How-to
How to reset a Roomba: every model, and when a reboot is enough
Start with a reboot: it clears many common errors and deletes no maps or schedules. Take the Roomba off its dock and hold the CLEAN or power button for about 20 seconds, or choose Reboot Roomba in the app. A factory reset wipes everything, and iRobot recommends contacting its customer care first.
Reboot or reset: what is the difference?
iRobot draws a clear line. A reboot is like turning the robot off and on again. According to iRobot it is always safe: maps, schedules and preferences are kept. It is the first step for an error that does not clear on its own.
A factory reset returns the robot to the state it left the factory in. Language, cleaning preferences and time zone go back to their defaults, and from the app the robot is also removed from your account, along with any smart speaker connection. iRobot recommends always trying a reboot first, and resetting only when that does not clear the error.
How to reboot a Roomba from the app
iRobot has two apps. The new Roomba Home app is for the Roomba Mini, the 100/1000 and 200/2000 series, the Plus 400, Plus 500 and Plus 600 and the Max 700 and Max 800. Every other model runs on the original iRobot Home app. The menus below are named as iRobot names them.
- Roomba Home app: open the Robots tab, tap the three dots at the top right and choose Reboot Roomba twice.
- iRobot Home app: go to Product Settings, choose Reboot Roomba and confirm with Reboot Roomba.
- Wait for the robot to start up again.
How to reboot a Roomba with its buttons
Without the app you reboot the robot with its buttons. Take it off the dock first. On most models you hold the CLEAN or power button until you see a white light and hear a tune or a voice. How long you hold it depends on the model, and the reboot itself can take up to a minute and a half, iRobot says:
| Model | Button | Hold for |
|---|---|---|
| Roomba Mini, 100/1000, 200/2000, Plus 400, Plus 500, Plus 600, Max 700 and Max 800 | Power, then hold it again for 3 seconds to turn it back on | 10 seconds |
| Roomba i Series | CLEAN | 20 seconds |
| Roomba j Series and Combo 10 Max | CLEAN | 9 seconds |
| Wi-Fi-connected Roomba 800 and 900 series | CLEAN | 10 seconds |
| Roomba s Series | CLEAN | 20 seconds |
| Roomba Essential | HOME and SPOT together | 12 seconds |
| Roomba 500, 600 and 700 series without Wi-Fi, and the e Series | HOME and SPOT together | 10 seconds |
On a Roomba 600 series, remove the bin first and look for a green dot on its underside. If there is one, you reboot it by taking the battery out, waiting thirty seconds and putting it back. Without a green dot, hold HOME and SPOT together for 10 seconds.
The Roomba Combo (the model with just that name, not a Plus or Max Combo) reboots like this:
- Open the top cover of the Roomba Combo.
- Turn the power switch off.
- Wait 10 seconds.
- Turn the switch back on.
On a model without Wi-Fi a reboot resets the clock, but the schedule is kept.
How to factory reset a Roomba
iRobot recommends resetting from the app. That also removes the robot from your account and disconnects its data in the cloud:
- iRobot Home app: Product Settings, then About (your robot’s name), then Remove Device from Account.
- Roomba Home app: choose the robot, go to Robot Settings, choose About Roomba and then Factory Reset and Remove Robot.
The buttons work too. The cloud data, the app data and the link to your account then stay in place. The combination depends on the model, according to iRobot:
| Model | How to reset it |
|---|---|
| Roomba Mini, 100/1000, 200/2000, Plus 400, Plus 500, Plus 600, Max 700 and Max 800 | Hold HOME for 5 seconds until the robot gives instructions, then hold HOME and power together for another 5 seconds. |
| Roomba Essential | Hold HOME, Spot Clean and CLEAN together for about 7 seconds, until the white ring around CLEAN swirls. |
| Roomba s Series and i Series | Hold HOME, Spot Clean and CLEAN together until the white ring around CLEAN swirls. |
| Roomba j Series and Combo 10 Max | Remove the bin, hold CLEAN for 7 seconds until you hear a tone and tap CLEAN twice more to confirm. |
| Roomba e Series | Hold HOME, Spot Clean and CLEAN together for 20 seconds, then let go. |
| Roomba 900 series | Hold Dock, Spot Clean and CLEAN together until all the lights come on. |
| Wi-Fi-connected Roomba 600 and 800 series | Hold Dock, Spot Clean and CLEAN together until the robot beeps, then let go. |
| Roomba Combo (just that name) | Open the lid and hold the recessed Reset button to the left of the power switch for 10 seconds. |
Will I keep my map?
