Robot vacuums

Why a robot vacuum gets stuck, won't dock or misses spots, and how to fix it

Published October 24, 2026 · By the BotLineup editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Why it gets stuck

A robot stops when a wheel can't turn or a sensor reports something it can't handle. Roborock's help page for S7 error messages covers stuck wheels (errors 7 and 8). It says to "press and spin" the wheels by hand to free them and to clear obstacles around the robot. For error 8, it also says to remove the water tank if one is installed.

Dark floors cause a different kind of stop. iRobot's page for Error 6 on Roomba 500 to 900 and e series models lists four causes: dirty cliff sensors, a dark surface, a real drop such as a stair edge, and an uneven floor. iRobot says Roomba "may treat dark areas as drop-offs." Its fixes are:

• Wipe the cliff sensors with a clean, dry cloth, then press CLEAN.
• Block dark areas with a Virtual Wall.
• Set rugs flush with the stair edge.
• If the robot stops in the middle of the floor, clean the side brush.

ECOVACS's US article about a robot that can't find its dock has one line on a stuck robot: if something is caught, power it off and clean the parts.

Why it won't go back to the dock

The makers' docking advice starts with clear space around the dock, and their figures differ.

• ECOVACS, US blog: at least 2 inches on each side and 32 inches in front. Place the dock against a wall, on a level surface, away from stairs.
• MOVA, US forum support post: nothing within 0.5 m on either side or 1.5 m in front. Roborock's S7 help page gives the same 0.5 m and 1.5 m.
• SwitchBot S10 with auto-empty station: 0.5 m on each side and 1 m in front and above.
• SwitchBot K10+, K10+ Pro, K11+ and K11+ Pro: at least 1 m on each side, 1.5 m in front and nothing above. That side figure is twice the S10's, 1 m versus 0.5 m.

iRobot frames the problem around the robot's starting point rather than dock clearance. If a Roomba was moved during a job, place it within 6 ft (1.8 m) in front of the Home Base. Make sure no other Home Base is within 8 ft (2.5 m), and keep the Home Base at least 4 ft (1.2 m) from stairs. To test docking, face the robot toward the Home Base from within 6 ft.

After checking space around the dock, clean the parts the maker identifies. ECOVACS and SwitchBot specify dock sensors; SwitchBot and iRobot specify charging contacts. Then check the dock's exposure: ECOVACS warns against direct sunlight, SwitchBot against strong light, heat and sun, and MOVA against nearby mirrors and windows.

Other tips appear on one maker's page:

• ECOVACS: check the charger and cable, avoid moving the dock, and start cleaning from the dock.
• SwitchBot: keep the station off carpet, remove the protective film, unplug and replug the station, and test with the app's Charge button from about 1 m away.
• MOVA: check that the laser sensor on top of the robot spins normally, keep the dock away from routers and TVs, and hold the reset button for 3 seconds. If you move the dock, dock the robot by hand once.

Why it misses spots

For missed areas, first check the route from the dock and the entrances to rooms. ECOVACS's US help entry on DEEBOT missing areas recommends:

• Start from the dock and don't move the robot mid-clean.
• Turn on Continuous Clean in large homes.
• Use Custom Clean for spaces only slightly wider than the robot.
• Don't stand in doorways or narrow passages while it runs.
• Help it over thresholds higher than 16 mm.
• Remove light rugs, cords, shoes or slippers from doorways.

If those steps don't help, ECOVACS suggests resetting the map and moving the dock. As a last step, it suggests turning off the AI function in the app.

MOVA's forum guidance puts a number on tight spaces: a passage must be at least 2 cm wider than the robot's body on both sides. MOVA also says to clear long-pile carpet and wires from room entrances. If a model with ultrasonic carpet detection is mopping, remove doorway carpets. If map layers overlap, MOVA says to rebuild or restore the map.

Roborock's S7 page says to clear obstacles from the missed areas and wipe the wall sensor on the right side of the robot with a damp cloth. Then run another cleanup. If the map sits at the wrong angle, Roborock suggests moving the dock or switching Map Saving off and on to build a new map.

When to contact support

If cleaning sensors, freeing wheels and clearing the dock area do not resolve a recurring error, contact support. iRobot directs owners to Customer Care for persistent Error 6; SwitchBot asks for a video when docking still fails. Leave repairs that require opening the robot to the maker's service.

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