Why does my cordless screwdriver stall and make weird noise?

Hey everyone, I've got a cheap cordless screwdriver (Brand: Worx, 4V I think) that I use for small DIY projects. Lately it's been stalling when I try to drive screws into pine, and it makes a grinding/whirring noise like something's slipping. Battery seems to charge fine (green light). Any ideas? I don't wanna spend $100 on a new one if I can fix it. TIA!

Tim, that grinding noise is almost certainly the gearbox. On those cheap 4V drivers, the plastic gears strip out pretty easily if you push too hard. It could also be the clutch slipping if it has one. Have you tried adjusting the torque setting? If it's maxed out and still stalls, the motor's probably on its way out. Honestly, for anything beyond assembling IKEA furniture, a 12V or 18V driver is worth the investment. But if you're set on fixing it, open it up and check for stripped teeth. Sometimes you can rotate the gears if only a section is worn.

Yeah, what Hank said. Also, check the chuck – if the bit isn't seated properly it can slip and make a noise. And make sure you're not using too long screws for a 4V tool. Those little guys have like 20 in-lbs of torque, max. Pine is soft but a 3" screw will kill it. Try pre-drilling. As for the battery, even if it charges, it might be weak. Do you have a multimeter to check voltage under load? Might be sagging. But honestly, if it's grinding internally, it's probably toast. I learned that the hard way with a HF special.

I've been through a few of those little drivers. The noise you describe is usually the planetary gears. They're made of nylon and once they wear, they slip. You can sometimes find replacement gearboxes on eBay for $10, but it's a fiddly job. At 4V, it's not worth the hassle. I'd recommend picking up a refurbished 12V DeWalt or Milwaukee. I've had my 12V Max for 8 years and it still runs like new. Also, make sure you're not over-tightening – let the clutch do the work. If it doesn't have a clutch, you're the clutch! Ease up on the pressure.

Thanks for the replies! I tried adjusting the clutch (it has a 1-5 setting) and it still stalls on 5. I think the gears are shot. I'll try opening it up this weekend just for fun, but I'll probably just buy a cheap 12V from Amazon. Any budget-friendly brands you'd recommend? I saw a Skil 12V for $50.