A robot that appears dead may be switched off, asleep, too deeply discharged to respond immediately, or reporting a condition that applies only to a particular model. First note the full robot model, region, dock, charger, light pattern, and any app message. If it recently arrived, has been stored for a long time, or was moved between homes, tell support; first-use and storage states can change the correct startup step.
Check the power path safely
Use the exact manual to confirm that the robot’s power switch, if present, is on and that its charger or dock is connected to a working outlet. Check that the cable and plug have no cuts, exposed wires, heat damage, or liquid on them. Do not test a damaged cable or open the robot to reach its battery. If the model is designed to charge from its station, seat it using the orientation shown in that model’s guide and wait for the stated charging indication. An indicator may be brief or absent on some products, so use the manual rather than assuming that no light means no power.
A battery that has been fully discharged may not make the robot respond immediately. iRobot’s support article describes a charging and wake-up path for the Roomba and Braava models it covers. The listed model series for its separate ship-mode procedure are inconsistent within the page, however. Do not apply that button sequence based on brand alone: confirm the current instructions with the exact model’s support page or iRobot before trying it.
Treat a powered-off state as model-specific
A robot may be deliberately shut down or disconnected rather than electrically failed. Narwal says a Freo X Ultra left on standby away from its base will turn itself off if standby battery reaches 0%. If it was placed on the station by hand, Narwal says to align the charging contacts with the side brushes facing outward; if it shuts down while seated, check station power and the contact connection. Remove only foreign material from accessible contacts, using the model’s support instructions. These checks apply only to the Freo X Ultra and do not establish a battery fault or a universal Narwal behavior.
Stop and get support when the response is not routine
Do not remove or open a battery pack, bypass a charging or safety control, or keep trying power-on sequences that the model guide does not list. Stop for swelling, unusual heat, burning odor, liquid exposure, damaged contacts, or a cable that warms abnormally. Disconnect power only if it is safe, keep people away from the damaged equipment, and contact the manufacturer or a qualified service provider.
If the robot powers on but will not return to its base or charge after docking, use charging and docking diagnosis. If it turns on but the app cannot reach it, use offline and connection troubleshooting.