Why Does My Roomba Keep Going in Circles?

A Roomba is designed to clean your floors, but sometimes it can get stuck and seem like it is running in circles. While this may look like a malfunction, there are some very specific reasons why your Roomba can get caught up and start to run around in circles.

Is your Roomba constantly going in circles? You may even frustratingly ask yourself, “Why does my Roomba keep going in circle?” We know the top 9 reasons why!

A Roomba will keep going in circles if there are software issues, dirty sensors, obstacles on the floor, low battery, malfunctioning wheels, a jammed bumper, if it is not well-mapped, the sensors are not working or the Roomba is damaged.

9 Main Reasons Why Your Roomba Keeps Going in Circles

1. Software Issues

A Roomba requires software to run, and sometimes this software can get corrupted. If your Roomba is running in circles, the first thing you should do is make sure that the software on your device is up to date.

You may also want to try downloading a third-party cleaning app onto your Roomba if you think there could be an issue with its pre-installed software.

2. Dirty Sensors

A Roomba uses sensors to detect obstacles and keep itself from running into things. However, these sensors can get dirty over time and cause your Roomba to misjudge distance or run into things.

If you think this might be the problem, you can try cleaning your Roomba’s sensors to see if that resolves the issue.

3. Obstacles on the Floor

Sometimes, your Roomba can get stuck because something is in its way on the floor. This could be a piece of furniture, an electrical cord, or even another object that was accidentally left behind by someone in your home.

To avoid this issue, make sure that there is a clear path for your Roomba to follow before you start it up.

4. Low Battery

If your Roomba’s battery is running low, it may start to behave erratically. This includes running in circles or even stopping altogether. To prevent this from happening, make sure to keep your Roomba charged and plugged in whenever possible.

If your battery is very low and you can’t charge it right away, try plugging it into a different outlet to see if that resolves the issue.

5. Malfunctioning Wheels

In some rare cases, a Roomba’s wheels can become damaged or otherwise malfunction. This can cause your device to run in circles or even stop working altogether.

If you think this might be the problem, you can try contacting the manufacturer to see if they can help you troubleshoot the issue.

6. Jammed Bumper

The bumper on a Roomba is designed to detect obstacles and help the device avoid running into things. However, sometimes this bumper can become jammed or damaged. This can cause your Roomba to run in circles or otherwise behave erratically.

If you think this might be the problem, you can try cleaning or replacing your Roomba’s bumper to see if that resolves the issue.

7. Room is not Well Mapped

If your Roomba is having trouble finding its way around your home, it could be because the room is not well mapped. This means that the device does not have a clear understanding of the layout of your home and where things are located.

To fix this, you can try running your Roomba in small, confined spaces until it has a better understanding of the layout of your home. You can also try resetting your Roomba to see if that helps it create a new map of your home.

8. The Sensors are Not Working

If your Roomba is running in circles or otherwise behaving strangely, it may be because its sensors are not working properly.

This can happen if the device has been dropped or damaged in some other way. In this case, you should try contacting the manufacturer for help or looking for a replacement model to see if that resolves the issue.

9. The Roomba is Damaged

In some cases, a Roomba may continue to run in circles because it is damaged and needs to be replaced.

If you have tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and your device is still not working properly, you should consider getting a new one to see if that resolves the issue.

6 Ways to Ensure that Your Roomba is in Good Working Condition

1. Regularly Clean your Roomba’s Sensors

To ensure that your Roomba is in good working condition, you should regularly clean its sensors with a damp cloth. This will help remove any dirt or debris that may be messing with the device’s ability to detect obstacles.

2. Remove Obstacles from the Floor

In addition, you should regularly remove any obstacles from your floor that may be preventing your Roomba from moving freely.

This could include things like furniture or cords, and can help ensure that your device is able to move around your home without getting stuck on anything.

3. Keep it Charged

It is important to keep your Roomba charged whenever possible. This will help prevent the device from running out of power and behaving erratically.

You should also consider plugging your Roomba into an outlet if you know that you won’t be using it for a while, as this can help prolong the life of the device’s battery.

4, Use it in Smaller Spaces

When first using your Roomba, you should consider confining it to smaller spaces. This will help the device create a map of your home and avoid running into any obstacles.

Once the device has a better understanding of your home’s layout, you can gradually start using it in larger areas.

5. Remap Your Space

If you find that your Roomba is not well-mapped, you may need to reset it and remap your space. This can help the device create a new map of your home and avoid running into any obstacles that may have been previously missed.

To do this, simply press and hold the clean button on your Roomba for two seconds. Once the Roomba’s lights start flashing, you can release the button and your device will begin remapping your space.

6. Ensure the Wheels are in Good Working Condition

The wheels on your Roomba can sometimes become jammed or damaged. This can cause the device to run in circles or otherwise behave erratically.

To ensure that your Roomba’s wheels are in good working condition, you should regularly check them for any debris or damage. You can also try cleaning or replacing your Roomba’s wheels as needed to keep it moving smoothly.

Additionally, you should ensure that the wheels on your Roomba are properly aligned and not bent or warped in any way. This can help prevent damage to the device’s motors or sensors and keep it operating smoothly for years to come.