iRobot i3 / i4 (RVD-Y1) how to empty the bin

When the light ring sweeps red toward the rear or the robot picks up less debris.

Steps

1. Press the bin release button to remove the bin.
2. Open the bin door to empty the bin.
3. Place the bin back in the robot.

Source: Care and Maintenance: Emptying the Bin Source: Care and Maintenance: Emptying the Bin, p. 5

Used for

• Red light ring sweeping to the rear: The robot senses that its bin needs emptying.
• The robot picks up less debris

Other i3 / i4 (RVD-Y1) procedures

• 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 clean the sensors and charging contactsOnce a month.
• 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