Battery not charging on my orbital sander – any ideas?

Hey everyone, first post here. I’ve got a Ryobi 18V orbital sander that’s been solid for a year, but now the battery won’t charge. I’ve tried two different batteries and the charger works fine with my drill. The sander just doesn’t turn on, no lights or anything. Anyone seen this before? Thanks!

Probably the tool’s battery terminal or internal wiring. Ryobi is known for that cheap plastic. If you can, open it up and check for loose wires. Or just buy a Makita and be done with it. 😉

Don't listen to Mike haha! Before you toss it, try cleaning the contacts on the sander and battery with rubbing alcohol. Sometimes dust builds up and stops the connection. Had that happen on my Dewalt sander and it fixed it right up.

I’ve fixed a few Ryobi tools with similar issues. It’s often the battery terminal board inside the sander. They have tiny solder joints that crack. If you’re handy with a soldering iron, you can resolder them. If not, it might be cheaper to just get a new one, but if you’re into DIY repair, it’s worth a shot.

Before you open it, check the fuse in the battery if it has one. Some Ryobi batteries have a thermal fuse that blows. Also, if the sander got wet or too hot, the circuit board could be fried. Honestly, for the cost of a new Ryobi sander (~$50), I’d just replace it unless you enjoy troubleshooting. Time is money.