---
title: "How to Service and Repair an iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner"
language: en
topics: ["Durable", "howto", "repair"]
full_article_url: https://willem.com/en/2019-03-20_servicing-a-robot-vacuum-cleaner/
---
# How to Service and Repair an iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner

*Complete teardown and service guide — brushes, filters, sensors, wheels.*

> Most people throw away their robot vacuum when it stops working properly. Willem took his apart instead — and documented every step with photos. Here's the complete service guide for bringing an iRobot Roomba back to life.

After years of daily use, a Roomba's performance degrades: brushes wear out, filters clog, sensors get dirty, wheels lose grip. Replacing the entire unit is expensive and wasteful. Servicing it yourself takes an afternoon and a screwdriver.



The key areas to service: **main brushes** (replace if bristles are worn), **side brush** (straighten or replace), **filter** (replace — don't just clean it), **cliff sensors** (wipe with a cloth), **extractors** (remove hair tangles), and **wheels** (check for debris in the axle).

Most replacement parts are available cheaply online. The hardest part is removing the bottom cover — after that, everything is modular and designed to be serviced.

From Willem's collection on [repair culture — fixing things instead of replacing them](https://willem.com/en/repair-culture-fixing-things-instead-of-replacing-them/).