemenetto2789]

Great tutorial, thank you. Do you know if is possible to perform a vacuum bin test? For ex, just to turn on the fan. My Roomba 600 series doesn't turn on the fan inside the vacuum bin.

[@vdivito]

Test 18 at 8:55

[@reneev1010]

Thank you

[@lordzik09]

Thanks

[@LEMIANGEL]

Great. Tks.

[@DigVision]

Still awsome video after couple of years ;)

[@patriciaterranova1074]

Ty your Roomba automatic testing was very instructional. I was able to run some tests on my 530 IRobot Roomba, however once done and rebooted, the machine will not move! I called iRobot who agrees there is a port on the motherboard above the proximity of the vacuum plug but they don’t support the old version and use WiFi for program support. Question: do you know how I’d be able to get an update on the 530 software? Can you advise where to get a new motherboard or should I sell the robot for parts?

[@peneferguson4394]

Ok so I ran the series of tests and it failed a few. Now what? I can't find anything in the manual or elsewhere that tells you what to do with the information about the failed tests.

[@Jlyn-1212]

Do you have the manual for the Roomba Pet series 564 or Roomba 645 like the one you have in pdf form below in the comments as a link?

[@terdenise7575]

My Roomba 500 won't connect to the dock to charge. I've cleaned the sensors on the dock and the roomba, what else can I do to get it to work?

[@pcrisua]

muchas gracias.. Para los que no hablen ingles podeis poner subtitulos traducidos gracias a youtube.

[@samysam1313]

Thank you. Really appreciate this video. I have a Roomba 561 that just turns in circles and I don't know what is wrong. I will try these tests. I couldn't find the manual you show on the web site.

[@mausolfbEDU]

Look at page 42 of this manual: choisirsonaspirateur.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Roomba-500-Series-Service-Manual.pdf The "circle dance" as it's called is most likely an issue with the bumper sensors. They are either dirty or have failed. Test 2 examines the sensors; if the SPOT and/or DOCK buttons are lit when the test starts that's a good indication of the problem (they should not be lit unless you press in the bumper).

[@samysam1313]

***** Thank you so much. I did find a couple of other manuals but the one I found about the tests was confusing. My sister had this Roomba before me. I bought it from her for parts for my 530 but I'd really like to get this one working if possible. My sister talked to iRobot and they told her the mother board was fried. I doubt that or it wouldn't work at all. The clock works and so does Scheduling. From the tests I found one of the sensors wasn't working and the wheel drop on the right didn't seem to register. However I did exchange the wheels from my 530 and it still went in circles, so I don't think it's the wheels. Think I will try ordering the sensors and see if that works. Hope so. I'd hate to spend the money if it doesn't. I'm pretty good with machines so I can change parts. Thanks again. Much appreciated.

[@bugrilhos]

+MausolfB Education Hi! Do you have the service manual for the Roomba 880? I want to run the autotest on it but I don´t know the steps to follow! Thanx in advance

[@TheSamsungCollector]

@@mausolfbEDU I did most of my tests on my 870

[@danielebner-cellist7413]

What Roomba do u suddgest that is in the 500's class and is has a good price value?

[@patpatel3921]

Tried to reset zoomba charging error 3. Did as instructed but the green light does not go off. pls help

[@lorenzomontgomery660]

Thanks I needed to know this

[@pedramshawd4800]

Hi. Thanks for the great tutorial. I have a 550 which hasn't been used for years. The battery was totally dead, so I replaced it, but the new battery is NIMH, not NICD (as the original was). With the new battery, the robot starts the vacuum motor, but does not turn on, and all the buttons are unresponsive, regardless of combination used. So, I can't really do any testing or anything with this battery. Any ideas? Do you think it's related to the change in battery type (my research online suggested it should not be a problem). Thanks for answering, in advance! Actually, anyone, please comment if you have had a similar scenario.

[@RandalPenman]

Any idea what would cause a Roomba 630's brushes to run continuously ... even when just charging and the wheels are not running?

[@YouTubeChannel-vu2km]

I bought a roomba 650 used and the brushes don't spin even when I put in a new brush assembly deck thing with a new motor.

[@henrikrasmussen6348]

Hello, can you help me? My i robot 564 runs for 10-15 minutes so it stops and flashes yellow. Just like it's charging the battery. It has got a new battery. Hope you can help.

[@temirtaragay8932]

what if 1 st test which is Dock+ CLEAN+ SPOT (3 times) does not work?

[@lindastanley4503]

Any info given for charging error 3 ? I have a 510 and roomba support says the error is from overheating, even though I just plugged the unit in. They also offered no repairs, just to send unit in for replacement, with a $149 core cost (no battery or charger). Is there anything that I can try to save it ?

