Roomba features a ring light at the top which indicates the device’s working process and status.
This ring sometimes flashes red and sometimes blue.
While flashing red may indicate a problem with the vacuum, flashing blue indicates that the vacuum is busy with internal processes such as updating firmware or connecting to Wi-Fi.
This is a normal function of the device and should not be a cause for concern. In this guide, I will break down the reasons behind the flashing blue light on a Roomba.
What does Roomba Blue Light Mean?
When a Roomba flashes blue light, it means the device is currently busy performing an internal task like connecting to wifi, driving back to the charging station, or Spot Cleaning.
However, the ring can glow blue in different shapes like clockwise, counterclockwise swirl, or sweep forward.
Here is the meaning of all the possible shapes:
| Blue Light Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blue sweep forward | Roomba is moving debris from its bin into the Clean Base |
| Blue march forward | Roomba drives back to the home station |
| Blue ping on the front | Roomba detected an invisible barrier/Virtual wall that it will not cross |
| Flashing Blue light | Roomba detected areas of the floor that have a higher concentration of dirt and debris, and now focusing cleaning efforts on those areas |
| Blue light rotates counterclockwise | Roomba focuses on its cleaning efforts on a specific area of the room, rather than cleaning the entire room (Spot cleaning mode) |
| Blue light rotates clockwise | Roomba is in the process of connecting to a Wi-Fi network |
Should you do anything to fix this blue light indication?
There is no need for you to take any further action regarding the blue light indication on your Roomba, as it will stop flashing this on its own.
However, if the light remains flashing for an extended period or continuously flashes, you may need to take some measures to facilitate the process.
WARNING: you should only take action if you suspect a problem, as trying to fix something that isn’t broken may lead to further complications.
Step 1: Reboot your Roomba
Temporary system malfunctions are a common occurrence in electronic devices. To fix such issues, technicians generally advise performing a reboot as the initial step.
Roomba is also an electronic device with its specific system firmware, so it may experience this type of temporary glitch.
That’s why there is a good chance that a simple system reboot can help you get rid of this blue light issue.
Here’s how to reboot your Roomba:
- Press and hold down the HOME and SPOT Clean buttons.
- Keep holding the buttons for 10 seconds.
- Release once the lights on your Roomba begin to flash.
Wait for the reboot process to complete. Now check if the glowing blue light issue is fixed! If not move on to the next step.
Note: The exact process may vary depending on the Roomba model you have, So, always refer to the user manual for accurate information.
Step 2: Check if the vacuum is connected to the WiFi
This step is for those, whose vacuum blinks Blue light and rotates clockwise. This indication means the Roomba is trying to connect itself with the cloud/wifi network.
However, rebooting should solve this wifi connectivity issue, but if not:
- Make sure your WiFi router is working and the signal strength is strong enough in that area.
- Make sure the credentials you entered are correct.
For optimal performance and smooth connectivity, consider rebooting your WiFi router too! I hope you know how to do so.
If nothing works, what should you do?
Most of the time, the blue light indication will stop shining after a few minutes.
However, if it continues to blink for an extended period and you suspect something is wrong with your device, it is best to reach out to Irobot customer support for assistance.
Therefore, you can try performing a factory reset on your Roomba. This will restore your vacuum to its default state and will delete all of your current configuration and customized map.
Thankfully, we have a complete step-by-step guideline on resetting a Roomba correctly. Here’s the link.
F.A.Q.s
Q. Why is my Roomba’s blue light flashing?
The flashing blue light on your Roomba indicates that the robot is in the process of connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi network.
In simple words, Roomba is trying to establish a connection with your WiFi router to be controlled remotely via your smartphone or tablet. This blue light will stay on until the connection is successful, after that the light will turn off.
Q. How long does it take for the Roomba to connect to the wifi after turning it on?
It depends on the wifi network and the device, but it typically takes a few minutes for Roomba to connect to wifi after turning it on.
However, If the wifi connection is not established after a few minutes, try troubleshooting the connection as mentioned in th4e above answer.
Vacuum master from Gazipur, Bangladesh! He knows vacuums inside and out and has been fixing them for ages. When he’s not busy repairing vacuums, Mizanur writes these super helpful guides for Homespoiler.com. His guides are packed with all sorts of tips and tricks to help people fix their vacuums and keep them running smoothly. More about him.