Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaner is a smart device that makes cleaning a lot easier. But like any appliance, it can fail: pick up garbage poorly, move around randomly, don't return to base, or shut down suddenly. Before you carry it to a service center, you should check its performance yourself. In 80% of cases, problems are solved by simple diagnosis or cleaning of key sites.
In this article, we will discuss Xiaomi’s step-by-step method of testing a robot vacuum cleaner (including Mi Robot Vacuum, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop, Viomi, and others), learn how to test sensors, motor, battery, brushes and software, and what to do if the device behaves incorrectly, and pay special attention to hidden errors that are not displayed in the Mi Home app, but affect performance.
External examination and preparation for diagnosis
Before you start testing, you need to make sure that the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner is physically fit.
- 🔍 Body and wheels: check for cracks, chips or foreign objects that block movement.
- 🧹 Brushes and filters: the main and side brushes should not be wrapped with hair or threads. The filter (usually under the lid of the garbage container) should be clean.
- 🔋 Charging contacts: There should be no oxidation or dirt on the base and on the robot itself.
- 📱 Indicators: At least one LED (usually blue or white) should light up when turned on. If there are no indicators, there is a power problem.
If you find mechanical damage (such as a cracked wheel or a bent brush), further diagnosis may be pointless – first correct the physical defects. Also make sure that the dust collector is free of debris: a crowded container often causes errors in operation.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on the robot vacuum cleaner if there are traces of moisture on its body or inside. This can lead to a short circuit. If the machine is wet, dry it for at least 24 hours.
Check the case for cracks|Check the wheels' rotation.|Clean brushes and filters|Wipe the charging contacts|Make sure there's no moisture-->
2. Battery and charging check
The battery is one of the most vulnerable parts of a robot vacuum cleaner, and if it doesn't hold a charge, it discharges quickly, or it doesn't turn on, it's probably the battery that's the problem.
- Charging test: Connect the robot to the base and observe the indicator: 🔄 Blinking orange -- charging. 🟢 Permanent green/blue – charging completed. ❌ Red or no light – charging error.
Checking of working hours
- 🔋 Mi Robot Vacuum 1S/2S: 1.5–2.5 hour.
- 🔋 Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro: 2-3 hours.
- 🔋 Models with LiDAR (e.g, S10): 3.5 hours.
- Diagnostics via Mi Home: Open the Device Section in the app → Battery status: If it says "Replace battery" or "Low capacity," the battery needs to be replaced.
To accurately check the capacity, you can use a multimeter (if you have experience with electronics), normal voltage at the battery terminals when fully charged: 16.8-17.5 V for most Xiaomi models. If the voltage is below 14 V, the battery is critically discharged.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Not turned on, indicators not burning | Discharged or defective battery | Charge 2-3 hours, if it does not help - replace the battery |
| Fast discharge (less than 30 minutes) | Battery wear or high current consumption | Check the brushes/engine for locking, battery test |
| No charge at base. | Oxidation of contacts or failure of the power supply | Clear contacts, check power adapter |
| Charges only when the cable is manually connected | Failure of the base position sensor | Reset the base or reset the settings |
Once a month|Only when problems arise|Never checked.|I don't know how to do that.-->
3. Testing of sensors and navigation
If Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaner has become chaotic, hitting furniture or getting lost in space, the problem is sensors.
- 📡 LiDAR (laser rangefinder) - builds a room map.
- 👁️ Infrared sensors – Detect obstacles and edges.
- 🧲 Gyroscope and accelerometer – track the position of space.
- 📶 Height Sensor – prevents falling from stairs.
To check their performance:
- LiDAR test (for models with a laser, for example, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro): Turn the robot on and lift it from the floor 20-30 cm Start cleaning: the laser must rotate (visible through a transparent window on top). If the laser does not rotate or flashes red, the sensor is faulty.
- Infrared sensor check: Put your hand to the front bumper of the robot at a distance of 5-10 cm If the device does not stop, the sensors are contaminated or broken. Clean them with a soft cloth (do not use alcohol!).
Fall test
- Bring the robot to the edge of a step or podium.
- The correct device will stop 2-3 cm to the edge.
What if the robot can’t see the base?
Diagnostics of engine and brushes
If Xiaomi's robot vacuum cleaner doesn't suck up garbage, make a loud noise, or make unusual noises (squeaking, knocking), the problem may be the engine or brushes.
