Roombas save us from the monotony of doing daily and weekly vac-ups.
But despite all their glory, they’re far from perfection.
Errors still happen.
Such as the pesky charging error 3.
“How can I resolve charging error 3?”
Continue reading to discover:
- 5 quick ways to solve charging error 3.
- Reasons why your Roomba keeps saying “charging error 3”.
- How to check for damage in your Roomba’s charging system.
- And much much more…
Why does my Roomba keep saying charging error 3?
The reason why your Roomba shows charging error 3 is because of a faulty charging system. This charging error also indicates that your Roomba needs a battery replacement. While others need a reset/reboot action.
Roomba charging error 3: 5 easy steps to fix it
#1: Check the charger and the power outlet
This may seem too obvious. But if your Roomba is showing charging error 3 over and over, it could be that your charger is faulty.
Note: Use a wall outlet to charge your Roomba’s Home Base.
A wall outlet carries a more stable electricity voltage. Minor electrical interruptions can cause charging problems to your Roomba.
That’s why it’s worthy to check if the power outlets are working.
Make sure the power cord doesn’t need replacement, too.
Remember that daily use causes wear and tear to these items. Even more so if you’ve been using your Roomba for a long time.
The right charging system gives life to your Roomba. Without it, your robot vacuum cleaner is as good as junk.
You might also like: Roomba Not Charging: 9 Ways To Fix It In 30 Seconds
#2: Clean the battery charging points
Dust, dirt, debris, gunk: you name it.
The bottom line is, they’re bad for everyone – including your Roomba.
Sure, your Roomba can handle dirt, But too much of it still causes charging error 3.
“But I clean my Roomba!”
Of course, you do.
But your Roomba needs more than skin-deep cleaning.
And besides, wiping down the covers of your Roomba doesn’t really clean it. Truth is, you’re missing the most important sections.
And these are the Roomba’s charging points and terminals.
“What are those?”
Charging points are those tiny metal strips that allow electricity to flow.
They give your Roomba a charge.
They’re also easy to miss because of their size. But you should clean your Roomba’s charging ports regularly.
Cleaning them only takes a few minutes, anyway.
And you only need the following household products:
- Melamine foam.
- A soft, dry cloth.
- Rubbing alcohol.
Follow the steps to clean the charging poles:
- Put a little alcohol on the melamine foam.
- Wipe the charging poles with the damp melamine foam.
- Dry the charging poles using a soft, dry cloth.
- Wipe the Home Base’s charging entries and terminals.
Check out this video to properly clean your Roomba’s charging points:
#3: Perform a factory reset
If cleaning the charging ports didn’t work, it’s now time to reset your Roomba.
A factory reset will erase all your Roomba’s memory and data. But it’s also a solution that guarantees results in minutes.
Plus, it’ll make your Roomba work like new.
Warning: You cannot reverse the effects of a factory reset.
Resetting Wi-Fi-connected Roombas is very easy.
Here’s how to reset Roomba E-series, and I and S series, and Roomba 600, 800, 900 series:
- Go to the iRobot Home App on your smartphone.
- Open “Settings” from the selection menu.
- Choose “Factory reset.”
- The reset is complete when the Roomba restarts.
Note: Your smartphone and Roomba should connect to the same internet network.
For Roomba’s with the “CLEAN” button, a factory reset is more straightforward.
Here’s how to do it:
- Locate the “CLEAN” button.
- Press and hold the “CLEAN” button for 10 seconds.
- Release the button when the Roomba’s LED starts flashing.
The Roomba takes about 1 minute to complete a factory reset. Re-configure your preferred settings after it’s done.
#4: Replace the Roomba’s battery
You’ve done everything, so far. But the problem still stands.
Then, it must be an internal problem.
Don’t forget that Roomba’s charging error 3 is a battery-related concern.
With proper maintenance, your Roomba can last hundreds of charges.
But what if your Roomba is nearing the last of those hundreds of charges?
That’s why you need to open your Roomba’s battery panel next.
“But I’m no handyman!”
Don’t worry, if you can hang a picture, you’re overqualified to do this!
You only need a few things before starting:
- Tri-point screwdriver.
- (Optional) Rubber gloves.
- Standard Phillips #1 screwdriver.
Next, follow these steps to replace the Roomba’s battery:
- Flip over your Roomba.
- Loosen the screws under using a screwdriver.
- Remove the old battery pack.
- Carefully put in a fresh set of batteries.
- Don’t forget to remove the new battery’s yellow tag.
- Reassemble.
Note: Some Roomba replacement battery kits come with some extra spinning brush. Don’t forget to attach them too.
#5: Replace your Roomba’s motherboard
Warning: This voids your iRobot warranty.
This is a more technical fix but it’s the one that works without fail.
According to iRobot, charging error 3 means you need to get a new Roomba.
But let’s face it, Roombas cost an arm and a leg.
A Roomba’s motherboard isn’t that much expensive, in comparison.
Many people experience the same problem and replacing the motherboard works wonders. You might want to consider this, too.
There’re so many DIY videos on the internet about replacing this part of the Roomba.
Work up your internet search prowess and check them out.