IT General

6 commands to clean up your Ubuntu system from the terminal

How-To Geek - 49 min 20 sec ago

Keeping your computer free of digital clutter is an important part of maintenance, while also making sure you always have space for new files and programs. Here are some simple commands that will let you clean up your Ubuntu system from the terminal, no GUI required—well, with one exception.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to fix Netflix's broken recommendations

How-To Geek - 1 hour 4 min ago

I’ve used Netflix for years, and more than once I've found myself staring at the home screen wondering what happened. Rows full of shows I'd never watch, genres I barely touch, and recommendations that felt like they belonged to someone else entirely. For a while, I chalked it up to "the algorithm being weird." But the more it happened, the more I realized something else was going on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 quick tweaks that make a Linux desktop harder to break

How-To Geek - 1 hour 19 min ago

I have installed Linux on enough laptops, workstations, and hand me down machines to notice a pattern. Most breakage is boring and predictable (most, not all of it). A bad update, a cluttered system, a misbehaving startup service, or a missing backup are usually the real cause. After watching myself repeat the same recovery steps for years, I eventually built a routine that keeps my systems steady and quiet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 essential 3D printer tools and accessories every owner should have

How-To Geek - 1 hour 49 min ago

3D printers don’t come with everything you need to get started or maintain the hobby. In addition to some filament, you’ll want to get your hands on a few extra tools and add-ons to set you up for success.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The death of pure SLC SSDs: How modern TLC drives use hidden caches to fake their speed

How-To Geek - 2 hours 3 min ago

We know the NAND in our SSDs can vary, so logically, you might've wondered whether you can actually grab the best grade of NAND there is—SLC and, at second place, MLC. Yet, it seems to be impossible.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why Linux still isn't ready for your laptop in 2026

How-To Geek - 2 hours 19 min ago

Laptops are the most popular type of PC in the world, and Windows is the most popular laptop operating system. Which means that if Linux is ever going to become a dominant desktop operating system, it will have to make serious inroads into the laptop market.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I install these 3 essential open-source security tools on every Windows PC

How-To Geek - 2 hours 34 min ago

Windows security has improved over the years. Microsoft Defender is competent, SmartScreen does real work behind the scenes, and most modern threats aren’t slipping through the cracks the way they once did. Even so, I still don’t consider a Windows install “finished” once setup is complete. Not on my own machines, and definitely not on the PCs I manage for my family. Security, at least the way I approach it, isn’t a box you check. It’s a baseline you build. I’ve written before about why you can’t just install a password manager and assume you’re safe. That’s one layer, and an important one, but it’s not the whole picture.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons you should use fiber optic HDMI

How-To Geek - 2 hours 49 min ago

HDMI has become the vanilla flavor of the display connection world, so you'd be excused for not following how the technology has developed from the early days of "HD Ready" 720p signals. Modern HDMI cables carry an immense amount of data, which can be a real challenge to transmit over copper wires—so why not ditch them?

Categories: IT General, Technology

I'm still using this 30-year-old Linux backup tool, and you should too

How-To Geek - 3 hours 19 min ago

Creating backups of my files has always been a hassle for me, and I've lost a lot of data on multiple occasions because of it. Turns out it's because I was working hard instead of smart. Instead of copy-pasting folders between my PC and external drive, I could just use a tool that sends over only the file changes. It takes seconds to back up files with this approach and I can do it by running a single command.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box is over $60 off at Amazon

Mashable - 3 hours 36 min ago

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box is now down to $139.25 at Amazon, shaving nearly $65 off its $203.40 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box $139.25 at Amazon
$203.40 Save $64.15 Get Deal

We’ve been lucky enough to see a good share of Magic: The Gathering discounts on Amazon lately, but this one might top the rest, as it gives you 32% off a staggering 36 packs. As of Feb. 24, the Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box has dropped to $139.25 at Amazon, knocking nearly $65 off its $203.40 list price. 

