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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- 40-Volt 6.0 Ah high capacity battery for extended run time
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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.
I’m also at a loss for removing the battery from the trimmer. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks
Hi George, If you tell me the model no. I can look into it for you.
Mine seems to be stuck like that at times. Press in the release button all the way and PULL HARD.
We solved this by having one person depress the button and pull, while another person pushes the battery out.
I am having trouble removing the battery from my Ryobi weed cutter. It seemed to be stuck.
Any ideas? hank you.
I’m having the same problem. I cannot release the battery. Is it the release button??
It’s hard. Press the button on the battery and hold it in, then pull on the battery and in the opposite direction, pull on the tool.
I press and hold the “?” Button on my battery, all four lights flash twice, pause, then flash twice again. The battery doesn’t charge nor does it work in the trimmer. I put it in the charger, all I get is the red power on light.
This question was also asked in our facebook group, but I will post the answer here as well for others to benefit:
Hi Matthew, it sounds to me like a faulty battery. But you can’t be sure without trying another battery that you know is working.
Did you try the methods of waking a sleeping battery? Do you have a multimeter so you can see what the voltage the battery is at?
Hello I’ve got a Ryobi 40v battery that has been great up until lately it shows all green on the battery but dead in the leave blower. I tried all options but none worked. Is there a chance for recovery. I tried in another charger but it did the same thing. Shows all green but will not work.
Did you try to methods in the article?
I did contact Ryobi – as well as a local Ryobi dealer; local dealer said I had a dead battery. Still doesn’t make sense logically – but am going with their recommendation to replace battery. I was told my existing battery is still under warranty – I will pursue a replacement as well.
I purchased a Ryobi cordless weed eater last year (I’m small so the model I selected works for my female/small build). When it came time to do yard work (April) the charger worked fine. Then I re-plugged it in and the SOLID RED light came on and stayed. I assumed it needed a replacement, so in May this year, I bought a new charger/battery. So here I am 2 months later, the new charger is doing the same thing (SOLID RED) which is the indicator for “defective”. I find it odd and am tired of purchasing a charger every 2 months. Thoughts on what to do (aside from throwing more money against this equipment?). If I’m forced to buy another charger, I’ll have spend more $$ on chargers than the equipment alone. Frustrated.
Did you contact Ryobi? Warranty repair?
1st and 3rd diode light on battery and charger flashes red/green together when on charger.
Has anyone had this issue?
I put my 2.6Ah battery in the charger and it flashed green and finally solid green. It never registered on the light display at the end of the battery regarding how much had charged. When it went to solid green I took the battery out of the charger and pressed the button at the end of the battery to indicate how much charge it has and it doesn’t display anything at all. I tried to put it in a tool and nothing happens. I then tried to put it back into the charger and it goes straight to solid green. What can be done?
Yes David we have a OP40261 2.6Ah battery doing exactly what you say. We also have a second OP40261 battery functioning normally. Note that the bad one will not work in our 40 volt hedge trimmer, but does operate in the 40 volt blower.
On the bad battery, the green status lights do not function at all anymore.
I have this exact same problem. with my 40v battery. It didn’t even flash green, just went to solid green right away with no indication on the end of the battery that it’s charged and when put into the weed eater…didn’t run. Thanks.
after trying fix option 3 my charger is flashing red and green without the battery. How can correct this?
It be that you just have a faulty battery and it cannot be revived.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your feedback, Aaron.
Hi Aaron,
As you suspected my OP4026 40v lithium-ion battery is faulty (around 4 year old), I replace it with a new fully charged 40V4.0AH but the trimmer/edger is still not working. This points to the tool itself is the problem. May be the switch, just guessing. Will the repair be covered under the 5-year warranty ? Thanks.
Hi Tom, I am not sure sorry. Best bet is to give the manufacturer a call and find out.
My Ryobi trimmer/edger stopped working. The 40 volt lithium-ion shown fully charged (press the ? button on the back and all 4 lights shown green). Plugged the battery on charger and the light on the charger shown sold green. What could be the problem ? The battery will be 4 year old in 3 weeks. Thanks.
