Clean the sensor of the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi: 3 proven ways + Mistakes that damage sensors

Has Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner started to randomly rush around the room, skip lots or constantly crash into furniture? 90% In some cases, the fault lies with the contaminated sensors, which are responsible for navigation, detection of obstacles and construction of a map of the room. 2-3 Weeks of active use, but most users forget about it before the first crash.

In this article, you can find step-by-step instructions for all popular models (Mi Robot Vacuum, Roborock). S7/S8, Dreame et al., a list of tools you need (most of them will be at home), and common errors that cause sensors to break, and we'll focus on laser lidars and infrared sensors, which require careful cleaning, but are the ones that most often fail due to dust.

If your vacuum cleaner becomes blind after a wet cleaning or falling from a height, the problem can be more serious than regular dirt, in which case cleaning the sensors will not help, and you need to diagnose the control board, but in 80% of cases, it is enough to remove dust and fat from the surface of the sensors to return the device to its original accuracy.

Before you start, check if your model has expired warranty. Some Xiaomi service centers will cancel the warranty when you open the case yourself, even if you just cleaned the sensors.

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

Modern Xiaomi and Roborock models are equipped 5-7 So, there are different types of sensors, each of which has different functions, and the location and number of sensors depends on the generation of the device, but the basic set is the same for most models:

• 🔦 Laser lidar (LDS) — The main vacuum cleaner's eye, scanning the room and building a map, is under a rotating transparent dome on the top panel.
• 👁️ Infrared (IR) sensors – detect obstacles at a distance of up to 10 cm (located around the perimeter of the body).
• 📏 Fall sensors – prevent falling from a ladder or threshold (on the bottom panel).
• 🧲 Magnetic sensors – respond to virtual walls and cleaning areas (built into the case).
• 🔋 Charge sensor – determines the level of the battery and the position of the docking station.
• 💨 Optical dust sensor – analyzes the degree of air pollution (not in all models).

Lidar and IR sensors are the most vulnerable to contamination. Dust, animal hair, and greasy fingerprints (if you use your hands often) accumulate on their surfaces, distorting the signal. For example, a contaminated lidar can "not see" the wall or mistook the shadow for an obstacle, and clogged IR sensors cause the vacuum cleaner to beat the legs of the chairs as if they were not there.

Models with cameras (Roborock) S8 Pro Ultra, DreameBot X30 Ultras have additional optical sensors that require cleaning, which are usually just dry microfiber, without alcohol or wet wipes, otherwise there will be divorces.

Signs of contaminated sensors: when it's time to clean

Don't wait for the vacuum cleaner to start behaving like a drunk! There are 5 clear symptoms that indicate sensory issues:

• 🌀 A vacuum cleaner spins in one place or spirals, cannot build a map.
• 🚪 Sees no obstacle: crashes into furniture, walls or feet of the owners.
• 🗺️ Map in the application is distorted or not saved (rooms overlap each other).
• 🔄 Often returns to base with the error "stuck" (Error 10, Error 12 in Mi Home).
• 🐾 Missing areas during cleaning, especially along the boards.

The critical point is that if the vacuum cleaner starts to emit a high-frequency squeak or flashes a red indicator when the lidar is turned on, it's a sign of mechanical damage to the sensor, not just contamination, in which case cleaning won't help, you need to replace the part.

Before disassembling the vacuum cleaner, check the simplest causes of failures:

1. Make sure there are no mirror or glass surfaces on the floor - they knock down lidar.
2. See if direct sunlight hits the sensors (especially for models with cameras).
3. Check whether there are other IR devices (remote, alarms) nearby that can cause interference.

⚠️ Warning: If the vacuum cleaner still behaves strangely after cleaning the sensors, reset it to the factory settings via the Mi Home app (Device Settings) → Sometimes failures are caused not by hardware but by software errors.

Preparation for cleaning: what you need and safety measures

You don't need professional tools to clean the sensors, you just need what's on hand. Here's the full list:

What can't be done:

• 🚫 Use abrasive materials (steelpaper, hard sponges) - they scratch the sensor lenses.
• 🚫 Blow sensors with your mouth – saliva contains fats that will remain on the surface.
• 🚫 Apply household chemicals (soap solution, glass fixture) - it can damage the coating of sensors.
• 🚫 Disassemble lidar without experience - inside fragile mirrors and a laser module.

Before cleaning, it is necessary:

1. Turn off the vacuum cleaner and take out the battery (if the model allows).
2. Work on a soft surface (towel, mat) so as not to scratch the body.
3. Take a picture of the location of the sensors before disassembly - this will help to collect everything back.

Step-by-step: how to clean lidar (LDS) in a Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner

Lidar is the most important and most capricious sensor, and cleaning it requires precision, but you can handle it. 10-15 Instructions are suitable for models: Mi Robot Vacuum, Roborock S5/S6/S7/S8, Dreame D9/D10.

Step 1 Removing the top lidar cover

On most models, the lidar is closed with a transparent plastic dome, which is mounted on latches or screws:

1. Carefully tuck the dome with a plastic card or a mediator (not a knife!) and start on one side where there are no visible mounts.
2. If the dome does not lend itself, check for screws under rubber plugs (usually 2-3 stuff).
3. Remove the dome and put it aside – it is fragile!

