Modern automatic cleaning devices like the Xiaomi Roborock have proven to be reliable assistants that can keep the house clean for years. However, even the most advanced equipment requires periodic maintenance that goes beyond simply cleaning the dust collector and wiping the case with a wet wipe. Over time, hair, animal hair and fine dust can accumulate in the back of the mechanism, leading to reduced suction efficiency, extraneous noises, or even a turbobrush failure.
Many owners are afraid to start dismantling the robot vacuum cleaner for fear of damaging fragile plastic latches or disrupting complex electronics. Indeed, Xiaomi and Roborock devices are designed with high density layout, and careless movement can cause breakdown. However, knowing the correct algorithm of actions and the sequence of dismantling allows you to carry out deep cleaning or replacement of worn components at home without going to the service center.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of opening the body of popular models of the S, E and T. You will learn where the screws hide, how to safely disconnect the plumes and which nodes to pay special attention to in prevention. The main screw holding the main engine module is often hidden under a decorative sticker at the bottom of the device, and its omission makes further disassembly impossible. Get ready for work, stock up the necessary tool and follow the instructions carefully.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before you start dismantling a complex electronic device, you need to organize the right workspace. You need a desk with good, bright lighting to see the small parts and fasteners. The surface should be clean and flat, preferably covered with soft cloth or an antistatic mat, to prevent scratches on the glossy plastic of the case and prevent the loss of small screws.
The Roborock disassembly toolkit is minimal but specific. The main tool will be a PH2 or PH1 size cross screwdriver, as these are the screws used by the manufacturer to attach the main nodes. You may also need a flat screwdriver or a plastic shovel (pooder) to gently snap plastic clips without damaging the case.
Make sure to prepare the containers for sorting the fastener. The screws in different parts can vary in length and thread, and to confuse them means risking damage to plastic or electronics during assembly. It is recommended to use a magnetic tray or container with cells, signing each stage of dismantling.
☑️ Roborock Disassembly Tools
Safety is an important step in preparation. Before any work begins, the device must be completely turned off, hold the power button on the case until the characteristic audible signal or complete quenching of the indicators. If the model allows, remove the dust collector and water module to lighten the weight of the structure and avoid accidental water entering the contacts.
Primary dismantling of external elements and bottom
The disassembly process starts with exploring the bottom of the device, and this is where the main removable elements and attachment points are located. Turn the robot vacuum cleaner upside down and inspect the perimeter carefully. The first step is always to remove the dust collector and, if installed, the wet cleaning module, which will free up access to the internal screws and reduce the risk of damage during operation.
Then you take off the side brush, which is usually mounted with one screw in the center or simply on the shaft slits. Carefully unscrew the lock or pull the brush up, taking care not to break the plastic teeth. Then, pay attention to the main turbobrush: remove the end covers on both sides and remove the shaft to clean the wound hair.
The most critical point of the initial phase is to remove the bottom cover. On the Roborock S50/S55 and newer versions, it can be held on multiple perimeter screws and hidden latches. Use a screwdriver to twist out visible screws, and then gently walk the plastic blade along the junction of the cover and the main body, snapping the locks around the circle.
- 🔍 Carefully inspect the bottom for hidden screws under rubber legs or decorative plugs.
- 🔧 Do not use excessive force when slashing the lid, plastic can be brittle, especially if the device worked in a cold room.
- 🧹 Immediately clean the turbobrush compartment of large debris so that it does not fall deeper inside the case during further disassembly.
⚠️ Warning: When removing the bottom cover, be extremely careful with the wires going to the carpet contamination sensor or charging contacts. These can be short and glued to the cover.
Once the bottom panel is successfully removed, you will have access to the wheels, the side brush assembled and the bottom sensors, the perfect time to clean them without deep intrusion into the electronic part of the device, blow the compartment with compressed air or gently remove dust with a soft brush.
Disassembly of the main body and access to electronics
Deeper maintenance, such as replacing the battery or cleaning the main fan, will require removing the top cover with a laser rangefinder (LDS).This process requires more delicacy, as this is where most plumes and brittle joints are located. Start by dismantling the bumper if the design of your Xiaomi model implies this, although in modern versions it is often part of the lower chassis.
The top cover is usually mounted with screws that are only available when the bottom compartment or side elements are removed. In some models, such as the Roborock S6, you need to carefully tuck the lid around the laser module. The laser rangefinder rotates and is sensitive to dust, but it is quite durable in itself. The main thing is not to damage the plume that connects the LDS motor to the motherboard.
