How to fix Roomba Error 17? If you’re a proud owner of a Roomba robot vacuum, you probably have experienced an Error 17 message when using it. Welcome to this blog on Roomba Error 17.
If you have encountered this error message, it indicates that there is a problem with your Roomba that must be fixed before you are able to continue cleaning with it.
In this blog, we’ll explore what Roomba Error 17 is, what causes it, and what you can do to troubleshoot it and resolve it.
In order to find out why your Roomba is giving you an Error 17 message, continue reading below to find out why.
Over the last few months, I have learnt a lot of information, including tips and tricks that people over on the forums have shared with me, as well as information from the official support website, which I have compiled into a notebook.
You will almost certainly be able to resolve Error 17 on your Roomba after reading this guide, as it is very likely you will be able to do so after reading it.
Usually when you get error 17 on your Roomba it means that its navigation system of cameras and sensors is not functioning properly
In order to solve this problem, it is suggested that you use your Roomba where there are no bright incandescent bulbs, or that you clean the sensors on your robot.
About Roomba Error 17
A Roomba Error 17 is a code that can appear on several different models of Roomba, including the 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 series of Roomba vacuum cleaners.
As a result, you may not be able to move the Roomba around your home effectively if the front wheel of your robot vacuum is not functioning properly.
The Roomba is unable to clean your floors effectively without proper movement, which is why it is crucial to troubleshoot and resolve the issue as soon as possible.
The front wheel on a Roomba is responsible for supporting the vacuum robot vacuum and assisting it in turning and navigating around obstructions.
Whenever the Roomba encounters an obstacle, its front wheel should be able to move freely in a variety of directions so as to help it navigate around the obstacle. If, however, its movement is restricted, it can lead to Error 17.
How to fix Roomba Error 17
It is good to know that the Roomba Error 17 can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps.
In the sections that follow, we will discuss some of the most common causes and how to resolve this issue. #How to fix Roomba Error 17?
Restart Your Roomba
If your sensors and room setups appear to be in order, you may also try restarting your Roomba.
A restart can assist in resolving software bugs that may have occurred during the cleaning cycle of the robot.
A Roomba i Series needs to be restarted.
- When the white light around the Clean button starts spinning clockwise, press and hold it for at least 20 seconds.
- You will need to wait for the Roomba to turn back on after a few minutes.
- Upon turning off the white light, the restart is complete.
In order to restart an S Series Roomba, follow these steps:
- Once the white LED ring around the lid of the bin starts spinning clockwise, hold the Clean button for at least 20 seconds.
- The Roomba will turn back on in a few minutes.
- Upon turning off the white light, the restart is complete.
Restarting a Roomba 700, 800, or 900 Series is as simple as this:
- Hold the Clean button for about 10 seconds and release it when you hear a beep.
- A reboot will then take place on the Roomba.
When the Roomba restarts, check if Error 17 occurs.
The Roomba may also need to be restarted if it is having problems charging.
Put Home Base Somewhere Else
In most cases, when your Roomba passes near an extremely strong incandescent bulb, which you have turned on, you will receive Error 17.
In addition to emitting a great deal of infrared waves, incandescent bulbs also produce a great deal of light, which may interfere with the Roomba’s IR sensors that look for a particular type of IR signal.
Position your Roomba’s home base in an area or room that does not contain incandescent bulbs.
Make sure that you schedule your cleaning schedule for rooms that have incandescent bulbs at times when they are not in use.
During one of your cleaning cycles, observe if Error 17 appears again.
Ensure that Robot’s IR Sensors is clean
As a result of cleaning dirty floors all day, dust and grime can accumulate on the robot’s sensors, preventing it from detecting its surroundings correctly.
Cleaning the sensors on the front of the Roomba will resolve this problem.
With a microfiber cloth, wipe clean any plastic windows.
Clean the sensors underneath the Roomba as well by flipping it over.
Depending on the model, your Roomba should have approximately six to eight sensors. Please consult the manual for more information.
Reset Your Roomba
Resetting your Roomba is the last thing to do when troubleshooting your Roomba, as it will wipe all custom settings, including the maps of your home and all schedules, so bear this in mind before attempting to reset your Roomba.
If you wish to reset your Roomba, you must first ensure that the iRobot Home app is linked to your Roomba.
If you wish to hard reset your Roomba, please follow these steps:
- You can reset your iRobot Home by going to Settings > Factory Reset.
- To begin the factory reset, confirm the prompt.
- After accepting the prompt, the Roomba will begin its factory reset procedure. Let it complete the process.
As soon as the Roomba has completed its factory reset, try reproducing the conditions that led it to encounter Error 17 and see if it recurs.
Run the Roomba with Your Lights On
As well as using IR, the Roomba utilizes visible light to navigate the home and avoid obstacles.
A very dark room can adversely affect the robot’s navigation and make it unable to receive proper input from its sensors and cameras, causing it to stop its cleaning cycle and display this error message.
This problem can be resolved by installing dim lighting in the areas to be cleaned at night or by using iRobot’s Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier, which can act as a wall and prevent the Roomba from cleaning areas beyond it.
It is possible to set up this device near rooms where you cannot keep the lights on, such as your bedroom, so that the Roomba will avoid these areas.
Due to this, it will not encounter Error 17 when attempting to clean a dark room.
Cleaning areas that do not receive sufficient lighting at night can also be scheduled to be vacuumed in the morning when there is daylight available.
You may want to try following these tips and checking if your Roomba runs into Error 17 again.
Conclusion
For Roomba owners, Roomba Error 17 can be frustrating, but it can usually be resolved with some simple troubleshooting steps.
If you encounter Error 17, it is imperative to look for obstructions in the front wheel, clean the wheel and surrounding area, and reset the Roomba.
The front wheel module may need to be replaced or additional assistance may be provided by iRobot customer support.
Roomba issues such as Error 17 can be prevented by taking care of it and performing regular maintenance on it.
It is important to regularly clean your robot vacuum and check for obstructions or blockages to keep it functioning smoothly and efficiently, which will make cleaning your home easier.
It is important to note that following the steps outlined in this blog should enable you to troubleshoot and correct Roomba Error 17 the next time it occurs.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your Roomba will remain in top shape, and for you to enjoy a clean home without any frustrating error codes.
