Cleaning sensors robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: a complete guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are smart assistants that save time on cleaning, but their effectiveness depends on the state of the sensors. Dusty or contaminated sensors lead to chaotic movement, debris leakage, collisions with furniture and even breakdowns. For example, the LiDAR laser sensor in the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro or DreameBot models Z10 Pro when dust hits begins to distort the map of the room, and dirty infrared sensors on the bumper cease to recognize obstacles.

Many users only clean their brushes and dust containers, forgetting their sensors, and that's a waste. According to service centers, up to 40 percent of complaints about "stupid" robot movements are solved by simply cleaning the sensors. In this article, we'll look at what sensors Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaners have, how to clean them properly, what tools to use, and how to avoid typical errors.

We will pay special attention to models with laser navigation (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop, DreameBot, Viomi series), as their sensors are most sensitive to pollution. 1S), where cleaning of motion sensors is equally important.

What sensors are in the robot vacuum cleaners Xiaomi and what they are responsible for

Before you start cleaning, it is important to understand what sensors are installed in your model and how they affect the operation of the device.

• 🔦 Laser sensor (LiDAR) – scans the room, builds a map and determines the location of the robot, installed in models with laser navigation (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, DreameBot) D9).
• 👁️ Infrared (IR) sensors – located on the bumper, responsible for detecting obstacles and preventing collisions.
• 🌀 Fall sensors (cliff sensors) - prevent a robot from falling from a ladder or a high threshold.
• 🧭 Gyroscope and accelerometer – are responsible for orientation in space (used in models without a laser, for example, Mi Robot Vacuum). 1S).
• 🔋 Charge sensor – monitors the battery level and docking with the docking station.
• 🧹 Dust sensors – determine the degree of contamination of the floor (not in all models).

Each of these sensors requires regular maintenance, and for example, the LiDAR laser is the most vulnerable, because even a thin layer of dust on its lens distorts the map of the room, causing the robot to "get lost" or hit the walls, and the infrared sensors on the bumper eventually become covered with greasy plaque from touching furniture, which reduces their sensitivity.

Fall sensors (cliff sensors) are often clogged with dust, which can cause the robot to refuse to drive on dark surfaces (for example, a black laminate) or, conversely, to move from a high threshold. The gyroscope and accelerometer in budget models without a laser also need cleaning, as their contamination leads to a drunken ride in a circle.

Signs robot vacuum cleaner sensors are contaminated

How do you know when it's time to clean your sensors? There are a few clear signs that indicate problems:

• 🤖 The robot moves chaoticly, describes circles, or gets stuck in one place.
• 🗺️ Map of the room in the application Mi Home is built incorrectly: the walls are curved, the rooms do not coincide with reality.
• 🚪 The robot often encounters furniture, although it used to avoid obstacles.
• 🌑 Refusing to drive on dark surfaces (for example, black carpet or laminate).
• 🔄 Can't find a dock to charge or has been "looking" for it for a long time.
• ⚠️ Errors such as “Sensor Error”, “Navigation Problem” or “Cleaning Required” appear in the application".

If you notice any of these symptoms, the sensors are probably contaminated. For example, a distorted map almost always indicates a problem with the laser LiDAR, and a collision with furniture indicates a malfunction of the infrared sensors on the bumper. A robot that refuses to drive on the dark floor is likely to have contaminated cliff sensors.

Sometimes sensor problems can be confused with other malfunctions, for example, if the robot doesn't return to base, it can be due to both sensor contamination, a discharged battery or an incorrect docking station location. To pinpoint the cause, first check the sensors, which is the easiest and fastest solution.

⚠️ Attention: If problems persist after cleaning the sensors, the sensors may be damaged or the gyroscope may have failed.

What can and can not clean the sensors of the robot vacuum cleaner

Not all tools are good for cleaning sensors, and using the wrong materials can damage lenses, mirrors, or electronic components.

