A robot that floats has air trapped inside the housing or filter chamber. Tilt the unit underwater to release the air bubbles before each cycle, make sure the filter panels and lid are seated correctly, and lower it into the pool slowly so water fills it fully.
It’s almost always trapped air
Pool robots are designed to be only slightly negatively buoyant — they rely on being completely water-filled to sink and stay planted on the floor. If air is trapped in the filter compartment or motor housing, the unit bobs on the surface, drifts, or floats to the top mid-cycle instead of gripping the floor. This is normal on the very first drop-in and easy to fix.
How to purge the air (do this every time)
- Lower the robot into the water at an angle and gently rock or tilt it until you stop seeing bubbles escape.
- Don’t drop it in flat — feed it in slowly so water can displace the air pockets.
- Confirm the filter cartridges, side panels, and top lid are fully clicked into place; any gap holds an air pocket.
- Let it settle for a few seconds before you start the cycle.
If it still won’t stay down
Persistent floating after purging usually points to a cracked housing taking on air, a filter lid that no longer seals, or a warped panel. Inspect for cracks and replace worn seals or gaskets. A robot that repeatedly floats to one side can also have an impeller or suction problem.
When to service or replace
If everything looks intact and it still floats, the internal foam or housing may be compromised — talk to our pool experts to check warranty options. If your unit is old and it’s time for an upgrade, our robotic pool cleaners lineup has a model for every pool.