[@aussiesyncro]

Linda Stanley First try to reset your roomba (turn it on, then hold down spot and dock button, until the green light turns off). Try charging after that to see, if that helped.

[@dmzsniper]

Does anyone know that if you reset a Roomba 770 by holding down clean for 10 sec, is it normal for it to display se7? Also i tested once and all cliff sensors were working but after cleaning, now i get error 6 and all cliff sensors seem dead? HELP

[@fernandoamorim6777]

Boa noite! Preciso de uma ajuda. Meu romba 531 está com um defeito . Quando e feito o reset apertando os tres botões ele desliga e da um som porem ao tentar ligar apertando Clean e Spot o botão Clean fica em tom laranja piscante com o tempo fica verde e nao liga ao apertar o botao Clean . O que devo fazer para retornar a configuração normal. Desde já agradeço muito! Obrigado.

[@TaylorFreed223]

My roomba is a 635 and will not run any of the tests...any suggestions?

[@winstonchaychel]

The main brushes failing failed why? My brushes are moving just fine and when I interrupt them just the spot lights up (694 series). I noticed she doesn't pick up very much debris at all unless it's dust and a few hairs after I replaced her brushes (direct from manufacturer) and when this happened it was just after my warranty date. She passed everything else on her own 😅

[@yourlocalpikachu]

I had this problem with charging a Roomba 650. First, it says Error 2. And when I pull Roomba off the charge dock, it says,"Please charge Roomba,". When I charge it, not for long, it displays a Error 7.

[@normaschaumann4992]

Just got 600 series and there is no clock on it. Any info on what todo.

[@galendahlen1614]

We have a irobot roomba that will start working when ever it wants to ,,we have no WI FI any help?

[@valalexander1883]

Can’t get the brush back in what am I doing wrong

[@tomislavstepic2404]

After few test that passed my roomba 680 stuck in some boot mode. Then I remove battery to reset roomba but now i cant turn it on. Help!

[@4500442]

My main brushes don't work in regular cleaning mode. they spin for about a second in diagnostic mode. Do you have any Idea what could be wrong?

[@IDogFan41]

ForFyve Ziro My guess is a gear in the gearbox is missing the tooth. The same thing happened with my neighbor’s 690 that I repaired for them, but it was in one of the wheel modules.

[@fals3illusion]

how do you do this on a Roomba 690? there is no spot button.

[@TheSamsungCollector]

This also works on 700 and 800 series

[@EolikgroupColombia]

Were I found the service manual for 600 series

[@MrKike61]

Aire Acondicionado Eolik Engineering Group S.A.S. N

[@diannaowens2552]

I just got a used Roomba 500 series and it charges just fine, but when running the troubleshooting test, it is failing on the right sensor. The Dock light stays on the entire time. Is this something I can fix myself or have to take it in to get fix. How costly is it to replace the sensor?

[@MagneticProductions1]

i'm bored so i'm going to answer this four years late. the IR LED on the bumper sensors are prone to failing, if you still have this thing in a closet or something you can buy a kit on eBay and watch a video on how to fix it. It's simple enough that really anyone can do it with enough bravery. No need to replace the whole sensor just the LED inside of it. The problem with yours is the LED is burnt out on the right side so it thinks that sensor is always being pressed. I bought a 570 for $6 at a thrift store and I'm currently waiting on a kit to fix mine because both sensors are dead and it's doing a circle dance because the poor thing thinks it's always running into something, lol.

[@jacobgrabeel6598]

Have lost the 680 Roomba. It was cleaning and evidently ran down and could not find its way to the charger. How can we locate it?

[@YouTubeChannel-vu2km]

Jacob Grabeel search party lol

[@SCU3A_S7EVE]

Had the same problem a few years back. I assumed it was just stuck under the couch or trapped in a closet-until a few days later when I tried to pay for dinner and was told my credit card had been declined. Turns out that little asshole skimmed my chip and was gambling away my savings in Aruba with some floozy he met on the Internet!

[@tonysavarese7234]

I don't see red lights flashing in my 560?

[@traciemyers3185]

Has anyone figured out how to translate this to the 600 series? It runs the diagnostics but I'm not sure switch button tells pass or fail since the 600 has different buttons?

[@tommynanthavongsa9356]

can you tell me where can i send out to fix it

[@edwardradcliffe6116]

My R00mba is probably an earlier version of the 500 Serties, for it does not have thermal black lift bar in the front. I have just installed a new battery, from the seller, and it has once run for a full cycle, but now will not allow recharge to work, it only reports "please charge Roomba" and it will not charge. What is wrong? How do I fixit?

