iRobot Roomba 530 User manual

500/600 Series Owner's Manual

P.S. Don’t miss out on your exclusive benefits! Register your
Roomba online right now at www.irobot.com/register.

Dear iRobot Roomba Owner,
Thank you for purchasing an iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaning
robot. You’ve joined the millions of people who clean with robots -
the smarter way to get it done.
Please take a few moments to read this manual and get acquainted
with your Roomba, to get the best performance from your robot.
If you have any questions, visit our website at www.irobot.com for
more information.
Register your robot to instantly activate your warranty and enjoy
these exclusive benefits:
• Take advantage of iRobot’s award-winning customer service
Get support tailored to your specific robot, including answers
to questions, maintenance tips, video demos, live chat and
more.
• Get product updates and other valuable information
Be among the first to find out about new robots, exclusive
discounts and special promotions.
When you register, you can also tell us about your experience
with your Roomba; iRobot listens to our customers and makes
enhancements to our robots based on your valued feedback. We’d
love to hear from you!
Register your robot right now at www.irobot.com/register.
On behalf of the entire team, thank you for choosing iRobot; we
appreciate your business, feedback and loyalty.
Here’s to robots that make a difference!
Yours for less chores and more life,
Colin Angle
Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder
iRobot Corporation
P.S. Don’t miss out on your exclusive benefits! Register your
Roomba online right now at www.irobot.com/register.

4 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Important Tips
Roomba contains electronic parts. DO NOT submerge Roomba or spray it
with water. Clean with a dry cloth only.
Before using Roomba the first
time, you need to activate Roomba
by removing the battery pull tab.
Charge Roomba overnight before
first time use.
Remove battery pull tab
For Best Performance
• Remove and clean Roomba’s brushes after every use.
• Empty Roomba’s bin and clean its lter after every use.
• Use a Virtual Wall® (optional accessory) to keep Roomba cleaning where
you want it.
• Use your Roomba frequently.
Battery Life
To extend Roomba’s battery life and keep Roomba cleaning at peak
performance:
• Always keep Roomba plugged in when not in use.
• Recharge Roomba as soon as possible. Waiting several days to
recharge Roomba can damage the battery.
• For storage off the power supply, remove the battery from Roomba and
store in a cool, dry place.
• Blue or black batteries should be stored after Roomba has been
used.
• Yellow batteries should be stored after being fully charged.
Turning Roomba on and off
• To turn Roomba ON, press CLEAN once. You will hear a
beep and the CLEAN button will light.
• To start a cleaning cycle, press CLEAN again. Roomba will
start a cleaning cycle.
• To pause Roomba, press CLEAN while Roomba is cleaning.
• To turn Roomba OFF, press and hold the CLEAN button
until Roomba’s lights turn OFF.
• To resume the cleaning cycle, press CLEAN again.

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 5
Table of Contents
iRobot Roomba Anatomy.............................................6
Cleaning Pattern...........................................................7
Cleaning Modes............................................................8
Cleaning System...........................................................9
Cleaning Bins..............................................................10
Battery Storage and Charging ............................. 11-12
Optional Accessories .................................................13
Virtual Wall® ..................................................... 13-14
Virtual Wall® Lighthouses™.............................. 15-16
Home Base® ..........................................................17
Wiresless Command Center .................................18
Remote Control .....................................................19
Scheduling Roomba (selected models) .................. 20-21
Regular Maintenance ........................................... 22-24
Language Selection Mode (selected models)................25
Troubleshooting.................................................... 26-27
Replaceable Modules........................................... 28-32
Frequently Asked Questions......................................33
Important Safety Instructions ....................................34
iRobot Customer Care ...............................................35

6 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
iRobot Roomba Anatomy
Infrared Sensor
Bin Release Button
Power Supply Socket
Flexible
Brush
Cliff Sensor
Openings
Edge-Cleaning
Side Brush
Dirt Detect™
Sensor
Left Wheel
Module
Right Wheel
Module
Contact Points
for Home Base
(selected
models)
Brush Guard Release Tabs
Brush
Bearings
Brush
Guard
Removable
Caster Wheel
Buttons and Lights
Bottom View
Main
Brush
Faceplate
Bin
End Caps
SPOT Button
CLEAN/Power
Button SPOT/DOCK Button
(varies by model)
Dirt Detect™
(Models 500 - 549) (Models 550 and above)
Scheduling
Interface
Troubleshooting
Light
DOCK Button (models 550-599)
MAX Button (models 600+)
SPOT Button
CLEAN/Power
Button
Dirt Detect™
Troubleshooting
Light

