How to Check Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Sensors: A Complete Guide with Tests and Tips

Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaners are smart assistants that save time on cleaning, but their effectiveness depends on the serviceability of the sensors. If your Mi Robot Vacuum has started to move randomly, skip sections, fight against furniture or fall down stairs, the problem is most likely lies in the sensors. Don't rush to bring the device to the service: most malfunctions can be diagnosed independently in 10-15 minutes.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to check all key sensors of Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner (including the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro models, S7, X10+ You'll learn which sensors are responsible for navigation, how to test them through the Mi Home app and manually, and what to do if errors are detected. LDS-sensor (laser scanner) – its failure leads to 80% of problems with mapping.

Before you start checking, make sure that the robot is charged (at least 20%) and the latest firmware is installed in the Mi Home app. LDS), Diagnostics by software methods can give false results.

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

Modern Xiaomi models are equipped with a set of sensors that work synchronously.

• 🔦 LDS-sensor -- builds a map of the room, determines the distance to the obstacles, the most important for navigation.
• 🛡️ Bumper (contact sensors) – responds to a physical collision with objects.
• 🌀 Gyroscope and accelerometer – track the position of the robot in space, prevent falls.
• 👁️ Fall sensors (cliff sensors) - detect stairs, rapids, sharp changes in height.
• 📡 Infrared sensors – help you navigate in the dark and detect small obstacles.
• 🔋 Battery Charge Sensor – monitors the charge level and battery temperature.

Budget models (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop Essential) may not be available. LDS, Navigation is done through a visual camera or a gyroscope, and the premium series (Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Ultra) has added ToF sensors to the system. 3D-scanning.

If the robot is not behaving properly, first identify which sensor may be to blame:

⚠️ Note: If the robot emits a high-frequency squeak when turned on LDS-sensors (especially in Mi Robot Vacuum models) 1S), This is a sign of a malfunction in the laser module, and further operation could cause overheating!

Preparation for diagnosis: what will be needed

For full check of sensors prepare:

• 📱 Smartphone with Mi Home app installed (version no lower than 6.0).
• 🔧 Cross screwdriver (for disassembling the robot, if you need a visual inspection).
• 📏 Line or roulette (for drop sensor test).
• 🔦 Flashlight (to illuminate IR sensors when checking).
• 🧹 Clean wipe (for cleaning lenses) LDS and cliff-sensors).

Also make sure that:

1. The robot is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone.
2. In the Mi Home settings, the developer mode is enabled (if you need access to logs).
3. The floor is cleared of small objects that may interfere with the tests.

If you are checking the robot after a fall or mechanical impact, first inspect the body for cracks. LDS) They can make diagnostics through software useless.

Verification LDS-The sensor (laser scanner) via the Mi Home

LDS (The Laser Distance Sensor is the robot's eyes, and it rotates at 300 to 500 revolutions per minute, scanning the room at 360.°. If the sensor is contaminated or damaged, the robot loses orientation.

How to check LDS appendix:

1. Open Mi Home, select your robot.
2. Go to Settings. → General. → Status of the device.
3. Find the Sensors or Diagnostics section (in newer versions of the app).
4. Run the test. LDS. In some models, you need to select Laser Checker.

If the application does not have direct access to the test, use an alternative method:

1. Place the robot on a flat surface.


2. Enable manual cleaning (without a card).




3. Watch the rotation of the LDS: it should be smooth, without jerks.




4 If the laser is not rotating or it is gnashing, the sensor is defective.

In models with visual navigation (for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite) instead of the model. LDS They use a camera to check it:

• 📸 Start cleaning in a dark room with the smartphone flashlight turned on.
• 🔍 Illuminate on the camera (usually on top): If the robot responds to light, the camera works.

⚠️ Note: Do not point laser pointers or bright light directly into the LDS-It can make it go down. Use a dry microfiber to clean the lens, so alcohol or wet wipes will damage the coating.

Diagnostics of bumper and contact sensors

The bumper of the robot is equipped with micro-switches that fire when it crashes, and if the robot doesn't respond to obstacles or stops for no reason, the bumper may be the problem.