[@maj113]

HI.... sooo what you have to do is to remove 5 screvs 4 onthe bottom face plate and 1 for the yellow rotating brush now lift the bootom cover/faceplate and take out the battery wait a minute or two and put it back after that screv everything back together and if you have a dock DO NOT PUT ROOMBA ON THE DOCK PUT THE CHARGING CABLE FROM THE DOCK TO ROOMBA

[@PillowCuffZebra]

Does the diagnostic test work on newer Roombas because I have a Roomba i3 and I wanted to try the diagnostic test on it.

[@pomaranczowamamba9200]

Nk

[@denizsincar29]

when i go to mobility test, it does an erroring sound. it does beebeebeebeep mobility sound, but then it does beeeebeeeep error!

[@lukehagenbach5179]

I've tried your method to enter the auto test mode multiple times, and I can't get it to enter a testing mode :-( I have a 655 irobot.

[@COPYKATTZ28]

ME TOO I HAVE 685 AND CAN NOT ENTER TEST MODE

[@carylisaacs486]

Had it for over a year

[@janiebaker3103]

Is there a different manual for the 650? The wheels stopped turning on ours.

[@mausolfbEDU]

+Jane Baker I'm not aware of one however everything in this video also applies to Roomba 600 series robots.

[@andreamitchell4758]

this does not work at all on the roomba 530 how do you enter test mode on a 530?

[@melissamiller943]

Andrea Mitchell

[@WakeRunSleep]

I have 560 and I couldn't get into the diagnose mode. Holding the clean and dock, and then pressing the spot three times does not work, but all the buttons do work. Any suggestion? Thanks!

[@lukehagenbach5179]

I have a 655 and have the same issue. I can't do any of this diagnostics if I can't get it to go into the auto test mode.

[@cindyryan5766]

me too argh

[@cindyryan5766]

just made it work. It has to be in the off position when you hit dock/clean and spot 3 times

[@miliu99]

My roomba works fine except that it makes sound from time to time while it's charging - the same kind of sound you normally hear when you put it into charger. I didn't figure out a pattern how often it makes, sometimes once every minute, sometimes maybe every five minutes. It's very annoying because it's disruptive to sleeping upstairs. It's like this since a year or so. I contacted iRoboot's support, and they told me it's the battery which needs to be replaced. However, I just replaced and it still behaves the same. Again, the unit works well except this problem. Anybody knows how to fix it?

[@BstTat]

miliu99 did you buy a geniune irobot replacement because that could be causing the problem

[@samlim8654]

hi i have a problems with my irobot roomba 650! it cannot be turning left. its just like stuck / stuck / stuck. i been changed a new left wheel module. but its really weird! when i trying to push backup the irobot. the left wheel like so hard to push it back up! like something is stucked. but i tried both new / used wheel module . same result. the left wheel just stucked on backup! can u fix this problems?

[@corpse4434]

flip roomba and spin that wheel really fast it will unclog and all will come out of wheel

[@Maciek2015robox]

sam lim

[@angelog4150]

How can you "inadvertently" change the behavior with this mode? I'm scared that I may change something I don't want to.

[@samuelbatista6024]

In the movility test, i know if you select one fof the dates, he will change the clean behavior...

[@victorortega2718]

Dude mine is fucked like keeps saying error 3, and it wont dock and it just goes in circles wth

[@marlonbraccia4785]

I have no clue....cleaned it then error message in french. Later took battery out, waited to replace as instructed. Charges fine, comes off dock fine, but won't vacuum. ! lights up and error message is in french, so no idea what its saying. hmmmmmm

[@tobygolding1893]

can't test doesn't keep charge might be batteries

[@COPYKATTZ28]

Everything passes all the way to left motor stall test 12 wheel does not start spinning then 13 fails to spin 14 fails to spin 15 ok(stasis test) 16 main brush fails to turn on

[@Mr_Noche_Sucio]

I ran diagnostics and now my roomba no longer charges at dock. Was charging fine before running diagnostics. Now it only charges via the side port?? What happened

[@mausolfbEDU]

Sounds like the contact inside the side charging port didn't close back after you unplugged (it connects/disconnects the tabs at the front so you can't charge from the home base and a separate charger at the same time). Look here for more details on that: www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19982

[@Mr_Noche_Sucio]

@@mausolfbEDUthank you so much I'll give this a try

[@COPYKATTZ28]

I HAVE MODEL 685 AND I DO NOT HAVE A DISPLAY and i do have lights changed battery but no display

[@COPYKATTZ28]

never mind i got it

[@JonathanMWeber]

I've got the move Roomba to a new location, then press clean to start error. Any idea what could be going on? I'm running the auto test and it's not advancing at IR sensors

[@monicairwin1796]

Jonathan M. Weber I have this same problem. Did you ever figure out how to fix this issue? I have a roomba 550.

[@JonathanMWeber]

Monica Irwin Nope, I ended up getting a different Roomba

[@temirtaragay8932]

Should it be charged first before testing?