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 7
Cleaning Pattern
Roomba is a robot that cleans floors differently than the way most people
clean their floors. Roomba uses its robot intelligence to efficiently clean
the whole floor, under and around furniture and along walls.
Roomba calculates the optimal cleaning path as it cleans and determines
when to use its various cleaning behaviors:
Spiraling: Roomba uses
a spiral motion to clean a
concentrated area.
Wall Following: Roomba
uses this technique to
clean the full perimeter
of the room and navigate
around furniture and
obstacles.
Room Crossing: Roomba
crisscrosses the room
to ensure full cleaning
coverage.
Dirt Detection (selected
models):When Roomba
senses dirt, the blue Dirt
Detect™ light is lit and
Roomba cleans more
intensely in that area.
TIP: Roomba takes approximately 25 minutes to clean an average room and
will pass over the same area of the floor multiple times to ensure total
floor coverage.
TIP: For most efcient cleaning, clear your oor of clutter and use a Virtual
Wall to confine Roomba to one room.

8 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Cleaning Modes
Roomba will clean based on the cleaning mode you select. Roomba has
three cleaning modes.
Clean Mode (all models)
Roomba automatically calculates the room size and adjusts its cleaning
time appropriately.
Spot Mode (all models)
Roomba will spiral approximately three feet in diameter and then spiral
back to where it started, intensely cleaning a localized area.
Scheduled Cleaning Mode (Models 550 and above)
When a future cleaning time is programmed, Roomba enters Scheduled
Cleaning Mode. When scheduled to clean, Roomba will occasionally flash
its next cleaning time to remind you of its schedule. At the specified time,
Roomba leaves its Home Base, cleans, and then returns to the Home
Base to recharge when it’s done.

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 9
Cleaning System
Roomba features a patented three-stage cleaning system.
Floor Surfaces
Roomba works on wood, carpet, tile, vinyl, and linoleum, and adjusts
automatically to different floor types.
Roomba automatically senses stairs and other cliffs. Roomba might
stall when confronting rounded edges and might slide over particularly
slippery surfaces. Extremely dark-colored floors may contribute to
Roomba’s cliff sensors working less effectively.
Anti-Tangle system
Roomba won’t get stuck on cords, carpet fringe or tassels. When Roomba
senses it has picked up a cord or tassel, it will automatically stop its main
brushes or side brush and try to escape. Roomba may make a clicking
noise when anti-tangle is activated.
1
Side brush
sweeps along
edge of walls and
into corners.
2
Two counter-
rotating brushes
scoop up dirt,
hair, and debris
into the bin.
3
Powerful vacuum picks up the
remaining fine particles, dirt, and
hair. The filter traps dust and
small particles.
Filter

10 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Cleaning Bins
Roomba is compatible with three interchangeable cleaning bins.
Aero-VacTM or Original Vacuum Cleaning Bin
The Aero-Vac or Original vacuum cleaning bin should be used for
everyday cleaning. The dual action, counter-rotating brushes pick up
debris, while the vacuum sucks up the dirt and dust.
High-Capacity Sweeper Bin (optional accessory for all models)
The high-capacity sweeper bin can hold more debris than the vacuum
cleaning bin. Use this bin when cleaning larger-than-usual amounts of dirt
and dust, or when cleaning bigger pieces of debris.
Aero-VacTM Vacuum Cleaning Bin
High-Capacity Sweeper Bin
Original Vacuum Cleaning Bin

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 11
Battery Storage and Charging
TIP: For best performance, charge Roomba’s battery overnight before using
Roomba for the first time.
Roomba is powered by a rechargeable battery. Roomba’s battery can last
for hundreds of cleaning cycles if cared for properly.
Battery Life
To extend the battery life, iRobot recommends always storing Roomba
plugged in. For more details on how to maintain Roomba’s battery life,
visit www.irobot.com/support.
TIP: Recharge Roomba as soon as possible. Waiting several days to recharge
Roomba can damage the battery.
TIP: For storage off the power supply, remove the battery from Roomba and
store in a cool, dry place.
Cleaning Time
You should fully charge Roomba’s battery before each cleaning cycle.
When fully charged, Roomba’s battery will last for at least one full clean
cycle.
16-Hour Refresh Charge
If Roomba has been left off the power supply or Home Base for an
extended period, Roomba will initiate a special 16-hour charge cycle. This
extensive charge refreshes Roomba’s battery and extends the battery
life. While charging, Roomba’s “Clean” button will pulse quickly. Note: For
best results, do not interrupt this Refresh Charge.

