iRobot i3 / i4 (RVD-Y1) how to clean the sensors and charging contacts

Once a month.

Steps

1. Wipe the sensors with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Wipe the charging contacts on the robot and the Home Base with a clean, dry cloth, or with a pad of melamine foam to remove built-up debris.

Do not spray cleaning solution or water onto the sensors or sensor openings.

Source: Care and Maintenance: Cleaning the Sensors and Charging Contacts Source: Care and Maintenance: Cleaning the Sensors and Charging Contacts, p. 8

Used for

• The robot will not charge

Other i3 / i4 (RVD-Y1) procedures

• How to empty the binWhen the light ring sweeps red toward the rear or the robot picks up less debris.
• How to clean the filterWhen the filter is due for cleaning: once a week, twice a week with a pet.
• How to wash the binWhen the bin needs washing.
• How to clean the front caster wheelEvery 2 weeks.
• How to reboot the robotWhen an error in the chart tells you to reboot the robot.
• How to clean the full bin sensorsEvery 2 weeks.
• How to clean the edge-sweeping brushOnce a month, twice a month with a pet.
• How to clean the multi-surface brushesOnce a month, twice a month with a pet.
• How to turn the robot off for long-term storageWhen the robot will be stored for a long time.

Sources

1. Roomba i3 / i4 Owner's Guide (EN/FR/ES, en-US edition). iRobot Corporation. Document RVD-Y1, revision Undated download, 13 pages, en. prod-help-content.care.irobotapi.com (PDF). Retrieved 13 November 2026.
2. The Roomba i Series Error Messages Chart. iRobot Corporation. Document Article 19553, revision Undated web article, 1 pages, en. homesupport.irobot.com. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
3. Charging Error Chart: All Roomba and Braava Models. iRobot Corporation. Document Article 19598, revision Undated web article, 1 pages, en. homesupport.irobot.com. Retrieved 13 November 2026.
4. Error 36, Roomba i, j Series and Combo 10 Max. iRobot Corporation. Document Article 31109, revision Undated web article, 1 pages, en. homesupport.irobot.com. Retrieved 13 November 2026.

Page numbers are the numbers printed in the manual. Where this page and the manual differ, follow the manual.

Applies to

i3 (variant RVD-Y1), i4. North America.

Source

Roomba i3 / i4 Owner's Guide (EN/FR/ES, en-US edition), RVD-Y1 revision Undated download; The Roomba i Series Error Messages Chart, Article 19553 revision Undated web article; Charging Error Chart: All Roomba and Braava Models, Article 19598 revision Undated web article; Error 36, Roomba i, j Series and Combo 10 Max, Article 31109 revision Undated web article

Last verified

13 November 2026

Handbook

iRobot Roomba i3 and i4 robot vacuum in Robot vacuums; all iRobot handbooks