Has the performance of your robot vacuum dipped?
Have you had your Roomba for several years now but it no longer seems to be in top shape?
If your vacuum is acting up, you are probably wondering how do I know if my Roomba battery needs a new one?
Some of Roomba’s performance issues are attributable to battery problems but it is not always easy to tell, right off the bat, whether you need a new battery.
But worry not because, in this guide, you will learn the tell-tale signs that you need to replace your Roomba’s battery and how to go about it.
Signs Your Roomba Battery Needs A New One
1. Battery Does Not Hold Charge
After five years of using one of my Roombas, it started draining its charge abnormally fast. In the end, I would keep it charging for an entire day but it would only manage to leave its dock for a few minutes before the “battery depleted” orange light would start to blink.
If this sounds familiar, try performing the drain-charge cycle to revive the battery. To do this, pull out the robot’s battery then put it back in after a few minutes.
Start a cleaning session and run the robot until its battery charge is completely low. Plug the robot vacuum to a charger and allow it to charge for up to three days continuously.
Repeat the process and see whether your Roomba can retain charge for longer. If this trick does nothing for the battery’s life, you probably need a new battery.
2. Battery Has A Short Run Time
At its peak, the best Roomba model generally runs anywhere between 1 and 2 hours depending on factors such as the size of your home, its layout, type of floors, and whether or not you have pets at home.
Sometimes, you might notice that the robot actually leaves its dock and runs only for 15 or 20 minutes before stopping halfway through the job.
Overall, poor maintenance, such as not cleaning the roller brushes regularly, can take a toll on the vacuum’s battery, resulting in shorter run times. This can still happen even if you have only had your Roomba for a seemingly short time.
If you keep finding your beloved Roomba dead somewhere in the house after only a couple minutes of work, the battery is likely the culprit.
3. Power Light Refuses To Go On
The most ominous sign that all might not be well with your Roomba is when the power light does not illuminate.
When fully charged, the light should be a solid green color, pulsing amber when charging, solid red when the battery is empty, and flashing red when the battery is too low to dock on its own.
If your robot is not lighting up, flip the gadget over, remove, wipe it, and then put the battery back in its enclosure after a few minutes. A click sound will tell you that the battery has sat well in its enclosure.
If this does not help, try charging the robot on its dock for at least two hours. You might need to replace the battery if the power light does not come on after hours of charging the vacuum.
4. Low Performance Even After Cleaning The Robot
When my robot vac is acting up, sometimes a quick wipe down is usually all it takes to get it to work normally again.
Spray a small quantity of multi-purpose cleaner on a soft cloth and use this to clean the battery compartment as well as the charging contacts underneath the robot and on the charging dock.
If you haven’t given your robot a thorough clean yet, now is a good time to do so. An accumulation of dust and debris can cause the unit to work extra hard, taking a toll on the battery.
If the performance does not improve even after cleaning you’re the robot, you might need a new battery.
5. Performance Does Not Increase After Resetting
Resetting might help to revive a stubborn battery. Follow these steps to reset your Roomba:
- Press the Clean button to power the robot on
- Hold down the ‘Dock’ and ‘Spot’ buttons simultaneously for about 20 seconds
- Release both buttons at the same time; Roomba’s usual starting sound will follow
- Charge the battery for up to 16 hours or until full as indicated by the green light
If the unit’s performance does not improve after following these steps, it might be time to replace your battery.
6. You Have An Older Roomba
If you’ve had your Roomba for more than three years, you might start to notice problems such as charging glitches and shorter run times.
Proper maintenance goes a long way in prolonging the life of your Roomba but at some point, even the best cared for the unit will need to have its batteries replaced to maintain its performance.
How To Replace Your Roomba Battery
Each Roomba model comes with its own type of battery. Some models have a Li-Ion battery but most feature Ni-MH batteries. Buy a replacement battery that is similar to the robot’s original battery.
Here are some batteries worth checking out:
- Batt Replacement Battery for iRobot Roomba 500 600 700 800 900 Series Robot Vacuums
- Morpilot 3800mAh Ni-MH Battery for iRobot Roomba R3 500,600,700&800 900 Series
Conclusion
Most Roomba models will serve you for a long time if you take good care of them. However, like any other battery-powered device, the performance of your little helper will decline with time, sometimes necessitating a battery change.
So, if you are wondering how do I know if my Roomba battery needs a new one, here is a recap of key signs to look out for:
- The battery does not hold charge or has a short run time
- Power light will not illuminate even after extended charging
- Performance does not improve even after cleaning or resetting
- Your Roomba is older
If you have any questions or comments please leave them below!
