Litter-Robot 4: Red with yellow flashing (Over-torque fault) and part replacement

IMPORTANT

1. Make sure your unit is plugged in.
2. Make sure your unit is connected and online.
3. Make sure your firmware is up-to-date. If the app does not give you the option to update, you have the latest version.

This guide will help you troubleshoot and, if necessary, order the required replacement part to get your Litter-Robot up and running.

Preparation

Litter-Robot 4 continuously monitors the motor current to ensure the globe is rotating smoothly and is not obstructed. 

If your unit has a red light bar with partial yellow flashing, this indicates that the globe is most likely jammed or overloaded. 

You will also receive a notification on your phone if you use the Whisker app.

The unit will retract and try to continue cycling. After three attempts to restart, the globe will try to return Home. If this is interrupted three more times, it will stay in whatever position it’s stuck in. 

If the globe is stuck mid-cycle, open the bonnet and pick up the globe to manually rotate it back to the Home position before proceeding with next steps.

Quick navigation

• Remove excess weight
• Check for obstructions
  • Removing the bonnet
  • Removing the globe
  • Inspecting the globe
  • Inspecting the base
  • Inspecting the motor
• Motor test
• Reassembly
  • Installing the globe
  • Installing the bonnet
  • Final steps
• Order part replacement

Remove excess weight

1. Check that your unit is not overfilled with litter. If the litter is filled above the line, remove some litter until it is just below the raised MAX fill line.
    
2. If you recently added litter, the globe could have slowed down enough to trigger this fault.  If the issue has cleared after an additional cycle, there should be no issue with your unit.
3. Now, let's run a test cycle. Short press the Reset button, then short press the Cycle button to run a Clean cycle.
    
4. After your Litter-Robot cycles, it should return to the Home position, displaying a blue light bar.

Successful: If your unit displays a blue light bar, you've been successful. 

Unsuccessful: If you are still seeing a red light bar with partial yellow flashing, please continue.

Check for obstructions

We will be looking for any obstructions that may be overloading or jamming the globe during the cycle, which could have caused the fault you are experiencing.

First, we will remove the bonnet and globe to look for any issues.

Removing the bonnet

1. To open the bonnet, press and hold the latches on both sides of the bonnet, then lift and rotate the bonnet to its open position. The light on the control panel will begin flashing yellow which indicates that the bonnet has been removed.
    
2. Set the bonnet aside.
3. If you have any accessories installed such as the fence, shield, or LitterHopper, remove them.
   

Note: Typically need to remove the bonnet completely only during deep cleaning or bonnet replacement.

Removing the globe

1. To remove the globe, grab the black handle located on top of the globe and lift the globe off the base.
    

2. Lift the globe out of the base, and set it aside.

Inspecting the globe

Let’s inspect the globe for any potential issues. Anything that could slow down the globe rotation could have caused the fault.

1. Inspect the globe for damage such as deep scratches, separating seams, or cracked plastic. Also check that the gear track is not loose. You may purchase a replacement globe at Litter-Robot.com.
    
2. Inspect the seal strips on the inside of the globe and ensure they are not peeling up or have any debris, such as cat fur, stuck in them. You may purchase replacement seal strips at Litter-Robot.com.

   Note: Seal strips are not required for Litter-Robot 4 to function; they help reduce odors and litter leakage.

3. Make sure the carbon filter cover is fully seated and has not popped out during shipping or cleaning. If the filter cover is not flush with the globe and snapped in properly, it may interrupt the cycle.
   

   Note: The filter pocket holds one (1) carbon filter. If using an OdorTrap® holder, it can hold up to three (3) OdorTrap® Packs. The carbon filter and OdorTrap packs cannot be used together.

Inspecting the base

Let’s inspect the base for any potential obstructions.

1. Inspect the exterior, top portion of the base where the globe usually rests. Clean any excess litter that you see that may have missed the dump port. Vacuum cleaning is recommended.
   
2. Ensure the seal strips around the dump port are not peeling up or accumulating litter. This could impact the rotation of the globe. You may purchase replacement seal strips at Litter-Robot.com.

