Why Is My Pool Robot Going In Circles? Try This Solution

Whether you recently got a brand-new pool robot or yours is old and worn, it shouldn’t be going in circles. A swimming pool cleaner that gets stuck or won’t go to all parts of the pool has one of several problems. Most of the solutions require minor fixes, such as replacing a section of hose, a swivel, or unclogging the filter. However, it’s best to know the cause before finding a solution for the cleaner.

Your pool robot is going in circles because its feet are unevenly worn, the hoses are tangled, the swivels are jammed, or there’s a broken belt. These issues cause the pool cleaner to lean to one side, making it rotate without moving straight. Check the feet and ensure they’re wearing evenly.

Throughout this post, I’ll show you how you can identify why your pool cleaner is going in circles, tips to fix all of the most common causes, and how you prevent them from happening again. I’ll also discuss why your pool robot might’ve stopped moving unexpectedly.

Here’s Why Pool Robots Go In Circles

You might be wondering, “Why does my Hayward pool vac go in circles?”. Among many other popular brands (including Pentair pool robots), these swimming pool cleaners can get stuck in the corner, spin in circles, float on their sides, and more. The good news is there are a few easy fixes.

Here’s a list of potential reasons your pool cleaner is going in circles:

• The feet on the bottom of the pool cleaner are wearing unevenly. I used to repair swimming pool vacuums, pumps, and other equipment for a living, and worn feet were almost always the primary issue. If thee feet wear down on one side and not the other, the robot will lean and go in circles.
• There’s a broken belt on one of the internal gears of the robot. A broken belt will typically stop the machine from moving, but sometimes, cleaners with two belts will only work on one side. Much like the worn foot issue, a broken belt causes the swimming pool robot to spin in the opposite direction.
• The pool cleaner’s hose might be tangled, worn, or put together improperly. Pool Party App explains a long, tangled hose can make the cleaner go in circles or get stuck in a corner. If the hose is torn or has holes, it’ll blow air in one direction and send the robot elsewhere. Get a new hose replacement here.
• The hose’s swivels could be jammed, preventing it from moving correctly. The swivels are typically 1.5 inches or 1-inch, depending on the pool cleaner and company. Regardless of the swivel’s dimension, they can get stuck or worn down from excess sunlight, chlorine, salt, sand, debris, and so on.
• Clogged water outlets on the swimming pool robot could prevent it from driving straight. There are usually several spouts that shoot water up, holding the cleaner to the bottom of the pool. Without these jets, the cleaner would float or bounce around. If one of them is partially clogged, it messes everything up. Use a pipe cleaner to remove the debris.

Now that you know why the cleaner might be going in circles in the pool, you’re probably wondering how to fix it. Tangled hoses are a huge culprit, so we’ll cover a handful of simple solutions in the following section. It’s my goal to help you save as much as possible since we all know how expensive pool repairs can be.

Note: You can get all of the flaps, swivels, and feet for your pool cleaner on Amazon here.

How Do I Keep My Pool Cleaner’s Hose From Tangling?

To keep your pool cleaner’s hose from tangling, remove excess hose sections and swivels, ensure the backup valve is about 24 inches from the cleaner, and straighten the hose by stretching it out and filling it with warm water.

A tangled hose limits your pool robot’s functionality and range of motion, so let’s analyze some solutions below.

1. Check where the backup valve sits along the hose. If the backup valve is too close (within a foot) of the cleaner, it’ll press it too hard into the pool’s floor. On the other hand, if it’s too far away the cleaner will tilt onto its front wheels and spin in circles. Also, make sure the water is blowing away from the robot, not towards it.
2. Straighten the pool hose with warm water to loosen the plastic material. Orlando Sentinel shows how you can lay the hose flat on the edge of the pool and fill it with warm water. The warm water will loosen the hose and let the plastic flex, but never lay it out and let it bake in the sun. It’ll ruin the hose indefinitely.
3. Shorten the hose’s length by a few feet. It’s tempting to get a long hose to ensure it’ll hit all sides of the pool, but you’ll end up leaving too much room for it to get tangled. I suggest keeping the hose only about five feet longer than the furthest point from the pool robot’s pump connection.
4. Ensure the float valve isn’t clogged or leaking air. If your swimming pool cleaner has a float valve, it’ll be a large bulb on the back. It’s likely the lightest piece of equipment on the robot, but it’s filled with air. Unlike like the interior water spouts and backup valve, the float valve’s function is to prevent the cleaner from pressing against the pool’s floor. These three components balance gravity under the water.

How to Adjust a Pool Cleaner That Won’t Move Correctly

If your pool cleaner is moving in random patterns without cleaning the whole pool, there’s a problem. Some robots can map the bottom with GPS systems, but most pool cleaners will move with swivels and timed backup systems to prevent them from getting stuck.

Check the Robot’s Bearings, Fins, and Feet for Wear

If a swimming pool cleaner’s bearings, fins, or feet are worn, they’ll slow or alter its movement. Replacing these parts is the best way to treat the problem. I strongly advise against getting used parts since they’re already cheap when they’re brand-new. You’ll end up spending more in the long run.

Ensure Your Pump Is Supplying Enough Pressure

If your pump keeps losing pressure, check out my helpful guide. When the pump loses pressure, there’s not enough momentum for the pool cleaner to move around. This issue is another extremely common problem I’ve come across when helping people diagnose their pool robot concerns.

Why Is My Pool Cleaner Not Moving?

Have you tried all of the previously mentioned suggestions and your pool cleaner still won’t move correctly? Here’s a list of extra repairs you could try that might be enough to deal with your swimming pool robot issues once and for all:

• Broken or worn bearings is a very common cause of a pool cleaner that won’t move.
• A clogged filter slows the pump’s pressure, thus limiting your pool robot’s movement.
• Leaks anywhere along the hoses will drop the pressure and make it move in unpredictable direction.

Wrapping It Up

Pool cleaners are designed for convenience, but my years repairing them for a reputable swimming pool company have taught me about how much of a nuisance they can be. The most important suggestion is to look for reasons the pressure would drop or become imbalanced. There should be even wearing and tear, no leaks in the hose, and zero clogs from top to bottom.

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