Robot vacuum says “Charging Error 1: Clean Roomba’s contacts” and will not charge properly.

Safety first: Unplug the Home Base before cleaning contacts. Do not use wet cleaners on live electrical parts.

Steps to resolve:

• Clean robot contacts: Wipe the two metal charging pads on the robot with a dry or slightly damp cloth. For light corrosion, use a pencil eraser gently, then wipe clean.
• Clean base contacts: Wipe the two metal contacts on the Home Base with a dry cloth.
• Check alignment: Place the robot on the base and ensure it pulls itself in and the contacts fully touch. You should see the charging indicator.
• Inspect for damage: Look for bent or recessed contacts on the base or robot.

When to replace parts: If Cleaning Error 1 persists, the charging contacts or internal charging circuit may be damaged and require replacement of the Home Base or robot’s charging board.