How to check the bumper:

1. Turn on the robot and place it in front of the wall at a distance of 20-30 cm.
2. Start cleaning in Spot Cleaning mode.
3. Watch: ✅ The robot must drive up to the wall, touch it slightly and move away. ❌ If it hits with force or does not react, the bumper is faulty.

For a deep diagnosis:

1. Remove the bumper (carefully slapping the latches with a screwdriver).
2. Check the integrity of the spring contacts and wires.
3. Press the micro-switches manually - a click should be heard.

Method 2: Practical tests

1. Place the robot on the edge of the table (height 50-70 cm) and turn on cleaning.
2. A functional robot should stop 2-3 cm to the edge.
3. If he drives over the edge or refuses to move at all, the sensors are faulty.

For models with ultrasonic sensors (e.g. Xiaomi) X10+) test-around:

• 📏 Bring the robot to the step height of 10-15 cm.
• 🤖 It should detect an obstacle at a distance of 15-20 cm (no contact).

⚠️ Attention: If the robot, after falling from a height of more than 1 meter, begins to behave inadequately, do not limit yourself to checking the cliff sensors! Most likely, the gyroscope or the main board is damaged.

Checking the gyroscope and accelerometer

The gyroscope is responsible for the orientation of the robot in space, and the accelerometer is responsible for determining the acceleration, and if these sensors fail, the robot begins to "drunk": spinning around, zigzagging or losing base.

Signs of malfunction of the gyroscope:

• 🌀 The robot cannot build a straight line (goes crooked).
• 🗺️ The map in the Mi Home app is shifted or turned.
• 🔄 When returning to the base, the robot “misses” past the docking station.

How to check:

1. Place the robot on a flat surface (such as a table).
2. Turn on the cleaning in Zigzag mode.
3. Watch the trajectory: ✅ Straight lines and smooth turns - the gyroscope is serviceable. ❌ Chaotic movements or circles – sensor malfunctions.

For accurate diagnosis, use the test through ADB (Only for advanced users):

1. Connect the robot to the PC via USB (needed) OTG-adapter).


2. Enable the developer mode in Mi Home (10 times click on the software version).




3. execute the command:




adb shell getprop ro.vendor.xiaomi.sensor.gyro




4 If the output is empty or contains an "error", the gyroscope does not respond.

Diagnostics of battery and power sensor

If the robot suddenly shuts down, doesn’t hold a charge, or refuses to charge, the problem may lie in the battery sensor (BMS) This is especially true for models over 2-3 years old.

How to check:

1. Open Mi Home and see the battery discharge graph in the Status section.
2. If the graph is abrupt (for example, from 80% to 20% in 5 minutes), the sensor is lying.
3. Check the battery contacts: 🔌 Turn the robot off the power. 🔧 Remove the bottom cover (with a screwdriver). 🧹 Clean the battery contacts with alcohol (do not use abrasives!).

For removable battery models (e.g. Mi Robot Vacuum 1):

• 🔋 Remove the battery and inspect it for bloating.
• 📊 Check the voltage multimeter: the norm for Li-ion - 3.6–4.2V jar-driven.

If the battery sensor is faulty, the robot can:

• ⚡ Refuse to turn on at a charge level below 50%.
• 🔄 Turn off yourself during cleaning.
• ⚠️ Show Battery Error Error Error in the App.

💡

If the robot doesn't turn on after a fall or impact, check the fuse on the board (near the battery) first.

Frequent errors and their decoding

Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaners display sensor errors through voice messages, flashing indicators or notifications in Mi Home, and here's a transcript of the most common codes:

If the robot makes an error, but it is not in the table:

1. Write down a voice message or code (e.g., Error 12).
2. Check the logs in Mi Home (Settings) → Book of errors).
3. Search for a robot model transcript on forums (e.g, 4PDA Xiaomi Community).

In models with a display (for example, Xiaomi) X10+) Errors can be displayed as pictograms:

• 🚨 Exclamation point – critical error (reset required).
• 🔋 Battery with lightning - a problem with charging.
• 🌀 Circular hand - gyroscope error.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner sensors