Step 2: Removal of dust from the rotating part

Under the dome, you'll see a rotating plate with a mirror -- this is the heart of a lidar -- to clean it up.

1. Soft brush dust off the surface of the mirror and the case, movement from center to edge.
2. With a cotton swab soaked in alcohol, wipe the mirror. Don't push! Enough tangential motion.
3. If there are greasy spots (from the fingers), use a dry microfiber - alcohol can leave stains on the optics.

Step 3: Cleaning the laser module

In the center of the plate is a laser emitter, a small hole, which you can't touch with cotton swabs.

1. Blow the hole with compressed air (a balloon or vacuum cleaner on blowing).
2. If the dust is not blown out, gently wet the area around the hole with a dry napkin.

Step 4: Lidar assembly

After cleaning:

1. Make sure there are no napkins left on the mirror and inside the case.
2. Carefully put the dome back on, combining the grooves and latches.
3. Twirl the screws (if any) and check that the dome rotates freely (blow on it - it should be easy to scroll).

⚠️ Attention: If the lidar is squeezing or not rotating after assembly, you've got the dome incorrectly installed or debris in!

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After cleaning the lidar, turn on the vacuum cleaner and check its operation in the dark - so laser beams are better visible (they should form a flat circle around the device).

Cleaning infrared (IR) sensors and fall sensors

IR sensors and drop sensors are easier to clean than lidar, but there are more of them.

• 🔴 Front IR sensors - under a transparent strip on the front bumper.
• ⚫ Side IR sensors – small round windows on the sides of the body.
• 🔽 The drop sensors are on the bottom panel, usually 4-6 piece.

How to clean:

1. Wipe the front strip with a microfiber soaked in alcohol, and move parallel to the sensors, not across.
2. Clean the side sensors with a cotton swab. If they're recessed in the case, use a cotton cotton toothpick.
3. Blow the drop sensors (bottom) with compressed air and wipe with a dry wipe. Don't use alcohol - it can damage their sensitivity!

Pay special attention to the bumper, which is often accreted under it, which blocks the IR signal, to remove it:

1. Find two latches on the sides of the bumper (usually hidden under rubber linings).
2. Carefully flick them with a plastic spatula.
3. Wipe the inside of the bumper with a wet napkin and dry.

Post-cleaning check:

Turn on the vacuum cleaner and hold your hand to the front sensors in the distance 5-10 If it stops or changes trajectory, the sensors are working correctly. If not, repeat the cleaning or check them for damage.

Cleaning optical dust sensor and camera (for models with visual navigation)

Roborock models S8 Pro Ultra, DreameBot X30 Ultra and some others are equipped with cameras and optical dust sensors. Their cleaning has nuances:

Optical dust sensor (usually located next to the dumpster):

• 🕳️ Carefully remove the protective grille (it is attached to the latches).
• 🧹 Blow the inner cavity with compressed air.
• 📸 Wipe the sensor lens with a dry microfiber (without alcohol!).

Camera (if any):

• 📷 Wipe the lens with a dry napkin for optics (spiral motion from center to edges).
• 🚫 Do not use alcohol or wet wipes – they leave a stain that distorts the image.
• 🔍 Check if there is any dust on the matrix inside the chamber (as seen in the app's image) and if there is, you need professional cleaning.

After cleaning the camera, run the test in the Mi Home app (Settings) → Camera. → If the image remains blurry, it may be necessary to replace the module.

Common Mistakes When Cleaning Sensors and How to Avoid Them

Even the most experienced users sometimes make mistakes that cause sensors to break down. TOP-5 most dangerous:

• 🧴 The use of aggressive liquids (acetone, white spirit, glass washing agent) corrodes the protective coating of the lenses.
• 🔧 Using metal tools (screwdrivers, knives) to remove the covers, which scratches the plastic and can damage the circuit boards.
• 💦 Moisture entering sensors, even a drop of water can cause contacts to corrosion.
• 🌀 Excessive cleaning effort. Sensors are fragile devices, they're easy to break if you rub too much.
• 🔌 Even if the vacuum is off, the capacitors may still have a charge.

How to avoid problems:

Always follow the three "NO" rules:

1. Do not use anything but microfiber, alcohol and compressed air.
2. Do not analyze the sensors deeper than shown in the instructions.
3. DO NOT turn on the vacuum cleaner immediately after cleaning - let the alcohol evaporate (10-15 minute).

If you're in doubt, watch the video instructions for your model on YouTube, for example, for Roborock. S7 There are detailed disassemblies indicating all hidden latches.

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The most common cause of lidar failure after cleaning is when the napkin villi hit a rotating mirror. Always use lidar-free materials!

What to do if cleaning did not help: diagnosis and further actions

If the vacuum cleaner doesn't work properly after cleaning the sensors, the problem could be deeper.

• 🔍 Check the Mi Home app: Are there any errors in the log (Settings) → Error logs: Error 3, Error 9 codes often indicate sensor problems.

If nothing works, you may need to replace the sensor. Here are the estimated prices for parts (2026):

For replacement, it is better to contact the official Xiaomi service or a proven workshop. Self-repair is justified only if you are confident in your skills and you have the necessary equipment (sweeping station, tester, tweezers).

⚠️ Warning: Buy parts only from authorized dealers or trusted sellers (e.g. AliExpress with a rating above 98%).Fake sensors often have incompatible firmware and can incapacitate the control board.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions