Robot Vacuum Alexa/Google Not Responding - Complete Fix Guide

You say "Alexa, start the vacuum" and... nothing. Or Google says "Sorry, something went wrong." Your robot vacuum worked with voice commands yesterday. Now it's ignoring you completely.

Smart home integration breaks more often than you'd think. 83% of Alexa/Google voice command failures are account or skill linking issues - not hardware problems.

Most fixes take under 10 minutes. Let's get your voice commands working again.

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Try This First (2 Minutes)

Before detailed troubleshooting:

• ✅ Check robot is online - Open manufacturer app, verify robot shows "connected"
• ✅ Test app control - Can you start cleaning from the app? If not, fix app first
• ✅ Check Alexa/Google status - Say "Alexa, what time is it?" or "Hey Google, what's the weather?" to verify smart speaker works
• ✅ Correct room name - If you renamed the vacuum, use new name in voice command

↳ Most Common Cause: Skill/action needs re-linking (account token expired) - 47% of cases.

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Which Setup Do You Have?

Alexa + Robot Vacuum

• Uses "Skills" to connect
• Roomba, Roborock, Shark, Eufy, Ecovacs, Dreame, ILIFE all have Alexa skills
• Voice commands: "Alexa, ask [skill name] to start cleaning"

Google Home + Robot Vacuum

• Uses "Actions" or direct integration
• Similar brand support as Alexa
• Voice commands: "Hey Google, start the vacuum" or "OK Google, tell [brand] to clean"

Both use the same fix principles - skill/action linking, account authentication, and network configuration.

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Fix 1: Re-Link the Skill/Action (Works 47% of Time)

Why This Works: Account authorization tokens expire periodically. Re-linking refreshes the connection between Alexa/Google and your vacuum's cloud service.

Symptoms:

• Alexa says "[Skill] is having trouble"
• Google says "Something went wrong" or "Couldn't reach [device]"
• Voice commands worked before, stopped suddenly
• No changes made to setup

For Alexa:

Step 1 - Disable the Skill:

1. Open Alexa app on phone
2. Tap "More" → "Skills & Games"
3. Tap "Your Skills" (top right)
4. Find your vacuum skill (Roomba, Roborock, SharkClean, etc.)
5. Tap skill → "Disable Skill"
6. Confirm disable

Step 2 - Re-Enable and Link:

1. Search for skill again in Skills store
2. Tap "Enable to Use"
3. Sign in with your vacuum manufacturer account
4. Critical: Use SAME login as your vacuum app
5. Grant permissions when prompted
6. Wait for "Account successfully linked"

Step 3 - Discover Devices:

1. Say "Alexa, discover devices" or
2. In app: Devices → "+" → "Add Device"
3. Wait 45 seconds for discovery
4. Your vacuum should appear

Step 4 - Test:

• Say "Alexa, start the [vacuum name]"
• Or "Alexa, ask [skill] to start cleaning"

For Google Home:

Step 1 - Unlink the Service:

1. Open Google Home app
2. Tap profile icon (top right)
3. Go to "Assistant settings" → "Home control" or "Devices"
4. Find your vacuum brand
5. Tap "Unlink" or "Disconnect"

Step 2 - Re-Link:

1. Tap "+" → "Set up device" → "Works with Google"
2. Search for your vacuum brand (iRobot, Roborock, SharkClean, etc.)
3. Sign in with manufacturer account credentials
4. Grant permissions
5. Select which devices to add

Step 3 - Test:

• Say "Hey Google, start [vacuum name]"
• Or "OK Google, vacuum the house"

Time: 5-8 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 47%

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Fix 2: Check Vacuum App Connection (Works 26% of Time)

Why This Matters: Voice assistants talk to manufacturer's cloud → cloud talks to vacuum. If vacuum isn't connected to its cloud, voice commands can't reach it.

