Roomba i5

Model number: i515020 / i555020

Also known as: Roomba i5, iRobot Roomba i5, iRobot Roomba i5 / i5+ Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum — i Series — i515020 / i555020, i515020 / i555020

category

Wi-Fi robot vacuum

cleanBase

Clean Base mentioned/compatible; plus variant includes Clean Base when documented.

manualFile

Roomba_i5_Repair_Manual(1).pdf

navigation

Imprint Smart Mapping via floor-tracking sensors

modelNumbers

i515020 / i555020

coveredModels

iRobot Roomba i5 and i5+ (vacuum models i515020 and i555020; note these are the vacuum-only i5, distinct from the Roomba Combo i5 vacuum-and-mop, i517020), Wi-Fi i-series robot vacuums.

errorCoverage

Operating errors Error 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14 and Charging Errors 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

productFamily

i Series

runtimeMinutes

75

• iRobot Roomba i5 Repair Manual

• Roomba i5 Contacts

  Most common charging fault: robot reports charging error 5; charging is intermittent or won't start; base light may flicker.

• Roomba i5 Won'T Power On

  Pressing/holding CLEAN does nothing — no lights, no sound, no movement.

• Roomba i5 Drive Wheel

  Robot reports a drive fault; one wheel does not turn, robot spins or goes nowhere.

• Roomba i5 Clean Base

  The app or the Clean Base indicates the dirt-disposal bag is full, or the base stops emptying and prompts you to change the bag.

• Roomba i5 Bin

  Robot beeps once and reports the bin is missing, even when the bin appears to be in place.

• Roomba i5 Battery Not Detected

  On the dock or charger the robot reports the battery isn't detected / connected and won't charge.

• Roomba i5 Battery Temp

  Robot reports charging error 6 (too hot) or 7 (too hot/cold) and pauses charging.

• Roomba i5 Clean Base

  The Clean Base runs but the robot bin still has debris afterward, the base is louder/weaker than usual, or fine dust blows around the dock.

• Roomba i5 Stuck / Wheel

  Robot stops, sounds the two-tone error, beeps once, and asks to be moved to a new location. Often near edges, thresholds, or after the robot climbs onto something.

• Roomba i5 Cliff Sensors

  Robot beeps six times, reports a cliff/drop, backs up and refuses to continue — even on flat floor, or it won't cross a dark rug.

• Roomba i5 Containment

  The robot drives through a doorway or into a zone a Dual Mode Virtual Wall — or an in-app Keep Out Zone — is supposed to block, or the barrier seems to do nothing.

• Roomba i5 Noise

  Robot is noticeably louder than usual — grinding, rattling or buzzing.

• Charging Error 6

  Robot reports charging error 6 (too hot) or 7 (too hot/cold) and pauses charging.

• Charging Error 1

  On the dock or charger the robot reports the battery isn't detected / connected and won't charge.

• Error 10

  Robot reports a drive fault; one wheel does not turn, robot spins or goes nowhere.

• Error 5

  Robot beeps five times / reports a wheel fault and won't drive properly.

• Error 14

  Robot beeps once and reports the bin is missing, even when the bin appears to be in place.

• Charging Error 10

  Robot reports charging error 8, 9 or 10; battery won't charge or won't hold charge.

• Charging Error 5

  Most common charging fault: robot reports charging error 5; charging is intermittent or won't start; base light may flicker.

• Error 9

  Robot beeps nine times / reports a bumper fault; thinks it is permanently bumping something and won't drive forward.

• Charging Error 8

  Robot reports charging error 8, 9 or 10; battery won't charge or won't hold charge.

• Error 7

  Robot beeps seven times / reports a wheel problem; may turn in place or refuse to move.

• Charging Error 7

  Robot reports charging error 6 (too hot) or 7 (too hot/cold) and pauses charging.

• Charging Error 3

  Robot reports charging error 2 or 3 and will not charge normally.

• FM-13: Roomba i5 Charging Error 8 / 9 / 10 — Worn battery

  Symptom: Robot reports charging error 8, 9 or 10; battery won't charge or won't hold charge. Likely root causes: Battery worn out from age/cycles (error 9); Cell imbalance — pack can no longer balance/charge (error 10); General battery/charging fault (error 8); Counterfeit pack Next steps if owner-level checks fail: A new genuine battery still throws error 8/9/10 — robot charging circuit fault; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-16: Roomba i5 Short runtime / dies before finishing

  Symptom: Robot used to run an hour-plus but now quits early, or returns to dock (or dies) after a short time. Likely root causes: Aging lithium-ion battery losing capacity (most common over time); Heavy carpet load drawing more power; Clogged High-Efficiency filter / debris on the extractors making the motor work harder; Battery never fully charging (dirty contacts — see FM-11); Counterfeit battery with overstated capacity Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Brand-new genuine battery still gives short runtime — charging circuit or motor draw issue; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-12: Roomba i5 Charging Error 6 / 7 — Battery temperature