12 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
CLEAN button light Battery status
Solid red Battery empty
Amber pulse Charging
Solid green Fully charged
Quick amber pulse 16-hour refresh charge
TIP: When Roomba is on the Home Base, always make sure that the Home
Base power light is on.
Or
Charging Roomba
Charge Roomba in one of two ways:
Charging Lights
Roomba uses the CLEAN button light to indicate that it is charging. Use
this chart to determine the status of the battery.
CLEAN/Power
Button
Using the Home Base Using the Power Supply Only

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 13
Virtual Wall®
(optional accessory for selected models)
Virtual Walls create an invisible barrier
that Roomba will not cross. This invisible
barrier can be used to confine Roomba
to a particular room or area, and
prevent it from getting too close
to electrical or computer cords,
delicate objects on the floor, etc.
The Virtual Walls can be set to block an opening
up to seven feet long. Note that the width of the Virtual Wall’s
beam also increases as its length increases, creating a cone-shaped
area which Roomba cannot pass. The Virtual Wall also creates a halo of
protection around itself, preventing Roomba from getting too close.
Original Virtual Wall
The Virtual Wall requires 2 “D” batteries and
automatically shuts off after 135 minutes. If the
power light blinks green, the batteries will soon
need replacement. Use the slider bar to adjust
the length of the barrier. A higher range will drain
the battery faster.
TIP: For best performance, place the Virtual Wall on the outside of the
doorway you wish to block.
TIP: Point the iRobot logo towards the opening you would like to block.

14 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Compact Virtual Wall Battery Installation
To open the battery compartment, simply apply pressure on both iRobot
logos located on either side of the Virtual Wall and pull the bottom out,
separating the pieces.
Two “C” Alkaline Batteries
(not included)
Battery
Compartment
TIP: Point the arrows on top of the Virtual Wall towards the opening you would
like to block.
TIP: Point the arrows on top of the Virtual Wall towards the opening you would
like to block.
OFF
AUTO
Virtual Wall®
(continued)
Compact Manual Virtual Wall
A Manual Virtual Wall must be turned on
by hand at the beginning of the cleaning
cycle to activate the barrier. A Manual
Virtual Wall and its power light will shut
off after 135 minutes. When battery
levels are low, the Virtual Wall power light will
blink slowly to indicate that it needs new batteries.
Compact Auto Virtual Wall
When an Auto Virtual Wall is set to “Auto”
mode, the power light blinks repeatedly
to indicate it is on. When battery levels
are low, the Virtual Wall blinks repeatedly
twice to indicate that it needs new batteries.
To save battery power, switch the Auto
Virtual Wall to “Off.” When in “Auto” mode, the
batteries should last approximately six months.

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 15
Virtual Wall® Lighthouses™
(optional accessory for selected models)
Virtual Wall Lighthouses turn on and off automatically as Roomba is
turned on and off. When they are on, a light illuminates on the top of the
Virtual Wall Lighthouse. A Virtual Wall Lighthouse can be used in two
modes, either in Lighthouse mode or Virtual Wall mode, set by the Mode
Selector.
Lighthouse
Virtual Wall
0-3”
4-7”
8”+
Distance
0-1.5m
1.5-3m
3m+
Power Light
Two “C” Alkaline
Batteries
(not included)
TIP: When in Lighthouse mode, do not manually move Roomba from room to
room while it is cleaning.
Mode Selector
Lighthouse Mode
In Lighthouse mode, the Virtual Wall Lighthouse helps Roomba navigate
around your home and allows Roomba to clean room-to-room. Roomba
will clean the room it starts in, navigate to the next room, and then clean
the second room. When Roomba has completed cleaning, it will use the
Lighthouse to navigate back to the Home Base for recharging.
With two Virtual Wall
Lighthouses in lighthouse
mode, Roomba will clean
Room 1 for approximately
25 minutes, then clean
Rooms 2 and 3 for 25
minutes each, and then
return to the Home Base.
Home
Base
Lighthouse
Room 1 Room 2
Room 3
Lighthouse
Start
Roomba
here
Range Selector

16 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
TIP: To conserve battery life, remove the batteries if you are not planning to
use the Virtual Wall Lighthouse when cleaning. When battery levels are
low, the Virtual Wall Lighthouse power light will ash repeatedly.
Virtual Wall® Lighthouses™
(continued)
In Lighthouse mode, place the Virtual Wall Lighthouse in the doorway
between two rooms with the iRobot logo facing forward.
Place Lighthouse
in the center of
the door frame
Virtual Wall Mode
In Virtual Wall mode, the Lighthouse creates an invisible barrier that
Roomba will not cross. It automatically turns off when Roomba turns off.
In Virtual Wall mode, place the Virtual Wall Lighthouse in the center of
the door frame. It blocks an opening up to seven feet or longer in three
increments: 0-3 ft., 4-7 ft., 7+ ft. Use the range selector to adjust the
length of the barrier. A longer range will drain the battery faster.
TIP: Avoid placing Virtual Wall Lighthouses too close to each other, the
Home Base, or furniture that could block the beams. Doing so could
prevent Roomba from recognizing the Lighthouses and navigating to the
next room.
Range
Selector
Distance

