Roborock error 171-3 / 171-2: AdaptiLift loop on Saros 20 Sonic — what to try, and when to return it
The robot keeps cycling its AdaptiLift legs and reports an internal error (171-3 or 171-2). Try a system reset and a factory reset; if it comes back, owners report it's a hardware fault for warranty repair or return.
What you see: on a Saros 20 Sonic, the AdaptiLift chassis-lift mechanism gets stuck in a loop — the owner described the two sides moving as if it can't balance — and the robot says there's an internal error and asks you to reset it. The app shows 171-3 (another owner reported 171-2).
How much is known: not much. This is a newer model and Roborock's public help pages don't document 171-x codes individually. Treat this page as "safe things to try, then use your warranty".
Cost: €0. There's no DIY part fix reported.
Step 1 — Clear the obvious (5 min)
These aren't from a source specific to 171-x, just common sense for a mechanism that moves the robot's body:
- Power the robot down, turn it over on a soft surface and look around the wheels and lifting parts for hair, threads or debris jamming them.
- Run it on a hard, flat floor away from thresholds and thick rugs to see if the loop happens there too.
Step 2 — System reset (5 min)
Roborock's advice for an internal error is to reset the system: open the robot's top cover and press the Reset button (on the Saros 20 Sonic, under the magnetic top cover behind a rubber plug, per the manual's description). The exact position varies by model — check the diagram in the app or manual.
Note: this resets settings like Wi-Fi and schedules to defaults, so you'll need to reconnect the robot in the app.
Step 3 — Factory reset (10 min + re-mapping)
Roborock's general internal-error article says to restore the robot to factory settings, then contact support if the error continues. Expect to re-pair the app and possibly re-map.
Step 4 — Record it before you call
If it loops again, film it (a short video showing the legs cycling and the error in the app is what the original poster shared). Note the exact code (171-3 or 171-2), firmware version, and when it started.
When to contact support
Contact Roborock support — or the retailer — as soon as the loop returns after a reset. Reports from owners in the source thread:
- one advised returning it straight away rather than resetting, saying the issue came back and got worse on their unit;
- one returned it, had it repaired, and saw the loop on the other side about a week later.
So if you're inside the retailer's return window, consider using it rather than spending days on resets. If you're past it, use the manufacturer warranty. Don't open the robot to work on the lift mechanism yourself while it's under warranty.
This page will be updated if Roborock publishes guidance for 171-x codes or a firmware fix is reported.
Sources
- Reddit r/Roborock: "Roborock error 171-3 Adaptilift loop" — owner report and replies (Saros 20 Sonic)
- Roborock Support: What should I do when internal error occurs?
- Roborock Support: Saros 20 Sonic troubleshooting page — internal error: system reset
- Roborock Saros 20 Sonic user manual (PDF) — reset button location
FAQ
What is Roborock error 171-3?
Owners of the Saros 20 Sonic report it alongside an AdaptiLift loop, with the robot announcing an internal error and asking for a reset. Roborock's public help pages do not explain 171-3 specifically; they treat internal errors with a reset and then support.
Will a factory reset fix the AdaptiLift loop?
It's the step Roborock recommends for internal errors, and it costs nothing. But owners in the source thread report the loop returning after reset and even after a repair, so don't rely on it if you're near the end of a return window.