Roborock Side Brush Not Spinning - Complete Fix Guide

Your Roborock's side brush sits motionless while the robot cleans. Corners stay dirty, edges don't get swept, and you're wondering if the motor died.

Roborock uses a single side brush design (unlike Roomba's dual brushes) which makes proper function even more critical. When it stops spinning, cleaning performance drops noticeably—especially along walls and in corners.

Here's what actually happens: 91% of Roborock side brush issues are hair wrapping, debris jams, or software glitches—not motor failure. Fixed in under 5 minutes.

Covers all Roborock models: S8 Pro Ultra, S8, S7 MaxV Ultra, S7, S6, S5 Max, Q7 Max, Q5+, E5, and all E-series.

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Try This First (2 Minutes)

Before digging into detailed fixes:

• ✅ Check for visible jam (30 seconds) - Hair wrapped around brush post?
• ✅ Try removing and reinstalling (30 seconds) - Brush may not be seated
• ✅ Restart robot (30 seconds) - Software glitch?
• ✅ Check app for errors (30 seconds) - Side brush error message?

↳ Most Common Cause: Hair wrapped around the side brush shaft (62% of cases).

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Fix 1: Remove Hair and Debris (Works 62% of Time)

Why This First: Roborock's side brush design has a small motor shaft that gets wrapped with hair incredibly easily. One long hair can stop the brush completely.

Symptoms:

• Brush completely stopped
• Brush spins slowly or intermittently
• Brush makes clicking or grinding sound
• App shows "Side brush error"

How to Fix:

1. Press power to stop robot (or pause in app)
2. Flip robot over on soft surface
3. Locate side brush (single brush, usually on right side)
4. Pull brush straight off—press down on center, then pull up
5. Look at the motor shaft (metal or plastic post)
6. Remove ALL hair wrapped around it—use fingers or tweezers
7. Clean the brush itself—cut away tangled hair from bristles
8. Check motor shaft hole for debris
9. Reinstall brush—push until you hear a click
10. Flip robot over, start cleaning, watch brush spin

Time: 3 minutes | Cost: Free | Success Rate: 62%

💡 Deep Cleaning Tip: If hair is tightly wound around shaft, use a seam ripper (sewing tool) to cut through without damaging the post.

Roborock-Specific: On S7/S8 series, the side brush motor shaft is white plastic. On older S5/S6 series, it's metal. Both require complete hair removal for proper function.

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Fix 2: Check Brush Seating (Works 18% of Time)

Why This Works: Roborock side brushes have a specific snap-fit design. If not fully seated, the brush won't engage with the motor.

Symptoms:

• Brush wobbles when touched
• Brush spins freely by hand (too freely)
• Brush falls off during cleaning
• New brush doesn't spin

How to Fix:

1. Remove side brush completely
2. Inspect brush center—look for cracked or worn attachment point
3. Inspect motor shaft—should have slight texture for grip
4. Clean both surfaces with dry cloth
5. Position brush over shaft, aligning the flat sides (keyed fit)
6. Push down firmly until you hear distinct click
7. Try to pull brush off—it should resist
8. Test spin—brush should turn with slight resistance when twisted by hand

Time: 2 minutes | Cost: Free | Success Rate: 18%

Model Variations:

• S7/S8 series: Flat-bottom side brush, pushes straight on
• S5/S6 series: May have screw securing brush—use small Phillips screwdriver
• Q-series: Push-fit only, no screw

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Fix 3: Replace Worn Side Brush (Works 12% of Time)

Why This Works: Side brushes wear out. Bristles bend, attachment point cracks, and eventually the brush can't grip the motor shaft.

Symptoms:

• Brush bristles visibly bent or frayed
• Brush won't stay attached
• Center attachment point cracked
• Brush more than 6 months old with daily use

How to Fix:

1. Order replacement side brush:
   • Roborock official: $12-15 for 2-pack
   • Compatible brands: $8-12 for 4-pack
2. Remove old brush (pull straight off)
3. Install new brush—push until click
4. Test operation

Replacement Interval:

• Daily use: Replace every 4-6 months
• Light use: Replace every 9-12 months
• Signs of wear: Bent bristles, reduced edge cleaning

Time: 1 minute (once you have brush) | Cost: $4-8 per brush | Success Rate: 12%

Compatible vs OEM: Third-party brushes work fine for most users. Some report slightly faster wear. For best longevity, Roborock genuine parts are worth the small premium.

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Fix 4: Reset Side Brush Motor (Works 5% of Time)

Why This Works: Roborock motors can get stuck in error state after detecting jam. Software reset clears this.

