These 5 Common Robot Vacuum Mistakes Are Ruining Your Pricey Home Assistant
It’s a classic story with a lot of mechanics. Out of the box, yours robot vacuum it works well but over time, that high performance degrades and a few months later, it starts working so badly you think it’s broken.
However, with robotic vacuums, it is very possible for your machine to malfunction; you destroy it without knowing it.
“A common misconception among consumers is that these devices are ‘set and forget,’ requiring complete attention when they begin their cycle,” said Ryan Wu, head of Narwal Americas, a global leader in robot vacuum design. “Despite how sophisticated their automation has become, it’s important to give them a little TLC from time to time.”
Five common robot vacuum mistakes and how to fix them
Spot+Scrub is the company’s first wet and dry robotic vacuum cleaner but comes with many of the features we’ve come to expect from top-of-the-line models.
There are many common mistakes that many robot vacuum owners make without realizing it, some of which can seriously affect your bot’s ability to do its job.
“Many problems appear as reduced intake and inconsistent coverage. Restricted airflow (full bin/base, clogged filter, or blocked path) can make the robot look like it’s cleaning while leaving debris behind,” said Ryan Hruska, SVP of Product Development, Robotics, at SharkNinja. “If your robot vacuum doesn’t have hair curling capabilities, that can add resistance, which can increase wear and tear over time. And if the robot struggles to dock or gets stuck repeatedly, you’ll often see half-baked cleanings and unnecessary battery drain.”
Here are some of the most common problems robots encounter, and how to fix them (or avoid them altogether).
Mistake 1: Not backing up properly before the first launch
We install and use the app that comes with each robot vacuum, testing its ease of use and setup.
The first thing you want to do with any new device is start playing with it out of the box, especially something as novel as a robot vacuum. Before you blindly introduce it into your home, however, it is important that you do the initial setup.
“It’s important to set up the vacuum properly before starting the first cleaning session,” Wu said. “Understanding the layout of the house — narrow spaces, small corridors or small corners — greatly benefits the cleaning performance. After removing the vacuum, users should let it finish the first mapping.”
Hruska agreed. One stumble doesn’t make for a quick, robot-friendly setup, he says, “Leaving wires, small objects, or edge rugs in the robot’s path. Most robots, including ours, are designed to navigate through everyday obstacles, but a quick scan helps ensure consistent cleanliness.”
It is also important to choose a good location for the dock. “Putting the dock in a tight corner or under furniture can interfere with packing and recharging. Give the dock space so the robot can come back and charge reliably.”
The Dream X50 Ultra was able to use its lifting arms to climb over the base of this chair that almost all other robots cling to.
After the first race is over and your bot has an idea of the area it needs to clean, you can adjust it to work properly.
“Users can make customized changes within the app that suit their home environment,” Wu said. “By constantly updating the layout and map, the robot always knows where it can go and where it can’t go.”
This is especially important if you’re moving furniture around or adding anything new that might block your vacuum. It is also important after major changes in your home, such as remodeling, or if you want to assign the robot a new area to clean.
Mistake 2: Treating it like a regular vacuum
Cordless vacuums and robots can do a good job of cleaning floors, but some are better for carpets.
Another common mistake is treating a robot vacuum the same way you treat a traditional one upright or canister vacuum. Robot vacuums are designed for light cleaning, not the depth used for traditional cleaning.
If you use your robot vacuum infrequently, it may lead to a buildup of debris that will bypass the machine’s brushes and dust bin. The same is true if you use it on serious damage, such as piles of pet hair, food spills or construction debris.
“Robots tend to perform better when they run regularly (every day or a few times a week),” says Hruska, “so they keep it low instead of trying to fight with high intensity.”
We weigh the robot’s dustbin to see how much has been collected.
It may seem obvious but one of the most important things you can do to keep your robot vacuum working properly is to empty the dustbin regularly. Unlike conventional vacuums, robotic vacuums tend to have very small dust bins, even if they include bins on the dock. Even a partially full barrel can interfere with suction. For models with internal bins only, you must empty them after each run for proper operation.