• 🧻 Soft lilac-free fabric (microfibra) – ideal for wiping laser lenses and IR sensors.
• 🧴 Alcohol wipes (70% isopropyl alcohol) – remove fat and dust well without leaving a divorce.
• 🪄 Cotton swabs – convenient for cleaning hard-to-reach places (for example, cliff sensors).
• 💨 Compressed air canister - helps blow dust out of the crevices (use at a distance) 10-15 centimeter!).
• 🧼 Soap solution (light) – only for plastic parts of the bumper, but not for electronic sensors!

And now, what can not be used under any circumstances:

• 🚫 Abrasive materials (hard sponges, paper towels, sandpaper) – scratch lenses and plastic.
• 🚫 Aggressive chemicals (acetone, gasoline, solvents) – destroy the coating of sensors.
• 🚫 Wet wipes with flavors - leave a film that interferes with the work of sensors.
• 🚫 Regular water in large quantities - can cause corrosion of contacts.
• 🚫 Hard bristles – damage delicate elements.

The LiDAR laser sensor is particularly careful, and it has a special anti-reflective layer that's easy to damage, never rub it with force, only with a light movement of soft tissue, and for bumper IR sensors, you can use alcohol wipes, but avoid liquid entering the body.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a compressed air canister, don't direct the jet too close to the sensors - this can damage fragile elements — 10-15 centimeter.

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To clean the LiDAR laser sensor, it is better to use special wipes for optics (for example, for glasses or photo equipment), they leave no villi and are safe for lenses.

Step-by-step: how to clean the sensors of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi

Here is a general guide that is suitable for most Xiaomi models (including Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro, DreameBot). D9, Viomi V3 Before starting work, disconnect the robot from the power supply and remove the battery (if possible).

Step 1 Cleaning the LiDAR laser sensor

The laser sensor is placed under a transparent dome on top of the robot, to clean it up.

1. Carefully scroll the dome counterclockwise and remove it.
2. Wipe the lens with a soft, lilaless cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol, and the movements should be light, without pressure.
3. Remove dust from the inside of the dome with compressed air or a cotton swab.
4. Set the dome in place and scroll clockwise before clicking.

Step 2: Cleaning infrared sensors on the bumper

The IR sensors are on the front bumper, and they're easily identifiable by the small black or transparent windows.

1. Wipe the surface of the sensors with an alcohol napkin.
2. Remove dust from bumper slits with compressed air.
3. If there are greasy spots on the bumper, wipe it with soapy solution, then dry.

Step 3: Cleaning the drop sensors (cliff sensors)

These sensors are located on the bottom of the robot, so you can clean them up.

1. Turn the robot over and find small windows with sensors (usually) 4-6 piece).
2. Wipe them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
3. Remove dust from the holes with compressed air.

Step 4: Clean the charge sensor and contacts

The charging contacts are on the back of the robot, and they need to be cleaned of oxidation.

1. Wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin.
2. If there is oxidation, gently clean with a eraser (washing gum).

Step 5: Cleaning the gyroscope and accelerometer (for models without a laser)

In models without LiDAR (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum) 1S) The gyroscope and the accelerometer are located inside the housing. They can't be cleaned directly, but they can be cleaned:

1. Blow the body with compressed air through the ventilation holes.
2. Make sure there are no large debris particles inside.

Turned off the robot from the socket and took out the battery (if possible)

Prepared soft fabric, alcohol wipes and cotton swabs.

Checked that the hands were dry and clean.

Make sure there are no sources of moisture nearby (for example, an aquarium or a bathtub)

Prepared a canister with compressed air (optional)-->

After cleaning, let the robot stand. 10-15 You can use the first cleaning after cleaning, and then you can use it in a test mode, and you can see how the device behaves.

Typical Mistakes When Cleaning Sensors and How to Avoid Them

Many users make mistakes that not only don't improve the performance of the robot, but can also disable it.

