Short answer: Robot mowers need light, regular care: clear the lawn of objects, wipe the underside and wheels, and look at the blades. Do a few extra jobs each season and put the mower away properly for winter. Always follow your own manual, because the details differ by maker and model.
This is a general checklist. It is not a replacement for the manual that came with your mower.
What should I check regularly?
"Regularly" means often during the mowing season. Many owners do these every week or two, or whenever the mower seems to behave differently. Your manual may suggest its own timing.
- Clear the lawn. Pick up sticks, toys, hoses, tools and fallen fruit before a run. Objects can block the mower or damage the blades.
- Wipe the underside and wheels. Switch the mower off first and turn it over as the manual shows. Remove packed grass and mud with a brush or a damp cloth. Do not spray it with a hose unless the manual says it is fine.
- Look at the blades. Check for bends, chips or dullness. See how often to replace robot mower blades.
- Check the dock area. Make sure nothing blocks the path to the dock, and that the dock itself has not shifted.
- Glance at the grass. Ragged tips or patches that are missed may point to dull blades or an area the mower cannot reach.
What should I do each season?
Do these a few times a year, such as at the start of spring and once or twice during the season.
- Clean the charging contacts. The metal contacts on the mower and on the dock can get dirty. Wipe them gently, following the manual.
- Check the wire connections, if you have a wire. Look at the connectors, the pegs and any places where the wire could have lifted. Learn more in boundary wire explained.
- Update the software. If your mower has an app, check for updates from the maker. Updates may fix bugs or change features.
- Check the rubber parts and sensors. Wipe any bump sensors, lift sensors, cameras or other sensors with a soft, dry or lightly damp cloth. Look at rubber parts and seals for cracks.
- Look at the wheels and any other moving parts for wear or damage.
- Check the settings. Mowing times, cutting height and no-go areas may need adjusting as the grass or the season changes.
What should I do at the end of the season?
Your manual will have the maker's recommended steps. In general:
- Clean the mower fully, including the underside, the wheels and the blades area.
- Inspect the blades and replace them if worn, so you start next spring ready.
- Clean the dock and its contacts.
- Store the battery as the manual says. Makers often give a charge level and a temperature range for storage. Follow those exactly. We do not give numbers here because they vary.
- Store the mower and dock in a dry place, as the maker advises, especially if your winters are freezing. Some mowers can stay out in the cold, and others cannot. Check the manual. See also do robot mowers work in rain and winter.
- Make a note of anything that needs repair before spring.
What if the mower gets stuck, stops or cannot find the dock?
Start with the simple things. Always switch the mower off before you handle it.
If it is stuck:
- Look for an object, a hole, a root or a wet patch that the wheels cannot get out of.
- Clear the area, remove packed grass from the wheels, and restart.
- If it keeps happening in the same place, adjust the area in the app or fix the ground. Some owners fill holes or mark that spot as a no-go zone.
If it stops in the middle of the lawn:
- Check the app or the display for an error message, then look the message up in the manual.
- Make sure the battery is charged and the mower is not lifted or tilted.
- Check that the stop button or a pause setting has not been triggered.
- Power it off and on again if the manual allows.
If it cannot find the dock:
- Make sure the dock has power and nothing blocks the way to it.
- Check the dock contacts and the wire or signal, if your model uses one.
- Check that the dock has not moved, and that the grass around it is not too long.
- Look up the error in the manual or ask the maker.
If none of this helps, contact the maker or your seller rather than opening the mower yourself.
What if a boundary wire is cut?
A cut wire is a common problem for mowers that use one. It can happen from digging, a trimmer or a shovel. In general:
- Confirm it is the wire. The mower may stop, show an error, or not leave the dock.
- Find the break. Look for damage where you have dug, edged or done garden work. Some makers offer a tool or an app feature to help locate faults. Check whether yours does.
- Repair it using the maker's connectors. The manual shows how to join the ends. Do not just twist the wires together and leave them.
- Test. Restart the mower and watch that it works.
- If you cannot find the break, contact the maker or the installer.
We do not give specific tools or methods here, because they depend on the maker.
What this means for you
A few minutes of care at regular times prevents most small problems. Keep the manual somewhere easy to find, and do not skip the safety steps: switch off before handling.
For the details-minded
- Some makers publish maintenance schedules in the manual. Where they exist, they take priority over any general list.
- IP ratings describe protection against water and dust. They do not mean you can pressure wash the mower. Check the manual.
- Keep a short log of what you did and when. It helps if you need warranty service.
Next step
Choosing a mower and want to know which upkeep suits you? Use the quiz at /help-me-choose/.
Quick answers
How often should I clean my robot mower? Often during the season, and whenever grass builds up. Check the manual for the maker's advice.
Do I need to take it in for winter? It depends on the model and your climate. Read the storage section of the manual.
Can I wash it with a hose? Only if the manual says so. A damp cloth and a brush are usually safer.
What is the first thing to try if it stops? Check for an error message in the app or on the display, then look it up in the manual.