How to disassemble the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Roborock S5: a complete guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi Roborock S5 is one of the most popular robot vacuum cleaners on the market, but even such reliable equipment requires maintenance. Dust, hair and small debris over time clog internal mechanisms, and falls or bumps can lead to breakdowns. Disassembling a robot vacuum cleaner on your own is not as difficult as it seems, if you know the sequence of actions and have the right tools at hand.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide to disassembling the Roborock S5 with photos of key steps, a list of tools you need and tips on how to avoid typical errors. We will also tell you which parts most often require cleaning or replacement, and give you tips for diagnosing malfunctions. If you are planning to clean brushes, replace batteries or repair sensors, this guide is for you.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. The Roborock S5 does not require specialized equipment, but some tools will make the process much easier:

• 🔧 Screwdriver cross (PH0 or PH1) — hull-rotor.
• 🔧 Plastic mediator or guitar mediator – to separate latches.
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver or tweezers - so as not to lose small screws.
• 📸 Smartphone - for photographing the dismantling stages (useful when assembly).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (70%+) — Cleaning contacts and sensors.

Important: The Roborock S5 has brittle plastic latches, so don’t use metal tools to separate parts of the body, and avoid putting too much pressure on the top cover, which has a lidar system underneath that’s easy to damage.

⚠️ Warning: If the robot vacuum cleaner is under warranty, self-disassembly will void warranty obligations.

Removal of the upper cover and access to internal components

The first step is to remove the top panel, which hides the main nodes: the battery, the control board, the lidar and the fan. Here's how to do it correctly:

1. Turn the robot vacuum cleaner buttons down on a soft surface (a towel or rubber mat) so as not to scratch the body.
2. Unscrew the 4 screws on the bottom (they are located in corners under the rubber legs). Use a screwdriver PH0.
3. Carefully place the plastic mediator in the gaps between the top and bottom of the case, start at the back (on the button side) and gradually move around the perimeter, disconnecting the latches.
4. When all the latches are snapped, lift the upper cover, but do not remove it completely - it is attached to the plumes of lidar and buttons.

Under the lid, you'll see:

• 🔋 Battery (14.4V, 5,200 mAh).
• 🖥️ Basic board with sensor connectors.
• 🌀 Lidar (rotating laser rangefinder).
• 💨 Fan and dust collector.

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If the latches do not lend themselves, slightly heat the body with a hairdryer (temperature to 50 ° C) - the plastic will become more elastic.

Disabling the plumes and retrieving the battery

Before you continue disassembling, you need to disconnect all the plumes and wires, which will prevent damage to the contacts and facilitate access to internal parts.

Follow this sequence:

1. Disconnect the lidar plume (white latch connector) gently pull the black tongue up, then pull the plume out.
2. Turn off the button plume (a small black connector next to the battery).
3. Unscrew the 2 screws that hold the battery, and unplug the connector from the board.

Now you can take the battery out. Notice the condition of the battery.

• 🔋 If the battery is swollen, it must be replaced immediately.
• 🔋 If the contacts are oxidized - clean them with alcohol and cotton swab.
• 🔋 Check the voltage with a multimeter (should be) ~14.4V fully charged).

⚠️ Warning: A bloated battery can ignite if punctured or severely mechanically impacted. Don't try to repair it, just replace it!

Disassembly and cleaning of the dust collector, brushes and fan

One of the most common reasons Roborock S5 disassembly is due to cleaning the dust collector and brushes, which eventually become clogged with hair, thread and small debris, which reduces the efficiency of cleaning.

To get to these nodes:

1. Remove the dust collector (container for garbage) - it is attached to the latches.
2. Extract. HEPA-filter and rinse it under running water (dry for at least 24 hours!).
3. Unscrew 3 screws on the bottom of the case (under the dust collector) and remove the protective cover.
4. Take out the main brush (roller with bristles) and the side brush (they are attached to the latches).

Use:

• 🧹 Toothpicking – to remove hair from brush bearings.
• 🧴 Soap solution - for washing the roller.
• 💨 Compressor – for blowing the fan (do not use wet cleaning!).

Diagnostics and repair of sensors (lidar, bumper, optical sensors)

If the Roborock S5 gets the map wrong, doesn't see an obstacle, or gets stuck, the problem could be the sensors.

1. Lidar (laser rangefinder)

• 🔍 Symptoms: robot moves chaoticly, does not build a map, gives an error Lidar blocked.
• 🛠️ Repair: Blow the lidar lens with compressed air. Check the rotation (should be smooth, without jamming). Clean the plume contacts with alcohol.

2. bumper (impact sensor)

• 🔍 Symptoms: the robot does not respond to collisions, continues to beat in obstacles.
• 🛠️ Repair: Check the spring contacts inside the bumper (they should be whole.

Optical sensors (under the bottom)

• 🔍 Symptoms: the robot falls from a height, does not see the stairs.
• 🛠️ Repair: Wipe the sensors with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

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If you have a problem after cleaning the sensors, check the firmware of the robot in the Mi Home application. Sometimes sensor failures are caused by software errors that are corrected by the update.

Battery Replacement: Battery Selection and Installation

The battery is one of the most vulnerable parts of the Roborock S5, and after 2-3 years of heavy use, its capacity decreases, and the robot begins to quickly discharge or not hold a charge, and replacing the battery is one of the most popular procedures.

How to choose a battery:

• 🔋 Original article: LIT520052P (5,200 mAh, 14.4V).
• 🔋 Compatible analogues: BTY-MJ1-5200 or HJ5200-14.4.
• 🔋 Avoid cheap batteries without protection – they can ignite when charged.

Step-by-step replacement:

1. Turn off the old battery (as described in Section 3).
2. Set up a new battery, match the contacts. Secure it with screws.
3. Connect the connector to the board and check for polarity.
4. Turn on the robot and wait for full charging (the first cycle can take up to 6 hours).

⚠️ Warning: After replacing the battery, be sure to calibrate in the Mi Home app (Settings section) → Calibration of sensors. This is necessary for the navigation system to work properly.

Assembly of a robot vacuum cleaner: the procedure and verification

The Roborock S5 should be built in reverse order, but there are a few nuances that will help to avoid errors:

Assembly order:

1. Put all the loops (lidar, buttons) in place and fix them with latches.
2. Secure the battery and connect it to the board.
3. Set the top cover, starting from the front (from the lidar side), and click it around the perimeter.
4. Twisted 4 screws on the bottom of the body.
5. Install a dust collector, brushes and filter.

Post-assembly check:

• 🔋 Turn on the robot and check the charging indication.
• 🌀 Run a test cleaning and make sure the lidar rotates and the map is built correctly.
• 💨 Check the suction power (should match the selected mode).
• 🚫 Make sure there are no extraneous sounds (squeaking, knocking).

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If the robot produces an E1 error after assembly (a lidar problem), check the connection of the plume and the purity of the contacts. Often the error occurs due to insufficient tightness of the cover.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Roborock S5