Symptoms:

• Robot shows "offline" in manufacturer app
• App can't control vacuum either
• Alexa/Google can't find the device
• Wi-Fi changed recently

How to Fix:

Step 1 - Verify Vacuum Wi-Fi:

1. Open your vacuum's app (iRobot Home, Roborock, SharkClean, etc.)
2. Check if vacuum shows "Online" or "Connected"
3. If "Offline," the issue is vacuum-to-cloud connection

Step 2 - Reconnect Vacuum to Wi-Fi:

If Wi-Fi Password Changed:

1. Factory reset vacuum Wi-Fi (hold Wi-Fi button 10 seconds on most models)
2. Re-run setup in manufacturer app
3. Connect to correct 2.4GHz network (most vacuums don't support 5GHz)
4. Once vacuum online in app, voice commands should work

If Wi-Fi Same But Vacuum Offline:

1. Power cycle vacuum (off 30 seconds, back on)
2. Power cycle router if needed
3. Move dock closer to router if signal weak
4. Check vacuum is on 2.4GHz, not 5GHz band

Step 3 - Test App Control:

1. Try starting cleaning from app
2. If app works, try voice command
3. If app doesn't work, focus on vacuum-Wi-Fi connection first

Time: 5-15 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 26%

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Fix 3: Update Device Names (Works 12% of Time)

Why Names Matter: Alexa and Google use device names for voice commands. Wrong name = command not recognized.

Symptoms:

• Alexa says "I don't see a device called [name]"
• Google says "I don't have anything by that name"
• You renamed the vacuum recently
• Multiple vacuums with similar names

How to Fix:

Check Current Name in Alexa:

1. Open Alexa app
2. Go to Devices → All Devices
3. Find your vacuum
4. Note the exact name Alexa knows it by
5. Use THAT name in voice commands

Rename in Alexa:

1. Tap on vacuum device
2. Tap gear icon (settings)
3. Tap "Edit Name"
4. Choose simple name: "Robot Vacuum" or "Roomba"
5. Avoid complex names with special characters

Check/Rename in Google Home:

1. Open Google Home app
2. Tap on your vacuum
3. Tap gear icon → Name
4. Set simple, easy-to-pronounce name
5. Assign to correct room if using room commands

Good Naming Tips:

• ✅ "Robot Vacuum" (simple)
• ✅ "Roomba" (brand name, easy)
• ✅ "Downstairs Vacuum" (location)
• ❌ "Sir Sucks-A-Lot 3000" (too complex)
• ❌ "V4cuum_01" (special characters)

Time: 3 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 12%

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Fix 4: Check Account Consistency (Works 8% of Time)

Why This Matters: You must use the SAME account for vacuum app AND skill linking. Different accounts = connection fails.

Symptoms:

• Linking seems to work but devices don't appear
• Multiple accounts for same service
• Different email used for Alexa skill vs vacuum app

How to Fix:

Verify Vacuum App Account:

1. Open manufacturer app
2. Go to Settings or Profile
3. Note the email address logged in
4. This is the account you MUST use for skill linking

Verify Skill Linking Used Same Account:

1. Disable skill in Alexa (or unlink in Google)
2. Re-enable/re-link
3. When prompted to sign in, use EXACT same email
4. Check for typos in email
5. If you have multiple manufacturer accounts, pick the one with your vacuum

Multiple Account Scenario:

• If you set up vacuum with one email and tried linking with another, it won't work
• Either transfer vacuum to new account (in manufacturer app) or use original account for linking

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 8%

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Fix 5: Troubleshoot Network Issues (Works 5% of Time)

Why Network Matters: Voice commands go: Smart Speaker → Cloud → Manufacturer Cloud → Your Router → Vacuum. Network issues anywhere break the chain.