• 🧴 Use of household chemicals (like window washing products) that leave a film that interferes with sensors, use only isopropyl alcohol or special wipes for optics.
• 💦 Excessive moisture. Don't pour alcohol or water on the sensors -- it's easy enough to moisturize the tissue. Excess moisture can cause contacts to corrosion.
• 🔧 Disassemble a robot without experience. Don't try to disassemble the body if you're not sure about your skills. There are many fragile parts inside that are easily damaged.
• 🧹 Using a vacuum cleaner to clean. The powerful airflow from the vacuum cleaner can damage the sensors.
• 🕳️ Ignoring cliff sensors. Many people only clean the laser and bumper, forgetting about the drop sensors, which causes the robot to be afraid to drive on dark surfaces or fall down stairs.

Another common mistake is to clean the sensors by eye, for example, users can only wipe the visible part of the laser dome without removing dust from the inside. It doesn't work. Always remove the dome and clean the lens on both sides.

Also, don't clean the sensors in a dusty room, dust particles can settle on the surfaces that have just been rubbed, and it's better to do the procedure on the table, having previously wiped it with a wet cloth.

⚠️ Attention: If the robot becomes worse after cleaning (for example, it stops seeing obstacles or does not build a map), you may have damaged the sensor. In this case, you should contact the service center.

How often should you clean the sensors of the robot vacuum cleaner

The frequency of cleaning depends on the intensity of the robot use and the conditions in your home.

• 🏠 Frequent cleaning (daily) – clean the sensors 1 time per week.
• 🏡 Cleaning 2-3 Once a week – cleaning sensors 1 time 2 weekdays.
• 🏢 Cleaning 1 time per week or less – clean the sensors 1 time per month.

Also on the frequency of cleaning is affected by the following factors:

• 🐕 Pets (wool and dust clog sensors faster).
• 🚧 Repairs or construction work in the house (increased dustiness).
• 🌿 Large amounts of carpets or textiles (increases the amount of dust).
• 🍃 Using a robot for wet cleaning (wet environment contributes to the accumulation of dust).

In addition to cleaning regularly, pay attention to the condition of the filters and brushes. HEPA-A filter or dirty side brush can impair sensor performance indirectly: dust that the filter does not capture settles on the sensors. It is recommended to clean the filter after each cleaning, and side brushes 1 time per week.

If you notice that the robot has become less orientable, do not wait for a routine cleaning - check the sensors right away. For example, if the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro began to "get lost" in a familiar room, most likely, the laser sensor is already covered with dust.

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Regularly cleaning the sensors prolongs the life of the robot vacuum cleaner and prevents costly repairs, and statistics show that 70 percent of calls to service centers about “inappropriate behavior” of the robot are solved by simply cleaning the sensors.

Additional tips for caring for Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner

To make your robot vacuum cleaner last longer and work more efficiently, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Update your firmware through the Mi Home app. The manufacturer regularly releases updates that improve sensor performance and navigation.
• 🔄 Reset the map of the room periodically. If the robot starts to confuse the rooms, delete the saved map in the application and let it build it again.
• 🔋 Keep an eye on the battery. If the battery runs out too quickly, the robot may not be able to return to base, leading to chaotic driving.
• 🚪 Make the dock free. The robot must see the base from a distance of at least 1.5 meters. Do not place objects near it that can block the IR signal.
• 🌡️ Avoid extreme temperatures. Do not leave the robot on the balcony in winter or in direct sunlight in summer - this can damage electronic components.

If your Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with a zoning function (for example, DreameBot) Z10 Pro, check the relevance of the zones in the app regularly. Outdated zones can confuse the robot. It is also useful to run manual cleaning from time to time (from the remote or through the application) to check how the robot reacts to obstacles.

For models with wet cleaning function (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro), it is important to monitor the condition of the water tank and rag. Dirty water or dried residues of detergent can get on the sensors, worsening their performance. After wet cleaning, always rinse the tank and dry the cloth.

FAQ: Frequent questions about cleaning sensors of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi