Robot vacuum says “Error 8: Move Roomba to a new location then press CLEAN to restart” and may spin in circles or stop quickly.

Safety first: Turn off the robot and remove it from the Home Base.

Steps to resolve:

• Clean the bumper: Press the front bumper repeatedly to ensure it moves freely. Use compressed air along the top and sides of the bumper to clear dust from the internal sensors.
• Clean wall and front sensors: Wipe the front-facing IR window and side wall sensor window with a soft, dry cloth.
• Reboot the robot: Perform a soft reset (typically by holding CLEAN for 10–20 seconds until you hear a tone, then releasing). Refer to your model’s manual for exact reset steps.
• Test in a simple area: Place the robot in an open, uncluttered room and start a cleaning cycle to see if the error recurs.

When to replace parts: Persistent Error 8 after cleaning and reset may indicate a failing bumper sensor board or navigation sensor module, which may require professional service.