How to empty a Roomba: the bin, the Clean Base bag and the dock

When does a Roomba need emptying?

The robot has a sensor that detects a full bin, and according to iRobot it tells you in three ways. In the app a full bin symbol appears under the CLEAN button. On the e Series a light comes on at the robot. On the i, s and j Series the light ring around CLEAN sweeps to the back and then flashes red. A full bin signal means the bin should be emptied. With "Do not clean when full" the Roomba stops until you do.

You can also choose what the robot does when the bin is full. In the app go to Robot Settings, then Cleaning Preferences, then Bin Full Behavior. With "Do not clean when full" it starts no new job and pauses the one it is on. With "Keep cleaning when full" it finishes the job even with a full bin. The menus are named as iRobot names them, in English.

How to empty the bin: e Series, i Series, j Series and Combo 10 Max

These are iRobot’s steps for the e, i and j Series and the Combo 10 Max:

1. Press the bin release button on the back of the robot and pull the bin out.
2. Open the bin door with the door release button, which also has a bin icon, and empty the bin over the trash.
3. Grasp the side of the filter, take it out on the left side of the bin and tap it clean over the trash. Keep it out of the bin.
4. If needed, rinse the bin with warm water and let it dry completely. Then put the filter back in the bin.
5. Slide the bin back into the robot until it is secure.

A filter is not designed to get wet. The bin is designed to be rinsed by hand only, with warm water, and is not dishwasher safe.

An older model: 200/2000, 500 Series and Plus 500

Older Roombas work a little differently:

If you put a Roomba Plus 500 on its dock by hand, it does not empty automatically. Start the emptying from the Roomba Home app, or press the HOME button while the robot is on the dock.

How to replace the Clean Base bag

A Clean Base empties the bin into a bag. A solid red light on the dock means the bag needs replacing. It can also mean the dock does not detect a bag. Here is how to replace it, according to iRobot:

1. Lift the canister lid to open it.
2. Pull up on the plastic card leading to the vacuum port and lift the bag out of the canister. This seals the bag, so no more dust can get out.
3. Throw the used bag away.
4. Put a new bag in the canister, sliding the plastic card into the guide rails.
5. Press the lid down firmly so it is closed.

Use the right bag for your model. Newer models use a larger cardboard bag, and the original plastic bag is for the classic models only. You buy bags in the iRobot Store under Parts and Accessories.

The robot still says the bin is full

Then the bin sensors or sensor ports are probably dirty. iRobot says to empty the bin and clean the full bin sensors and sensor ports thoroughly. If the robot still says the bin is full afterwards, the sensors and ports were not cleaned thoroughly enough. After cleaning, a reboot may be needed to clear the error.

On an s Series that shows "Empty the bin" with error 36, take the filter out of the bin, rinse the bin and its door with water and let them air dry. Then wipe the bin full sensors with a clean, dry microfiber or soft cotton cloth. If the error stays, clean the cleaning head module and, if you have a Clean Base, check that the dock is not clogged. If that does not help, reboot the robot. After that, only iRobot’s customer care is left, says iRobot.

Want to stop emptying it yourself?

With a self-emptying dock you do not empty the bin yourself. On sale today, on October 12, 2026: 12 models with a self-emptying dock, from MOVA E30 Pro Plus, $229 at MOVA (brand store).

All iRobot models are on the iRobot page, and the advisor finds the robot that suits your home in seven questions.