Litter-Robot 5 & Pro: Calibrate the drawer full indicator

If your Litter-Robot 5 displays a Waste Drawer Full message after it has been emptied, or if the waste drawer gauge in the Whisker app or LCD screen does not match what you're seeing in the drawer, follow this guide to calibrate and reset the waste level readings.

Before you begin

Make sure:

• Your unit is plugged in.

• Your unit is connected and online.

• Your firmware is up-to-date. 

How the drawer full indicator works

Litter-Robot 5 is equipped with OmniSense® detection, which combines optical and weight sensors to provide real-time litter and waste monitoring.

• A curtain sensor, located in the bezel at the top of the globe entrance, looks down into the waste drawer during each Clean Cycle to measure the waste level.

• Waste does not always collect evenly in the drawer and may form a mound in one area. Litter-Robot 5 measures the waste level across multiple zones and reports an average value. Because of this, the percentage shown may not match the highest point in the drawer. This is normal and does not indicate a problem.

• When the drawer is full, the LCD screen will display a Waste Drawer Full message and sends a notification in the Whisker app.

• The robot will cycle two additional times before it stops automatic cycling until the drawer is emptied.

Waste drawer liner tips: White bags work best. As clumps accumulate, readings become more accurate. We recommend Litter-Robot Waste Drawer Liners with drawstrings for easy disposal.

After replacing the liner and resetting the unit, it’s normal for the waste gauge to show 0-5% even when the drawer is empty. If you have emptied the drawer and are still seeing a Waste Drawer Full message or inaccurate waste gauge readings, calibration may be needed.

Replace the waste drawer liner

Emptying the drawer when prompted is important for reliable cycling and cleanliness.

1. Open the drawer and dispose of the used waste drawer liner.

   
   
   

2. Install a new liner (white 10-13 gallon bags works best), wrapping the edges tightly over the rim of the drawer.

   • Ensure the bag is pressed flat against the sides and bottom.

   • Puffy or stretched bags can interfere with the DFI sensor.

3. Reinsert the drawer into the base.

   
   
   

   Important: Any time you affect the weight or placement of the unit (including emptying the waste drawer, adding or removing litter, or cleaning or moving the unit), press the Cancel button to ensure the weight sensors will detect your cat and cycle properly. Do not rest on the unit while pressing Cancel, or your weight may affect calibration.

4. Short press the Cycle button to run a Clean Cycle.

Successful: The waste drawer gauge is accurate in the app and LCD screen.

Unsuccessful: Continue to the next step.

Clean the curtain sensor

Even small amounts of dust, fur, or litter can interfere with the curtain sensor.

 This may cause:

• Inaccurate waste drawer level readings

• Incorrect litter level readings

• False cat detects

To clean:

1. Gently wipe the curtain sensor with a soft, dry, clean microfiber cloth to prevent scratching or damaging the components.

Important: The bezel contains sensitive electronic components. To prevent damage, do not use water, liquids, disinfectant wipes, or damp cloths when cleaning. Avoid using a vacuum or compressed air as well, since this may interfere with the sensors.

2. Short press the Cancel button to clear any notifications.
3. Short press the Cycle button to run a Clean Cycle.

Successful: The waste drawer gauge is accurate in the app and LCD screen.

Unsuccessful: Continue to the next step.

Check for obstructions

Sometimes debris inside the unit can block the curtain sensor’s view. The sensor needs a clear field of view to accurately measure the waste drawer level.

1. Power off and unplug your unit.

   
   
   

2. Use the side latches to rotate the bonnet open.

   
   
   

3. Remove the globe using the handle. Ensure the globe key is not misplaced.

   
   
   

4. Inspect the waste port opening and the base for clumps or objects including:

   • Seal strip debris: Cat fur can stick to the seal strip at the globe’s waste port and block the sensor.

   • Obstructions in the waste port: Check for clumps or litter stuck in the opening.
     
     

Reinstall the globe and bonnet

1. Place the globe back on the base, aligning the handle and waste port near the Home position.

   
   
   

   1. Ensure the globe key is still in place with the rectangular side facing up.

      
      
      

2. Make sure the large black gear at the rear engages with the smaller drive gear in the base.

   
   
   

3.  Rotate the bonnet downwards to close the bonnet until the latches click into place.

   
   
   

4. Plug in and power on.

   
   
   
5. Short press the Cancel button to clear any notifications.
6. Short press the Cycle button to run a Clean Cycle.

Successful: The waste drawer gauge is accurate in the app and LCD screen.

Unsuccessful: Continue to the next step.

Update the firmware

Litter-Robot 5 receives automatic firmware updates when connected to WiFi.

1. Confirm your Robot Firmware is on version 5.8.4 or newer in the Whisker app

   • If the firmware is not up-to-date, contact Customer Experience and be ready to provide your robot’s serial number..

   • Short press the Cycle button to run a Clean Cycle.

Successful: Gauge is accurate in the app and LCD screen.

Unsuccessful: If the app or LCD screen still displays inaccurate readings or an error message after updating, continue with calibration.

Calibrate the drawer full indicator

If the waste drawer gauge is still inaccurate and Litter-Robot 5 says the drawer is full when it’s not, calibration may be required to ensure proper measurement accuracy. Here’s how to reset the waste level and calibrate the drawer full sensors. 

Preparation

1. Remove the waste drawer liner and wipe the drawer clean of debris. (A clean, empty drawer provides a plain surface for calibration.)

   
   
   

2. If a sticker is present in the waste drawer, add a piece of plain white paper to the bottom of the drawer so the images from the sticker don't shine through. For example, a sheet of printer paper folded in half. The purpose of the white paper is to provide a reflective surface for the drawer full indicator sensor.

   

The paper must be plain white with no pattern and must lay flat on the bottom of the drawer.

3. Reinsert the waste drawer without a liner.

4. Short press the Cancel button to zero the weight scale.
   
   

Button sequence

Before you begin:

The next steps are time-sensitive and must be completed in the exact order shown. Review the full sequence below, then perform the button presses without pausing between steps.

1. Press the Power button to turn the unit off. (Do not unplug it.)

2. Wait at least 5 seconds.

3. While the unit is still powered off, short press the control panel buttons in this exact order, one at a time (Each button must be pressed within 5 seconds of the previous one.):

   1. Connect
   2. Cancel
   3. Connect
   4. Empty
   5. Cycle

What happens next

• If pressed correctly, the unit will perform a lamp test (globe light illuminates red, green, and blue).

• The globe will rotate to the Dump position, allowing the curtain sensor to view the bottom of the waste drawer.

Successful: The unit cycles Home and the waste drawer gauge is accurate in the app and LCD screen.

Unsuccessful: The LCD screen displays an error message. Clean the curtain sensor again and repeat the process.

Need more help?

If calibration fails repeatedly or the waste drawer gauge is still inaccurate after troubleshooting, please contact Whisker Customer Experience for further assistance.