How to Keep Robot Vacuum From Getting Stuck Under Furniture? Robot vacuums are equipped with sensors to help them avoid objects, and some advanced models can even determine if there is clearance under furniture.
Sensor technology always doesn’t work as planned. That’s why sometimes robotic vacuums get stuck under different heights of furniture like a couch, sofa, or bed.
It can be frustrating if you face this problem regularly. If you are wondering how to stop robot vacuums from getting stuck under furniture, this guide article will teach you how to prevent it.
First, we will know why a robot vacuum gets stuck and then find ways how to keep a robot vacuum from getting stuck under furniture. So let’s get started.
Why Does a Robot Vacuum Get Stuck?
Robot vacuums sensors help them navigate obstacles, and barriers, maneuver under fairly high furniture and avoid stairs while cleaning. However, low-lying furniture poses a problem.
Robot vacuum cleaners often get stuck under furniture and stop working. Listed below are a few other reasons your robot vacuum might get stuck.
1. Clogged Brush Or Wheels
When you don’t clean your robot vacuum, its brush, bearings, and wheels get clogged with dust, dirt, pet hair, and fluff.
If the brush and wheels become clogged, the robot vacuum cleaner may become louder or stop working. Cleaning your robot vacuums once a week will help them last longer.
2. Clutter On Floor
A cluttered floor will cause your robot vacuum to get stuck. The problem is common if you have kids at home. Your robot vacuum might get frustrated trying to avoid all the obstacles on the floor created by kids’ toys.
Robot vacuums might stop if clothes get stuck in the wheels or brush. Therefore, it’s best to declutter your floor first before letting your robot vacuum do the work. Your robot vacuum will thank you for this.
3. Tangled Cables And Other Wires
Sensors on robot vacuums help them navigate obstacles and stairs. It is not easy for these robots to navigate through tangled cables and wires.
If you want your robot vacuum to do its job easily without getting stuck, you should arrange your computer cables and other wires in an organized manner, preferably along the walls.
11 Steps to Prevent Robot Vacuum From Getting Stuck Under Furniture
- Keep the Lights on
- Clean Out Larger Debris underneath Furniture
- Use Furniture Risers
- Block off your furniture
- Use Pool Noodles
- Use Bumper Extenders
- Use Boundary Markers
- Set No-go Zones
- Remove Thick Rugs And Carpets
- Use 3M Hooks
- Place the Dock in a Central Location
How to Stop Robot Vacuum From Getting Stuck Under Furniture
Many of these steps will work with most automatic vacuum models, but more advanced technology may be required for some models. Review your options and check your app to see which steps are easiest for you.
Step 1: Keep the Lights on
There are many robot vacuum sensors that work best in good lighting conditions. Let your robot clean during brighter times of the day, keep the lights on while it cleans, and see if you see a difference.
Step 2: Clean Out Larger Debris Underneath Furniture
Sometimes vacuums get stuck not because of furniture, but because of lost items under couches and credenzas. You should move your furniture and search underneath it for toys, shoes, books, and anything else that may hinder the robot vacuum’s work.
Step 3: Use Furniture Risers
Depending on the height of your furniture, your vacuum may get stuck under an edge if its sensors are in the wrong place. Using furniture risers can help lift the legs of your furniture a bit. However, it may not be appropriate for all types of furniture, so plan accordingly.
Adjustable Furniture Riser
Step 4: Block Off Your Furniture
Although there are many ways, It is difficult to block the space under furniture in a safe, aesthetic manner. You can use basic wooden blocks or boards, and you can even spray paint them black to hide them.
Step 5. Use Pool Noodles
Alternatively, you could cut up pool noodles and stuff them under furniture. Low- and medium-pile carpets are best suited for robot vacuums.
In areas with high pile carpets or plush rugs, your robot vacuum will definitely get stuck on these carpets. Therefore, you might want to keep your robot vacuum away from carpets and rugs.
You can do this with pool noodles. Cut one side of the pool noodle and stick it to the carpet. Combine multiple pool noodles to cover all sides of the carpet and rug. It will act as a barrier for robot vacuums.
The robot vacuum will change its direction after bumping into the pool noodle and back off.
Pool Noodles
Step 6. Use Bumper Extenders
A bumper extender is a cone-shaped piece of rubber that can be glued or screwed onto the bumper end of any robot vacuum.
When these bumper extenders are applied, the robot vacuum will change direction instead of trying to go under the furniture and getting stuck.
Bumper Extenders
Step 7: Use Boundary Markers
Many robot vacuums come with boundary strips that you can place on stairs, in front of kitchens, and in other places where you don’t want your robot vacuum to go.
These boundary markers will help your model avoid furniture where it gets stuck, so it knows where to avoid it. Place the strips a bit inside the furniture space so they aren’t easily visible.
Robot Vacuum Boundary Markers
Step 8: Set No-go Zones
Your automatic vacuum may not use boundary markers, but you may find a solution in its corresponding app. Go into your app and set zones your vacuum will avoid.
For example, Roomba allows you to set up Keep Out zones. Roombas will avoid areas if their overhead sensors are not working. Once these zones are set up, your problem is solved for good.
Step 9. Remove Thick Rugs And Carpets
The most comfortable thing to walk on is plush, lavish area rugs and carpets with dense piles. Several robot vacuums are capable of cleaning high pile carpets, but if it has stringy trims or tassels, they will get tangled and stuck during cleaning.
If you want to prevent your vacuum from getting stuck on rugs or carpets, remove them first, or block off the area with a physical barrier or by restricting access from the mobile app.
As we mentioned above pool noodles can be used to keep your Roomba away from rugs and carpets.
Step 10. Use 3M Hooks
You can also use 3M hooks to prevent your robot vacuum from getting stuck under furniture. Attach two 3M hooks on each side of the bumper of your robot vacuum. It will change its path whenever it bumps into low elevated furniture, such as a couch, sofa, or bed.
3M Hooks
Step 11. Place the Dock in a Central Location
Every Robot vacuum has a Homebase that can be used as a charging dock. Besides charging the robot vacuum, the Homebase does much more. Additionally, it sends signals to guide the robotic vacuum around the house.
This is why the Homebase should be located centrally in the house. A robot vacuum may lose its signals if it gets too far away from the Homebase.
The robot vacuum will get tangled and become stuck if there is any clutter around it, such as household items or cables.