This deal almost brings the Play Booster Box to its TCGplayer market price. Price tracker camelcamelcamel has also confirmed this is the lowest price we’ve seen this year.

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As an expansion to the beloved trading card game, Bloomburrow trades sprawling interplanar warfare for a cozy, storybook-inspired setting where mice, frogs, bats, birds, squirrels, and other woodland creatures defend their valley from raging elemental forces. It’s a tonal shift that resonated with longtime fans and newcomers alike.

The Play Booster Box includes 36 Play Boosters for a total of 504 cards. Each pack contains 14 Magic cards, 1-4 rares or mythics, 3-5 uncommons, 6-9 commons, and at least one Traditional Foil card. There’s also a chance at foil lands, Borderless Mythic Planeswalkers (in under 1% of boosters), and exclusive Art cards. At roughly $3.86 per pack, this is one of the most affordable ways to draft Bloomburrow right now. 

As for MTG deals on other expansions, you can still save $7 on Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Boosters. For more boxes of packs at a great price, you can get the MTG Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box for $124.98 on Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

It's time to audit your Home Assistant backups

How-To Geek - 3 hours 49 min ago

I don't even want to think about the amount of time that I've put into Home Assistant. It's been years in the making, and losing all that effort would be heartbreaking. I take regular backups, but even this may not be enough to keep my Home Assistant instance safe.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jon Stewart goes on a brutal 3-minute rant about Punch the monkey

Mashable - 3 hours 57 min ago

The internet is rooting for Punch, the tiny abandoned monkey who found comfort with a stuffed toy — but Jon Stewart has other ideas.

"Hear me out: I understand, and it's adorable, and he's breaking my heart. But that being said...who are we to question the wisdom of the tribe? No! I'm just saying! They're the ones that know him best. They've decided he's problematic!" says Stewart in the Daily Show clip above, before turning on his groaning audience.

"What the f***? Oh, you know better? You know monkeys better than the monkeys, is that it? All the little monkey experts decided, in the middle of a blizzard, to come here tonight? Let me tell you something! No, f*** all y'all! Who are we to question their lived experience for our parasocial attachment?! I mean look, they decided! The mom, the elders, the juniors...even that f***ing stuffed monkey looks like, 'Hey, I don't want to be here.'"

The good news? Ichikawa City Zoo says Punch is doing OK.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Cord cutters should get a digital antenna if they havent already

Mashable - 4 hours 2 min ago
Where to buy digital antennas online: ClearStream Flex Amplified $26.88 at Amazon (save $18.11) Shop Now Mohu Lead Amplified $49.99 at Amazon (save $10) Shop Now Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro $69.99 at Amazon Shop Now

Are you a cord cutter who has freed yourself from the shackles of monthly fees for channels you've never before watched in your life? It's a great feeling, but do yourself a favor if you haven't already: get yourself a digital antenna.

It's been more than a decade since I last had cable. Streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and others have filled my TV screen and filled any void that cable left behind. Many people have felt the same.

SEE ALSO: You need to watch this very good dog interrupt the women's Olympic ski race

According to a Nielsen report earlier this year, streaming platforms broke records just months ago, with streaming making up a new high of 47.5 percent of TV viewing in December. That's more than cable and broadcast TV combined.

However, networks still have a secret weapon that streaming platforms are only beginning to discover: live TV, namely sports.

That same Nielsen report found that Christmas Day was the "most-streamed ever," with more than 55 billion viewing minutes, led by NFL games on Netflix and Prime. However, some live sports are still mainly a network or even cable TV thing. Other sports are simulcast on network TV and a streaming channel, meaning cord-cutters could skip paying for a streaming platform altogether if they're only interested in one sport.

Here's a great example: The Winter Olympics on NBC. The NBC-owned Peacock streaming service is showing all the games as well as the same highlight shows that are broadcast on NBC. But if you're only interested in those primetime highlight shows, NBC has been airing them on its network every single night. All you need is a digital antenna to view it. No Peacock streaming subscription necessary.

