Battery not charging on my orbital sander – help!

Hey folks, my cordless orbital sander (Ryobi 18V) stopped charging. The charger light stays green even when the battery is dead. I've tried two different batteries, both work fine in my drill. Any ideas?

Check the contacts on the sander's battery slot. Sometimes dirt or corrosion can mess with the connection. A little rubbing alcohol on a q-tip might do the trick. Also, make sure the sander is fully off when you insert the battery – some have a safety lockout.

I had a similar issue with a different brand. Turns out the charging circuit inside the sander was fried. If cleaning doesn't work, it might be cheaper to just buy a new sander than repair it, unless you're handy with a multimeter.

Thanks guys! I cleaned the contacts and still no luck. I'm not that handy with electronics, so I'll prob just grab a new one. Any recommendations on a good budget orbital sander?

I've had good luck with the Bauer from Harbor Freight. It's cheap and works well for hobby stuff. Or if you wanna stick with Ryobi, their brushed model is on sale sometimes.