   Note: Seal strips are not required for Litter-Robot 4 to function; they help reduce odors and litter leakage.

3. Inspect the seal strips inside the bezel and ensure they are not peeling up, which can impact rotation. You may purchase replacement seal strips at Litter-Robot.com

   Note: Seal strips are not required for Litter-Robot 4 to function; they help reduce odors and litter leakage.

4. Ensure the two (2) globe glider buttons are attached. You may purchase replacement glider buttons at Litter-Robot.com.
   

Inspecting the motor

Let’s inspect the motor area for possible obstructions.

1. Inspect the motor cover to ensure it is fully seated and screwed down tightly.
2. Ensure the gear on the motor is not loose and does not rotate freely. If the gear is loose you will need to replace the motor assembly.

Motor test

Next we’ll test the motor without any additional weight or resistance from the globe.

1. Reinstall the bonnetwithout the globe. The motor will not rotate if the bonnet is removed.
   
   1. If the bonnet was completely removed, rotate the bonnet upward and align the hinge feature of the bonnet at the back of the base.
   2. To close the bonnet, rotate the bonnet downward over the globe, applying slight inward pressure at the latches to align the bonnet within the base. You should hear the latches snap into place.
   3. Check to make sure the center tab at the top of the bonnet is secured in its pocket by pushing down on the bonnet at the tab location.
2. Press the Reset button so your unit displays a solid blue light bar.
   
3. Press the Cycle button to test the motor.
   
4. The white gear should begin rotating and the control panel should display a yellow round robin light bar.
   

Successful: If the white gear on the motor begins rotating and the control panel is displaying a yellow round robin light bar, this indicates the motor is functioning. You'll need to perform a deep cleaning and re-check the globe and gear track again for obstructions.

Unsuccessful: If you are still seeing a red light bar with partial yellow flashing, you will need to replace the motor assembly.

Reassembly

Now that we’ve checked for any obstructions, let’s re-install the globe and bonnet and check for proper operation of the unit.

Installing the globe

1. Open the bonnet, then to install the globe, hold the globe by the black handle and set it into the base.
   
2. When installing the globe, keep the globe handle and waste port oriented toward the top to ensure the globe is close to the Home position.
3. The large black gear on the rear of the globe should easily engage with the smaller white drive gear in the base.
   

Installing the bonnet

1. If the bonnet was completely removed, rotate the bonnet upward and align the hinge feature of the bonnet at the back of the base.
2. To close the bonnet, rotate the bonnet downward over the globe, applying slight inward pressure at the latches to align the bonnet within the base. You should hear the latches snap into place.
   
3. Check to make sure the center tab at the top of the bonnet is secured in its pocket by pushing down on the bonnet at the tab location.
    

Final steps

1. Reinstall any accessories, then press the Reset button.
   
2. Litter-Robot will display a solid blue light indicating it is ready for use.
3. Press the Cycle button to allow the unit to complete a full cycle.
   

Successful: If your unit returned home and displays a blue light bar, you've been successful. 

Unsuccessful: If you are still seeing a red light bar with partial yellow flashing after resetting at the Home position, you will need to replace the motor assembly.

Issue not resolved?

To repair your Litter-Robot, you will need a motor assembly (recommended) or a base.

What do I do?

My unit is covered by WhiskerCare™
If your Litter-Robot is covered by WhiskerCare™ warranty, you have access to replacement parts, at no cost, to get your Litter-Robot up and running quickly.

1. Simply log in to your account at litter-robot.com.
2. Click on ‘My Robots’ to access the parts available for your robot.
3. Select the Litter-Robot 4 Motor Assembly, and we’ll ship you the part at no cost.
4. Follow these simple installation instructions.

CLICK HERE TO START THE PROCESS

The warranty on my unit has expired
If your unit is no longer under warranty, we can help you with the necessary parts and instructions to properly fix your unit at home.

Parts Needed (choose one):

Litter-Robot 4 Motor Assembly | Installation Instructions

Litter-Robot 4 Base | Installation Instructions

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