In addition, focus on setting realistic schedules based on the size of the home, pets and floor. Homes with lots of pets or deep carpeting will likely need more frequent running than homes without pets or those with hardwood flooring throughout.
Mistake 3: Ignoring hidden areas that need to be cleaned in the vacuum itself
Robot vacuum brushes are better at not trapping hair but sometimes you still have to help yourself.
Even if you give your machine a few times once in a while, there is a good chance that you are not completely cleaning the most vulnerable parts of the vacuum.
“Besides taking out the trash, it’s important to regularly check and clean the ‘hidden’ areas that keep everything running smoothly,” advises Wu. “When the sensors are hidden or the brush rolls get tangled, the robot’s navigation and suction power are greatly reduced. It is recommended that you check the brushes, filters, sensors, and wheels every few weeks, or more often if there are long-haired pets in the home, and the process includes simple tasks such as trimming tangled hair. A quick five-minute length is important.”
Regular maintenance and cleaning will not only make your vacuum work better but can also extend its life. For a complete overview of how to deep clean a robot vacuum, check out our guide.
Mistake #4: Neglecting digital health and firmware maintenance
The Roomba j7 Plus comes with a charging dock that also empties into the robot’s bin. Waste is collected in disposable bags.
It’s not just a physical robot that needs some regular TLC. A robot vacuum is a complex electronic device, so maintaining its digital life is very important.
“Although robot vacuums usually receive automatic firmware and application updates in the background,” said Wu, “technical problems can sometimes interrupt this process. Failure to update may result in persistent bugs or missed performance improvements. Checking for firmware and application updates from time to time helps ensure that your device receives new features and continues to function properly.”
Updating your bot’s firmware can not only fix bugs and mapping issues but also help the bot run more efficiently and increase battery life. Similarly, app updates can help your vacuum map the area more accurately or add new functionality that wasn’t available out of the box.
In one of our tests at CNET Labs, we saw robot vacuums improve their ability to avoid objects after a firmware update.
Mistake #5: Not fully understanding map features and navigation features
The Z70 can map the location of objects and will return after cleaning to retrieve them.
In the same way, many owners do not take full advantage of some of the features available in their bot app or the device itself. One prime example is the mapping function. The difference — for example — between a quick map, which simply creates a basic structure that a bot can follow, or a full map, which creates a detailed, high-resolution map that can include solid or hidden spaces and develop navigation routes. Many models offer deep and specific mapping options.
Wu recommends that owners “tap into their smart mapping and scheduling features, rather than just turning on a standard, whole-house cycle. By setting up specific ‘No-Go Zones’ and scheduling high-traffic areas like the kitchen and hallways to be cleaned more often than the guest room, consumers will get more efficient cleaning results.”
Many robot vacuums also include the ability to store maps of multiple floors and change them before starting work, or the option to label rooms or areas and set the machine to clean only a set selection. Spending a few minutes exploring some of the available functionality can greatly improve the performance and effectiveness of your bot.
Robot vacuums are low effort, no effort
Shark’s new robot vacuum cleaner uses UV light to detect old and dried-up stains on the floor.
As Hruska points out, if you run into a problem, there’s no need to panic.
“If the performance drops suddenly, start with the basics: check the air flow restrictions (barrel / base / clogs), remove debris from the brushroll and make sure the sensors are clear. Fortunately, many robots today include features such as self-emptying bases and self-cleaning brushrolls to significantly reduce the frequency of manual maintenance.”
Many performance problems that have arisen with robot vacuums stem from user error. With proper setup and regular maintenance, a robot vacuum can provide years of reliable service. It’s important to treat your bot like a smart device, not a disposable gadget. It’s also important to remember that as robotic spaces become smarter, digital maintenance may be just as important as physical cleaning.