  Symptom: Robot reports charging error 6 (too hot) or 7 (too hot/cold) and pauses charging. Likely root causes: Battery is above or below its safe charging temperature; Charging near a heat source (vent, radiator, sun); Robot just finished a long clean and the pack is warm; Very cold room / garage Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Error 6/7 appears at normal room temperature with no heat source — the battery's thermal sensor or the pack may be failing; replace the battery; if it persists, contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-09: Roomba i5 Charging Error 1 — Battery not detected

  Symptom: On the dock or charger the robot reports the battery isn't detected / connected and won't charge. Likely root causes: Battery not seated / loose after a replacement; Yellow plastic pull-tab still in place on a new unit; Battery contacts dirty or corroded; Battery completely flat (deep discharge) Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Battery still not detected after reseating with clean contacts — the pack is likely dead; fit a genuine iRobot replacement; A brand-new genuine battery still not detected — robot charge circuit may be faulty; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-18: Roomba i5 Loud noise / grinding / rattling

  Symptom: Robot is noticeably louder than usual — grinding, rattling or buzzing. Likely root causes: Hair/string wrapped in an extractor or wheel; Debris loose inside the bin or rattling in the body; Worn extractor bearing or end-cap; Object lodged in the vacuum path or fan; Worn drive-wheel module Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Grinding continues after clearing extractors, wheels and bin — a motor or drive bearing may be worn; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-03: Roomba i5 Error 5 — Side wheel stuck

  Symptom: Robot beeps five times / reports a wheel fault and won't drive properly. Likely root causes: A drive (side) wheel is jammed by hair or debris; Wheel can't extend/retract on its spring; Object lodged between wheel and housing; Wheel encoder fouled by dust Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Wheel still binds or one wheel won't turn under power — drive module likely needs replacement/service; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-21: Roomba i5 Virtual Wall or Keep Out Zone ignored

  Symptom: The robot drives through a doorway or into a zone a Dual Mode Virtual Wall — or an in-app Keep Out Zone — is supposed to block, or the barrier seems to do nothing. 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; App Keep Out Zone drawn in the wrong place, or the Smart Map shifted/was re-created 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

• FM-11: Roomba i5 Charging Error 5 — Contacts / counterfeit battery

  Symptom: Most common charging fault: robot reports charging error 5; charging is intermittent or won't start; base light may flicker. Likely root causes: Dirty / oxidized charging contacts on the robot or the Home Base (most common); Counterfeit or incompatible battery; Robot not seated squarely on the base; Base not powered (its own light off) Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Error 5 continues with clean contacts, a powered base and a genuine battery — charge circuit may need service; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-22: Roomba i5 i5+ Clean Base won't empty the robot

  Symptom: On the i5+, the robot docks but the Clean Base never runs its loud evacuation, so the robot bin stays full; the app may report the bin is full or the base couldn't empty. Likely root causes: Robot not seated squarely on the Clean Base contacts; Clean Base dirt-disposal bag full or not seated (see FM-23); Evacuation port in the BOTTOM of the robot bin blocked by hair/debris; Clean Base evacuation tube / dock funnel clogged (see FM-24); Clean Base unplugged or on a switched/dead outlet; Bag not detecting (lid not fully closed, or a non-genuine bag without the sensor tab) Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Base still won't run the evacuation motor with power, a good bag, a clear port and a square dock — the Clean Base motor or sensor may be faulty; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-15: Roomba i5 Weak suction / leaves debris behind

  Symptom: Robot runs normally but picks up poorly, leaves visible debris, or seems weak. Likely root causes: Bin full — the app reports bin status; High-Efficiency filter clogged; Extractors fouled with debris at the ends / under the caps; Side brush clogged, bent, or not spinning; Debris stuck in the bin intake / vacuum path Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Suction still weak after a full clean and fresh filter — vacuum motor/impeller may be failing; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-02: Roomba i5 Error 2 — Clean the extractors

  Symptom: Robot stops, beeps twice / says to remove and clean the extractors. The Dual Multi-Surface rubber extractors may be stalled or struggling to turn. Likely root causes: Hair/string wound at the extractor ends or under the yellow bearing caps (still happens even on tangle-free rollers); Debris or a foreign object (sock, cord) jammed in the extractor bay; Worn or torn rubber treads, or a missing or damaged bearing cap; Extractor frame not latched after cleaning Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Extractors still stall after cleaning — replace the extractor set (~$25–$45); Extractor motor hums but rollers don't turn — gearbox/motor service; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593

• FM-10: Roomba i5 Charging Error 2 / 3 — Comms / charge circuit

  Symptom: Robot reports charging error 2 or 3 and will not charge normally. Likely root causes: Battery communication fault (error 2) — needs reset or new pack; Robot's internal charging system not working (error 3); Counterfeit / incompatible battery; Repeated faults logged in the robot Next steps if owner-level checks fail: Charging Error 3 that persists with a known-good genuine battery — the robot's charging circuit is faulty and the robot may need service/replacement; contact iRobot Customer Care 1-877-855-8593