Its probably a dead battery. 4 years is pretty good out of a battery these days!
Have a trimmer. When I put battery in charger the flashing red light appears. What should I do?
Have you tried the fixes in the article?
I had a similar issue. There is a red button between the Handel and base of Handel on right side. If the Handel slides off the button the mower cuts out. Try using a star bit to tighten up the handle connection.
I used option #3 to fix my battery’s sleep mode. I did take about 30 minutes, (a little less), but it did. Nice job saved me the cost a new battery.
I have a Royobi 40402 40V blower. the symptoms are it starts fine blows for a minute or two then stops.
If I release the trigger, and tap the outlet or remove and replace the battery it will start but only runs for 30 seconds or so.
I felt it might be the switch since it got so hot, so I did buy a new switch, I have the same problem seems like over heats something then springs back to life when it cools.
I had the same problem last year with the charger if I left it plugged in while I was out using the tool when I came back the lights would be off.
I learned to unplug the charger on hot days when I was using the battery after that the tool ran fine.
BTW this problem was not present last season it started this year. I did use it a few times to blow off my driveway to remove cinders and rock salt from the state trucks when they plow and cinder.
Ive got red/green on two 36V Ryobi batteries.
I tried option 2 (power supply) to the + and – terminals but no current flows.
Do i need to make any connectino to the other terminals marked T ?
Thanks.
Hi Aaron,
I’ve been given a Ryobi trimmer with a #OP4026 battery. If you press the charge indicator on the battery (?), it shows 4 lights as being fully charged. But when put into the charger the red/green lights flash indicating a defective battery. So I tested, ohmed the wiring, switch, and motor of the trimmer with all components testing good. I then checked voltages of the battery as follows:
+ to – = 19.9 volts
+ to T1 = 39.9 volts
What should the voltage output be between + to – terminals of the battery? It seems to reason to me near 40 volts as it shows fully charged.
I would appreciate your comments.
Thanks in advance, Larry Green
I’ve got the blinking red green issue. This is the second season I’m using this mower and I left the battery on charge all winter. Could that be the issue?
It’s good practice to remove the batteries from the charger – so it could have caused problems. Have you tried the suggestions in the article?
My battery mower goes on but cuts out any suggestions on what to do
Not really enough info there to help out. Does the battery go flat when the mower cuts out? Is it charging correctly?
Go to Youtube and search “Ryobi lawnmower shuts off fix”
I had this problem too. Assuming your mower is like mine, check the bolts that hold the handle to the mower. On the right side (looking as if you are pushing the mower) at the handle/mower connection, there is a small switch that must be activated to tell the mower the handle is fully set in the “use” position, not the “fold for storage” position. On my mower, the bolt the handle swivels on was loose enough that the switch would vibrate so that the mower thought the handle wasn’t properly positioned for safe operation.
I tightened the bolts on both sides (added a few drops of blue Locktite to prevent them from coming loose again). Problem solved.
Hope this helps!
Can I replace my Ryobi 40V battery model OP4026 with a different brand or model no.? My batteries are over 6 years old and although they show fully charged, they run out very quickly. I spoke to Ryobi who told me that 6 years is over the lifespan of the batteries. I want to replace them. Amazon has other batteries such as Ryobi OP4030, or Lasica OP4050A. Would they work in my mower?
Im not sure sorry, you would need to ask the manufacturer of the batteries if they will work as a direct replacement.
Hannah,
When my first battery failed, I called the Canadian Ryobi support line (sorry, don’t seem to have kept the #); they sent me an OP40501 (grey/black) as a replacement for my original OP4026 (lime green) battery. It works fine. Matter of fact, the OP40501 is 5.0aH, so it’s 20% better than the original.
Also, no questions asked. I just told the dude that answered the phone that one of my two batteries was showing RED/GREEN flashing on charger. Free shipping. And they didn’t want the old one back.
Ciao!