6 Reasons Why Your DeWalt Battery Won’t Charge Past 2 Bars

DeWalt drills or impact drivers have 18 and 20-volt batteries that can handle much work pressure. 

But, what to do if DeWalt battery won’t charge past 2 bars?

It might be the case of a loose connection in the outlet or a loose battery. The battery will blink red light if it’s not inserted properly and won’t charge past 1 or 2 bars. Also, it can be a faulty charger or outlet and so replace them. 

Additionally, there might be water damage, dirt, or debris in the connectors. Clean the connectors properly with vinegar solution. For a drained or dead battery, try to slowly charge them for 2 or 3 minutes to wake it. Or just connect it to another healthy battery.  

So, to know more about how to fix the issue, follow the article. I will explain all the possible solutions for your sake. 

DeWalt Battery Charging Issues: Reasons And Solutions

There are several reasons why your DeWalt battery’s having charging problems and stuck in 1 or 2 bars. Here, I outlined some of the possible reasons and solutions before diving into the details.  

Reasons	Solutions
Faulty outlet or loose connection	Check the outlet for faults. Check and fix the loose connection of the charger to the outlet.  For loose batteries, insert the battery into the charger properly.
Battery’s too hot or cold	Cool down the battery or warm up the battery.
Faulty charger	Check if the charger’s working.  If not, replace it.
Water damage, dirt, rust, or debris in the connections	Clean the connections of the charger and battery.
The battery’s in sleep mode or dead	Slowly charge the battery several times to wake the battery.
Problem with the battery	Check the battery with a voltmeter.  Connect it to another healthy battery.

So, these are the major reasons why your DeWalt 18-volt or 20-volt battery is having charging problems. Now, I will explain all the reasons with detailed solutions. 

Reason 1: Faulty Outlet or Loose Connection

The first reason why your DeWalt battery isn’t properly charging is that you didn’t plug in the charger tightly. Alternatively, the outlet might be faulty too.

Or, you haven’t inserted the battery into the charger properly. 

Solution:

Now, follow the steps to fix these problems. 

Step 1: Check your charger’s connection to the socket. If it’s not plugged in properly, plug the charger into the socket tightly. 
Step 2: Alternatively, check the outlet by connecting another device, e.g. a lamp, to the outlet. If it’s not working then the outlet is faulty. Change the outlet or charge your DeWalt battery in another outlet.

Step 3: Check if the battery’s inserted properly. There’s a yellow button in the charger (color may vary based on the model). You need to press it while inserting the battery. There’ll be a click sound ensuring that the battery is inserted properly. 

Reason 2: The Battery’s Too Hot Or Cold

DeWalt batteries don’t work and charge properly in too cold or hot temperatures. 

Exceeding the DeWalt battery’s temperature range (40-105F) will alert the BMS. Then the BMS shuts down the cells to protect the battery. That’s why it’s not charging past 1 or 2 bars and shows a hot/cold delay error code.

This is a picture of your DeWalt battery indicator lights and their meaning for different models. 

Solution:

Step 1: If the battery’s too cold, insert the battery in your DeWalt tool and spin the chuck. After a little bit of use, the battery will warm up to a safe charging threshold. 

Step 2: For a hot battery (equals or exceeds 105F), use a cooling fan. Or store it in a cold place for several hours. That’ll cool down the battery. 

Reason 3: Faulty Charger

If you’re still having problems with charging, it might be a faulty charger.

If the red light still didn’t show on the charger after inserting another battery, then it’s a faulty charger. So, if your DeWalt battery says fully charged but not working, the charger might be the issue. 

Solution: 

For a faulty charger, the solution is simple. Change the charger and get a new one that is compatible with the battery’s power ratings. 

Also, if you’re still under DeWalt warranty, contact the DeWalt customer support and request a new charger.  

Reason 4: Water Damage, Dirt, Rust, Or Debris in The Connections

Charging issues also originate from water damage, rust, rust, or debris in the connections and terminals. 

Water damage, dirt, rust, or debris blocks the usual charging rate. When water enters the port or there’s rust and debris on the charging contacts, it interferes with electrical flow. 

Thus your battery’s charging status gets stuck in 1 or 2 bars. Let’s see how you can clean the battery and charger connectors. 

Solution:

Step 1: Scrub away the rust from damages in your battery connections and terminals. I use a solution of diluted vinegar and baking soda. Alternatively, you can use WD40 spray also.

Gently scrub the connections of the battery and the charger until the rust is cleared. Then insert the battery and plug in the charger to see if it works.    

Step 2: Also, you can use a Q-Tip soaked in rubbing alcohol. That’ll clear off the dust or grime from the battery terminals and charger connectors.

For getting into the steep battery terminals, use sandpaper to clear off the dirt and rust. 

Reason 5: The Battery’s in Sleep Mode Or Dead

If you store your battery at a low charge for days, it will slowly lose all its charge.

If you tried all the solutions and still had no luck, the battery’s either dead or in sleep mode. This is probably because you used the battery and stored it without charging it. See how the battery drops to sleep mode in storage shown in the picture below.

Solution:

Step 1: Connect the battery to an external power source. Charge it for 2/3 seconds at a time. After 2/3 seconds, disconnect the battery right before the light comes on. 

Step 2: Repeat this mini-boost for 30 minutes. This will wake the battery from sleep and approach the normal charging threshold. 

Reason 6: Problem With The Battery

If your battery’s still not charging properly, your battery’s having charging health issues. This happens when your battery cannot gain sufficient charge due to poor battery health.

Solution:

Step 1: Check the battery’s health using a multimeter. Check the video to know how to test the battery’s health. 

Step 2: Now, take an insulated wire. Connect one end of the wire to the positive terminal of a good battery. Then connect the other end to the positive terminal of the dead battery. 

Step 3: Take another insulated wire. Connect both of its ends to the negative terminals of the good and the dead battery. Leave it like that for a few seconds. How long should it take depends on the condition of the faulty battery. 

This will help the dead battery to gain some power to come back to the usual charging threshold. If it still doesn’t work, get a new battery comparing the tool battery power rating. 

Best Practices for a Healthy Battery Lifespan

Maintaining your DeWalt battery is essential to keep its lifespan intact and increase its runtime. Follow the instructions below for best practices. 

1. Don’t cross below the 20% charging limit of the battery. 
2. Store the battery in a dry box to protect it from damage due to temperature changes. 
3. Avoid using the battery for a longer time period when it’s too hot. 

These maintenance steps will help increase the battery’s runtime and intact the lifespan.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Conclusion

So, try the solutions I’ve given you if your DeWalt battery won’t charge past 2 bars. 

Also, read the manuals of the DeWalt battery to properly maintain them for a longer lifespan. And contact DeWalt customer support for additional replacement and maintenance issues.