What to check, in order
- Take the brushes out
i series: push the green tab to open the cleaning head door and lift the brushes out. 600 series: lift both yellow tabs to open the brush guard.
- Clean under the end caps
Remove hair and debris from the brushes, especially under the end caps and around the metal shafts the caps sit on. Refit the bearings and brushes.
- i series: test without the brushes
Close the door with the brushes out, set Roomba on a flat floor and press CLEAN. If the error clears, the brushes were the problem.
- Try a hard floor
Thick carpet or high-pile rugs can slow the brushes enough to cause Error 2.
When to call an engineer
If it comes back after cleaning, the brushes or extractors may need replacing. On i series, if it shows even with the brushes out, contact iRobot Customer Care.
Good to know
- iRobot suggests cleaning the rubber brushes on i series robots every week.
Parts people end up buying
Only if the checks above point to a part. Match it to your model number first: it's on a label on the underside, often under the dust bin.
- Replacement brushesSearch on Amazon
Affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It never changes a verdict.
Quick answers
What does the Roomba Error 2 error code mean?
The main brushes can't turn: the rubber brushes on e and i series, the debris extractors on 800 and 900 series. Hair and debris are the usual cause.
Can I fix Roomba Error 2 myself?
Easy (about 10 minutes). Start with: take the brushes out; clean under the end caps; i series: test without the brushes. If it comes back after cleaning, the brushes or extractors may need replacing. On i series, if it shows even with the brushes out, contact iRobot Customer Care.
Is Roomba Error 2 worth repairing?
Usually free. Cleaning the brushes fixes most cases, and replacement brushes are inexpensive.
Checked against
- iRobot: Roomba Error 2
- iRobot: Roomba i series Error 2
- iRobot: cleaning Roomba 600 and 700 series brushes
Last reviewed October 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word. Spotted a mistake? Email contact@appliance-error-codes.com.