A failed connection does not automatically mean a faulty router. Check which Wi-Fi bands your robot supports and which app it needs. Some models need 2.4 GHz; others also support 5 GHz.
What to check first
iRobot lists band support by model. There is no basis for telling every robot owner to disable 5 GHz.
Real examples: which models support 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
These examples come from manufacturer documents checked on 20 October 2026. They are not hands-on connection tests or a complete model list. Match the full label name and the manual for your sales region.
| Exact model | Supported Wi-Fi bands | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Roomba i8 | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | iRobot |
| Roomba Combo i8 | 2.4 GHz only | iRobot |
| Roborock S7 | 2.4 GHz only | Roborock S7 · p. 022 |
Roomba i8 and Roomba Combo i8 are separate entries. Do not transfer the band specification just because both names contain i8. For an unlisted model, keep the band marked unconfirmed until its own documentation establishes it.
A worksheet you can use
Use the worksheet to separate failure to discover the robot from failure during network sign-in. A network name containing 5G is a clue, not definitive proof of its band.
| Item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Model and app | Label model and manufacturer-designated app |
| Supported bands | 2.4 GHz only or also 5 GHz |
| Failure stage | Discovery, password entry or after connection |
| Router | Model and selected network name |
Check in this order
- Confirm the robot is charging and reception near the dock is adequate
- Choose the correct model in its official app and review Bluetooth/discovery permissions
- For a 2.4-GHz-only robot, use that band. Consult the router maker for a combined-name mesh network
If the problem remains
Do not disable network security or jump to factory reset: maps or account settings may be lost. Give support the error code, app version, phone model and router model. Never post your password.
Related guide
How to Measure Door Thresholds for a Robot Vacuum
A worked example
If the phone has internet but cannot discover the robot, check the model/app pairing first. If discovery succeeds but password entry fails, check the credentials and selected network.
Common questions
Is 2.4 GHz the same as 5G mobile service?
No. GHz here refers to router Wi-Fi bands. Changing your mobile subscription is not the answer.
Choose the next check from the screen where setup stops
This table prioritizes checks; it does not identify the cause automatically. Check one item at a time and record whether the next attempt stops at the same stage.
| Where it stops | Next check and result to record |
|---|---|
| The robot itself is not discovered | Match the official app’s add-device screen to the model and its documented pairing indication. Review discovery permissions, then record whether the robot appears. Do not borrow reset-button combinations from another model. |
| The robot is found, but your home Wi-Fi name is absent | Check its supported band and whether that band is enabled on the router. One shared network name does not prove a 5-GHz-only network. For mesh equipment, consult its maker’s device-connection instructions. |
| A password or connection error appears after network selection | Check the selected network and its Wi-Fi password, not the app-account password. Record the exact error and stage rather than the password. The message alone does not establish a hardware fault or a specific cause. |
| Setup completes, but the robot later appears offline | Record whether it happens immediately, while docked or after entering a particular room. Keep this separate from initial discovery failure and note the status after reopening the app. |
A useful stopping point and a support record
- Finding the robot during setup is not the final check. Finish setup, close and reopen the app, and confirm that the intended robot appears online with a current status such as charging.
- If it connects at the dock but drops in a particular location, record that location and time. One successful connection at the dock does not verify coverage throughout the home.
- If unresolved, send support: full model / official app and version / documented bands / last successful stage / exact error / docked or moving. Keep passwords, sign-in details and full device serial numbers out of public posts.
These are checks for documenting the connection state, not a compatibility certification or a promise of uninterrupted service.