Is your Ryobi 40v battery not charging? I have some good news for you; it is possible to fix most Ryobi 40V battery problems yourself.
Replacement batteries are certainly not cheap, and most of us will want to avoid the need to buy a new battery if at all possible.
Let’s take a look at the most common Ryobi 40V battery problems and how to fix them.
Use the following table to diagnose and jump to the relevant section quickly.
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Battery not charging | Faulty charger | Test with another battery or charger |
| Electronics issue | Power-cycle your charger by unplugging and waiting a minute | |
| Battery inserted incorrectly | Ensure battery is correctly inserted; press gray button(s) while inserting | |
| Corroded or dirty terminals | Clean with sandpaper, rubbing alcohol, or wire brush | |
| Extreme temperatures | Ensure battery temperature is between 32°F to 113°F | |
| Battery is old | If battery is 3-4 years old or has 300-500 cycles, consider replacement | |
| Charger lights flashing red and green | Battery in “sleep mode” | Try micro charges or jump-start with another battery or DC power supply |
| Reset the battery by accessing internal reset pins |
Faulty Ryobi Battery Charger
If your Ryobi 40V battery isn’t charging, check if the charger is faulty should be the first thing you do.
But, testing if the charger is faulty isn’t as easy as you might like it to be. This is because we can’t use a multimeter to test the voltage output of the charger.
Ryobi battery chargers have sensors to detect a connected battery. If the charger doesn’t sense a battery, the charger won’t give the correct voltage.
This may cause you to incorrectly identify the battery charger as being the problem.
Power-Cycle Your Charger
Electronics can sometimes act strangely, and Ryobi chargers are no exception.
If your Ryobi 40V battery isn’t charging, first try unplugging the charger, wait for about a minute, then plug it back in.
If this does not solve the problem, move on to the next steps.
How To Check If Your Battery Charger is Faulty
There are two ways that you can check if your battery charger is faulty or not.
You will need a second battery or charger to test the two methods below.
Many people do not have a second battery or charger on hand, so here are some ideas on how to get access to one:
- Go to your local Ryobi dealer and ask if you can test your battery on their display charger or similar
- Ask in your local Facebook groups if anyone has a charger or battery you can try.
- Ask your friends or neighbors if they have a compatible charger or battery pack.
Use Another Battery
Take another healthy 40V Ryobi battery and try charging it. If you have the same problem, the charger is likely faulty.
If the second battery charges fine, your charger is fine, and the battery itself is the problem.
Try Another Charger
You can also use another Ryobi battery charger to check if yours is faulty. This is likely the only way to get a definite answer without a second battery.
Plug your battery into the second charger. If the battery fails to charge or the charger shows an error, then your battery is faulty.
If the battery charges up correctly, then your battery charger is the problem.
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Ryobi Charger Flashing Red and Green – Battery in Sleep Mode
The most common cause for your Ryobi Charger flashing red and green lights is that the battery has been over-discharged.
This is commonly known as the battery is in “sleep mode”
Batteries often enter sleep mode when they’ve been used until completely dead and then stored without charging for a long period of time. The charge on the battery becomes so low that the charger cannot detect whether the battery is healthy or not.
The charger will stop charging and enter error mode to avoid damage to the charger from a faulty battery.
The problem with most Ryobi 40V chargers is that they don’t incorporate a “boost” feature that would allow a battery that has entered sleep mode to be woken up again.
Here are the best methods for fixing your Ryobi 40v battery that has entered sleep mode.
Micro Charges
This method is the easiest, safest and simplest method to try to revive your Ryobi battery that won’t charge.
Patience is required here – so read these instructions carefully and find somewhere comfortable to sit!
- Connect your charger to the power outlet
- Place the battery in the charger until the green indicator goes solid
- Just before the red/green lights start flashing, remove the battery from the charger
- Re-insert the battery into the charger again and repeat steps 2-3
- Do this until the green light flashes constantly (might take up to 30 minutes)
Why does this work? Each time you put the battery in the charger, the charger gives a small charge before sensing the battery is asleep.
So repeating this process over and over results in the battery slowly being charged in very small increments each time.
Eventually, this results in enough charge for the battery charger to resume normal charging operation.
It may sound crazy, but the graph above shows why it works. Also, take a look at the many pages of comments below this article to see just how often it actually works!
Also Read: Ryobi Pressure Washer Troubleshooting
Jump Starting With a Second Ryobi Battery
For this method, you will need:
- A second, healthy, and fully charged Ryobi 40v battery
- Some wire – standard speaker wire or similar will do the job
The method is as follows:
- Connect the positive (+) terminals from the healthy battery to the sleeping battery’s positive (+) terminal.
