Error eighteen (18) means your Roomba® cannot return to the Home Base™ or starting position.
Please check the Home Base™ and charging contacts:
1. Ensure the Home Base™ did not get unplugged, moved, or rotated during the cleaning cycle
2. The charging contacts on both the Home/Clean Base™ and robot should be clear of residue or debris. Use a clean lightly dampened melamine foam, such as a Magic Eraser, to remove any residue or debris that may have built up. The power indicator on the HOME/Clean Base™ will illuminate when your Roomba® is charging.
3. Ensure there is no clutter around or near the Home/Clean Base™
4. The position of the Home Base™ is on a hard, level surface against the wall. Your Roomba® should have a clear path to the Home Base™, and the Home Base™ should be at least 4 ft (1.2 m) from any stairs.
5. Ensure there are no obstructions (e.g., stickers, tape, or paint) on the bumper or on the Home Base™
6. Please check if your Roomba® can detect the Home Base™. To do this, please Roomba® on the base manually and confirm that the base and robot light up.
- If the base does not light up, check the line cord or outlet. Note: the base light will go off after 4 seconds
- If the robot does not light up after 90 seconds, check the charging contacts on the robot and base for debris or damage
7. If your Roomba® is not starting on a Home Base™, ensure there are no obstacles in front of the starting position. This will prevent your Roomba® from being able to return to the original starting position when the cleaning cycle is complete.
If the message persists, try moving your Home/Clean Base™ to a different location and start your Roomba® from the Home Base™. Environmental interference may prevent your Roomba® from navigating as expected.
For more information, please contact us at iRobot Customer Care.