Litter-Robot 5 & Pro: Why is my Litter-Robot not cycling?

If your Litter-Robot 5 is not cycling as intended, the LCD screen may help explain why.

Need help with Litter-Robot 4 or Litter-Robot EVO?

Why is my Litter-Robot 5 not cycling?

If your Litter-Robot 5 is not cycling, stops mid-cycle, or is stuck upside down, it could be due to excess weight, cat sensors, or various other settings such as:

• The waste drawer is full
• Litter-Robot is in sleep mode
• Your cat is under 3 pounds (1.36kg)
• Excess weight or the litter level is too high
• The cat sensor is dirty or malfunctioning
• The unit is not on a level surface or placement is incorrect
• There is a mechanical issue with the motor or gear mechanism

Here’s how to troubleshoot when your Litter-Robot 5 won’t cycle.

Cycle delay (Blinking green light)

If your unit’s status indicator light is blinking green, this indicates that the cat sensor has been triggered (a cat has entered the globe). The unit will cycle once the cycle delay countdown is up.

The default cycle delay is 7 minutes after the OmniSense® or weight sensors detect when a cat exits the unit.

To bypass the cycle delay:

• Press the Cancel button to clear the countdown.
• Then press the Cycle button to start a Clean Cycle.

You can set the cycle delay anywhere from 3 to 30 minutes in the Whisker app by tapping on your device card > settings gear icon > Cycle Delay.

Sleep mode

During the sleep period, the unit will monitor for a cat using the unit but will not perform a clean cycle.

The Whisker app offers customizable Sleep Mode programming options.

Excess weight detected

If your Litter-Robot 5 displays an Extended Scale Activity alert on the LCD screen, this indicates that the scale has been triggered for more than 30 minutes. 

If your unit displays an Overloaded Globe notification on the LCD Screen, the weight scale could be detecting additional weight in Litter-Robot 5. If you’ve recently moved the unit or added too much cat litter it could cause Litter-Robot to think a cat is inside.

1. Remove excess litter if it's above the fill line.

   
   

   
   

2. Ensure the automatic litter box is not on a litter mat, a power cord, in a grout line, or touching any walls.

3. From the Home position, short-press the Cancel button to zero the weight scale.

4. If your unit is stuck during a cycle, short-press the Cancel button to resume the cycle.

5. Remove any accessories, the bonnet, and the globe. Check the carbon filter to ensure that it's properly seated.
   
   

6. With the globe removed, inspect the waste port to ensure that no seal strips are peeling and that nothing is obstructing the waste port.

   

Incorrect placement

Place the unit on a level surface. Litter-Robot 5 has a built-in carpet tray, but it’s best to avoid uneven flooring for accurate weight measurements.

• If using a litter mat, place your litter mat completely in front of the unit, not partially underneath.

• All sides of the robot should not touch any walls or other surfaces.

• Check that all four feet can move freely and clear any litter or debris that may be stuck in or around the feet.

• Check that none of the four feet are resting on top of a cord or in a grout line.

Cat sensor

Debris (dust, cat fur, etc.) can interfere with the sensors in the waste drawer and the sensors in the bezel. This can cause the unit to inaccurately measure the waste drawer level and litter level, as well as cause false cat detections.

Motor fault

If the unit displays a Motor Fault error message on the LCD screen, there is an issue with the motor, which affects the rotation of the globe.

• Make sure the device is plugged in and connected.

  
  

  
  

• Confirm your firmware is up to date in the Whisker app. 

• Ensure the motor is securely connected.
  
  
  
  

Successful: If your Litter-Robot 5 displays a solid white light, you've been successful.

Unsuccessful: If you are still seeing an error message there's likely an issue with your Litter-Robot 5.

Need more help?

If you've followed these steps and still experience issues with your Litter-Robot 5 not cycling, contact Whisker Customer Experience for more help.