Modern smart devices require regular maintenance, and Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners are no exception. Over time, owners may notice that the device has become more likely to encounter obstacles, get stuck in the flat or no longer find a base for charging. In most cases, these failures are caused by banal contamination of optical sensors and mechanical sensors that are responsible for navigation in space. Dust, pet hair and small debris accumulate on the surfaces of the lenses, blocking the passage of signals and knocking the algorithms for building a room map.
Timely cleaning allows you not only to restore full functionality of the gadget, but also to extend its life, preventing engine wear due to constant operation in emergency modes. In this article, we will analyze in detail the location of all sensitive elements in the models Xiaomi Vacuum and Roborock, and provide a step-by-step algorithm for their safe cleaning. You will learn which tools are really necessary and which methods can irrevocably damage electronics.
Before you start to act, you need to completely disconnect the device from the network and turn it off with a physical button. Ignoring this rule can lead to a short circuit if moisture or metal dust gets inside during the cleaning process, prepare dry, lilaless fabric, cotton swabs and, if necessary, compressed air in a can.
Types of sensors and their impact on navigation
The robot vacuum cleaner orientation system is built on a complex of different sensors, each of which performs its unique function (LDS), located in a characteristic cylinder on the upper part of the body, scans the room, creating an accurate 3D-If this element is contaminated, the device loses its ability to build a map, moves randomly or constantly requires manual rearrangement.
On the bottom panel are elevation sensors and floor sensors. The first prevents the machine from falling from stairs or steps by reading the distance to the surface; the second determines the type of coating (carpet or hard floor) to automatically increase the suction power. Pollution of these areas leads to false positives: the robot can “see” non-existent (cliffs) on a flat floor or, conversely, not respond to real danger.
Special attention should be paid to infrared receivers on the bumper and at the charging station, which allow the device to precisely dock with contacts to recharge. The dust plaque on the IR port of the base often causes the robot to spin around the station, but can not park. There are also wheel sensors that signal a stuck; if they are stuck, the robot will constantly give an error, even if the wheels are free.
Tools and workplace preparation required
No professional equipment is required to clean the sensors properly, but using the wrong materials can do more harm than good. The rule is to avoid aggressive chemistry and abrasive materials that can scratch the optics. You'll need a soft microfibre that leaves no villi and cotton swabs for hard-to-reach areas.
If the contamination is severe, it is possible to easily moisten the fabric with distilled water, but in no case do not apply the liquid directly to the body of the device. To remove dust from the internal mechanisms of the lidar, a canister of compressed air is ideal. Also prepare a bright lamp or flashlight, as some sensors are located in deep niches and poorly lit in ordinary room light.
⚠️ Attention: Alcohol-containing solvents, acetone or wipers are strictly prohibited for cleaning the sensor lenses. Aggressive chemistry can destroy the special anti-reflective coating of optics, which will lead to irreversible deterioration of the scan quality.
Arrange the workplace so that you have enough room to maneuver. Cover the desk with a light cloth to help you notice small details or screws if you need partial disassembly. Make sure the robot is completely cooled after the last cleaning, especially if you plan to touch the internal components of the engine compartment.
Cleaning of the laser rangefinder (LDS)
The laser module is the "eyes" of your robot. In Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum and Roborock S5/S6, it is in a rotating tower. Over time, fine dust accumulates inside the transparent window, which dissipates the laser beam. To clean, first gently wipe the outer plastic window with a dry microfiber in circular motions.
If the external cleaning didn't work and you see the dust under the plastic, you'll need access inside. In most models, the top lid of the tower is removed by gently tweaking with a plastic mediator or a thin screwdriver, or unscrewing the screws (depending on the revision). Inside, you'll see the horizontal mirror and the laser emitter itself. The mirror should be cleaned extremely carefully, only with a dry cotton swab, without pressing, so as not to knock the angle of reflection calibration.
What to do if the lidar makes noise after cleaning?
Once assembled, make sure the tower rotates freely and doesn't touch the body. Start mapping through the Mi Home app and observe the behavior of the device. If the robot starts building the map faster and more accurately, then the procedure has been successful.
Sensor maintenance on the bottom panel
Turn over the robot vacuum cleaner and look at the bottom panel, and there are a lot of sensors in there, and the height difference sensors (usually three or four, which look like black windows) have to be wiped with a wet, then dry wipe, and make sure that there's no dust stuck in the holes that can be blown out.
The floor sensor (an optical sensor, often located closer to the center or edge) requires special care. It reads the texture of the surface. Wipe its lens with a dry cotton swab. Also check the wheel sensors - these are small spring-loaded elements. Press them several times to make sure they walk freely and are not stuck in the lower position due to dirt.
☑️ Checklist service bottom robot
Often owners forget to clean the charging contact pads, which are also below.Oxidation or a layer of dust on them leads to a bad charge.Wash the metal contacts with an alcohol wipe (metal only, avoiding plastic around) to ensure reliable current.
Diagnostics and cleaning of IR receivers of the base
Docking station problems are common. If the robot can't find the base, first check the IR receivers, which are located on the front of the base (usually two black semicircular elements on the sides of the indicator) and on the bumper of the robot itself. Wipe them with dry cloth.
Sometimes the problem is not the dirt, but the ambient light. Direct sunlight hitting the base, or powerful sources of infrared radiation (such as warm floors or other appliances) can blind the sensors. Try to change the location of the base or shade it.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Robot spinning around base | Pollution of IR receivers | Wipe the base and robot sensors. |
| Falling down the stairs | The altitude sensors are not working. | Clean the holes, check the plume |
| Don't build a map. | Dust on lidar's lens | Disassemble and blow out the LDS module |
| The "Stuck" mistake | Sticking of wheel sensors | Develop a push mechanism |
Frequent service errors and precautions
The most common mistake is using water to clean electronics. Even a drop of moisture caught under the sensor lens can cause contact corrosion or signal distortion. Always use minimal moisture and only on external surfaces, allowing the device to dry completely before turning on.
Another mistake is ignoring regularity of maintenance. Just in case, you don't have to clean the sensors once a week, but when you see the first signs of malfunction (the robot has become "stupid"), you need to do it immediately. The accumulation of dust tends to compact over time, and removing the old layer will be much more difficult.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to disassemble the laser emitter inside the tower. It's a precision component that requires factory calibration. Your job is to clean only the protective glass and the mirror without touching the diode itself.
Also, you should not use a vacuum cleaner to clean the sensors of a robot vacuum cleaner. A powerful flow of air from a household vacuum cleaner can damage delicate mechanisms or static electricity can penetrate the chips. It is better to use a special can to clean the optics.
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To prevent dust from sticking to plastic parts of the sensors, antistatic wipes for monitors after the main cleaning can be used.
Programmatic verification and error resetting
After a physical cleaning, you should do a software error reset. In the Xiomi Home app, go to your device settings and find "Reset Card" or "Update Data," which will cause the robot to rescan the room with clean sensors and create a new, more accurate map.
If the device continues to give out errors, try to perform a full reset (Hard Reset), which usually requires the simultaneous pressing of the Home and Turn on buttons (combination depends on the model, check the manual), which will clear the cache of the navigation system.
In some cases, firmware updates help. Developers often release patches that improve sensor and noise filtering algorithms. Go to Settings → About Device → Check for updates and install the latest available version of the software.