Step 1: Checking the main brush
- 🛠️ Remove the brush (usually attached to latches or a single screw).
- 🧼 Clean it of hair, thread and debris. Check the bearings, they should rotate easily.
- 🔄 Install back and run the test: in the Mi Home app, select Manual Control → If the brush isn't spinning, the problem is the motor or the wiring.
Step 2: Side brush test
- 🌀 The side brush should rotate freely when touched.
- 🔋 If it does not spin during cleaning, check the gears and motor (often breaks due to hair ingress).
Step 3: Checking the suction engine
- 🎵 Run the robot at maximum power. Normal sound is a smooth hum without creaking.
- 💨 Put your hand in the air intake, you're going to feel a lot of traction, if you don't have it, you're going to have a clogged filter, a tube, or a malfunctioning engine.
- 🛑 If the engine does not turn on at all, check: Safety on the board (can burn when overheated).
⚠️ Warning: If you hear metal grinding when you're running the engine, turn off the robot immediately, which may indicate that solid objects (such as coins or nuts) are hitting the turbine.
💡
To extend the life of brushes, once a week, clean them with scissors from wound hair. For a side brush, an old toothbrush is suitable - it is convenient to clean the dirt from the gears.
5. Check Wi-Fi and Mi Home Connection
If the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner doesn’t connect to the Mi Home app, doesn’t respond to commands, or permanently resets communication, the problem may be:
- 📶 Wi-Fi router (weak signal, incompatible standard).
- 📱 Settings of the device (region lost, outdated firmware).
- 🔄 Xiaomi servers (temporary failures).
Step-by-step diagnostics:
- Check your router connection: The robot must be on the same network as the smartphone. Wi-Fi must be running at 2.4 GHz (5 GHz not supported!). WPA3 In the router settings – some Xiaomi models are incompatible with it.
Reconnect the device
1. In Mi Home: Devices → Press the robot → ⚙️ → Remove the device.
2.Reset the robot: Hold the power button and Wi-Fi for 5 seconds.
3. Add again through "Add device".Check out Xiaomi servers
- Open status.mi.com – if there are any crashes, wait 1-2 hours.
- Try changing the region in Mi Home to China (sometimes helps with connection errors).
If the robot connects but doesn’t follow commands (like not starting cleaning), try:
- Update the firmware (section 6).
- Reboot the router.
- Install alternative software, such as Valetudo (for advanced users).
💡
If the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner connects to Wi-Fi but doesn’t build a map in the Mi Home, try resetting to factory settings. + Wi-Fi in 10 seconds.
6. Update firmware and reset settings
Outdated firmware can cause freezes, navigation errors, or connection problems.
- Check the current version: In Mi Home, open the device → Settings → Compare the version with the latest updates on Xiaomi's website.
- Update via Mi Home: Connect the robot to charge. In the app, click Update firmware (if available). Don't interrupt the process! This can brick the device.
Manual update (if automatic does not work)
- Download the firmware for your model from the 4PDA forum.
- Unpack the archive and place the.pkg file in the root SD-Your card (if your model supports your card).
- Insert the card into the robot and hold the Reset button for 5 seconds.
If after the update, the robot is unstable, reset to the factory settings:
- Hold the power buttons. + Wi-Fi 10-15 seconds before the beep.
- After reset, you will have to reconnect the device to the Mi Home and configure the cards.
Important: After resetting, the robot may behave unusually during the first 1-2 cleanings, which is normal as it recalibrates the sensors.
7. Diagnostics of hidden errors (without attachment)
Not all problems with Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaner are displayed in the Mi Home.Some errors can only be detected through beeps or button combinations.
Methods of verification:
- 🔊 Sound error codes: 1 short signal is normal start, 2 short signal is brush problem, 3 short ones jammed the wheel, Continuous squeak is drop sensor error.
- 🔘 Button test (for models without display): Keep power + Spot Cleaning 3 seconds: The robot will voice battery status. + Dock 5 seconds – engine test (brushes and wheels must work).
- 📊 Error Logs (for advanced): Connect to the robot SSH (If you have a custom firmware like Valetudo installed, follow the command: cat /mnt/default/root/log/current
If the robot makes non-standard sounds (such as a long squeak or repeated signals), record them and compare them with official documentation. 1S When an error occurs, LiDAR emits 4 short signals.
⚠️ Note: If the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi after turning on immediately turns off or emits a siren, this may indicate critical errors of the control board.