May 17, 2005
Fixing the Circle Dance - Updated
A new and improved version of Fixing the Circle Dance instructions have been posted.
May 17, 2005 | Permalink
Comments
O Thanks oThanksoThanksoThanksoThanks!
Just what I needed to fix my Roomba!
Posted by: Xtian | Jun 5, 2005 4:50:25 AM
Brilliant!!!
Just used this on my 8 week old Roomba 2 Disco. (The Green One.) I had to make 2 holes in each side to expose the hub cover screws for future access. Easiest way to do this was using a screwdriver heated with a blow-torch to pierce the shell at the desired points (careful!). Having to take the whole case apart to do this every two months would have made me very mad indeed (Are you listening, iRobot???)
iRobot should be paying you a commission for all the units that haven't been returned as faulty because of this fix!
A big thankyou!!
Posted by: CarZee | Jun 27, 2005 12:03:53 PM
Hi,
I have Roomba PRO iRobot. A few month ago when switched on it started this circle dance and also sort of twitching movements, turning left, right and so on, but not moving forwards. I tried the procedure of cleaning as you described. Are there any other optical devices to be cleaned? i.e. under the front bumper? Can you help?
Posted by: Irmantas | May 5, 2006 5:51:59 PM
Oh thanks...
I didn't do it all, just unscrewed the 3 visible ones, forces a bit the hub and used Dust Off with a straw to remove dirt from the sensor (my Dust Off comes with a straw like WD-40)... Your pics gave me the location where to blow. Works like a new !
Thanks again !
Posted by: Me | May 15, 2006 7:28:28 PM
A Roomba Scheduler, Model 4230, purchased 12/11/2005, began the "Circle Dance" on 5/18/2006. The usual THOROUGH cleaning of the cliff sensors, brushes, wheels, etc. did not resolve the problem.
Using this site's excellent info and that at www.swiftracer.com, I succeeded in returning to normal operation by unscrewing the three accessible wheel cover screws (per wheel) and using a small knife edge to pry the cover slightly away from the wheel hub, and spraying compressed gas at the wheel sensor sites. Previously, this spraying did not succeed with the cover(s)tightly screwed in place.
As this "fix" is so simple, many users may wish to attempt it before using the more elaborate fixes described.
Kudos to the authors of both sites for such superb photos & instruction.
Jack Martinelli 5/19/2006 END
Posted by: Jack Martinelli | May 19, 2006 4:18:32 PM
Thank you so much for posting "Fixing the Circle Dance" and sharing this information. I wasted so much time reading irobot's troubleshooting information only to realize my Roomba Red was still doing that awful circle dance, doing the "Uh-Oh" and beeping four times. I stumbled across your info after doing a lot of internet reading.
Your step-by-step instructions were great! And I am happy to say that my Roomba is working once again!
Thanks!!!
Posted by: Carole - Phoenix, AZ | Jul 2, 2006 11:16:48 PM
Thank you so much, my roomba started doing the circle dance recently and I picked up a can of air and cleaned everything and it still didn't help. I was starting to think of the waste of money I had done on this purchase because I purchased it less than a year ago and it doesn't work anymore. Just when I was about to give up I found your site on google. All I have to say is Thank you. You saved me from spending another couple hundred dollars on another vacum cleaner.
Posted by: Beau | Sep 17, 2006 12:42:51 PM
Success!! Just fixed mine. It's nice. Thanks.
Posted by: JKR | Dec 3, 2006 12:38:28 PM
Great instruction - Mine did not dance. My roomba had problems with docking because of "nervous" behavior and too fast moving. I cleaned the wheel sensor with a "Video Head" spray that is used to clean heads of video recorder. With that it is not necessary to completely open the wheel cover. If you know ones where the sensor is, you can only unscrew the 3 easy accessible screws and then enter in the housing with the small tube that comes with the cleaning spray. This is like a arthroscopic surgery.
Posted by: Peter Switzerland | Jan 28, 2007 4:39:50 AM
Hey - thanks so much for putting this online. The iRobot site suggested a firmware upgrade (whatever) and I was really skeptical about that as a solution.
I was able to follow your guide, cleaned the optical tachometers as you suggested (they didn't look that dirty actually) and everything worked like a charm.
Thanks a million!
Posted by: Rob E. | Feb 11, 2007 2:03:07 PM
I have the Roomba Pro and was experiencing the circle dance. I had done just about everything I could think of and was about ready to just udate to a newer model when I found this website. Thanks for your help, it took me about 5 mintes to fix. I just removed the 3 wheel screws, and since I didn't have any video head cleaner or dust spray I just blew really hard a few times between the wheel and its cover. Problem solved. Thanks again.
Posted by: Ryan Templeton | Apr 8, 2007 10:43:27 AM
another important spot is the two detectors connected to the two arms of the bumper. The detectors peer through two holes near the center of the unit. if enough dust gathers in the holes you get the same circle dance action
Posted by: dino lombardi | Apr 11, 2007 10:01:18 AM
EXCELLENT. Would it be possible to post a picture of the access hole you made for the Red?
Also, have you noticed Discovery getting hung on anything without the streamlining that the bumper provides?
I disassemble notebooks and pen tablets that frequently have many sizes of small and tiny screws. I have found it a help to line up little containers or even small plastic snap tops, placed well away from the work area, but within reach, to contain each "set" of screws as I take them out. Sure helps in reassembly. Helps to keep small children and pets away from area too and even klutzy onlookers.
Thanks for your contribution.
Posted by: Alice | Jun 10, 2007 5:08:42 AM
WOW. Your directions were exactly the ticket, although it took a while to find your site - perhaps some SEO or new keywords are in order? I'm amazed that a persistent design flaw like this could be unaddressed by iRobot for so long. I do wish I had thought to skip the fender and use the compressed air directly, but everything went well anyway. Thanks!
Posted by: farkinga | Aug 6, 2007 1:36:24 PM
Mine was doing this dance also, but after I opened the wheel and cleaned the sensors it kept doing it. What fixed my roomba was to clean the cliff sensors which are on the bumper.
A diagram of the sensors can be found here:
Posted by: Joe | Dec 7, 2007 12:38:42 PM
Thank you so much for explaining the steps do clearly and posting pictures to help us understand what you are talking about. I got my roomba from a guy in San Francisco who had given up on her because he could not figure out what was wrong. I paid $20 for shipping to Florida and after about 30 min with your directions I have a $200 vacuum for $20. Thank you!
p.s. my sensor did not even look dirty when I got it all disassembled and I was kinda bumbed because I feared that was not going to be the problem but after 5 Q-tips and some rubbing alcohol she ran like new. So for all of you guys who are going to try this don't be disappointed if it is not filthy dirty when you get in there.
Posted by: Amazonabby | Jun 11, 2008 7:12:23 AM
Worked for me as well on a Scheduler - I used a pair of cutting pliers to cut the fender off between where the 2 screws holding the fender are at both wheels.
I left it open so i had access to al four screws.
Posted by: DYGIT | Aug 30, 2008 4:54:52 PM
Worked a treat. Thanks TONS!!!!
Posted by: Mark | Mar 30, 2009 6:52:59 PM
Thanks so much for posting this! My Dirt Dog was doing the dance. Cleaning the cliff sensors with air didn't help. I drilled two holes to get access to the 4th screws using a 1/4" bit, which bit into the plastic well and left neat holes exactly where needed. One of the sensors was covered in crud, and after cleaning all is well!
Posted by: Mario | Aug 11, 2009 11:31:21 PM
