Roomba Brushes Not Spinning? How To Fix This?

Don’t worry if you’ve observed that the brushes on your Roomba aren’t rotating as they should. This is a frequent problem that may arise over time as a result of mechanical issues, tangled hair, or dirt accumulation. The positive aspect is that with a few basic equipment and procedures, you can easily solve the majority of these issues at home. We’ll explain in this article why the brushes stop spinning and how to analyze and fix the problem fast so your Roomba can continue to clean effectively.

Comprehending The Brush System Of The Roomba

Prior to delving into the potential causes of your Roomba’s non-spinning brushes, it is beneficial to comprehend the brush mechanism. Usually, the Roomba has two brush sets:

• Main Brush: The Roomba’s main brushes are positioned on its underside and are intended to collect dust, debris, and grime from hard floors and carpets.
• Side Brush: The Roomba’s side brush, which is a smaller brush, is used to clear dirt, particularly from corners and edges, out of the way of the main brushes. The Roomba won’t clean well if the side brush or the main brushes stop spinning; thus, fixing the problem is crucial.

Why Do The Brushes Not Spin?

The brushes on your Roomba may not be rotating for a number of reasons. Here are a few typical causes:

Trash and Hair Deposition

Especially when they clean spaces with long-haired dogs or thick carpets, Roombas frequently gather hair, thread, and other debris in their brush compartments. The accumulation of material may jam the brushes or entangle them around the axles, impeding their free rotation.

Exhausted Brush Bearings

The brushes’ bearings are subject to wear and tear over time. The brushes may jam or cease to spin as a result of this. The brush bearings on earlier Roomba machines are especially vulnerable to wear and tear from frequent use.

Worn-Out or Defective Side Brush Motor

The Roomba will continue to work normally, but the side brush will cease to spin if its own motor burns out or experiences other problems.

Problems with The Brush Module

The brushes on certain Roombas are housed in separate modules. The brushes may stop functioning correctly if these modules malfunction or if damage occurs to their internal gears.

Problems with Software or Sensors

Occasionally, the Roomba may fail or cease spinning because of software bugs or sensor problems that keep it from accurately identifying its brushes.

How To Resolve The Non-Spinning Roomba Brushes?

Upon determining a few potential reasons, the following stage is to address the issue. Here are detailed instructions for diagnosing and fixing brush-spinning problems.

1. Cleaning the Brushes and Debris Extractors

To prevent mishaps, turn off and unplug the Roomba before cleaning.

• Remove the extractors: To remove the debris extractors, carefully take them out of the brush compartment after opening it.
• Clear hair and fibers: To remove tangled hair, thread, and debris from the extractors, use scissors or a cleaning tool.
• Clean the ends: The ends where the extractors attach to the motor should be free of any hair or debris.
• Rinse if needed: You can use water to rinse the extractors on some types. Before reinstalling, make sure they are completely dry.
• Examine the brush bearing: Clear the extractors’ ends of any hair or debris that is obstructing the bearings.
• Clean the brushes: Use a comb or other instrument to remove any dirt from the brush bristles, paying particular attention to pet hair and trapped dust.
• Check for damage: Check for bristle loss, cracks, or wear. If required, replace any damaged parts.
• Reassemble: Gently put the extractors and brushes back in place once they have been cleaned and dried.
• Activate the Roomba: Turn on the Roomba and see if the brushes spin freely as a test run.

2. Inspect and Swap Out the Brush Bearings

The brush bearings may be worn out if cleaning the brushes doesn’t fix the problem. To make sure:

Examine the Bearings: You may need to replace them if they are loose or broken. The bearings may deteriorate over time due to friction from dirt accumulation or normal wear and tear, which will stop the brush from rotating smoothly. 

Place an Order for Replacement Parts: Get a fresh set of brush bearings if needed. These are available for purchase directly from iRobot, the company that makes Roombas, or through online merchants.

3. The Side Brush Motor is Being Cleaned

Make sure the Roomba is powered off and unplugged from the charger.

• Side brush removal: If necessary, use a screwdriver to separate the side brush from the motor shaft.
• Look for debris: Look for hair, dust, or dirt accumulation on the shaft and the motor’s base.
• Clear debris: Gently remove dirt and debris using a gentle brush, cloth, or compressed air.
• Clean the shaft of motor shaft: To guarantee smooth spinning, clean the motor shaft by wiping it with a dry cloth.
• Check the wires: Examine the motor housing. Verify that the wire is undamaged and check for fractures.
• Lightly lubricate (optional): Apply a tiny bit of lubrication to the shaft as advised by the manufacturer.
• Reattach the brush: Firmly reattach the side brush to the motor shaft.
• Examine the motor: Turn on the Roomba and make sure the side brush spins freely and smoothly.

4. Examine the Brush Module

The brush module itself may be the source of the issue if inspecting the bearings and cleaning the brushes is ineffective. The brush module in certain Roomba models houses the motors and gears that regulate the brush’s spin.

Examine the Gears: The brushes won’t spin if the brush module’s gears are broken or obstructed by debris. The problem may be fixed in certain situations by dismantling and cleaning the module.

Replace the Brush Module: Changing the brush module as a whole can be required if the motor has failed or the gears are irreparably damaged. You may buy replacement modules online, and your user manual usually has installation instructions.

5. Apply a Software Update or Factory Reset

Occasionally, a software glitch might cause the brushes to cease spinning. To fix this:

Update the Software on Your Roomba: Make sure the most recent firmware is installed on your Roomba. If your Roomba model is equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, you may accomplish this task via the iRobot app.

Factory Reset: Try doing a factory reset on the Roomba to return it to its factory settings if an update doesn’t fix the problem. This can occasionally fix sensor problems or system glitches that could be impairing the functioning of the brush.

Extra Advice

• Frequent Maintenance: Check for wear and tear and clean the brushes regularly.
• Use Original Parts: When replacing iRobot parts, always use original parts.
• Avoid Overloading: Keep in mind that too much debris might put stress on the Roomba’s motor.

Final Thoughts

Even if Roomba isn’t rotating its brushes, it can still be fixed. You can frequently resolve the issue on your own and restart your vacuum by following the above instructions. Maintaining and cleaning your Roomba regularly can help it function smoothly and last longer. It is always advisable to contact a professional repair service if troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue. Your Roomba will continue to keep your house clean with a little conservation.

FAQs

How to fix an iRobot vacuum brush not spinning?

Switch off the vacuum, take out the brushes, brush away hair and dirt, look for damage, check the motors and bearings, and then put it back in place. If cleaning doesn’t get the mobility back, replace the parts.

Why is my Roomba’s side brush not spinning after replacement?

Before reinstalling, make sure the brush is positioned correctly on the motor shaft, the motor connection is clean, and no wear or debris is preventing movement.

Why are my iRobot Roomba 780 side brushes sometimes not working?

Hair buildup, faulty connections, motor problems, or software bugs can all cause side brushes to malfunction. Thoroughly clean, inspect the wiring, and, if necessary, restart or reset the Roomba.

How to clean Roomba wheel sensors?

Dust and dirt may be gently removed from the wheel sensors using compressed air or a clean, dry cloth. Steer clear of substances that might harm the sensor’s components.