- Do the same with the negative (-) terminals.
- Leave the batteries connected for up to 20 minutes
- Disconnect and test the sleeping battery on the charger again
This method may be enough to kick your sleeping battery back into life.
Danger! As with any DIY fix with cordless tool batteries, these methods have some dangers.
Battery university recommends not boosting batteries that have been in sleep mode for a week or longer.
The video below shows in more detail how to do this.
Use a DC Power Supply To Jump Start Your 40V Battery
This method is essentially the same as using a second battery, but instead we use a DC power supply set at the same output voltage (40v)
You will need:
- A DC power supply capable of outputting 40 volts DC
- Some wire – standard speaker wire or similar will do the job
The method is as follows:
- Connect the positive (+) terminals from DC power supply output to the sleeping battery’s positive (+) terminal.
- Do the same with the negative (-) terminals.
- Leave the battery connected to the power supply for up to 20 minutes
- Disconnect and test the sleeping battery on the charger again
Reset the Battery
This method means you’ll open the battery to reach the internal reset parts and see the printed circuit board (PCB)
Danger: Lithium batteries can be dangerous when dismantling them. There is a danger of fire or injury – do not attempt this procedure if you are not qualified to do so.
You will need:
- A torx security screwdriver kit with a T10 size or a Phillips head screwdriver (depending on what screws are used in your battery)
- A short piece of insulated wire with stripped ends
1. Remove the screws holding on the plastic cover
Depending on the model of your battery, these screws may be a torx security screw or a standard Phillips head.
There will likely be four screws to remove, and some or all of them may be covered by a plastic plug or cover to access them.
2. Remove the cover
Once the screws are removed, you should be able to love the cover off.
You may need to cut the Ryobi sticker that goes over the seam between the cover and the base of the battery.
This should give you access to the battery PCB.
At this point you need to be very careful not to short-circuit any connections. Doing so could lead to a fire or electrical shock.
3. Locate The Reset Pins
The Ryobi 40v battery reset pins location depends on the model number.
You are looking for “pads” or pins labeled ‘RST’, ‘RES‘ or ‘RESET’
Your model of battery may be listed below, if not it is likely to look very similar – so follow the same instructions,
Model OP40501 and OP40401
Pin location:
Connect wire between: RST and GND
Model OP40602
Pin location:
Connect wire between: RESET and GND
Model OP40404
Pin location:
Connect wire between RES and GND
4. Short out the reset pins
Take your wire with stripped ends and very carefully connect the two reset pins.
Connect the reset pins for 2-3 seconds. You should notice that the lights on the battery pack light up. Now, remove the wire.
Be VERY careful not to short out any other pins or circuitry.
5. Test your battery
You can now reassemble your Ryobi battery (leave the screws out for now) and test if it charges correctly.
If it does, put the screws back in and celebrate!
There is also a good video on this process below.
Battery Inserted Incorrectly
It may seem obvious, but it is essential to ensure your battery is correctly inserted into the charger.
Most Ryobi 40v batteries have a gray button (or buttons) that should be pressed down when inserting the battery into the charger.
Push the gray buttons and slide the battery onto the charger – you should hear an audible click.
Corroded or Dirty Battery Terminals
If the metal contacts on the battery or charger become dirty or corroded, then it can cause the Ryobi charger to assume that the battery is faulty incorrectly.
If your terminals are corroded: then the corrosion can be removed with a piece of sandpaper or some rubbing alcohol and a Q tip.
Dirt on the terminals can be removed with a wire brush or an alcohol-soaked wipe or q tip.
Sometimes, getting to the actual terminals can be difficult because they are recessed. If this is the case you will need to try different tools or items to reach them for cleaning purposes.
Ryobi Battery Charging: Issues with Hot or Cold Temperatures
We like modern Li-Ion batteries, but they have issues old batteries didn’t face.
One of these is the narrower range of temperatures that they will operate and charge in: Li-Ion batteries will generally charge between 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C).
So, the first thing to check if you are having problems with your Ryobi batteries is if they are indeed too hot or too cold.
If it is exceptionally cold where you usually store/charge your batteries, bring them inside and let them warm up to room temperature and then try charging them again.
If it is a hot day, or you have been using your batteries already and they are quite hot, try throwing them in the fridge, or taking them to a cooler area for a short amount of time before trying to charge them again.
Related Article: Ryobi 18v string Trimmer Troubleshooting
Is The Battery Too Old?