The same thing was true for Super Bowl LX earlier this month, too. The same live game was being aired on NBC, free with a digital antenna, or on Peacock, which requires a subscription.

Furthermore, some network channels paywall streaming content with cable providers. For example, when trying to watch the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) championship game last year, many found that while it was airing on CBS for free, a paid subscription beyond the regular Paramount+ plan was required. Having a digital antenna would have allowed access to that free CBS network feed.

I went years without a digital antenna. Streaming provided access to all the shows and movies I was interested in. Until, as I mentioned, TV realized it had the upper hand with live sports. Streaming companies are realizing that with Netflix having picked up the weekly WWE Raw show and numerous special live combat sports events. Streaming platforms like Apple TV+ carry some MLB games, too, for example. However, there are still many live sports that can be accessed for free with a digital antenna.

So, what should you get?

There are many digital antenna options. Prices range from $20 or lower, even cheaper if you find a sale. Personally, I have tried out a few options from digital antenna brands Mohu and ClearStream.

Both the Mohu Lead Amplified digital antenna and the ClearStream Flex Amplified worked perfectly for my needs, and they're priced at under $50 each.

Digital antennas seamlessly integrate with your Smart TV menus after a quick setup and sync process, so your choice of antenna shouldn't be based on the user interface. Pick a digital antenna based on its range and the design of its hardware. Some digital antennas stand vertically, others lie flat. A common digital antenna design lets you mount it high on your wall or window for the best possible reception.

Both options I mentioned above provide around 50 miles of range to pickup channels. There are slightly more expensive options to expand that range, too, like the Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro, which extends that range to 65 miles.

Either way, these are big money savers. The cost of a single digital antenna is a one-time fee for purchasing the hardware. And that cost is only around 2-3 months of the monthly subscription of some of the biggest streaming providers.

Plus, you'll never miss a free network TV live event again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box hits its record-low price at Amazon — save almost $40

Mashable - 4 hours 6 min ago

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box has dropped to $124.98 at Amazon — nearly $40 off its $164.70 list price and its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box $124.98 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $39.72 Get Deal

Catching a brand-new set of Magic: The Gathering trading cards at a record-low price doesn’t happen often, but Lorwyn Eclipsed’s key selection of Play Boosters has taken us by surprise. As of Feb. 24, the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box is down to $124.98 at Amazon, shaving almost $40 off its $164.70 list price and undercutting its previous discounts. 

The new price tag is not only the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box’s lowest-ever price on Amazon, as confirmed via camelcamelcamel, but also pushes it below market price vs. TCGplayer. What’s more, this Amazon listing beats any listing on TCGplayer when shipping costs are added. 

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This record-breaking price gets you 30 Play Boosters, each packed with 14 cards and designed specifically for Limited formats like Draft and Sealed. Every pack includes one traditional foil card, plus 1-4 cards of rare or higher rarity, with a slim chance at a foil borderless mythic rare for collectors chasing big pulls. It’s a type of expansion setup that balances competitive play with the thrill of cracking packs just to see what you’ll find.

Lorwyn Eclipsed returns players to the dual-aspect plane of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor, blending radiant high fantasy with darker, chaotic magic. You can expect to see fan-favorite creature types like Kithkin, boggarts, merrow, and Elves alongside new and returning mechanics. The set leans heavily into the tension between eternal day and perpetual night, giving longtime fans a nostalgic revisit while offering newer players a start to the game that’s both visually striking and, most importantly, still fun. 

