Fix: Roomba Error Code 17 (Roomba Cannot Complete Cleaning)

The cleaning robot Roomba is efficient and productive in its cleaning work. But this piece of machinery will show up error messages every once in a while if something that disrupts the cleaning process arises. One particular error that is commonly witnessed in the Roomba is error 17. It shows up when there is not enough light for the cleaning process or if the firmware of the Roomba unit is corrupt.

If there is not enough light in the cleaning area, the camera on the Roomba won’t work, and you will see the error. To avoid that, you first need to make sure that there is enough light in cleaning. Again, one more thing you need to be wary of is manual movement. If another human or pet manually moves the robot, you will see the error 17. To solve this error message, we have compiled this guide on fixing Error 17 using different solutions. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.

How to Fix Error Code 17 on Roomba?

It is not possible to determine what might be the exact cause behind the error 17 on your Roomba. So try all the solutions one after the other until you find the one that works for you.

Place it in a well-lit environment:

As mentioned above, error 17 on Roomba is pretty common if the robot is set to clean a place that is not properly lit. The robot has cameras and depending on the feed, it captures and initiates the cleaning process. So if there is not enough light for the cameras, error 17 will show up, and the robot won’t perform the cleaning process.

So make sure that you are using the robot in a well-lit room. If even that does not help with the error 17, try the next solution.

Make sure nothing touches it during the cleaning operation:

If a human or a pet touches the robot while performing its cleaning process, the entire process will be interrupted. In that case, you might see the error 17 popping up on the screen. So once you have set the Roomba to initiate the cleaning, do not touch it or manually change its location. If you have a pet that runs around a lot, make sure to keep it restrained during the cleaning process.