Roomba Error 5: What It Means & How to Fix

Your Roomba just beeped, flashed a red light, and the app shows Error 5. Now it won't clean.

Don't worry - Error 5 is one of the easiest Roomba errors to fix. It means your side brush is stuck or jammed, and 95% of cases take less than 3 minutes to solve.

Let's get your Roomba cleaning again.

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What Error 5 Means (Plain English)

Error 5 = Side Brush Problem

Your Roomba detected that the side brush (the spinning brush on the side that sweeps debris) either:

• Can't spin freely (something's stuck)
• Spinning too slowly (hair/string wrapped around)
• Missing completely (fell off or removed)
• Motor is jammed or damaged

Why Roombas Stop When This Happens: The side brush motor draws extra power when jammed. To prevent damage, Roomba automatically stops and alerts you.

Good News: This is a safety feature working correctly, not a serious malfunction.

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Try This First (2 Minutes)

Before detailed fixes, try these instant checks:

• ✅ Flip Roomba over (10 seconds) - Locate side brush (yellow or green brush on left/right side)
• ✅ Remove visible debris (30 seconds) - Pull out any hair, string, or objects wrapped around brush
• ✅ Check if brush spins freely (20 seconds) - Spin with finger - should rotate smoothly
• ✅ Press CLEAN button (5 seconds) - Many times, simply clearing debris fixes it immediately

↳ Most Common Cause: Hair and string wrapped around side brush shaft (65% of Error 5 cases).

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Fix 1: Remove Hair and Debris from Side Brush (Works 65% of Time)

Why This First: The side brush picks up hair, pet fur, and string that wraps around the shaft under the brush.

Symptoms:

• Side brush barely spinning or stopped
• Brush looks "hairy" or wrapped in string
• Brush makes grinding noise
• Error happened mid-cleaning (not at start)

How to Fix:

1. Flip Roomba Over: Place Roomba upside-down on soft surface (towel or carpet)
2. Locate Side Brush: Find the round brush on the side (usually yellow or green)
3. Pull Hair Off: Use fingers to remove visible hair/string from brush bristles
4. Remove Brush: Unscrew center screw (Phillips head) and pull brush straight up
5. Clean Shaft: Look at the metal shaft where brush attaches - remove ALL hair wrapped around it
6. Clean Brush Thoroughly: Remove hair tangled in bristles (scissors help for stubborn tangles)
7. Reinstall Brush: Place brush back on shaft, align hole with shaft, screw in tight
8. Test Spin: Spin brush with finger - should rotate freely with no resistance
9. Press CLEAN: Start Roomba - Error 5 should clear

Time: 3-5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 65%
Difficulty: Easy

💡 Pro Tip: Pet owners should do this weekly. Pet hair wraps around shafts faster than human hair.

If This Doesn't Work: Try Fix 2 - check side brush module

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Fix 2: Inspect Side Brush Module and Contacts (Works 20% of Time)

Why This Helps: The side brush motor has metal contacts that can get dirty or corroded, preventing proper connection.

Symptoms:

• Brush is completely clean but error persists
• Brush doesn't spin at all (even when clean)
• Error 5 happens immediately when starting
• Recently cleaned carpets or dusty areas

How to Fix:

1. Remove Side Brush: Unscrew and remove brush completely
2. Inspect Module Underneath: Look at the circular module beneath where brush sits
3. Check Metal Contacts: See small metal pins/contacts in the module housing
4. Clean Contacts: Use cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to clean metal contacts
5. Check for Corrosion: Look for green/white buildup - clean thoroughly if present
6. Let Dry: Wait 2 minutes for alcohol to evaporate completely
7. Check Module Movement: Gently press module - should have slight spring movement
8. Reinstall Brush: Screw brush back on firmly
9. Test: Press CLEAN button

Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 20%
Difficulty: Easy

⚠️ Important: Never use water on electrical contacts. Rubbing alcohol only (70% or higher).

If This Doesn't Work: Try Fix 3 - reset Roomba

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Fix 3: Perform Full Roomba Reset (Works 10% of Time)

Why This Helps: Sometimes Roomba's processor gets "stuck" thinking there's an error even after it's fixed.

Symptoms:

• You've cleaned everything but error persists
• Error started randomly (no obvious cause)
• Other weird behaviors happening
• Roomba worked fine, suddenly Error 5 appeared

How to Fix:

Method 1 - Soft Reset (Try First):

1. Press and hold CLEAN button for 10 seconds
2. Roomba will play a tone and lights will flash
3. Release button
4. Wait 30 seconds
5. Press CLEAN again to test

Method 2 - Factory Reset (If Soft Reset Fails):

1. Press and hold DOCK + SPOT + CLEAN buttons simultaneously
2. Hold all three for 10 seconds
3. Roomba will play startup sound (means reset successful)
4. Release buttons
5. Note: This erases schedules and Wi-Fi - you'll need to reconnect

Time: 2-5 minutes
Cost: Free
Success Rate: 10%
Difficulty: Easy

⚠️ Warning: Factory reset erases all settings. Only use if soft reset fails.

