Robot vacuums use sensors to ensure that they navigate properly through their clean.
Some units return to their charging dock and start charging automatically once they have completed the clean or when the battery is depleted.
Navigation can be tricky, however. There are a few things that can stop your robot from returning to the charging dock.
Please ensure that you have checked the specifications and user manual of your vacuum to confirm it is able to automatically return to its dock before continuing with this article.
Space Around the Vacuum
Check that you have allowed sufficient space to the sides and front of the charging base.
For Kogan robot vacuums, the minimum distance is typically half a meter on each side and 1.5 meters in front, as shown below.
This means that your vacuum will likely not work correctly if the charging base is near an adjacent wall, table, chair or other furniture, even if it is just a small table leg or a similar object.
If your house is large, set up the charging dock in a central location so that the robot vacuum cleaner can detect it from anywhere in your home.
To check the space required, check the user manual for your product. If you are unable to locate your user manual, contact Kogan Customer Care.
Vacuum Rarely Fails to Return to the Dock
In some cases, robot vacuums can get stuck, or there will be an issue preventing them from returning to their base.
If this happens as a once-off occurrence, manually return the robot vacuum to its base, making sure to line up the contact pins of the robot with the contact pins of the charger. The robot vacuum should start to function again normally.
If this occurs regularly, check if there is a specific area where the robot vacuum fails, as this may be a sign that there is uneven flooring or some other obstacle causing the robot to get stuck.
If there are no obstacles, check the following sections for further information.
Colour of the Floor
Some Kogan vacuums can only operate on lighter-coloured flooring. The sensors may not be able to detect dark-coloured floors.
If you find that your vacuum is struggling to navigate or return to its base, the flooring colour may not be suitable.
To confirm if your vacuum is affected by dark floors, check the product listing or the product's user manual. If you are unable to locate your user manual, contact Kogan Customer Care.
Clean the Sensors and Update the Vacuum Cleaners Firmware
Each model of robot vacuum cleaner is slightly different. However, they do all require cleaning as part of their routine maintenance to keep them working well.
Check that the robot vacuum and charging dock are clean and undamaged:
- Wipe the charging dock and connection points clean with a dry cloth.
- Inspect the charging dock and cable for any signs of damage.
- Check that the power LED is illuminated when the charging dock is plugged in.
- See How Do I Clean My Robot Vacuum? for further advice about how to clean your robot vacuum.
If you have cleaned the unit, but the sensors are still not working correctly, see My Kogan Robot Vacuum Cleaner's Sensors Are Not Working for further suggestions.
Some Kogan robot vacuums also require firmware updates from time to time, which can be completed through the SmarterHome™ app (if applicable).
To locate your vacuum's sensors and check how to clean them, or to confirm whether your robot vacuum requires firmware updates, check the user manual for your product or contact Kogan Customer Care.
The Robot is Locating the Base But Is Not Charging
When a robot vacuum successfully returns to its charging base, it should start charging automatically.
If the robot vacuum cleaner is returning to the base but is not charging, check the following:
- Make sure that the connection points are touching. Remove the robot vacuum cleaner from the charging dock, then return it to the dock, taking care to make sure the charging points are lined up.
- Wipe the connection points clean with a soft, dry cloth.
- Check that the charging dock is receiving power. Make sure that your power outlet is switched on and that the charging LED on the charging dock is illuminated.
- Ensure that the charging cable and charging dock are not damaged.
- See My Kogan Robot Vacuum Cleaner Will Not Turn On Or Turns Off By Itself for further advice about charging issues.
If you are still experiencing issues with your unit after following the above suggestions, please contact our Customer Care Team for further assistance. Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the unit yourself.