My cordless drill battery won't charge - any ideas?

Hey everyone, having a weird issue with my 20V cordless drill. The battery won't charge at all - I plug it into the charger and the light just blinks red. It's about 2 years old, Ryobi brand. Worked fine last week, now nothing. Anyone run into this before? I've got a big shelving project this weekend and really need it working!

Oh man, I feel your pain! Had something similar with my DeWalt last year. First thing - try cleaning the battery contacts with some isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip. Sawdust and grime can build up and prevent a good connection. Also, try leaving it on the charger for a few hours even with the blinking light - sometimes they need to 'wake up' if they've been drained completely. Let us know if that helps!

Safety first here. A blinking red light often indicates a fault - could be the battery, charger, or both. DO NOT force it or try to 'jump start' the battery. Lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous if compromised. Check if the battery is swollen or unusually warm. If so, dispose of it properly at a battery recycling center. Consider having it tested at a repair shop before buying a replacement.

Budget tip: Ryobi batteries are pretty affordable compared to other brands. If cleaning doesn't work, check if it's still under warranty (some have 3-year). If not, you can often find good deals on refurbished batteries online or at Harbor Freight alternatives. Also, consider buying a second charger to test - sometimes it's the $30 charger, not the $60 battery!

Thanks all! Cleaned the contacts - no luck. Battery isn't swollen or hot, so that's good. Going to try my neighbor's charger tonight to rule that out. If it's the battery, might go the refurbished route like Gary465 suggested. Appreciate the safety warning too Gary226 - almost tried tapping it like an old remote battery!