Unfortunately, it could simply be that your Ryobi tool’s 40-volt lithium-ion battery is simply getting old.
Typically, a Ryobi battery or any 40-volt lithium-ion battery maintains its performance for two to three years, or approximately 300 to 500 charge cycles.
One charge cycle describes the timeline between completely charging the battery, utilizing it until it’s fully discharged, and then charging it up once more.
Once your Ryobi 40-volt battery reaches its third or fourth year, you may begin noticing performance issues.
This could mean the battery’s inability to retain enough charge or, in more serious cases, it might fail to recharge entirely. Should you encounter this situation, replacing the old battery pack with a new one is recommended.
You can purchase a new battery here.
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- Onboard battery life indicator
- Model OP4060A
![[2Pack] 40 Volt Battery for RYOBI 40V Power Tools - Generic](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41SHRdnuqXL._SL500_.jpg)
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What Do The Lights on My Charger Mean?
The lights on your Ryobi charger help you determine the problem with your 40v battery.
The following table is a generic guide as to what the red, green and orange lights mean on your charger:
| Battery Pack Condition | Red LED Status | Green LED Status | Orange LED Status | Action/Description |
| Power On | ON | OFF | OFF | Plugged into AC power supply without battery pack |
| Testing (Hot battery pack) | OFF | OFF | ON | When the battery pack reaches cooler temperature, the charger begins charge mode. |
| Testing (Cold battery pack) | OFF | OFF | ON | The charger conditions battery until normal voltage is reached, then begins charge mode. |
| Testing (Deeply discharged) | OFF | OFF | ON | The battery pack or charger is defective. |
| Defective | Flashing | Flashing | OFF | When the battery pack reaches a cooler temperature, the charger begins charge mode. |
Where Can I Buy Ryobi Replacement Parts?
If you need your replacement Ryobi 40V battery parts in a hurry, then you will want to head straight down to the closest supplier and buy it locally.
If you aren’t in too much of a rush and want to save some cash, consider purchasing from a reputable online store such as Amazon.
- Click here to see a selection of Ryobi 40V Batteries and Chargers.
- Also Available at Home Depot
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Ryobi cordless tool battery be repaired?
Yes, you can repair a Ryobi cordless battery. But, it might take too much time and effort.
Opening up the batteries can be difficult; depending on what part is faulty, it may be quite expensive to fix.
Remember that batteries can be dangerous, so it’s best to get a qualified technician to check the battery for you.
Is it OK to leave a Ryobi Lithium-Ion Battery On The Charger?
No, you should charge the battery after use until it is full, then remove it from the charger and store it in an area that doesn’t get too hot or cold.
The ideal battery storage temperature is around 59℉, but standard room temperature is usually fine.
Hi there!
When I plug in my Ryobi 40V Lithium Ion battery charger without the battery attached it has a solid red light. I attach battery and it blinks red three times, then blinks green three times, then solid red, then no lights whatsoever. The indicator lights on the battery show depleted charge, but it isn’t completely dead – I used the weed eater briefly, but it had slowed power.
Hi Bridgitt, that could be a faulty charger or battery. Sorry I can’t be more specific but it’s hard to tell without testing a few things. I would guess its likely the battery though.
I have two 40v battery/chargers(1 less than 1 year old) both stopped working.
Get them fixed under warranty! More info here.
Hi DG,
Yes I did get the situation resolved. I called Ryobi and they sent me a new battery.
Ryobi 40V battery (96 Wh), 3 years old, will charge. All four lights illuminate after charging. Put battery in mower and will operate for 10-15 minutes. Check battery fuel gauge, 3 lights illuminate. Will not operate mower. What gives with the lights being illuminated but short run time? Has the battery lost capacity? what is a good indicator to recycle this current battery and purchase a replacement?
That is usually a sign that the battery has had it. I would think that a new battery would solve your problems.
my battery is a 2016 battery and it will not charge. its not the charger because i have another battery and it charges fine.
Sounds like you have a faulty battery!
My batteries stop functioning after they are only about 60-70$ discharged in my mower, weeder, and edger. Can they be bled down to zero? Seems like a memory issue. When I set them in the charger, they blink with at least 1 light on, sometimes 2……
How old are the batteries? If they are over 3 years old then it is likely just that they are getting old.
I don’t get any lights on battery or charger when I plug them in. Is it the charger? The battery still works for a few seconds. The weed eater and blower are only 18 months old and not used much.
That sounds like a charger problem to me.
My 40volt battery won’t charge. The green light on the charger and battery flash for hours without charging the battery.
Checked if the contacts are dirty?