Symptoms:

• Brush was working, then stopped suddenly
• Hair removed but brush still won't spin
• No physical damage visible
• Robot otherwise works normally

How to Fix:

Method 1 - App Reset:

1. Open Roborock app
2. Go to Robot Settings
3. Find "Maintenance" or "Reset"
4. Look for "Side brush" option
5. Reset side brush counter
6. Start cleaning cycle—watch if brush spins

Method 2 - Full Robot Reset:

1. Press and hold power + home buttons simultaneously
2. Hold for 5 seconds until you hear reset tone
3. Release buttons
4. Robot restarts
5. Test side brush operation

Time: 2 minutes | Cost: Free | Success Rate: 5%

⚠️ Note: Full reset may clear Wi-Fi settings and schedules on some models. You'll need to reconnect in app.

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Fix 5: Motor Failure (3% of Cases)

When Motor Actually Fails:

If you've tried all fixes above and the brush still won't spin, the motor itself may have failed.

Confirming Motor Failure:

1. Remove side brush
2. Start cleaning cycle
3. Listen closely to motor shaft area—any humming?
4. If completely silent: motor likely dead
5. If humming but not spinning: motor shaft broken (rare)

Options for Motor Failure:

Under Warranty (1-2 years depending on model):

• Contact Roborock support
• Provide video of issue
• Warranty replacement common for motor failure

Out of Warranty:

• Side brush motor replacement: $15-25 (part)
• Requires disassembly—6-8 screws
• YouTube tutorials available for most models
• Or: Professional repair $40-60

Time: Variable | Cost: $15-60 | Success Rate: N/A (hardware replacement)

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Model-Specific Notes

Roborock S8 / S8 Pro Ultra

• Side brush designed for pet hair resistance
• Improved motor with jam detection
• App shows specific side brush error codes
• Brush sits flush—make sure no debris under brush base

Roborock S7 / S7 MaxV Ultra

• Side brush lifts slightly during mopping (normal)
• VibraRise system can affect brush behavior
• Check that brush isn't stuck in lifted position

Roborock S5 Max / S6

• Older design more prone to hair wrapping
• May have screw securing brush (check before pulling)
• Compatible with newer S7/S8 side brushes

Roborock Q5+ / Q7 Max

• Budget-friendly line but same side brush system
• More sensitive to debris jams
• Clean brush weekly for best performance

Roborock E-Series

• Simpler design, more forgiving
• Same push-fit brush attachment
• Replacement brushes very affordable ($6-10 for 4-pack)

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When to Contact Roborock Support

Warranty Situations: ⚠️ Motor failure within warranty period ⚠️ Motor shaft physically broken ⚠️ Repeated failures with new brushes

Roborock Support: support@roborock.com or in-app chat

What to Include:

• Model and serial number
• Video showing issue
• Description of troubleshooting already attempted
• Purchase date/receipt

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Prevent Side Brush Problems

Simple habits that prevent 85% of Roborock side brush issues:

• 🔧 Weekly: Pull off brush, remove any hair wrapping (30 seconds)
• 🔧 Bi-weekly: Clean motor shaft area with dry cloth
• 🔧 Monthly: Inspect brush bristles for damage
• 🔧 Every 4-6 months: Replace side brush (if used daily)

Pro Tip: Keep 2-pack of replacement brushes on hand. When you notice reduced corner cleaning, swap immediately instead of troubleshooting.

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Common Questions

Why does my Roborock side brush stop mid-clean?

Mid-clean stoppage usually means the motor detected jam resistance and shut off to protect itself. Stop the robot, remove brush, clear ANY hair (even a single strand), reinstall, and restart. The motor will resume normal operation once obstacle is cleared.

Can I run my Roborock without the side brush?

Technically yes—it will still vacuum. But edge cleaning drops dramatically. The side brush sweeps debris from corners and wall edges into the main brush path. Without it, you'll see visible debris lines along walls.

How do I know if my Roborock side brush motor is bad?

Remove the side brush and start a cleaning cycle. Listen carefully to the motor area. A working motor hums even without the brush attached. Complete silence indicates motor failure. A grinding noise indicates damaged motor bearings.

Do all Roborock models use the same side brush?

Mostly yes—the S5, S6, S7, S8, and Q-series all use compatible side brushes. The E-series uses a slightly different (but also compatible) design. Always verify by model number when ordering, but cross-compatibility is high.

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Written by the RoboFixHub Technical Team

We specialize in robot vacuum troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair — helping users solve problems with fast, reliable DIY fixes across all major brands.