Roomba connects itself with the cloud via a wifi connection and allows users to remotely control their vacuum cleaner, schedule cleaning times, and receive notifications about the status of their device through a smartphone app.
But if your vacuum is showing “Roomba not connected to the cloud” or the cloud can’t talk to Roomba, it means Roomba lost its connection with wifi.
In this article, I will walk you through why you are getting this message and what you need to do to get back your Roomba working again.
Let’s move on…
Why is my Roomba showing this error?
The primary reason for this issue is that your Roomba is experiencing network connectivity issues.
Here’s a detailed explanation.
♦ Internet connectivity issues
Your Roomba may not be connected to a stable internet connection. This can occur if the Wi-Fi network is down, the network credentials are incorrect, or the signal strength is weak.
♦ Roomba settings
Possible that the Roomba’s settings have been changed or misconfigured, preventing it from connecting to the cloud.
Double-check the Wi-Fi settings and ensure they are correctly entered.
♦ Firmware or software updates
Sometimes, a Roomba may require a firmware or software update to maintain its cloud connectivity. Ensure that your Roomba’s software is up to date.
♦ Network firewall or security settings
If you have strict network security settings or a firewall in place, it may be blocking Roomba’s access to the cloud.
Check your network settings or consult with your network administrator to verify if any restrictions are in place.
How to fix ‘Roomba not connected to cloud’ error?
Simply check the wifi connection. If it seems to be ok, reboot both your Roomba and wifi router.
Here are the detailed guidelines:
Step 1: Reboot both your Roomba and Wifi Router
Almost all technicians recommend a simple reboot as a first step when troubleshooting any issues related to electronic devices.
This is because when a device runs for an extended period without any rest, it can develop bugs that cause the device to crash, reduce performance, or behave unexpectedly.
Similarly, when a Roomba experiences difficulties connecting to the cloud, it may be due to a software bug within the Roomba or in the wifi router.
The solution is simple; just power reboot your Roomba and wifi router. Fear not; rebooting will not delete any of your data or saved map customizations.
Here’s how to do this:
- Reboot Wi-Fi router: Unplug the router from the power source, and wait at least 1 minute. While the router is unplugged, press the power button of the router two to five times. After one minute, plug the router again.
- Reboot Roomba: Press and hold the HOME and SPOT Clean buttons for 10 seconds. When the lights flash, Release the button and wait for the reboot to complete.
Once done rebooting both devices, check if the cloud can talk to Roomba! If it doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.
Tips: Try rebooting your smartphone. Who knows, a temporary glitch in your mobile device could be the root of the issue.
Step 2: Ensure the router is working and the signal strength is excellent.
Over time, a router can become damaged for various reasons, such as age, power surges, or firmware issues. This can result in poor signal or connectivity issues.
When Roomba navigates through your home, it relies on a strong and stable internet connection to communicate with the cloud.
If the signal strength of your router is weak, it can lead to frequent internet disconnections, causing the Roomba to experience issues such as “not connected to the cloud.”
Make sure the signal strength and the internet speed are strong enough to handle the connection with the cloud. If you suspect that your router’s signal strength is not up to par, consider investing in a high-quality router or using a Wi-Fi extender to boost the connection speed.
Warning: Roomba currently only supports 2.4GHz bandwidth and does not support 5GHz. Do not exceed this frequency when using Roomba.
Step 3: Perform a Factory reset
If your problem is not fixed with the steps I mentioned above, iRobot suggests you factory reset your vacuum.
This means it will go back to how you first bought it, and all your settings will be removed permanently.
However, resetting a Roomba isn’t a complex task. It just requires pressing and holding a few buttons.
Thankfully, I have created a detailed article with step-by-step instructions on resetting a Roomba, which you can find at this link.
Tip: Alongside resetting your Roomba, also factory reset your wifi router. This will optimize the connection and ensure optimal performance. I hope you know how to do this 🙂
Step 4: Update the Irobot Home app
Staying updated with the latest version of any software is vital to its functionality. Neglecting can lead to many issues, including frequent glitches and malfunctions.
Ensure that the iRobot Home app on your smartphone is updated to the most recent version. If not, visit the ‘Play Store’ and check for any available updates.
If a newer version is available, update immediately right away.
F.A.Q.s
Q. Can I still use my Roomba if it’s not connected to the cloud?
Yes, you can still use your Roomba for cleaning, even if it’s not connected to the cloud.
However, you won’t be able to access cloud-based features such as scheduling and remote control.
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.