Roomba Charging Error 5 (Just do This 4 Things)

“Charging Error 5” is nothing to be scared of, it’s just an issue with the charging equipment of the vacuum!

As the error message includes the word “Charging,” it suggests that the problem is related to the charging, whether it’s the pin connectors that are dusty or the battery that is faulty.

I have received a significant number of complaints from many owners over the past two years, and error-related issues have been common among them.

What I have realized is that 45% of Roomba users experience this Err5/Error 5 issue, and only a few of them know what it is and how to fix it.

In this guide, I will break down what you need to do to troubleshoot this pesky error and get your Roomba working again.

Let’s dive into it!

What causes a Roomba to throw ‘charging error 5’

Roomba is designed to charge automatically, but when it fails to do so, it stops working and displays an error code.

Typically, charging error 5 on a Roomba indicates that there is an issue with the robot’s ability to charge properly. Whether it’s due to a malfunctioning charging cable, dusty charging contacts, or Battery issues.

If the issue is with the cable or the charging points, it’s pretty simple to troubleshoot. But if the battery is the culprit, you need to replace it.

How to troubleshoot ‘Charging Err5’ on a Roomba?

To troubleshoot ‘Charging error 5’ on a Roomba, check the docking station and wipe the charging connectors with a soft cloth and some rubbing alcohol. If cleaning the pins does not resolve the issue, perform a factory reset.

Here are the detailed instructions:

Step 1: Charging ports

No need to mention it again. You know how important it is to keep the charging ports debris-free. Dust and carbon buildup can make it difficult for Roomba to connect with its home base and charge itself.

These buildups gather on the charging ports naturally and need to clean on a regular basis.

Make sure all the charging-related connectors are clean and dust-free. Simply wipe them with a pink or magic eraser with some rubbing alcohol. (For help, look at the above picture)

Once done, check if the error presses now.

Step 2: Entire body

After clearing dust and carbon buildup from charging ports, clean the whole hardware thoroughly, including the roller brush, side brush, and battery compartment.

This ensures that no dust or dirt gets into the spaces surrounding the battery and docking plates, which can cause problems.

You can do this by removing the battery plate and then cleaning the interior and outside with a dry cloth.

Step 3: Power reboot

Fear not, it’s just a simple thing like unplugging and re-plugging a device. This will not delete any of your saved customization or mapping.

Hopefully, this may fix the “error 5” issue if your vacuum is just experiencing a software glitch.

Continuously press the “Dock” and “Spot” buttons for about 15 seconds. Once the vacuum is rebooted back, charge it for at least 3 hours with the charging cord plugged directly into the vacuum (try not to use the docking station).

Step 4: Malfunctioning battery

There’s a chance that the battery of your Roomba is faulty, causing it to not hold a charge, which triggers the “charging error 5” message.

If this is the case, replacing the battery is the only solution to get the vacuum cleaner working again.

Just buy a new one and then replace it with the old one. That’s all. With a new battery, your Roomba should start working again.

Step 5: Default reset

If you believe that the battery is not the issue, the only remaining option is to restore your Roomba to its factory settings.

Note: performing a factory reset will permanently erase all of your saved settings, including any customizations or maps you may have created. You’ll need to reconfigure your Roomba and create a new map of your home.

However, two methods exist for this; manually and via iRobot Home App. Thankfully, I have already covered this topic in a previous article, which you can access through this link.

Here is how you can do it via Irobot Home App:

• Open i-Robot ‘Home App’
• Go to ‘settings’.
• Then tap on “Remove/Factory Reset.“

Roomba will now take a reset and will return to its factory settings. After a hard reset, your problem should be solved.

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F.A.Q.s

Q. Nothing worked! What to do?

In this case, you have nothing else to do. But yes, you can try buying a new home base. It’s possible that the charging dock is malfunctioning, which is why your Roomba isn’t charging.

Q. Will a factory reset fix a charging error 5 on my Roomba?

A factory reset may help resolve a charging error 5, but it is not a guaranteed solution. If the issue persists after a factory reset, it may be due to a hardware issue that requires professional repair.

Q. How often should I clean the charging contacts on my Roomba and Home Base?

It’s a good idea to clean the charging contacts on your Roomba and Home Base regularly, especially if you have pets or live in a dusty environment.

You can clean the contacts with a dry cloth or cotton swab, or use a small amount of rubbing alcohol to remove any buildup.

Q. Can a charging error 5 be caused by a faulty battery?

Yes, a faulty battery can cause a charging error 5 on a Roomba. If the battery is damaged or worn out, it may not be able to hold a charge properly, resulting in an error message.