How to set no-go zones and virtual walls on a robot vacuum

Before you start: get a good map

Zones are drawn on the saved map, so the map must exist first. After the first mapping run, check that rooms are split correctly and named, and that the map has not rotated or merged with another floor. If the robot mapped with doors closed, open them and run another mapping pass.

Our setup guide covers the first mapping run, and how robot vacuums map your home explains why the map can drift. If a map is badly wrong, it is usually quicker to delete it and remap than to patch it with zones.

Setting a zone in the app

The menus differ by brand, but the process is much the same in the Roborock, Dreamehome, eufy Clean, Ecovacs Home, SharkClean and Roomba Home apps.

1. 1

   Open the app and select your robot, then open the map.

2. 2

   Look for an edit option, often called Map edit, Zones, Restricted areas or Keep Out Zones.

3. 3

   Choose the type: no-go zone, no-mop zone or virtual wall.

4. 4

   Drag a rectangle over the area, or draw a line for a virtual wall.

5. 5

   Resize it with a margin of about 10 to 20 cm, because the map is not accurate to the centimetre.

6. 6

   Save, then run a short clean of that room to check the robot respects it.

Which boundary to use where

Each type has a different job. Using the right one keeps the robot useful without fencing off too much floor.

Areas worth fencing off first

Start with the places where robots most often get stuck or cause trouble: behind the TV and desk where cables gather, around pet bowls and litter trays, under low chairs and bar stools, the area by a sofa with a gap just too low, and rugs with long tassels. Our page on stopping a robot getting stuck has more.

On combo robots, add a no-mop zone over every rug the robot does not detect as carpet, such as thin flatweave rugs. Do not rely on a virtual wall at the top of the stairs as the only protection; cliff sensors do that job, so keep them clean. See cliff sensor errors.

Note:Virtual walls are a convenience, not a safety barrier. Keep cliff sensors clean so the robot always detects the top of the stairs.

Robots without app maps

Budget robots that navigate by bumping and infrared sensors cannot store zones. Many accept magnetic boundary strips: lay the strip flat across a doorway or around an area, and the robot's magnetic sensor stops it crossing. Check that the strip suits your model before buying.

Older Roomba models used Virtual Wall or Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier units, small battery-powered beacons that project an invisible infrared line or circle. Newer Roombas with mapping use Keep Out Zones in the app instead. If you are unsure which you have, see what Roomba do I have.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my robot ignore a no-go zone? Usually the map has shifted or been replaced. Check the robot is using the right map, then redraw the zone with a larger margin.

How many zones can I set? It varies by app, but most allow several no-go zones and virtual walls per map, which is plenty for a normal home.

Do zones work on every floor? Zones belong to a map. On multi-floor homes, set them separately on each saved floor map.

Can I set zones that only apply at certain times? Some apps let you schedule room choices rather than zones. Others need you to toggle zones manually.