My Impact Driver Won't Charge - Battery or Charger?

Hey all, I've got a DeWalt 20V XR impact driver that's about 2 years old. The battery won't charge anymore - I plug it in and the charger light just blinks red, doesn't go to solid red for charging. I've tried two other batteries and they charge fine, so it's just this one. Is it the battery or the charger? Anyone had this happen? It's just a weekend use tool, but I've got a fence repair this weekend and need it!

Sounds like the battery is done. The blinking red often means the battery is too hot, too cold, or has a defective cell. Since other batteries work on the same charger, it's not the charger. Check the terminals on the battery for dirt or corrosion, but if they're clean, it might be a bad cell. Sometimes you can 'revive' a battery by draining it fully then charging, but if it's been sitting a while, it might be toast. Have you tried push starting it? Put it on the charger and give it a quick squeeze on the drill to bump the voltage? Sometimes that works if it's in deep sleep. If not, time for a new battery. They don't last forever.

I've seen this before. Could be a failed charge protection circuit. If you're handy, you could open the battery pack and check the voltage of each cell with a multimeter. But honestly, for the cost of a new battery, it might not be worth the hassle unless you enjoy tinkering. I've got a bunch of old batteries I've revived by replacing individual 18650 cells, but that's a fire hazard if not done right. Safer to recycle it and get a new one. DeWalt sometimes has deals on replacement batteries. Also, check if it's still under warranty - 2 years, might be right at the edge. Might be worth a call.

I had the same thing happen to a battery last year. Turned out it was just the charger contacts were dirty on the battery side. I cleaned them with a pencil eraser and it worked. But if that's not it, Dan's got a point - could be a dead cell. Try the 'bump' trick he mentioned. If it does nothing, it's probably time for a new battery. I usually buy aftermarket batteries online for half the price, but you gotta get the right compatibility. My recommendation: if you're not in a hurry, wait for a sale at Home Depot or buy a two-pack online. Also, check if the battery has any physical swelling - if it does, don't use it, recycle it. Safety first!

Thanks for the tips guys! I tried the bump trick and cleaning the terminals - still nothing. Looks like it's toast. I'll get a new one. For the fence repair, I'll just use my corded drill as backup. Thanks for saving me from fiddling with that charger! Appreciate the help. I'll also check the warranty - didn't think of that. Cheers!