Why Is My Drill Not Holding a Charge? (7 Fixes)

Frustrated with a drill that won’t hold a charge? You’re not alone. Whether you’re in the middle of a DIY project or on a job site, a cordless drill losing its power can bring everything to a grinding halt. This is a common complaint among power tool users, often leading to wasted time and mounting frustration.

Why does this happen? Based on user reports and expert insights, the issue often stems from battery wear, improper charging habits, or internal component failures. It’s a widespread problem, especially with drills that see heavy use or are a few years old. In this guide, you’ll learn how to diagnose the root cause and apply practical fixes to get your drill back in action. We’ll walk you through 7 actionable solutions—from quick checks to more involved repairs—and help you decide if it’s time for an upgrade.

What’s covered? We start with simple troubleshooting like inspecting the charger and battery contacts, then move to deeper fixes like battery resets or replacements. If all else fails, we’ll guide you on when to replace your drill with reliable, modern alternatives.

Common Causes

• Worn-out or degraded battery cells
• Dirty or corroded battery contacts
• Faulty charger or incompatible power source
• Overheating or improper storage conditions
• Internal circuitry issues in the drill or battery

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check the Charger Connection

Difficulty: easy | Time: 2 minutes

What to do: Ensure the charger is properly plugged into a working outlet and connected to the battery or drill. Look for any loose cables or damaged plugs. Test the outlet with another device to confirm it’s supplying power.

Why this works: A simple connection issue can prevent charging. Many users report forgetting to fully seat the battery in the charger or using a faulty outlet.

What you should see: If the charger’s indicator light turns on (usually green or red), it’s receiving power and attempting to charge. If no light appears, the charger or outlet may be the issue.

Warning signs: If the light flickers or stays off even with a confirmed working outlet, move to the next step.

2. Inspect Battery Contacts for Dirt or Corrosion

Difficulty: easy | Time: 5 minutes

What to do: Remove the battery from the drill or charger. Examine the metal contacts on both the battery and drill for dirt, dust, or greenish corrosion. Clean them gently with a dry cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Avoid water.

Why this works: Dirty or corroded contacts can block the flow of electricity, preventing charging. This is a common issue, especially for drills stored in damp or dusty environments.

What you should see: After cleaning, reconnect the battery. If the charger light activates or the drill powers on briefly, the contacts were the issue.

Warning signs: If cleaning doesn’t help or corrosion is severe (pitted metal), the battery may be damaged beyond repair.

Tools needed: Dry cloth, Cotton swab, Rubbing alcohol

3. Test with a Different Charger (if Compatible)

Difficulty: easy | Time: 10 minutes

What to do: If you have access to another compatible charger for your drill’s brand and model, test it with your battery. Ensure voltage and connector types match to avoid damage.

Why this works: Chargers can fail internally due to wear or power surges, a frequent complaint on tool forums. Testing with a working charger isolates the problem.

What you should see: If the battery charges with the new charger (indicator light on, drill powers up after a few minutes), your original charger is faulty and needs replacement.

Warning signs: If the battery still doesn’t charge, the issue likely lies with the battery or drill itself.

Tools needed: Compatible charger

4. Let the Battery Cool Down

Difficulty: easy | Time: 30-60 minutes

What to do: If the battery feels hot after use, let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before attempting to charge. Do not place it in a fridge or freezer, as extreme cold can damage cells.

Why this works: Many modern batteries have thermal protection that prevents charging when overheated, a safety feature noted in user manuals. Overheating often happens after heavy use.

What you should see: Once cooled, the battery should start charging normally, indicated by the charger light. The drill should power on after a partial charge.

Warning signs: If it still won’t charge after cooling, the battery may have internal damage.

5. Reset the Battery (if Applicable)

Difficulty: medium | Time: 12 hours

What to do: Some lithium-ion batteries can be ‘reset’ by fully discharging them and then recharging. Use the drill until it completely stops, then charge it uninterrupted for 8-12 hours. Check your manual—NiCad batteries may need different handling.

Why this works: Battery management systems can sometimes misread charge levels, especially after irregular use. A full cycle can recalibrate it, as reported by many DIYers.

What you should see: After a full charge, the drill should hold power longer. Test it with a short task to confirm.

Warning signs: If the battery drains quickly again, it’s likely worn out.

6. Test Battery Voltage with a Multimeter

Difficulty: medium | Time: 10 minutes

What to do: If you have a multimeter, set it to DC voltage and touch the probes to the battery’s positive and negative terminals. Compare the reading to the battery’s rated voltage (e.g., 18V or 20V).

Why this works: A significantly lower voltage (e.g., below 10V for an 18V battery) indicates dead cells or internal failure, a common diagnosis in repair forums.

What you should see: A reading close to the rated voltage suggests the battery might still be usable after charging. A very low or zero reading means it’s likely dead.

Warning signs: If voltage is low or zero, replacement is usually cheaper than repair. Be cautious—working with batteries can be dangerous if mishandled.

Tools needed: Multimeter

7. Replace the Battery Pack

Difficulty: hard | Time: 15 minutes (plus shopping time)

What to do: If previous steps fail, purchase a replacement battery compatible with your drill’s brand and model. Avoid third-party batteries unless highly rated, as they can underperform or damage the drill. Install and test.

Why this works: Batteries have a limited lifespan (often 2-5 years or 300-500 charge cycles), and replacement is often the only fix for dead cells, as per expert advice.

What you should see: A new battery should charge fully and power the drill without issues. Test it over a few days to confirm.

Warning signs: If the drill still doesn’t work with a new battery, the issue may be with the drill’s internal circuitry—consider professional repair or replacement.

Tools needed: Replacement battery

When to Upgrade

When is it time to ditch the old drill? If you’ve gone through all troubleshooting steps and your drill or battery still won’t hold a charge, it might be a sign of permanent failure. Look for red flags like a battery that won’t charge even after replacement, unusual noises from the drill, or visible damage to internal components. If your drill is over 5 years old, battery technology has likely advanced, and newer models offer better efficiency and runtime—often making repair less worthwhile.

Cost vs. benefit: Replacing a battery can cost $30-$80, while professional repairs for internal issues might exceed $100. Compare this to the price of a new drill, which starts at around $50 for budget models and offers warranties (typically 1-3 years). If your drill is out of warranty, repair costs can quickly outweigh the benefits, especially if it’s a lower-end model. User feedback on forums like Reddit suggests many opt for replacement after repeated battery failures.

Safety and warranty concerns: Attempting to rebuild a battery or fix internal wiring yourself can pose risks like short circuits or fire hazards—don’t do it unless you’re trained. If your drill is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer before any DIY fixes, as opening the device might void coverage. If safety or cost is a concern, upgrading to a reliable model with modern lithium-ion tech is often the smarter, safer choice.

Upgrade Now

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🛒 Buy Milwaukee M18 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill Driver (2606-20) on Amazon

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Prevention Tips

• Store batteries in a cool, dry place to prevent overheating or moisture damage.
• Avoid fully discharging lithium-ion batteries regularly—charge them when they reach 20-30%.
• Clean battery contacts monthly with a dry cloth to prevent buildup.
• Use the correct charger for your drill to avoid overcharging or incompatibility issues.
• Don’t leave the battery in the charger for days after it’s fully charged to prevent capacity loss.