A non-working motor is most commonly caused by saltwater crystallization locking the propeller shaft
A non-working motor is most commonly caused by saltwater crystallization locking the propeller shaft, or debris wrapped around the propeller. Fix: turn the robot off, manually rotate the lower propeller by hand to break the jam, rinse thoroughly with fresh water, and restart.
Saltwater Crystallization
If you use the Surfer S2 in a saltwater pool, mineral deposits can form on the propeller shaft and cause the motor to appear seized. To resolve: (1) Remove the robot from the pool. (2) Turn off the device. (3) Observe the propeller rotation — if jammed, manually rotate the lower propeller counterclockwise to break the salt crust. (4) Rinse the propeller area thoroughly with fresh water. (5) Power on and test rotation before returning to pool.
Debris Wrapped Around the Propeller
Hair, string, or fine pool netting can wrap around the propeller shaft and stall the motor. Turn off the device, use a thin tool (not sharp) to carefully remove any wrapped debris. Never use scissors or a blade near the rubber propeller blade — cuts permanently reduce propeller efficiency.
Left Motor Not Responding After Cleaning
If only the left motor is non-functional after cleaning the propeller: (1) Restart the device. (2) Test in the pool for 2–3 minutes. If the motor remains dead after restart, this indicates an internal motor failure within the warranty period. Contact Aiper support with purchase date and serial number.
Saltwater Pool Maintenance Tips
After each session in a saltwater pool: (1) Rinse the entire robot with fresh water (focus on propeller area). (2) Allow to air-dry before storing. (3) Once per month, soak the propeller area in fresh water for 10 minutes to dissolve residual salt deposits. This prevents crystallization buildup and extends motor life significantly.