My Black and Decker Cordless Drill Not Charging: A DIY Rescue Guide

Last Tuesday, I was out in the garage. I wanted to hang a new set of shelves. I had my wood cut and my coffee was hot. I grabbed my Black and Decker drill, pulled the trigger, and nothing happened. It did not even make a sound.

I walked to the charger and slid the battery in. I saw a fast red light. It felt like my tools only quit when I had real work to do. If you have a Black and Decker cordless drill not charging, I know your pain. I spent my day finding the fix so you do not have to.

Why Is My Black and Decker Cordless Drill Not Charging?

Before you buy a new kit, find the break in the chain. Is it the wall plug, the brick, or the battery? In my case, I left my drill in a cold shed for weeks. These tools really hate the cold weather.

The Simple Fix: Cleaning the Grime

I once thought a battery was dead for good. It turned out it was just very dirty. Think about where we use these drills. We drop them in dust and leave them in damp spots.

Over time, a thin film of gunk builds up on the metal tabs. This stops the power from moving. Even if the metal looks shiny, it might have a layer of grit on it.

My Cleaning Routine

I found a cheap way to fix this. First, I unplug the charger for safety. Then, I get a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. I scrub the metal slots on the battery and the pins in the charger.

If I see green crust, I use an old toothbrush to flick it away. When I did this last time, the charger finally turned solid red. It was a free fix for a big problem.

The Deep Sleep Problem

This is the part that many manuals will not tell you. Lithium batteries have a small brain inside them. Its job is to keep you safe. If a battery stays empty for months, the power drops too low.

The brain falls into a deep sleep. When you put it in the charger, the charger sees nothing. It refuses to start because it thinks the battery is gone. This is very common with older tools.

The Jumpstart Trick

I have seen people “jump” a dead battery. They use a fresh battery and two small wires. They connect the plus to plus and minus to minus for thirty seconds.

This tiny boost wakes up the battery brain. Then, the charger can see it again. Only do this if the battery looks normal. If it is swollen or hot, do not try it. Just buy a new one at that point.

Testing Your Charger for Failure

Sometimes the battery is fine, but the charger is broken. I once spent an hour mad at a battery. Then I saw my dog had chewed the cord behind my desk. Always check the wires first.

Use the Smell Test

Put your nose near the charger vents. If it smells like a burnt toaster, it is done. The small fuse inside has likely popped. It is much safer to buy a new charger than to try to fix the old one.

Tips to Make Your Drill Last Longer

After fixing my gear, I changed how I store my tools. I want my Black and Decker cordless drill not charging issues to stop. I want my tools to work every time I need them.

First, do not leave the battery on the charger for weeks. Once the light is green, take it off. Constant charging can wear out the cells inside. It is like eating too much food; it is not good for the system.

Second, watch the heat. I now keep my batteries in a drawer inside my house. Batteries are like people and like to stay at room temperature. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your drill.

Is it Time for a New Battery?

Nothing lasts forever in the world of tools. Most batteries last for about three to five years. If you have used your drill a lot, the cells might be worn out. No amount of cleaning will fix a worn cell.

If you cleaned the tabs and checked the plug, but it still fails, it is time. I look for the two-pack deals at the store. It is great to have a spare battery ready to go. Then your project will not have to stop like mine did.

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