In other Magic: The Gathering deals, you can still get the MTG Avatar: The Last Airbender Collector Booster Box Beginner Box for at least 20% off at Amazon. Plus, you can score a three-pack lot of Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Boosters for only $24.97.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Segway Cube 2000 power station is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save over $350

Mashable - 4 hours 9 min ago

SAVE OVER $350: As of Feb. 24, the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 is back to its lowest-ever price of $538.99 at Amazon. This 40% discount saves you $361 off its list price of $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Segway Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 $538.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $361   Get Deal

If you're planning ahead for camping trips and outdoor adventures this spring, a portable power station is worth considering. At the moment, Amazon is offering quite a few discounts on various models, making now a great time to buy. In particular, the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 has dropped back to its lowest-ever price at the retailer.

While it's usually listed for $899.99, the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 is marked down to $538.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $361 on list price.

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A portable power station like this isn't just helpful for having around on a camping trip. It's also great backup power for your home in the event of a bad storm or other emergency. The Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 packs quite a punch when it comes to power, offering 2,200W AC power that's extendable to 4,400W with the R-drive function. It's also equipped with multiple ports for charging, including three AC outputs, a car outlet, two DC5525, four 18W USB Type-A, and two 100W USB Type-C.

This power station boasts quite a hefty build. It comes with a durable LiFePO4 battery and features an IP56 rating for water and dust protection. So no matter where you take it this year, it can handle tough environments.

If a portable power station has been on your shopping list, don't miss out on this limited-time deal on the Segway Portable Power Station Cube 2000 at Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 key factors to consider when choosing a Linux distro

How-To Geek - 4 hours 19 min ago

With a seemingly endless selection available, it might feel overwhelming to pick the right Linux distro. However, you don't need to fret over every single detail before making your choice. As long as you know what makes one Linux distribution different from another, there are only three things you need to consider.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Walmart is dropping exclusive Pokémon TCG collectibles for Pokémon Day 2026 — heres how to buy

Mashable - 4 hours 22 min ago

TL:DR: Walmart is dropping exclusive Pokémon TCG collectibles over four consecutive days before Pokémon Day 2026. New products drop at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 23-26 for Walmart+ members.

Pokémon Day is an annual celebration of all things Pokémon. It is held every year on Feb. 27 to mark the release of the original game in Japan. You can expect a lot of exciting announcements and product launches to go live on the big day, but there's actually no need to wait.

Walmart is dropping exclusive Pokémon TCG collectibles over four consecutive days before Pokémon Day 2026. These new products will drop at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 23-26.

You do need to be a Walmart+ member to shop these exclusive drops — it's easy to sign up and this should hopefully limit the impact of bots and scalpers. These products will likely sell fast, so if you're interested in shopping, we recommend signing up well before the next drop. You don't want to be going through the sign-up process when stock is disappearing before your eyes.

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The first drop on Feb. 23 featured Ascended Heroes ETBs. Walmart+ members could score these boxes for $59.99 — way below the $120 price point on TCGplayer. This product is now back to $147.99 on Walmart.

There's a lot of speculation about what products are going to featured in these drops. We'll be primed and ready to shout about the next drop at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 24, but if rumours are to be believed, Pokémon fans can expect Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Displays, Journey Together Booster Bundle, and Destined Rivals Booster Bundles to go live this week.

Make sure your Walmart+ subscription is live, clear your schedule, and stock up ahead of Pokémon Day 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for February 24, 2026

Mashable - 5 hours 24 min ago

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026:

AcrossGoosebumps-inducing
  • The answer is Scary.

Buddy, informally
  • The answer is Homie.

Rub off, as pencil markings
  • The answer is Erase.

Enjoys a quiet weekend morning, perhaps
  • The answer is Lazes.

David Szalay novel that won the 2025 Booker Prize
  • The answer is Flesh.

DownSection of a bookcase
  • The answer is Shelf.

Color similar to salmon that's also named for a sea creature
  • The answer is Coral.

Leave speechless
  • The answer is Amaze.

Gets out of bed
  • The answer is Rises.

"Uff-da!"
  • The answer is Yeesh.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel responds to Trump attacking him in a fundraising email

Mashable - 5 hours 26 min ago

There's no love lost between Jimmy Kimmel and Donald Trump, and it doesn't look like the relationship will be healing anytime soon.