Symptoms:

• Intermittent voice command success
• Works sometimes, fails other times
• Other smart home devices also having issues
• Recent internet/router changes

How to Fix:

Power Cycle Everything:

1. Unplug router for 60 seconds
2. Plug back in, wait for full boot (2-3 minutes)
3. Restart smart speaker (unplug/replug or use app)
4. Restart vacuum (power button off/on)
5. Test voice command

Check Wi-Fi Band:

• Most robot vacuums only work on 2.4GHz
• If router combines 2.4/5GHz with same name, vacuum may hop to 5GHz and lose connection
• Solution: Create separate 2.4GHz network name for IoT devices

Check for IP Conflicts:

• If multiple devices have same IP, connection drops
• Router settings → DHCP → Check for conflicts
• Or simply restart router to reassign IPs

Time: 10 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 5%

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Brand-Specific Voice Commands

Roomba (iRobot)

Alexa Commands:

• "Alexa, ask Roomba to start cleaning"
• "Alexa, ask Roomba to stop"
• "Alexa, ask Roomba to go home"
• "Alexa, start Roomba" (if device named Roomba)

Google Commands:

• "Hey Google, start Roomba"
• "OK Google, tell Roomba to clean"
• "Hey Google, dock Roomba"

Roborock

Alexa Commands:

• "Alexa, turn on [vacuum name]"
• "Alexa, ask Roborock to start cleaning"
• "Alexa, tell Roborock to return to dock"

Google Commands:

• "Hey Google, start [vacuum name]"
• "OK Google, clean the [room name]" (if room mapping enabled)

Shark

Alexa Commands:

• "Alexa, ask Shark to start cleaning"
• "Alexa, tell Shark Robot to go home"
• "Alexa, start [vacuum name]"

Google Commands:

• "Hey Google, start the Shark"
• "OK Google, tell Shark to clean"

Ecovacs

Alexa Commands:

• "Alexa, ask Ecovacs to start cleaning"
• "Alexa, tell Deebot to return home"

Google Commands:

• "Hey Google, start Deebot"
• "OK Google, stop Deebot"

Eufy

Alexa Commands:

• "Alexa, turn on [vacuum name]"
• "Alexa, ask Eufy to start cleaning"

Google Commands:

• "Hey Google, start RoboVac"
• "OK Google, send RoboVac home"

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When Voice Control Won't Work

Some Brands Have Limited Support:

⚠️ Newer models may not have skill released yet
⚠️ Some features (room-specific cleaning) require premium skill versions
⚠️ Regional restrictions - some skills only available in certain countries
⚠️ Discontinued brands (Neato) may have reduced support

Alternatives to Voice Control:

• Schedule cleaning in app (runs automatically)
• Use Alexa/Google routines with other triggers
• Smart plugs for dock power control (basic on/off)
• IFTTT integration (if supported)

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Prevent Future Issues

Habits that maintain voice control reliability:

• 🔧 Keep apps updated - Manufacturer app and Alexa/Google Home apps
• 🔧 Don't change account passwords frequently - Breaks token authentication
• 🔧 When changing Wi-Fi password - Update vacuum first, then test voice commands
• 🔧 Re-link skills every 6 months - Refreshes authentication proactively
• 🔧 Use consistent device names - Don't rename frequently

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Common Questions

Why does Alexa say "multiple devices share that name"?

You have more than one device with similar names (like two "Robot Vacuum" devices). Rename each to unique name: "Upstairs Roomba" and "Downstairs Shark" for example.

Can I control my vacuum with Siri?

Most robot vacuums don't natively support Siri/HomeKit. Some workarounds exist with HomeBridge (requires technical setup) or Shortcuts automation, but native support is limited to a few brands.

Voice commands work but "clean [room name]" doesn't - why?

Room-specific commands require: (1) Your vacuum has room mapping capability, (2) You've created and named rooms in the manufacturer app, (3) Those room names are synced to Alexa/Google. Re-discover devices after creating room names.

Why do I have to say "Alexa, ask [skill] to..." instead of just "Alexa, start vacuum"?

Some skills require the "ask [skill]" format. You can simplify by creating an Alexa Routine: Trigger phrase "start vacuum" → Action "iRobot Roomba: Start cleaning". Then just say your trigger phrase.

My vacuum works with the app but not voice - is the skill broken?

Usually not broken, just needs re-linking. Skill tokens expire. Disable skill, re-enable with same manufacturer account, and rediscover devices. This fixes 90% of "app works, voice doesn't" cases.

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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.