After a reboot, yes. After a factory reset only if your robot has Imprint Smart Map: the app then offers to keep your maps before the reset. Turn on the "Save maps during factory reset" switch on the reset screen. The new Roomba Home app cannot keep the map, but a robot with lidar makes a new one in a few minutes, iRobot says.
Does the error keep coming back?
If a factory reset does not clear the error either, contact iRobot’s customer care. What iRobot’s bankruptcy means for your warranty is in iRobot after the bankruptcy.
If you are thinking of a new robot, see where Roombas stand in the tests first. Today 29 iRobot models are on sale, from $149, and the best-placed of them, the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max, is number 102 of 140 in our ranking. These are the iRobot models, with their prices on October 1, 2026:
| Model | Station | Today's lowest price | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| iRobot Roomba 105 Vac | charging dock only | $149 at Amazon.com | number 132 in our ranking |
| iRobot Roomba 105 Combo | charging dock only | $179 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo Essential | charging dock only | $219 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba 104 Vac | charging dock only | $249 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Vac Essential | charging dock only | $249 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba 105 Vac+ | self-emptying station | $279 at Amazon.com | number 126 in our ranking |
| iRobot Roomba 105 Combo+ | self-emptying station | $299 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Vac 2 Essential | self-emptying station | $299 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo 115 | charging dock only | $319 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo i5 | charging dock only | $349 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba 104 2in1+ | self-emptying station | $449 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo 115+ | self-emptying station | $469 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo | all-in-one station | $499 at Amazon.com | number 108 in our ranking |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo | all-in-one station | $499 at iRobot (brand store) | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 515 Combo | all-in-one station | $599 at iRobot (brand store) | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Max 715 Vac+ | self-emptying station | $599 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo j5 | charging dock only | $599 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo j5+ | self-emptying station | $649 at Amazon.com | number 135 in our ranking |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 575 Combo | all-in-one station | $699 at iRobot (brand store) | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 504 Vac | self-emptying station | $749 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Max 705 Combo | all-in-one station | $799 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Max 775 Combo | all-in-one station | $799 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba i6+ | self-emptying station | $799 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo | all-in-one station | $899 at iRobot (brand store) | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Max 705 Vac+ | self-emptying station | $899 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 505 Combo | all-in-one station | $999 at Amazon.com | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Plus 507 Combo | all-in-one station | $999 at iRobot (brand store) | not ranked |
| iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max | all-in-one station | $1,031 at Amazon.com | number 102 in our ranking |
| iRobot Roomba Max 875 Combo | all-in-one station | $1,199 at iRobot (brand store) | not ranked |
Every model of the brand is on the iRobot page, and the advisor finds the robot that suits your home in seven questions.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I hold the button to reboot a Roomba?
On most models about 20 seconds on the CLEAN or power button, with the robot off its dock. The j Series and the Combo 10 Max need 9 seconds, the Wi-Fi-connected 800 and 900 series 10 seconds, and the models on the Roomba Home app, such as the Roomba Mini, 10 seconds on the power button.
Does a reboot delete my maps and schedules?
No. iRobot says a reboot is always safe and keeps maps, schedules and preferences. Only a factory reset deletes them.
Can I reset a Roomba without the app?
Yes, with a combination of buttons that depends on the model, as in the table above. The robot then stays linked to your account. To remove it from your account, for instance to sell it, reset it from the app.
I bought a used Roomba. How do I reset it?
Ask the previous owner to reset it from the app, since only that reset removes it from their account.
Sources
- iRobot: Rebooting Your Robot, all Roomba and Braava models
- iRobot: Why factory reset your robot and how to do it?
The prices, the ranking and the counts on this page are today’s: from our own daily price check and our score from lab tests and owners’ ratings. Method →