How I Fixed My SwitchBot K10 Plus Robot Vacuum Cleaner

I need to share a terrible incident involving my SwitchBot K10 Plus Robot Vacuum Cleaner, affectionately known as Britney Clear's. During a routine cleaning experiment on the carpet landing, I turned my back for just five minutes. Unfortunately, Britney took a tumble down the stairs. I suspect the drop detection sensors needed cleaning, or perhaps she was just being clumsy. Regardless, she fell down each step, and I heard the bump as she hit the first step, then "oops, she did it again" on every other step until she was in pieces at the bottom.

Diagnosis and Initial Thoughts:

After reassembling her, I hoped for the best, but Britney could only move in circles. Determined to fix her, I decided to investigate further.

Exploratory Surgery:

Britney underwent exploratory surgery. Surprisingly, it was straightforward to take her apart. The top piece with the LIDAR scanner was connected by a single connector, and the dustbin and front bumper were easy to remove. The main body also came apart with minimal effort.

I traced the issue to one of the motors in the wheel. The K10 Plus has two wheels, and the motor in one of them was faulty. Despite searching on platforms like AliExpress and eBay, I couldn't find an exact match for the motor with its unique circuit board. Thankfully, SwitchBot kindly sent me two complete wheel assemblies, making the repair a straightforward swap.

Step-by-Step Repair Process:

1. Remove the Bumper: Start with a precision screwdriver to remove the front bumper.
2. Remove the Sweeping Brush: The back sweeping brush pops out easily as it's a replaceable consumable component.
3. Open the Main Body: Unscrew the six screws (or in my case, four) holding the main body together.
4. Lift the Cover Carefully: Lift the cover gently as there is a cable connected inside. Unplug it to fully remove the cover.
5. Replace the Wheel: The faulty left wheel is held by three screws, a spring, and a connector cable. Remove these components, wiggle the wheel out around the switch, and unplug the connector.
6. Install the New Wheel: Plug in the new wheel's connector and reverse the disassembly process to put everything back together.
7. Test the Switch: Ensure the switch aligns correctly by matching it with the internal switch before securing the cover.

Final Thoughts:

Britney is back in action! The ease of repair is a testament to SwitchBot's design. Despite not selling spare parts directly to customers currently, I hope they consider adding a spare parts section to their online store.

Repairable products not only reduce waste but also encourage long-term use. Manufacturers might sell fewer new devices, but they could see a rise in aftermarket parts sales. Plus, consumers might prefer products that are easier to repair, saving money in the long run.

For more details, check out my original review of the SwitchBot K10 Plus and where you can buy it. A big thank you to my channel members for their support.