My Ryobi battery is ok. Because I had a replacement and tried with that also. The problem is that It cuts off when I first start the thing. It doesn’t stay running. Like I said its not the batteries. This machine is only 1 year old.
Well that indicated it could be the charger? But if it is only a year old I would go for a warranty repair/replacement.
The battery lights on the battery do not show up at all and when I put it on the charger it goes to green as if the battery is fully charged. When I put the battery in the trimmer is does not work. Any suggestions?
Hi Victor, it’s hard to say but it could be a charger issue? Or even a faulty battery.
I have the same problem Victor. Did you ever get it fixed?
I put a multi meter on the + and – terminals on my 40v charger and it is only putting out 26ish volts. Bad charger?
It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a faulty charger because the charger will likely adjust the voltage depending on what state it detects the battery is in.
Just bought a Ryobi 40v cordless hedger. I cannot remove the battery from the hedger to charge. Help
Hi Christine, the manual should tell you how to get it out. If it is a strength issue, then you might need to ask a friend or a neighbor for help? But if you find this is an ongoing issue I would recommend returning it to the store and choosing one that has an easier release mechanism.
I currently have a Ryobi Trimmer Model P117 18 volt which is approximately 6 years old. I have arthritis in my hands and it is very difficult if not impossible to remove the battery from trimmer. Is the Ryobi One + String trimmer 18 volt 13″ String Trimmer / Edger have the same battery or has design changed so it is easier to remove from trimmer?
Hi Marlene, I have never considered that before – but I am sure it is a problem that many people face when using these tools!
Because the severity of arthritis can differ so much from person to person, I would recommend going to your local hardware store and having a look at what they have there. Tell them your problem, and ask them if you can see and try the battery removal process for each model. That way you can be sure to get one that you can actually use!
Hi Aaron, my 40V battery was working fine and then i dropped it about two feet on the pavement. when i went to charge it, my charger light is green but the cells on the battery do not light up. Can dropping the battery cause it to be inoperable?
It certainly can! Batteries are quite heavy for their size and they also contain breakable parts (circuit boards, electronic connections, plastic etc). You could try opening the battery houding (just the plastic bit) up to see if you can see anything – but do be very careful as it can be dangerous.
Aaron any idea on a Ryobi 40v hedge trimmer when the battery shows fully charged but the trimmer does nothing at all?
All 4 green lights on the battery and solid green light on charger. I put in on the trimmer and nothing happens at all.
Thanks
Have you checked the battery terminals? Is there any sign of life from the trimmer at all? Do you have a multimeter to test the battery voltage?
I have an Ryobi 40 volt string trimmer that is 5 years .code CS1305.
It charges according to the the charger lights.
I get to 4 green lights and if I use it it will just stop and when I put it back on the charger it show 3 green lights and charges up to the 4 green light and works for awhile.
What do you think I should do?
Sounds like a battery that has just gotten old and tired. These are common symptoms. I can;t find any info with the code you included – can you provide a model of the battery itself?
My Battery is LI-ION 40V 93.6WH OP4026 CS13055D390457
Well, the good news is the battery is readily available. Amazon has it here.
Thankx for the help. I decided to purchase a reconditioned Ryobi Weed Blower from Home Depot that came with the same type of battery and charger for $89.00.
I hope I can use this battery for both units.
Thankx again you are doing a great job
.
No problem! Glad we could be of help 🙂 Be sure to sign up to our newsletter here!
My Ryobi 40v charger is flashing red and green with no battery in it. Is this a bad charger and is there a fix?
Sounds like a faulty charger to me. Sorry – no way to fix it that I know of.
40v ryobi trimmer: Depressing trigger does not cause trimmer head to turn and no sound. battery charger green light stays on with battery in dock. battery reads 18v dc across terminals. bought new rebuilt charger. same experience. why would battery charger light stay green if battery is defective (only charges to 18 v)?
Hi Stephen,
Im not sure why, but it would seem that the battery is faulty. Since a different charger produces the same results.
My OP400 charger repeatedly stops charging after about 15 minutes and all lights go dark. Removing and then replacing the battery does not cause the charger to wake up.
However unplugging the charger from the 110v for about 30 seconds and then plugging the charger back in, does reset it and it will continue charging for about another 15 minutes. then it shuts down again.
What can be done to fix this??
Sounds like either the battery or the charger has a fault. How old is it?
my Ryobi trimmer stopped working after the string coiled up twice, jamming in between. recharged the battery and tried again with no results. still not working, any suggestions?
That could be a number of things – maybe there is still some string jammed in it? It is possible (but not likely) that the motor could have burned out.