Roomba J6 Stuck Updating While Booting

[R2J]

I have a Roomba J6. It is currently in what iRobot techs refer to as a "boot coma" meaning it's stuck trying to install an update while it has power. It's out of warranty.

I've tried all the basic methods, such as removing the battery for days, holding the button down for 20 seconds, removing the dust pan and holding the button down for 7 seconds. Unfortunately, the button doesn't help. I even went far as unplugging everything from the PCB and putting the battery back in to try and send some kind of error internally, hoping it could roll back or go into a safe mode or something.

So, it's completely offline and wouldn't be able to connect via Wi-Fi "app."

I have considered replacing the PCB with a new one, but they're scarce for the J6 PCB and quite expensive.

The PCB has an edge connector on the board, which I assume is how iRobot can program it, like the Create series and older models through a UART TTL Serial Port Cable.

Does anyone know how to manually update the firmware through a cable or can point me in the right direction?

[Naruc]

I have manage to resurrect some robots with below method , but its not working every time.

What you do is try to break the software update loop, and do a force reset .

1. Remove battery and bin.
2. Put robot on charging , and wait to give an error for battery or bin ~2-10 minutes
3. Press Clean Button more that 20 seconds to reset the product.

If fixed, should start normally.

Some products revive this way, some not.

[R2J]

I tried that several times, i even unhooked every thing from the pcb.

It's stuck installing a firmware update and isn't capable of any normal tricks

[Naruc]

There is a board that iRobot gives to technicians to plug into it , but i have not seen the software for it

[R2J]

All the pcb have a expansion. The create series has software, but I don't know if they're compatible with all series.

[Naruc]

You need 4 things :

• A connection Board (see pictures)
  Software that goes with it
  Firmware for Robot
  Access to all above

Maybe a service partner of iRobot can fix it. They sure must have all of this .

[R2J]

You need 4 things :

• A connection Board (see pictures)
  Software that goes with it
  Firmware for Robot
  Access to all above

Maybe a service partner of iRobot can fix it. They sure must have all of this .

How did you find that picture? Do those have a specific name?

I heard you can mod it with python, there is the roomba create where it's made for hobbyist.

I tried to seek out that option but the techs i talk to said l, the only thing they can do is a $35 trade value.

[Naruc]

Not sure how it works , I have not seen the software/firmware . Just the hardware. AFAIK these boards are for different models/series.

[Naruc]

Anyhow , there is a faint chance that robot need to wait up to 24 h to finish software update cycle . White circle.

A Wi-Fi connected robot will automatically update its software if a new version is available when it's connected to your Wi-Fi network or the internet, and is on its Home Base®. In some cases, it may take up to 24 hours to receive a software update. Actual installation of software once downloaded/received should take approximately 10 minutes.

https://homesupport.irobot.com/s/article/550

[R2J]

The device is currently not connected to Wi-Fi or the app. If it could be modified, it might be possible to update the Wi-Fi information so that the update could be downloaded and installed.

As for leaving it on for 24 hours, I have had it plugged in for a week. This leads me to believe that the firmware was not installed correctly or that the download is not saved internally.

Should I reach out to the hacking topic?

[Naruc]

Myself had stopped at this step and consider the mainboard as bricked , don't know what to do next.
We have send to recycling more than 20 robots with this issue, Brava M6 , I series, J series and Combo I/J series.

[R2J]

It's very frustrating to have something stop working without an actual solution. I guess iRobot would rather you buy a new one than fix it.

I'll be at a standstill until I can get a PCIe to USB adapter for it.

[R2J]

Check this out.

[Naruc]

so you manage to fix the PCB ?

[R2J]

No, but it's a J7. iRobot put a J6 sticker over the J7. I have no idea why. If it were a J6 with a J7 sticker, it would make more sense.

I went and bought two new Roombas, and if I don't find a way to fix this, I'll probably use it for parts.

But if I do find a PCIe to USB and do get it fixed, I'll update this board.

[CodaCM]

No, but it's a J7. iRobot put a J6 sticker over the J7. I have no idea why. If it were a J6 with a J7 sticker, it would make more sense.

I went and bought two new Roombas, and if I don't find a way to fix this, I'll probably use it for parts.

But if I do find a PCIe to USB and do get it fixed, I'll update this board.

Why did it have a sticker on it? Was it a store exclusive like the i8 and Costco?

[R2J]

No, but it's a J7. iRobot put a J6 sticker over the J7. I have no idea why. If it were a J6 with a J7 sticker, it would make more sense.

I went and bought two new Roombas, and if I don't find a way to fix this, I'll probably use it for parts.

But if I do find a PCIe to USB and do get it fixed, I'll update this board.

Why did it have a sticker on it? Was it a store exclusive like the i8 and Costco?

I'm not sure; I bought it off Marketplace for $25. But it did have a sticker barcode on it that looked like something from Amazon "LPNPMCK8499515." It might have been an "Amazon Refurbished" or from an "Amazon Returns Pallet." I can't look up the LPN to see the details. I still don't understand why they would label it as a J6 rather than a J7. I originally thought it was odd that the serial number started with J7

[RTC]

Sounds like they had a refurbished J7, but only a J6 case.

So they put the J7 in the J6 case and relabeled it with a J7 sticker.

[R2J]

No it's a J6 sticker over a J7 shell.

[R2J]

Sounds like they had a refurbished J7, but only a J6 case.

So they put the J7 in the J6 case and relabeled it with a J7 sticker.