Help! My cordless rotary tool battery won't charge - any budget fixes?

Hey everyone, having a weird issue with my off-brand cordless rotary tool. The battery won't charge at all - the charger light just blinks red. It's only about 6 months old and I really don't wanna buy a new one if I can avoid it. Anyone run into this before? It's a 'PowerPro' model I got on sale.

OP, I feel your pain! Those off-brand batteries are hit or miss. Before you toss it, try cleaning the battery contacts with some rubbing alcohol and a q-tip. Sometimes dirt or corrosion builds up. Also, check if the charger works with another battery (if you have one). If it's the charger, you can find generic replacements on Amazon for like $15. Way cheaper than a new tool!

Tim's advice is good for starters. In my 40 years as a carpenter, I've seen this a lot with cheaper tools. Could be a dead cell in the battery pack. If you're handy, you might open the battery case (carefully!) and check for swollen cells or loose connections. But honestly, with off-brands, it's often more cost-effective to buy a new battery than repair. Consider upgrading to a name-brand like Dremel - their batteries last years.

Dave's right about quality, but let's troubleshoot first, OP. Does the tool work if you plug it in directly (if it has that option)? That'll tell us if it's just the battery. Also, have you tried leaving it on the charger for a full 24 hours? Sometimes they need a deep reset. And hey - any odd smells or heat from the battery? Safety first! If it's hot or smells burnt, recycle it ASAP.

Whoa, lots of good advice here! I'm still learning but my journeyman always says to check the simple stuff first. Make sure the outlet works and the charger is firmly plugged in. Maybe try a different outlet? Also, my buddy had a similar issue and it was just a blown fuse in the charger. Not sure if yours has one but worth a look! Good luck, hope you get it working!