Is Your Ryobi P117 Charger Not Working? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Ryan Womeldorf
by Ryan Womeldorf
Ryobi is the gold standard when it comes to electric power tools, and their chargers are generally reliable. The Ryobi P117 is no exception, but it can stop working if the battery is broken or the charger itself is defective. Whether it be identifying the problem or replacing the charger, let’s take a look at what you can do when your Ryobi P117 charger isn’t working.

Ryobi makes some of the strongest, most durable, and most affordable power tools on the market today. Though there are some higher-quality, more professional-grade tools out there, it is a great fit for those who are looking for strong DIY tools.

From time to time, however, there are issues that can arise, particularly with the cordless power tools. If your battery charger isn’t working, there are typically two reasons for that. The first is that the battery itself has one issue or another. The other reason is that the charger itself is now defective. When you have a defective charger, it will more than likely have to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Ryobi P117 Charger That Is Not Working

Battery Charger is Flashing a Red Light

One of the most common issues that you will see when it comes to charging is a red light flashing on the battery charger. Generally speaking, if the battery is charging properly, there will be a solid green LED light to indicate that the battery is properly.

When the battery is not charging properly, the LED light will flash red. More often than not, this is an indication that there is an issue with the battery, not the charger. That said, it is time to do a little further troubleshooting of the issue.

Both LED Lights Flashing

So, we know now that a flashing red LED light is indicative of a potentially defective battery. But what happens when your charger is flashing both the red and green lights? Unfortunately, it means that the battery is defective.

You can try testing out the battery in a number of different ways. The most effective way is through the use of an ohmmeter. When a battery is defective, it needs to be replaced. You can typically go through your local home improvement store, although there is the possibility of using a major online retailer like Amazon as well.

Battery Charger is Defective

Unfortunately, there are times where your battery charger is simply defective. Though it is not the most common of instances given the quality of Ryobi tools, it does happen from time to time.

There really is not much to do about a defective charger. You will more than likely need to replace your charger, either through the manufacturer or a local home improvement store. The downside is that you need a charger to keep your batteries operational.

One Potential Fix for a Malfunctioning Battery Charger

There is one potential fix worth trying if your Ryobi battery pack is not working properly. The most likely reason for a malfunctioning charger, aside from it being defective, is that it has become clogged with dirt or corrosion.

It is imperative that you keep your charger clean. Over time, improper storage can come to play havoc on your power tools. Thankfully, there are cleaning methods that you can use to potentially bring your charger back from the dead.

  • Take out the screws. Start by first unplugging your charger. Anything that holds an electrical charge should be treated with the utmost care and importance. There are screws in the outer casing of the charger that needs to be removed before you can do anything. Most of the time, they are of the Phillips variety.
  • Check the terminals. With the outer casing of your battery charger now removed, you should see electronic boards and a hole in the center. The hole will have a few metal terminals around the edges. That is where the battery connects to the charger to implement a charge.
  • Clean the terminals. In instances where there is noticeable dirt or debris in the charger, you will need to clean it all out. You can get the job done with a cloth and a soft-bristled brush more often than not. Gently scrub the terminals and any other areas that have noticeable dirt buildup. If you notice corrosion, you may need some sandpaper to get the job done.

Ryobi Charger Flashing Lights

Why is the Light on my Battery Charger Blinking?

When you see a blinking light on your battery charger, it can be a little confusing. You may be looking at the possibility of a bad charger or a bad battery. But when you see a blinking light, the most common explanation is that there is a poor connection.

  • Remove and try again. The first thing that you should do when you see that flashing light is to pull the battery out and try again. More often than not, it is a simple matter of the battery not seating properly in the charger. If that doesn’t work, move onto the next step.
  • Check the terminals. If re-seating the battery doesn’t work, then you may simply be dealing with dirty terminals. When there is too much dirt built up, the terminals may not connect properly. Take a dry cloth or an alcohol wipe and clean off the metal terminals. Then try it again.
  • Corrosion. The final possibility is that the terminals themselves have become corroded. The fix is similar to the previous step, with one exception. You will need sandpaper or a wire brush to get the corrosion buildup off. Do so gently, you don’t want to scratch up the terminals to the point that they become damaged.

Why is My Ryobi Battery Charger Blinking Green?

The green LED light on your Ryobi battery charger indicates that the battery is charging. That said, there are two instances of charging and they are not the same.

  • Blinking green light. Should you notice that the green light on your charger is blinking, then that indicates fast charging. This is where you would get a quick charge on your battery so that you can use it in quick applications.
  • Solid green light. When the LED light on your battery charger is solid green, that indicates that your battery is getting a consistent charge. You would want to see a solid green light for a full charging. You will need a full charge if you plan to use the battery for an extended period of time.

Related Questions

As you can see, when there is an issue with the battery charger, it is a pretty straightforward explanation. But what happens if you have questions related to the battery and charger that haven’t been answered above, here are some of the most commonly asked questions.

Can You Use Other Batteries in a Ryobi Charger?

The short answer is that, no, you cannot use other brands of battery in a Ryobi charger. Ryobi battery chargers are only meant to be used on Ryobi batteries. Furthermore, they are only meant to be used for batteries made of nickel-cadmium and lithium-ion.

There are also a couple of standard operating procedures that should be followed. For one, there are temperature limits to be adhered to. Make sure that you keep your Ryobi charger at room temperature, between 50-100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Extreme temperatures can not only damage the batteries, but the chargers as well. Lithium-ion has a charging point between 40 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures drop below or rise above that point, it can impact the longevity of the lithium-ion as well.

Can You Charge Lithium-Ion Ryobi Batteries on a Nickel Cadmium Charger?

It cannot be emphasized enough that lithium-ion batteries should only be charged using a lithium-ion charger. On the same hand, you should only use nickel-cadmium chargers to charge nickel cadmium Ryobi batteries.

In most cases, crossing types will simply not work. Ryobi sells chargers for each type of battery that they offer.

Does Ryobi Tools Offer a Warranty?

Ryobi makes some of the most affordable and dependable tools on the market today. That is why they are a favorite of so many DIY types. That said, it helps to have some sort of guarantee in the event that the part malfunctions or breaks.

Ryobi offers a limited 3-year warranty on all of their power tools from the date of purchase. The warranty covers manufacturer defects and replacement parts or components for those tools. If you have questions, you can check out Ryobi’s manufacturer warranty page for more information.

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Ryan Womeldorf
Ryan Womeldorf

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.

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