Why Is My Roomba Going In Circles And How To Reset Its Navigation

If your Roomba suddenly starts spinning in tight circles instead of methodically cleaning your floors, it’s more than just a quirky malfunction—it’s a sign that something has gone wrong with its navigation system or sensors. This behavior disrupts cleaning efficiency and can even cause damage over time if left unaddressed. While frustrating, circular motion is usually fixable with the right troubleshooting steps. Understanding the root causes and knowing how to reset your Roomba’s navigation can restore its smart movement and ensure your home stays clean without constant manual intervention.

Why Does My Roomba Go in Circles?

Roombas rely on a combination of optical sensors, infrared detection, wheel encoders, and onboard software to map rooms and navigate obstacles. When any part of this system fails or becomes obstructed, the robot may lose orientation and default to erratic patterns—most commonly, continuous circling.

The most frequent culprits include:

• Dirt or debris on sensors: Accumulated dust on cliff sensors or bumper sensors can send false signals.
• Wheel obstruction or damage: A tangled brush roll or stuck wheel prevents balanced movement.
• Software glitches: Firmware bugs can corrupt navigation logic.
• Low battery calibration issues: Inaccurate charge readings lead to inconsistent motor output.
• Reset required after updates: Some firmware updates require a full reboot to reinitialize systems.

“Robotic vacuums like Roomba depend heavily on sensor feedback loops. If one signal is off, the entire navigation model can collapse.” — Dr. Alan Reeves, Robotics Systems Engineer at MIT CSAIL

Tip: Clean your Roomba’s sensors weekly using a dry microfiber cloth—especially the cliff sensors located beneath the front edge.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reset Roomba Navigation

Resetting your Roomba properly clears temporary software errors and forces a recalibration of its internal navigation stack. Follow these steps carefully based on your Roomba model (applies to i-Series, j-Series, s9+, and older 900+ models):

1. Power off the device: Press and hold the Home button for 10 seconds until the lights turn off.
2. Clear physical obstructions: Remove hair from side brushes, extract debris from main brush roller, and check wheels for tangles.
3. Clean all sensors: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the cliff sensors (under the front lip), charging contacts, and the top-mounted camera dome (on i/j/s series).
4. Reboot the system: Press and hold the Home + Spot buttons together for 15 seconds. Release when you hear a tone or see a swirl of lights.
5. Allow recalibration: After rebooting, place the Roomba in the center of a well-lit room. It will perform a short self-test, spinning slightly and adjusting motors.
6. Reconnect to Wi-Fi (if applicable): Open the iRobot HOME app and reconnect your Roomba to restore mapping functions.
7. Run a test clean: Start a short cleaning cycle in a clear area to observe movement patterns.

This process effectively resets the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), wheel encoders, and visual localization system. For models with vSLAM technology (like i7+), this also clears corrupted map data temporarily stored in RAM.

Do’s and Don’ts When Troubleshooting Circular Movement

Do’s	Don’ts
Clean sensors weekly with a dry cloth	Use water or cleaners directly on sensors
Check wheels for hair buildup every few days	Force wheels to spin manually—this can damage gearboxes
Place Roomba centrally during reset for better recalibration	Restart mid-cycle frequently—this stresses the processor
Update firmware through the iRobot HOME app regularly	Ignore error codes; “E13” often means wheel jam, “E14” indicates dirty sensors
Let the Roomba complete a full clean after reset to rebuild maps	Block access to its dock immediately after reset—re-mapping needs reference points

Real Example: Fixing a Persistent Circling Issue

Sarah from Denver reported her Roomba i7+ began spinning in circles every time she started a job. She tried restarting it multiple times, but the issue returned within minutes. After checking forums and reviewing iRobot’s diagnostics guide, she inspected the right-side wheel assembly and discovered a tightly wound strand of pet hair preventing free rotation. Even though the wheel appeared to spin, internal resistance caused uneven torque output. She cleaned both wheels thoroughly, wiped the cliff sensors with a cotton swab, and performed a full reset using the Home + Spot button combo. On the next run, the Roomba navigated normally and successfully mapped her living room again.

This case highlights how subtle mechanical issues—not always visible at first glance—can manifest as major navigation failures. Regular maintenance isn't just about suction power; it's critical for balance and directional control.

When to Factory Reset Your Roomba

If basic resets don’t resolve the circling behavior, a factory reset may be necessary. This erases saved maps, Wi-Fi settings, and custom schedules, returning the unit to out-of-box condition. Use this only when other fixes fail.

How to Perform a Factory Reset

1. Ensure the Roomba is docked and fully charged.
2. Press and hold the Home, Spot, and Clean buttons simultaneously.
3. Continue holding for 20 seconds. The indicator lights will cycle and then go dark.
4. Release the buttons. Wait 30 seconds.
5. Press the Clean button once to power it back on.
6. Follow setup prompts in the iRobot HOME app as if configuring a new device.

Note: Models prior to the 900 series may use different combinations (e.g., Clock + Clean buttons). Always confirm your model number before proceeding.

Tip: After a factory reset, allow 2–3 full cleaning cycles for the Roomba to rebuild accurate Smart Maps, especially in multi-room environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dirty sensor really make my Roomba spin in circles?

Yes. Cliff sensors prevent falls down stairs by detecting sudden drops in floor level. If covered in dust, they may falsely detect a \"cliff\" under the robot, causing it to reverse abruptly and get stuck in a loop. Similarly, a dirty bumper sensor might register constant collisions, triggering evasive spinning maneuvers.

Does resetting navigation delete my saved maps?

A soft reset (Home + Spot) typically preserves maps stored in the cloud. However, a factory reset will erase local map data. If you have Map Backup enabled in the iRobot HOME app, your latest floor plan will restore automatically after reconnecting. Otherwise, the Roomba must rescan your home to create new maps.

Why does my Roomba work fine sometimes but circle at other times?

Intermittent circling often points to partial obstructions—such as loose carpet fibers caught intermittently in wheels—or marginal battery health. As voltage fluctuates during operation, motor response can become uneven. Try running the Roomba on a hard surface to isolate whether flooring type contributes to the instability.

Preventative Maintenance Checklist

To avoid future navigation issues, incorporate these actions into your routine:

• ✅ Clean side brushes weekly
• ✅ Empty dustbin after each use
• ✅ Wipe cliff and charging sensors biweekly
• ✅ Inspect wheels for hair tangles every 3–4 days
• ✅ Run a full cleaning cycle in daylight to aid vSLAM cameras
• ✅ Keep firmware updated via the iRobot HOME app
• ✅ Avoid abrupt shutdowns during active cleaning
• ✅ Store in a temperature-stable environment (not garages or sunrooms)

Consistent care reduces strain on motors and sensors, minimizing the risk of erratic behavior. Think of your Roomba like a high-precision instrument—it performs best when maintained with attention to detail.

Conclusion: Restore Smarter Cleaning Today

A Roomba that goes in circles isn’t broken beyond repair—it’s signaling that its navigation system needs attention. Whether it’s a simple sensor wipe, a wheel detangling, or a full system reset, most issues can be resolved at home without professional service. By understanding the underlying causes and applying structured troubleshooting, you regain reliable, efficient cleaning with minimal downtime.

Don’t let strange movements discourage you from using one of the most advanced tools in modern home maintenance. With a few minutes of focused effort, your Roomba can return to intelligent, seamless navigation. Take action today: inspect, clean, reset, and watch your robot resume its rightful path—one straight line at a time.

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