Robots aren’t a thing of science fiction anymore. We already have self-driving cars, advanced robots running in factories, and humanoid robots that aren’t that far away. So it shouldn’t be surprising that robot vacuum cleaners are also here.
In this article, we’re talking about the Roomba vacuum cleaner and its error code 14, its causes and what you can do to fix the problem.
Also read: Can the Anki Vector robot assistant feel real emotions?
What causes Roomba error 14?
Roomba’s error 14 is caused when the vacuum cannot detect the internal dust bin. This can be caused by several reasons, including improper attachment or the bin simply being full and needing cleaning. Even if the dust collecting bin is attached properly from your end, if the robot senses something wrong, it’ll stop with error 14.
7 ways to fix the Roomba error 14?
Here are seven solutions you can try out to fix Roomba error 14.
Reattach the dust collection bin
This is the most simple and straightforward way of resolving this error, as recommended by iRobot itself. Just remove the bin from inside the robot and attach it back properly.
This is also your chance to inspect the bin for any defects or damages that may be causing the robot not to detect it in the first place. Once the bin is in place, press the clean button on the robot to see if the issue persists.
Restart your Roomba
Restarting a device to fix temporary errors is a common solution for just about any electronic device. Here’s how.
For S and I series models
Hold the Clean button for around 20 seconds until the white LED ring around the bin’s lid starts spinning clockwise. Wait for the Roomba to turn back on and see if the issue persists.
For the 700, 800 and 900 series
Hold down the Clean button until you hear a beep. Give the Roomba a couple of minutes to start and run the cleaning schedule again. Error 14 shouldn’t be a problem now.
Clean the robot
Another relatively simple fix for the Roomba error 14 is to disassemble the robot and clean it inside out. All you have to do is remove the bottom panel and clean the insides with a can of compressed air. Once you’re done, put the robot back together and rerun its schedule to see if the problem is solved.
Perform a soft reset
Removing the robot’s battery and reinserting it can trigger a soft reset on the Roomba, resolving any temporary issues with the robot. Follow these steps to remove the battery.
Step 1: Flip over the Roomba and unscrew the bottom panel.
Step 2: Once the bottom panel is out, remove the battery by lifting the tabs holding it in place.
Step 3: Wait for 10-15 seconds before putting the battery back in again. Put the bottom panel back in its place.
Once you’re done, run the Roomba’s cleaning schedule and see if the error shows up again.
Reset the battery
In case a soft reset doesn’t work, try resetting the battery to see if that has any effect.
For 500 or 600 Series
Press the Clean button, then press and hold the Spot and Dock buttons for around 15 seconds until you hear a beep. After that, plug your Roomba in for charging until the Clean button turns green.
For 700 Series
Connect your Roomba to either the charging dock or use a cable and hold down the Clean button for at least 10 seconds. Let go of the button when you see “r5t” show up on the screen. You’ll hear a beep indicating the battery has been reset. After this, leave the Roomba to charge for at least 15 hours before running its cleaning schedule again.
Perform a factory reset
You can also perform a factory reset on your Roomba to resolve firmware issues. Do keep in mind that you’ll need to have the robot paired with your phone and the iRobot app installed for this to work.
You have to head over to the in-app settings and select factory reset. After this, the robot will automatically reinstall its firmware, eliminating any firmware issues in the process.
Contact support
If nothing else works, your best option is to contact iRobot support and possibly send the robot in for repairs.
Also read: How to fix ‘Module not found: Error: Can’t resolve’?
