Roborock robot vacuum announces “Error 18” / “Charging station not found” and fails to return to the dock.

Safety first: Ensure the dock is plugged in and on a flat surface.

Step-by-step:

• Reposition dock: Place the dock against a wall with at least 0.5 m of clear space on each side and 1.5 m in front.
• Clean IR windows: Wipe the front of the dock and the front/top of the robot where the IR receiver is located with a soft cloth.
• Update map: If you moved the dock, update its location in the app or remap the home so the robot knows the new dock position.
• Guide robot to dock: Manually place the robot on the dock once so it can re-learn the location.

If the robot still cannot find the dock in a clear area: The dock’s IR transmitter or the robot’s IR receiver may be faulty and require replacement.