iRobot Roomba F10 Error Code Fix (Clean Base Dirt Disposal Fault)

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What This Error Means

F10 on an iRobot Roomba means a Clean Base / Automatic Dirt Disposal fault — the dock’s vacuum system is not working right.

Translation: the base tries to suck dirt out of the robot’s bin, does not see the right airflow or pressure, and shuts the emptying cycle down.

Official Fix

  • Remove the Roomba from the dock.
  • Open the Clean Base bag door. Make sure a genuine bag is installed, the collar is pushed all the way down on the inlet, and the bag is not overfull. Replace the bag if it is even close to full.
  • Inspect the plastic evacuation port inside the base and the rectangular port on the back or side of the Roomba’s bin. Clear any clumped dust, hair, or foreign objects with your fingers or a small brush.
  • Check the ramp area where the Roomba parks. Vacuum up socks, cables, or debris that could block the suction hole in the dock plate.
  • Fully reseat the bag and close the bag door until it latches. If it will not latch, the bag collar is not down all the way.
  • Unplug the Clean Base from the wall, wait at least 60 seconds, then plug it back in. Let it boot fully before docking the robot.
  • Reboot the Roomba: press and hold CLEAN for about 20 seconds until it chimes and restarts (on most i-, j-, and s-series models), then let it reconnect to the base.
  • Put the Roomba back on the dock and trigger a manual empty from the app (“Empty Bin”). Listen for strong suction from the base.
  • If F10 pops back immediately or the base is silent or very weak, stop there and contact iRobot support — at that point it is treated as a dock hardware failure.

The Technician’s Trick

What techs actually do when F10 keeps coming back and the dock is out of warranty:

  • Keep the Roomba running without the Clean Base:
    • Unplug the Clean Base from the wall. It will still work as a plain charger, but it will not try to auto-empty.
    • In the iRobot app, turn off “Automatic Dirt Disposal” or “Auto-Empty” so the robot stops asking the dock to suck out the bin.
    • Empty the bin by hand after runs. Not fancy, but the robot still cleans and you avoid the F10 loop.
  • Deep-clear the internal chute and fan (only if you’re handy and out of warranty):
    • Unplug the Clean Base. No power while you do this.
    • Flip the base over on a towel. Remove the screws holding the bottom cover around the suction channel or ramp plate (layout varies by model).
    • Lift the cover and follow the plastic duct to the fan housing. Look for a rock-hard plug of dust, hair, or a small object jammed right before the fan.
    • Pick that out by hand or with a narrow vacuum hose. Do not spin the fan hard; it is easy to damage.
    • Reassemble, plug back in, and test an empty. If suction comes back and F10 disappears, the dock is saved.
  • If the fan smells burnt or never spins: Do not keep forcing empties. The motor or control board is cooked — plan on a replacement dock, not endless resets.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Roomba and dock are under about 4–5 years old, no water damage, and you can get a warranty swap or replacement Clean Base for less than roughly half the cost of a new auto-empty Roomba.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Dock is out of warranty but still sort of works, you do not really care about auto-empty, or you can live with manual bin emptying while you squeeze another year or two out of the robot.
  • ❌ Replace: Dock is dead-silent or smells burnt, F10 will not clear, and the Roomba itself is old (5+ years) or has other problems — put the money into a newer robot instead of chasing a dying dock.

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