[@TheSamsungCollector]

No it can do the tests if it’s dead too

[@pilaringutierrez9401]

por favor podria ser en español? no se ingles

[@earlediesoncanapi2018]

14:12 Time To Clean.

[@kinglord5429]

I ran this and found mine is blind on one side

[@DeSoccerRefMan]

What does Error Message 3 mean?

[@kevmicshi]

My problem too. I just got a brand new battery, but it's giving me a "Charging Error 3" message. Please let me know if you figured it out.

[@Elena15441]

Have the same problem with one of mine. Didn't passed all charging tests. Probably it's the problem with a motherboard. So you need to replace the motherboard or to use an external charger to charge the battery (hate those screws in the battery cover, prefer the Roomba 400 design where you just can pull the battery out or place in without dealing with any screws).

[@yewlay]

My Roomba 561 keep on showing charging error 3 when I tries to recharge the battery. I changed to new battery still have the same error. Anybody can help to explain why, please. TQ.

[@guilhermerigon]

Did u found how to fix that error? mine started it today :(

[@yewlay]

Problem remains unresolved. Still get the same message - charging error 3. Can help, PLEASE. TQ.

[@guilhermerigon]

Yew Lay Tan Hello, the way i get mine working was doing a reset, every time i want to use that. You should press the CLEAN button and keep pressed 10secs, after that it start to recharge the battery and works fine.

[@yewlay]

Hi, it works sometimes but charging error 3 & 2 keep appearing. Could this indicates that the motherboard is faulty ?

[@Elena15441]

yes it could. Use an external charger or replace the motherboard.

[@dpadillaprincess]

Ughh my ring of red light death won't turn off!!!!

[@rcgadgets4206]

not working for my 581 :(

[@jimsdog23selfcheckoutfan62]

RCgadgets: Either reset it or it doesn’t work

[@thecutefunkyhamburger4349]

It’s actually an RCON sensor not an IR sensor

[@mausolfbEDU]

So how does the Room Confinement (RCON) sensor detect the home base and virtual walls then?

[@angelicabachour565]

Não ué

[@banderson7885]

Nothing happens when I hold clean and dock, and then press spot 3 times

[@usadios]

Same here. I have a 600.

[@jimsdog23selfcheckoutfan62]

I have a 600/690

[@solangelmaldonado7772]

le cambie la bateria y sique con error 5

[@thedarkcave8403]

¿Limpió los contactos de la batería en el robot?

[@henrickkaczmarczyk6125]

can you come to my huose and fix my roomba

[@joanflanagan9958]

can you come to my house and fixmy roomba

[@virusboy07]

@@joanflanagan9958 no, fix your roomba yourself.

[@rchuso]

Thanks. Useful information. Mine shows software date of 2007 7A9 411 0620 - and the reason I'm here is because it no longer docks (it tries and tries). I tried to raise the front castor with washers, but no luck.

[@mace6141]

I have a 561 that never docked cause it has as side port for a cord to plug into. Now I want it to dock itself and it won’t

[@rafbass]

iRobot, Wouldn't be easy to insert a DISPLAY on this thing???????? Come on, interpreting lights and beeps are soooo 80's...

[@davidjohnston2909]

Have been having a problem with our 655 pet series. When ever we want to use it the unit keeps telling us to charger roomba, I purchase an after market battery from Amazon, and installed it, same problem. The home base has the green light flashing when unused and on solid when charging, cleaned the contacts, no help. Checked the battery voltage, original battery (after sitting for three weeks) 14.62 VDC and the aftermarket 15.56 VDC. Irobot insisted that I had to use one of their batteries, so I tried that to no avail, Irobot says they will refund me for the battery and give me a deal on a new unit. This machine is only a year and a half old. Do you know where I can get a service manual on the 600 series (I use the 500 series service manual and ran through the checks and everything seems okay but the numbers of the tests and not the same)

[@jdowdone]

+David Johnston Try the spot & clean reset. Hold both buttons down until it goes off. It will beep and reset itself.

[@jdowdone]

+J Dowd I meant Spot and Dock

[@kjinong7997]

hi David, my 655 pet series has just reached it's one and a half year mark and I'm experiencing the exact thing you did! did u find any solution?

[@ellasiroskey1962]

I tried this on my 655 and I get no beeps to check what is wrong. After being on charger base for 2 days, it will run and clean for 5 minutes and then wants to go back to charger base. Reset won't do anything. Clues?

[@lukehagenbach5179]

Maybe the 655 series from Costco is different in some way, because like the rest of you I cannot get it to go into diagnostic mode, and no matter how long I charge it, it will only tell me to charge my roomba when I take it off the dock :-\

[@daniel_s]

6 Fails :/ Oh no xD

[@chuckles9600]

Still won’t run, move to new location ! 😡 rrrrr