How to fix Roborock error 13? It can get tricky, but luckily for you, we know how to fix it in no time.
You’ll know that your Roborock vacuum is not charging since it won’t dock to the base.
We’ve discovered some proven solutions to help resolve this error with your vacuum.
Don’t know what to do when you see Error 13? We’ve got you covered!
The first thing you should do to fix Error 13 is reset your Roborock. If this doesn’t work, clean the charging connectors and clear any corrosion on them. Next, ensure the charging pins are aligned on the base and inspect for power issues. Finally, test the batteries.
Before we get into further details of the solutions, let us enumerate the causes of the error.
What Causes Error 13 Roborock to Occur
The error 13 on your Roborock vacuum is likely caused by battery issues. It could be a faulty battery where it couldn’t hold a charge.
A simpler cause is dirty or corroded connectors that block the current from reaching the battery pack on your vacuum.
Check out the different factors that can cause the Roborock error 13 here:
✅ Dirty or Corroded Charging Connectors
A thick layer of dust, dirt, or rust on the charging connectors can stop the battery from charging and causing this error.
✅ Power and Cable Issues
Damaged cables and wall outlets can prevent your vacuum’s battery from charging properly. Whenever this happens, error 13 can occur, and you’ll have to check for signs of damage to fix it.
✅ Battery Can’t Hold a Charge
If your Roborock is more than 2 years old, the batteries cannot hold a charge properly, causing this error to show up.
✅ Faulty Motherboard
Components in your vacuum’s motherboard can get damaged, causing many issues with the device, including battery charging problems.
Now that you know the primary causes of this issue, we can now proceed to the troubleshooting steps so you can fix it once and for all!
Most Effective Solutions to Fix Roborock Charging Error 13
If you want to know how to fix Roborock error 13, you can start by resetting the vacuum. All you need to do is to press and hold the icon button while using a pin for the reset button.
You will need to hold these two buttons down for 5 seconds. Wait for the voice prompt saying, “Restoring the initial version.”
The entire process takes about 5 minutes, so please be patient. After your vacuum is reset, you can then check if you’re still getting the charging error 13.
You can proceed to the more advanced steps if a reset does not help fix the issue.
Solution #1: Wipe the Charging Connectors on the Base
Resetting your Roborock vacuum should do the trick. However, if it doesn’t, it means that a deeper issue is causing your charging issues.
One of the most likely problems you will face is the charging connectors on the vacuum’s base.
The vacuum can transfer the dirt to the base whenever it rolls up to charge.
The dirt can stick to the charging connectors and block the current from flowing, not allowing your vacuum to charge.
The quickest way to resolve this would be to clean the charging connectors at the base of your Roborock.
Here’s the best way to clean the charging connectors on your Roborock’s base:
- Check for any signs of dirt and stains on the base unit.
- Use a piece of cloth and wipe the base down.
- Pay close attention to the connectors.
- If you’re dealing with stubborn stains, moisten the cloth with alcohol.
Pro Tip: Use a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution for the best cleaning results. You can also use an eraser for hard-to-remove stains.
Solution #2: Clear the Corrosion on the Connectors Under the Robot
After removing the dust and dirt on the charging connectors on the base unit of your Roborock, you’ll also need to look at the underside of your vacuum.
The robot also has its own charging connector that links with the base unit. Any thick dust build-up or stains here can also hamper the power flow for efficient charging.
The connectors under the robot are more prone to corrosion than the base unit as your vacuum cleans around the house.
Your vacuum can go over wet spots on the floor, leading to a build-up of moisture on the underside.
Here’s how to clear the corrosion on the charging connectors under your Roborock vacuum:
- Get the Roborock vacuum and flip it to expose the underside.
- Examine the charging connectors on your vacuum.
- Wipe the underside of your vacuum with a clean cloth.
- If there are signs of corrosion, moisten the cloth with vinegar.
Note: You can also use sandpaper to sand down the rusted portions of your vacuum's battery connectors.
Solution #3: Align the Charging Pins on the Base
Since the Roborock docks every time it finishes cleaning your home, its charging pins can get bent.
Whenever the pins get bent too much, they can lose contact with the charging connector on the vacuum.
You want to check the pins on the base unit of your Roborock to ensure that it’s straight and can come into contact so it charges properly.
Here’s how to align the charging pins on your Roborock’s base unit:
- Push the Pause button on your Roborock.
- Press the button again to send it to the charging base.
- Check that the contacts are touching.
- If not, lift the vacuum up to see if it charges.
Note: If the contacts are bent on the charging base, adjust them, so they come into contact with those on the vacuum.
Solution #4: Check Your Vacuum’s Base Voltage
If you still continue to get error 13 on your Roborock, one of the components you want to check is the base.
Whenever it’s plugged in, the base should provide enough voltage to charge the vacuum. If it doesn’t send enough voltage, the base will be unable to charge your vacuum’s battery pack.
To check this, you’ll need to use a multimeter, which is a handy tool if you have a lot of electronics at home.
It’s incredibly useful to troubleshoot many electric issues, especially with devices like your Roborock vacuum.
Here’s how you can check the voltage output of the Roborock base:
- Set your multimeter to DC voltage.
- Without the robot, place one end of the multimeter on one of the contacts.
- Place the other end on the other contact.
- The voltage should read around 4.3V.
- With the robot charging, it should read between 18V to 22V.
Note: Inspect the cables and wall outlets for power issues
Solution #5: Test the Robot’s Battery with a Multimeter
After checking on the voltage of the Roborock’s base, you can also look at the vacuum’s battery pack.
It needs to produce a certain voltage to power all of the device’s components.
Testing it with a multimeter is the best way to determine if you need to replace it or not.
Here’s how to test your Roborock vacuum’s battery:
- Open the robot to gain access to the vacuum’s battery pack.
- Set the multimeter to DC voltage.
- Connect one end of the multimeter to a terminal in the battery.
- Connect the other end to the other terminal.
- The voltage needs to be greater than 13.5V.
Note: If the reading falls below that threshold, you will need to replace the batteries for it to work properly.
Solution #6: Replace the P185 Fuse on the Motherboard
If none of these steps seems to work at resolving error 13 on your Roborock vacuum, you will need to open up the electronics.
One particular component is likely to fail, and that’s the P185 fuse found on the motherboard.
If you have electronics experience, you can easily replace this yourself. However, most people should get a professional to repair their robot vacuum.
If you can make electronic repairs on your devices, you’ll need to check if you’ve blown the P185 fuse.
Here’s how to check your Roborock’s motherboard for problems:
- Open the Roborock vacuum and disassemble it to access the motherboard.
- On the other edge of the motherboard, look for the P185 fuse.
- Set your multimeter to Resistance.
- Connect the multimeter to both sides of the fuse.
- If the resistance is reading higher than 0.150 Ohms, replace it.
Note: You can find the P185 fuse as it will have “P185” printed on it. The print is small but visible.
You can also get your Roborock serviced by contacting their customer support hotline.
They have professionals that will help you replace any component, like the battery or motherboard, if none of these solutions work to resolve the charging issue.
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to fix Roborock error 13, you can take the necessary steps to determine what’s causing it.
Follow these solutions, and you will enjoy your Roborock for a long time.
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.