failure mode

Roomba i2 Dual Mode Virtual Wall ignored; robot crosses barrier

Symptom: The robot drives through a doorway or into a zone the Dual Mode Virtual Wall is supposed to block, or the barrier seems to do nothing. (The i2 has no in-app Keep Out Zones — a Virtual Wall or a closed door is the only way to block an area.) Likely root causes: Weak or dead AA batteries in the Virtual Wall (most common); Virtual Wall switched off, or set to the wrong mode (Linear vs Halo); Barrier placed poorly — beam not spanning the gap, or robot starting inside the zone; Emitter window dirty or obstructed; beam blocked by furniture; Robot's IR receiver on top of the bumper dirty; Barrier too far from the opening (out of range) Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Robot still crosses with fresh batteries, correct mode and good placement — the Virtual Wall emitter or the robot's IR receiver may be faulty; test with a second barrier if available, then contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

Failure mode code

FM-21

Diagnostic overview

Symptom: The robot drives through a doorway or into a zone the Dual Mode Virtual Wall is supposed to block, or the barrier seems to do nothing. (The i2 has no in-app Keep Out Zones — a Virtual Wall or a closed door is the only way to block an area.) Likely root causes: Weak or dead AA batteries in the Virtual Wall (most common); Virtual Wall switched off, or set to the wrong mode (Linear vs Halo); Barrier placed poorly — beam not spanning the gap, or robot starting inside the zone; Emitter window dirty or obstructed; beam blocked by furniture; Robot's IR receiver on top of the bumper dirty; Barrier too far from the opening (out of range) Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Robot still crosses with fresh batteries, correct mode and good placement — the Virtual Wall emitter or the robot's IR receiver may be faulty; test with a second barrier if available, then contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

Common Fixes

  • Battery (Li-Ion)
  • AA batteries (Virtual Wall)
  • Front bumper

Related symptoms

  • Roomba i2 Containment

    The robot drives through a doorway or into a zone the Dual Mode Virtual Wall is supposed to block, or the barrier seems to do nothing. (The i2 has no in-app Keep Out Zones — a Virtual Wall or a closed door is the only way to block an area.)

Included in the full manual

  • root cause analysis
  • tools needed
  • step-by-step repair procedure
  • diagrams
  • exploded views
  • post-repair checks

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Related models

Common symptoms

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