(Last Updated On: March 27, 2023)
When I first got my Litter-Robot, I absolutely loved it. Seriously, it could do no wrong in my eyes and I was a major fan! However, I do know that some people have reported that their robot sometimes gets stuck and is not cycling. It happened to me once. Keep reading if you want to know what causes this and what you can do to quickly resolve it.
Causes of Litter Robot Not Cycling:
Power Outage
We usually don’t think of this possibility first but there could actually be a power outage in your home. Ensure that the unit is plugged in properly and that power is working in your home too.
Issues with Waste Drawer
Litter-Robot is meant to run a cycle when it detects that the waste drawer is filled. Hence, if the waste drawer isn’t full, it won’t cycle. Also, if there’s any obstructed or if it’s way too full, it won’t cycle properly either.
Faulty Motor
The motor is what rotates the unit’s globe and sifts the litter. If the motor is malfunctioning, the cycling won’t work. Don’t try to open up the motor, though, as you can cause more issues. It’s best to contact customer service if you think it’s a motor issue.
Dirty Sensors
The robot’s sensors are so vital when it comes to its cycling function. If the sensors are dirty or malfunctioning, the cycling won’t work properly. Try to clean the sensors gently with a dry cloth.
Software Problem
Sometimes, it’s the software that’s causing the problem. Have you updated the firmware? Or try to reset the software to see if it’ll solve the problem.
Litter Robot 3 Stuck Mid Cycle
It can be frustrating if your Litter Robot 3 is stuck mid-cycle. As mentioned in the troubleshooting steps above, you can check the power (is there a power outage or was it not plugged in properly?), inspect the waste drawer (is it full or does it have something obstructing it?), and ensure that the sensors are clean and well-functioning.
You can also inspect the motor but don’t try to open things up. If it’s a motor problem, you should get in touch with Litter Robot’s customer service.
Still not working? Try to do a software reset as it could be a software bug/issue. Simply unplug the robot and wait for at least half a minute. Then, plug it back in.
Why is Litter-Robot Stuck on Cycling Light?
If you see a solid yellow light on the control panel, that means it is cycling (it can also mean it’s paused).
Litter-Robot Cycle Light Flashing
There’re 2 types of flashing. If you see a yellow light that’s flashing slowly, it means your robot’s cycle was interrupted. Perhaps your cat tried to enter as it was running a cycle and this was detected by the sensor, which then paused the cycling. Don’t worry as the robot will continue with its cycling 15 seconds after your cat leaves.
Slow flashing could also point to the bonnet being disconnected or even not connected (removed). So inspect the tabs of the bonnet and ensure that they are secured properly on the sides as well as the rear. If you’ve fixed it properly, the robot will resume cycling in 5 seconds.
Another possibility is that there’s just too much weight (whether it’s waste or litter). Ensure that the amount of litter is not more than the fill line. Once you’ve addressed this problem, press the Reset button.
If you see a yellow light that’s flashing quickly, it can point to the anti-pinch safety feature detecting a pinch situation. Just turn off the unit and inspect the waste drawer at the base. There’s probably an obstruction there. After you’re done, just turn it back on. Press the Reset button too.
Why Isn’t My Litter-Robot Cycling on its Own?
It’s probably a sensor problem. You should first try to cycle it manually. Press the Cycle button. If it does work, move on to the next step.
Now, try to reset the sensor by shutting the unit with the power button.
When it’s starting up, push on the robot to see if the sensor actually does activate. If it successfully activates, press ‘reset’ to make the cycle pause. Then, press reset again to go back to home.
Now that The unit is in the home position, try to push on the unit again to see what happens.
If the robot changes to a red light after you put a lot of pressure on it, then it might be a problem with the surface that you’ve placed the robot on.
If nothing happens and the sensor doesn’t turn on, then turn off the robot and leave it unplugged. You’ll have to contact customer service.
Other Troubleshooting Guides:
Litter Robot Sleep Mode
LR App Not Working
Cat Not Using Litter Robot?
Litter Robot Stuck Upside Down: How to Fix It
How to Fix Over Torque Fault on Litter Robot
Conclusion
It’s frustrating when your Litter Robot is not cycling. Understand that there could be a few causes and try our ideas to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Hopefully you’ll be able to get the unit back up and running again. Otherwise, simply contact the customer service and they’ll guide you through.
