Roomba won't leave the dock

[Roombanova]

Hi, my Roomba 800 won't leave the dock anymore. It won't do it on schedule nor when I press the clean button. If I take it off the dock it will work perfectly and dock itself as well. I suspected a battery issue and changed the battery but this didn't help. I've also reset the Roomba a few times and moved the dock to different places.

I haven't seen anyone having this problem even after some serious searching. Any ideas?

[vic7767]

Have you observed it performing any backing moves at all?

[Roombanova]

What do you mean ? When I take it off the dock it will work perfectly and perform a complete cleanning cycle and dock itself after 10/20 min.

[NoJimForHome]

I think Vic's question was "do you ever see Roomba move backwards?" Like, if it bumps into something, will it back up?

Now I also have a question... your Roomba only cleans for 10-20 minutes before returning to the dock?

[Roombanova]

Yes it's move backward when it bumps into something. There is nothing diferent compared prior this strange issue.

your Roomba only cleans for 10-20 minutes before returning to the dock?

I said 10/20 min, but it's actualy 30+min. It's just when it's docked roomba is totally stuck. It won't do it on schedule nor when I press the clean button. Charging is ok, battery is OK, move is OK and return to dock too.

There is a sort of "lock" feature that I never heard of ?

[vic7767]

There may be mechanical interference preventing the Roomba from leaving the base. Check the charging contacts on both the underside of the Roomba and the top of the homebase.

[TechGuy]

Roomba is thinking that it is charging using the side jack. This is the reason why Roomba Roomba can't be started on schedule or using clean button.

[Roombanova]

First, I appreciate your help

Roomba is thinking that it is charging using the side jack. This is the reason why Roomba Roomba can't be started on schedule or using clean button.

Hum.. intresting ! But my roomba does not have side jack charging plug. Maybe a defect component on motherboard who "simulate" this behavior ?

There may be mechanical interference preventing the Roomba from leaving the base. Check the charging contacts on both the underside of the Roomba and the top of the homebase.

Charging contacts seem to be good.

[TechGuy]

First, I appreciate your help

Roomba is thinking that it is charging using the side jack. This is the reason why Roomba Roomba can't be started on schedule or using clean button.

Hum.. intresting ! But my roomba does not have side jack charging plug. Maybe a defect component on motherboard who "simulate" this behavior ?

It does not make any sense. I cannot think of anything which will prevent Roomba from starting a mission.

If it is thinking charging from the side jack, it will not charge on home base. This is normal.
But it is charging on home base and don't want to start while it is on home base. This is a new strange behavior.

[vic7767]

It may be time to perform the Built in tests and pay particular attention to the RCON sensor on top of the bumper. Possibly a false IR emitter signal is triggering the RCON sensor.

[kalebtonnor34]

Great. 8 Years Old post, but I will post anyway. Had similar issue, Charging fine,Finding Dock Fine, Vacuuming Floor Fine, but when at Charging Dock, it is not leaving when Schedule timer reached or manually pressed Clean.
Irobot support after troubleshoot,told me my warranty long time passed and offered buy back ( was like $50) and buy new unit or buy new with %15off.
Anyway with minimum knowledge in electronics, Did troubleshoot myself and I found what causes .
There a Transistor was shorted to ground, it controls when not to set full charging voltage to pads at idle . If you have pads constantly over 21v, that be it. It should be 3-5v at idle mode.
Transistor type I had on my board STN790A. Check yours first.

P.S. I know my Red and Black wires melted little when Used heat gun, don't forget use some kapton tape

[Mjb0629]

Check the “error6” threads. It’s the cliff sensor. It doesn’t much like the black dock