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 17
Home Base®
(optional accessory for selected models)
Always keep the Home base plugged in.
Original Home Base
When Roomba is on the Home Base, the power and
docked lights are green to indicate Roomba is charging.
Compact Home Base
When the Home Base is plugged in, the power light
blinks to indicate that it is connected to the power
source. When Roomba connects to the Home Base, the
power light is solid to indicate that Roomba successfully
connected to the Home Base. When Roomba is
charging, Roomba’s “Clean” button pulses amber as
described in the “Battery Storage and Charging” section
of this manual. The “Clean” button is a solid green when
Roomba is completely charged.
Home Base Location
You should position the Home Base on a hard level surface and in an
area where Roomba has a clear path to return at the end of a cleaning
cycle. Locate the Home Base against a wall or other immovable object to
prevent it from sliding during docking. If Roomba is unable to dock on its
first attempt, it will try again until it docks successfully.
TIP: Do not place the Home Base within 4 feet of a stairwell.
SCALE 1.000
Chair Table
Home
Base
Stairs
Area Rug

18 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Wireless Command Center
(optional accessory for selected models)
The Wireless Command Center lets you conveniently control Roomba’s
functions. You can use it to turn Roomba on and off, schedule Roomba to
clean, and steer Roomba around your room.
...
Pairing Roomba with the Wireless Command Center
Wireless Command Centers are set up to control only one Roomba. To pair
a Wireless Command Center with a Roomba, you need four “AA” batteries
(not included).
Troubleshooting
Light
SPOT Roomba spirals approximately three feet in diameter and then spirals
back to where it started, intensely cleaning a local area.
CLEAN Roomba automatically calculates the room size and adjusts its
cleaning time appropriately.
. . . Models
570-599
Roomba attempts to dock on the Home Base, if present.
Models
600+
Roomba enters Max mode and cleans as long as the
battery allows.
Battery
Indicator
. . .
1
Make sure Roomba’s battery is fully charged.
2
Unplug the power supply or remove Roomba from its Home Base.
3
Install three “AA” batteries into the Command Center.
4
Hold down the left drive button while installing the fourth battery.
5
Continue holding the button for 3 seconds or until the days of the
week lights flash in a sequence from right to left (Saturday to Sunday).
6
Install the battery door and place the Command Center on top of
Roomba.
7
Press and hold the DAY and MINUTE buttons on the Command Center
for 2 seconds. The lights on the Command Center will flash to indicate
the pairing has completed, and Roomba will make a two-tone beep.
8
When the Command Center is powered on from now on, the lights will
flash in sequence from left to right until Roomba is under control.

For more detailed information, visit: www.irobot.com 19
TIP: Check that there is a direct line of sight from the Remote Control to
Roomba and that the remote is pointed at Roomba.
The Remote Control, Virtual Walls and Home Base operate using an invisible
infrared beam. If they are all used in the same area, Roomba may see
multiple infrared signals and will not operate. The Remote WILL NOT work
when Roomba is near Virtual Walls.
Before using your remote for the first time, install 2 AA batteries (not
included).
SPOT Roomba spirals approximately three
feet in diameter and then spirals back
to where it started, intensely cleaning a
local area.
CLEAN Roomba automatically calculates the
room size and adjusts its cleaning time
appropriately.
. . . Models 500-519 Roomba enters Spot
mode.
Models 520-599 Roomba attempts to
dock on the Home
Base, if present.
Models 600+ Roomba enters Max
mode and cleans as
long as the battery
allows.
. . .
Remote Control
(optional accessory for selected models)
The Remote Control lets you conveniently control Roomba’s functions.
You can use it to turn Roomba on and off and steer it around your
room without bending down. It also gives you remote access to these
commands:
SPOT
Button
CLEAN/Power
Button
. . . Button
Directional
Buttons

20 iRobot Roomba 500 Series
Scheduling Roomba
(Models 550 and above)
Setting the Time
You must set the time before scheduling Roomba to clean.
1
Press and hold CLOCK.
2
While holding CLOCK, use the DAY, HOUR,
and MINUTE buttons to set the correct time.
3
Release CLOCK. Roomba will beep to
indicate that the time has been set.
Setting a Schedule
You can schedule Roomba to clean once per day, up to seven times
per week. You must set the time before setting a schedule.
To set a schedule:
1
Press and hold SCHEDULE.
2
While holding SCHEDULE, use the DAY,
HOUR, and MINUTE buttons to set the
schedule.
3
Release SCHEDULE. Roomba will beep to
indicate that the schedule has been set.
Viewing and Deleting Schedules
To view Roomba’s scheduled cleaning times:
1
Press and hold SCHEDULE.
2
While holding SCHEDULE, press the DAY
button to cycle through Roomba’s scheduled
cleaning times.
3
Release SCHEDULE.