Frequently Asked Questions - iRobot Roomba 510 Owner's Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Roomba's Side Brush occasionally spin backwards?
When caught on items such as carpet tassels or wires, the Side Brush may
spin slowly or briefly spin backwards to free itself. This may also occur on
thick or high-pile carpets. If this behavior should occur on hard floor surfaces
or when no tassels or wires are present, the Side Brush should be cleaned.
Using a small Philips head screwdriver, first remove the screw from the center
of the Side Brush. Next remove the Side Brush and thoroughly clean any hair
or debris that is wrapped around the shaft. Then reinstall the Side Brush and
Side Brush screw.
Why does Roomba occasionally make a thumping sound?
When Roomba's brushes encounter items such as carpet tassels or wires,
the brushes will briefly reverse direction to get free. This action causes a
thumping sound that can be heard approximately once per second until the
brushes are free from obstruction. If Roomba makes a thumping sound when
no tassels or wires are present, the main brushes should be cleaned as
described on page 21.
Why doesn't Roomba slow down as it approaches certain obstacles?
Roomba uses its Light Touch Bumper technology to identify walls and other
obstacles, allowing it to slow down and gently touch the obstacle with its
bumper before changing direction. Roomba may be less effective at sensing
and slowing down for extremely dark or black surfaces, or for objects that are
less than two inches wide.
TIP: For additional assistance, visit www.irobot.com/support.
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iRobot Roomba 500 Series