Error 15 on Roomba: What It Means and How to Easily Fix It

Error codes on your Roomba can be frustrating and tricky to navigate. This is especially true if the error code is accompanied by your device not working as it should. But what does “Error 15” mean on a Roomba?

If your Roomba throws Error Code 15, there is a communication error with your network or the Home Base.

Keep reading to learn the best way to fix your Roomba if it is showing Error Code 15 and functioning incorrectly. We will provide everything you need to know to clear the error and get your Roomba back up and doing its job. 

What Error 15 Means On a Roomba

If you see “Error 15” on your Roomba, it’s not likely anything serious. This error message generally only indicates a minor communication glitch between the robot and your smart device or home base.  

The Error 15 code on your Roomba lets you know:

• Something is wrong with the WiFi connection.
• Something is obstructing its path.
• Something is off in the settings. 
• The Roomba experienced a glitch. 

These things only apply if your Roomba says “Error 15.”

How to Fix Error Code 15 On Roomba

If you are experiencing the standard error code, the tips below will have your robot working as good as new in no time. 

However, if you continue to have problems, consider contacting Roomba for support, repair, or replacement. 

Reboot Your Roomba 

When technology has minor glitches, rebooting the device is often a quick and easy fix for the problem. This is because it will clear the temporary memory on your device, freeing up space and allowing for a smoother operation. 

How you reboot your Roomba will differ depending on the series of your robot. The table below will help you determine which method you should use:

Roomba Series	How to Reboot
500 and 600	Hold down the Spot, Clean, and Dock buttons for 10 seconds.
e, 500, 700, 800, and 900	Look at the bottom of your Roomba and find the clean button. Hold the button for 10 seconds. You should hear the special reboot tone when you release the button.
s, i, and j	Hold the Clean button for 20 seconds. You will know your robot is rebooting if the light ring rotates clockwise when you release the button.

If you are unable to reboot your Roomba using the buttons, you can try taking the battery out for 30 seconds, then putting it back in and turning it back on manually. 

Rebooting will not cause you to lose any critical data. 

Check Your Internet Connection

If rebooting doesn’t help, you’ll need to check your internet connection. If your connection is unstable or not strong enough, it could easily cause the error code 15 message. 

If you’re experiencing problems with other connected devices in your home, or the indicator lights on your router are not lit as they should be, it’s a good indicator that your connection is the issue. 

If this is the case, rebooting the router will usually fix the problem. You can quickly reboot your router by unplugging it from the wall for 30 seconds. 

Revert Your Smart Map

When you add a new Smart Map, there can sometimes be conflicts when it’s stored. Try reverting to an older map version used before you started experiencing this issue. 

To restore a previous Smart Map on your Roomba:

1. Open your iRobot Home App on your smartphone or tablet
2. Tap History
3. Look through the previous map versions and select the one you wish to restore
4. Tap Overflow Menu in the top right corner
5. Tap Update Smart Maps

Once you’ve completed these tasks, reboot your Roomba and see if the problem is fixed. If the issue was with your Smart Map, it should now function correctly. 

Remap Your Home

Sometimes, you will need to remap your home completely. However, before you can remap, you must delete the old maps. 

To begin remapping:

1. Open your iRobot Home App
2. Go to Maps
3. Select Specific Map
4. Go to Menu
5. Click Delete Map to delete the current map
6. Put your Roomba on the Home Base
7. Press the Clean button on your robot
8. Wait for the machine to return to its base
9. If it returns before covering the entire home, repeat the steps above
10. Once all rooms have been mapped, name the map and save it

If this process doesn’t fix it, your last resort will be to complete a factory reset on your machine. 

Factory Reset Your Roomba 

If you’ve made it this far, there’s likely a bigger issue with the software on your Roomba. A factory reset is the best choice to fix bigger issues like this. You can reboot your Roomba manually or use the iRobot Home App. 

If you wish to reset using the buttons on the robot, press the Home, Spot Clean, and Clean buttons for 20 seconds and hold them until the white rings start to rotate. Once the reset is complete, your Roomba will restart on its own. 

To reboot your Roomba with the iRobot Home App:

1. Make sure your device and the robot are connected to the same WiFi network
2. Tap the drop-down menu
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap factory reset

Again, once the reset is complete, your Roomba will reboot. Once the reset is complete, you need to set it up as if it were new. After you’ve done that, it should also be functioning as if it were new again. 

Conclusion: Contact Customer Service

If nothing has worked, consider contacting customer service. In some cases, they will be able to provide further troubleshooting or help you determine if there is a mechanical issue with your robot. 

You can contact Customer Service by calling 1-866-747-6268. Before you call, ensure that your robot is charged and you have located the serial number. If you think you may need to file a warranty claim, you’ll also need your receipt from when you purchased your Roomba.