If This Doesn't Work: Try Fix 4 - check for brush damage

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Fix 4: Check for Damaged Side Brush (Works 4% of Time)

Why This Matters: Broken brush bristles or cracked brush housing can cause the motor to work harder, triggering Error 5.

Symptoms:

• Brush looks bent or warped
• Bristles broken or missing chunks
• Brush wobbles when spinning
• Brush is old (1+ years of heavy use)

How to Fix:

1. Remove Brush: Unscrew and take brush off completely
2. Inspect for Damage:
   • Bristles bent or melted
   • Center hub cracked
   • Brush doesn't sit flat
   • Visible wear/damage
3. Test Replacement: If damaged, replacement needed
4. Order Replacement:
   • OEM iRobot: $12-18
   • Compatible third-party: $6-12 (works great)
5. Install New Brush: Screw on new brush firmly
6. Test: Start cleaning cycle

Time: 2 minutes (plus waiting for replacement delivery)
Cost: $6-18
Success Rate: 4%
Difficulty: Easy

💡 Tip: Replace side brushes every 6-12 months as preventive maintenance. They're cheap and prevent errors.

If This Doesn't Work: You likely need Fix 5 - side brush motor replacement

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When DIY Won't Work - Side Brush Motor Replacement

Signs You Need Motor Replacement:

⚠️ Brush motor makes grinding/clicking noise even when clean
⚠️ Brush doesn't spin at all (even with new brush installed)
⚠️ Error 5 persists after trying ALL fixes above
⚠️ Visible damage to motor module underneath
⚠️ Roomba is 4+ years old with heavy use

Cost Breakdown:

• DIY Motor Module: $25-40 (includes motor, need to replace yourself)
• Professional Repair: $60-100 (includes labor)
• New Roomba: $200-800 (consider if Roomba is very old)

Installation Difficulty: Moderate (requires opening Roomba, soldering for some models)

💡 Decision Guide:

• Roomba less than 3 years old → Worth repairing
• Roomba 3-5 years old → Depends on model (high-end models worth repair)
• Roomba 5+ years old → Consider upgrading to new model

Where to Get Repair:

• iRobot authorized service centers
• Local vacuum repair shops
• DIY via YouTube tutorials (search "Roomba side brush motor replacement [your model]")

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Prevent Error 5 from Happening Again

Simple habits that prevent 90% of Error 5 cases:

• 🔧 After Every 2-3 Cleans: Remove side brush, pull off visible hair (takes 30 seconds)
• 🔧 Weekly (Pet Owners): Deep clean side brush shaft and bristles (takes 3 minutes)
• 🔧 Monthly (Everyone): Remove brush completely, clean module contacts with alcohol
• 🔧 Every 6 Months: Replace side brush (cheap, prevents worn brush issues)
• 🔧 Before Cleaning: Walk around and pick up large debris (socks, cables, toys)
• 🔧 Use No-Go Zones: Set virtual barriers around areas with lots of loose cables

Pro Tip: If you have long-haired pets, clean the side brush every single week. Long pet hair wraps around shafts 5x faster than short hair.

Avoid These Mistakes:

• ❌ Ignoring Error 5 and forcing Roomba to keep cleaning (damages motor)
• ❌ Yanking hair off instead of carefully unwinding (bends bristles)
• ❌ Over-tightening side brush screw (can strip threads)
• ❌ Running Roomba over loose cables (guaranteed tangles)

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Common Questions

What's the difference between Error 5 and Error 9?

Error 5 = side brush stuck. Error 9 = bumper stuck. Both easy fixes but different parts. Error 5 shows up on the side, Error 9 shows up at the front bumper.

Can I run my Roomba without the side brush to avoid Error 5?

Yes, technically Roomba will run, but cleaning performance drops 40-50%. The side brush sweeps debris from edges and corners into the main roller path. Without it, edges stay dirty. Not recommended except for short-term testing.

Why does Error 5 happen more often on thick carpets?

Thick carpet fibers (shag, high-pile) shed more and have longer fibers that wrap around the side brush shaft faster. If you have thick carpets, clean the side brush 2x more often than normal.

My Roomba shows Error 5 but the side brush looks completely clean - why?

Check underneath the brush. 90% of the time, hair is wrapped around the metal shaft under the brush where you can't see it without removing the brush completely. Always remove the brush to check the shaft.

How often should I replace the side brush?

Every 6-12 months for normal use. Every 3-6 months for heavy use (daily cleaning, pets, large homes). Replacement brushes cost $6-18 and prevent Error 5. Replace when bristles look bent, worn, or damaged.

Does Error 5 mean my Roomba is broken?

No. Error 5 is almost always a maintenance issue, not a broken robot. It's Roomba's way of saying "please clean me." 95% of Error 5 cases are fixed by cleaning the side brush - no repairs needed.

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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.