In the clip above the late night show host breaks down a recent fundraising email reportedly sent by the president to his followers in which he attacks Kimmel with insults and calls Jimmy Kimmel Live! a "failing late night show."

"He thinks he can sit in his Hollywood studio and laugh at the greatest political movement in the history of our country," reads Trump's letter, per Kimmel. The host's response? "Yeah, he does."

The email ends, as Kimmel reads, "Join my MAGA Rally Blitz now & I'll add you to my exclusive 2026 MAGA Membership!"

"Well, that is tempting," says Kimmel. "We could be part of his MAGA Rally Blitz. What even is that? It's like something you order at Dairy Queen, right? But please, give until his feelings don't hurt anymore, folks. Why is a president in his second term even sending fundraising emails?"

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why does my robot vacuum suck now? Well, whens the last time you cleaned it?

Mashable - 5 hours 27 min ago

Robot vacuums are clutch when they're working correctly — and uniquely infuriating when they're not. (A broken dishwasher could hardly incite the rage of stepping on crumbs that a robot vacuum should have easily sucked up.) If your robot vacuum isn't cleaning your floors as well as it used to, consider how long it's been since you cleaned your robot vacuum.

Obviously, general lifespan also plays a role in a robot vacuum's declining abilities. Most robot vacuums last between three and six years, inevitably suffering from normal wear and tear, aging tech, and batteries that probably get worse over time. But if it's a relatively recent purchase, sudden crappy performance could really just be your robot vacuum begging to be cleaned.

SEE ALSO: I tried the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow: It's cracked the code to roller mopping along edges

A monthly maintenance routine is the best way to keep your vacuum in peak condition for as long as possible. From weird noises to loss of suction, here's a checklist for when your robot vacuum is acting up.

My robot vacuum is just pushing dirt around

Loss of suction doesn't necessarily mean that your robot vacuum is on the fritz. The "set and forget" tagline is a great selling point for self-emptying robot vacuums, but taking it too literally is a recipe for some sort of blockage that weakens suction power. There are a few inner parts that could be jammed here.

Check the brushes: Long hair starts to spool around the vacuum's brush roll after a few months, even on vacuums with elite anti-tangle brush rolls. That wrapped hair can get so thick that it physically constricts the brush from spinning correctly, preventing optimal debris and hair pickup. (I've also experienced a similar incident with fake snow yanked from underneath our Christmas tree.) Every week or two, flip the vacuum over and pull or cut out any hairs that are caught.

Check the filter: Neglecting a vacuum's filter is a universal habit for robot vacuum and stick vacuum owners, despite the fact that a clogged vacuum filter is guaranteed to affect suction power. If the filter is caked with dust bunnies, the motor doesn't have the breathing room to pull air in to create suction in the first place. The gray gunk builds up way faster than you probably think.

This robot vacuum's filter was packed after two months, and it wasn't being used even close to daily. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The filter really should be rinsed and air dried at least every two weeks, more often if you have multiple pets (or allergies). They're typically located under the hood near the dustbin. Most robot vacuums come with a replacement filter in the box.

Check the dust bins and dust pathways: A full dustbin is probably the most "duh" maintenance issue that might cause your robot vacuum to spit debris back out. Plus, most self-emptying robot apps will alert you when the dust bin needs to be replaced. But you'll also want to ensure that no dust pathways are backed up, like the opening where debris enters the vacuum or where debris sucks out of the vacuum into the dock.

The queso mopped by this Roborock completely gunked up the brushrolls. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Luckily, most brushes and mopping pads are removable for easy cleaning. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Two heavy-duty mopping tests that I've conducted recently resulted in finding dried queso and strawberry daiquiri crusted along the pathways of two high-end robot vacuums. Not only was it vomit-inducing, but a reminder of how easily parts can get plugged up.