Once you access the insides, you’ll see the main printed circuit board (PCB), battery pack and wheel motors. The battery in most Roborock models is a block of several 18650 cells encased in a plastic case and connected through a connector. Before disconnecting the battery, be sure to make sure the device is off to avoid short circuit.
Features of the design of the laser module
To remove the motherboard, you may need to disconnect a lot of plumes: from the control buttons, from the display (if any), from the Wi-Fi module and sensors. Each plume has its own locking mechanism (latch), which you need to bend before you remove the cable. You can not pull behind the wire itself — only for the plastic tip.
Maintenance of chassis and turbosystem
The running gear of a robot vacuum cleaner is a high-risk area, and the wheels are in constant contact with the floor, collecting wool, hair and thread that are wound on the axle, and over time, this leads to rotational blockages and sensor errors. The wheel module is usually disassembled in a simple way, with multiple screws attached to the bottom frame and connected by a plume or connector to the board.
When you remove the wheel module, you can completely clear the axis of the wound fibers. Often, the springs inside the mechanism are also clogged with debris, which prevents the wheel from returning to its original position. Washing and lubricating the mechanism (use a silicone lubricant that leaves no trace) will significantly extend the life of the knot.
The vacuum turbo system also requires attention, and the main motor is located deep in the body, and often requires the removal of the dust duct, the plastic pipe that runs from brush to motor, which often forms dense dust plugs inside the channel, which reduces traction.
| Component | Frequency of service | Risks of ignoring | The necessary tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbobrush | Every 1-2 weeks | Belt break, engine overheating | Scissors, tweezers |
| HEPA filter | Once a month (cleaning) | Suction power drop | Brush, water. |
| Wheels. | Once in 3 months | The "wheel stuck" error | Screwdriver, tweezers. |
| Sensors. | Six months | Falling from a height, chaotic movement | Dry napkin. |
When cleaning the main motor fan, be careful: the blades can be brittle. The best way is to blow them with compressed air through the grille without disassembling the engine compartment itself unless there is an urgent need for it, and disassembling the engine itself almost always leads to its unbalanced and noisy operation.
Replacement of the battery
One of the most common reasons for deep disassembly is to replace the battery. Over time, the capacity of the lithium-ion cells drops, and the robot starts to work for 10-15 minutes instead of the required hour and a half. In Roborock models, the battery unit is usually located in the center of the body and closed with an additional plastic cover or the body itself.
To replace, you'll need a new battery pack with similar voltage and capacity characteristics. It's important to pick up a battery with the right connector. The replacement process is to unplug the old connector from the control board and install a new one. No soldering is usually required, since standard connectors are used.
When you install a new battery, don't rush to close the case right away. Turn on the device and check if the app sees charging status and if the percentage of charge is displayed correctly. If the robot goes into charging and reports full charge after a couple of minutes or, on the contrary, does not see the battery, check the density of the connector.
⚠️ Attention: Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to overheating. Do not leave the robot with the battery disassembled in direct sunlight or near heat sources during repairs.
You have to dispose of your old battery according to the rules of your region, you can't just throw it in the trash, because it's got reactive substances inside, and you can take it to a special battery reception center.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
It's the golden rule of any repair, and you have to be careful to keep all the plumes locked up and locked up with the latches, and if you don't press the plug, you can cause the sensors to be unstable or the node to fail completely.
When installing the top cover with the laser module, make sure that nothing interferes with the rotation of the lidar. Make sure that the wires do not fall under the screws and are not clamped with plastic parts of the case. Twisted the screws without undue effort to avoid breaking the thread in the plastic seats.
Once fully assembled, turn on the robot and start a test cleaning. Pay attention to the noise level: if there is a new hum or whistle, then some node is assembled incorrectly or a foreign object has entered the mechanism. Check the construction of the map and the operation of the obstacle sensors.
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When you build, use a magnetic screwdriver stand to keep the screws from dropping inside the case. If the screw does fall, don't shake the device - use tweezers or a magnet on the fishing line to extract.
Successful build and launch means you’ve saved a significant amount of money on service center services and extended the life of your smart assistant. The regular maintenance that’s now available will allow the device to run at maximum efficiency for years to come.
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Quality assembly is more important than speed, and take 10 minutes to check all connections before the final screw twisting to avoid re-disassembly.