Help! My chainsaw battery won't charge after dropping it

Hey everyone, I've got a problem with my cordless chainsaw. I accidentally dropped it from about 4 feet onto concrete, and now the battery won't charge at all. It was working fine before the drop. I've tried different outlets and even cleaned the contacts, but nothing. Any ideas what could be wrong? Is it the battery or the charger?

That's a bummer, Hank. Dropping it can definitely mess up the internals. First thing to check is if the charger is still working. See if the charging light comes on when you put the battery in. If it doesn't, the charger might be fried. Also, check the battery contacts for any bent or broken pins. Sometimes the drop can shift the cells inside. If you have a multimeter, you can test the battery voltage. If it's reading 0V, it might be a protection circuit tripped.

I once had a battery that wouldn't charge after a drop. It turned out a wire inside was loose. But if you're not handy with a soldering iron, it's easier to just buy a new battery. However, before that, try leaving the battery on the charger for a few minutes, unplug, and plug again. Sometimes the charger needs a reset. Also, make sure the battery isn't too hot or cold - that can affect charging.

Thanks Sarah and Paul. I did check the charger and it seems to work - the light comes on. But when I put the battery in, it shows a blinking red light, which according to the manual means a charging error. I tried the reset trick, no luck. I guess I'll have to buy a new battery. But wait, is it possible that the chainsaw itself is damaged? Should I check that too?

The blinking red light could indicate a communication error between the battery and charger. It might be the battery's BMS (Battery Management System) that got damaged. As for the chainsaw, it's probably fine unless you see physical damage or the blade doesn't spin. But it's worth checking the tool with a different battery if you have one. If the tool works with a different battery, then it's just the battery. Good luck! Let us know what you decide.