Robot Vacuum Won't Dock (or Can't Find Its Base)

Common Causes

• Dirty charging contacts or sensors on the robot and the dock
• The dock is pushed against a wall or under furniture, blocking the robot's approach
• The infrared emitter on the dock or receiver on the robot is blocked or dirty
• Low battery that dies before the robot completes the dock approach
• Wheels or brushes worn enough that the robot can't climb the dock ramp

Step-by-Step Fix

1. 1

   Clean the charging contacts and sensors

   Wipe the metal charging contacts on the robot and the dock with a dry cloth, and clean the small sensor lenses on the front of the dock and the front of the robot. Dust buildup is the #1 cause of 'circles the dock forever'.

2. 2

   Give the dock 1.5 feet of clearance on each side

   The dock needs open space so the robot can approach straight on. Move it at least 1.5 feet away from walls and furniture on the sides, and clear the area in front of it.

3. 3

   Check the dock's position and levelness

   The dock must sit on a hard, level surface. If it's on carpet or tilted, the robot can't line up. Place it against a wall but on flat flooring, and make sure the base isn't rocking.

4. 4

   Reboot the robot and update the app

   Power-cycle the robot (press and hold the power button, or use the app). Also check the app for firmware updates — docking logic is frequently improved in updates.

5. 5

   Use the app's "Return to dock" command

   If the robot ignores the physical dock, tell it to dock from the app. This triggers the map-based return path instead of the sensor-based approach, which works around dirty or blocked dock sensors until you can clean them.

Frequently Asked Questions