My robot vacuum is making a weird noise

You know what your robot vacuum sounds like normally. So if you're hearing a sudden clanking sound, or it has just gotten really loud out of nowhere, there's probably something trapped underneath. Most times, it's a large or awkwardly-shaped object that the vacuum probably shouldn't have tried to suck up. It might be wedged somewhere on the bottom of the vac or already rattling around inside the dustbin.

Off the top of my head, I've had to rescue mini nail files, skincare spray caps, twist ties, and a spider ring from the bottom of a robot vacuum. If you have cats, don't underestimate the variety of small plastic items that could be lingering around the house.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

One of my cats loves playing with bobby pins, specifically via bolting behind furniture or through her tunnel to chase them across the hardwood floor. I try my best to pick them all up before sending a robot vacuum out to clean, but I occasionally miss a few rogue ones. Once, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra was mopping my kitchen and making an uncharacteristically unsavory scraping sound. I flipped it over to find three bobby pins stuck to the magnets in the middle of the rotating mopping pads.

Your robot vacuum app should warn you if there's a major clog involving a sock, but smaller soft items like tissues or pet toys could also cause a weird rumble.

My robot vacuum's mopping pad stinks

There's a large crowd who want a robot vacuum that doesn't mop. Keeping up with mildewy mopping pads and leaky water tanks just isn't worth it to them. That's valid, especially when we're talking about super basic 2-in-1 models that don't wash and dry their own mopping pads. But even the best robot vacuum and mop combos can get gross if they're not taken care of properly,

Most of us are all too familiar with the smell of damp clothes that were accidentally left in the washing machine overnight. Damp mopping pads get similarly stinky being tucked away against the floor or the wall of a dock — even self-washing mopping pads start to develop a brown tint and need a legitimate laundry day once every month or so.

Robot mops are soaking up dirty shoe water constantly. That calls for hand washing. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The good news is that almost all robot vacuum mopping pads are machine washable. It'll be attached by velcro, magnets, or a clicking or sliding mechanism. Most vacuums come with a backup pad in the box, so you don't have to wait for the other one to be ready. Roller mops usually pop out of the bottom of the vacuum with the click of a button, and you can wash those by hand with dish soap. I also use my emotional support hypochlorous acid spray, which is an extremely effective, non-toxic odor eliminator and disinfectant.

Alternatively, the dock itself might be gross.

The mopping pad bay where the robot vacuum parks to charge can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's not wiped out every week or so. Aside from the small chunk of time that the robot vacuum is out cleaning, that area doesn't see the light of day. The airflow used to dry the mopping pads isn't enough to completely air out the moisture-prone space, covered in layers of nastiness that your robot vacuum brought back from countless cleaning runs.

Mopping pad bays get quite soggy and hairy. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

After I sent the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller to clean up spilled strawberry daiquiri, I found a few pink splatters both on the underside of the vacuum itself and on the dock's mop tray. Until I gave both a good clean, there was a faint smell of strawberry in the dock and wherever the Aqua10 was mopping. I wasn't about to walk barefoot on that.

If there's a lot of shedding in your household, soggy clumps of pet hair could end up blocking the fan vents altogether, potentially leading to a malfunctioning drying system.

My robot vacuum is suddenly getting lost

If the issue is related to charging or not turning on at all, you'll want to check the warranty or chat with customer service. Not all cleaning tips can troubleshoot technological or software errors. However, navigational blips could be due to something as simple as dirty sensors — a frequently-used robot vacuum encounters plenty of various splatters and puffs of dust. Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lenses on the front, as well as sensors located in the dock near the charging magnets.

Moving furniture around can trip a smart mapping robot vacuum up, though most premium robot vacuums from 2025 and 2026 can update their maps in real time if they notice a change in a room's layout.

I once tried to move a robot vacuum a foot away from its original spot in the corner, merely facing it toward a different wall so I could put a lamp in the old spot. The vac got confused enough that it gave up on getting back to the dock, requiring a total re-map.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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