Battery Charger Troubleshooting

Here are some troubleshooting steps to follow if your home battery charger, electronic device with built-in charger (laptop computer, small TV, portable vacuum cleaner, etc.), or remote control vehicle charging adapter doesn't seem to be working properly...

1. Check for obvious problems first, such as a loose power connection to the charger, corrosion on the terminals, or a charging switch that has been turned off.

2. Make sure the battery is connected or inserted in the proper direction. Confirm that it is the correct type (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Rechargeable Alkaline, etc.) of battery for the charger. A few chargers have a switch for selecting one of two types.

3. Try troubleshooting it by charging a different battery, if one is available. Rechargeable batteries wear out eventually, and it is more likely that they need to be replaced than the charging device.

4. If you are using an extension cord, use the charger without one. Connecting battery chargers directly to electrical outlets is generally safer and less likely to cause problems.

5. Put one more or less battery in, if possible. Some battery chargers require that batteries be inserted in increments of two, so you may only be able to charge two, four, or six at a time.

6. If you are trying to charge one or more "AAA" batteries and the charging light doesn't come on, unplug the charger, re-insert them, and try again. Some batteries of this type don't always fit exactly right in certain chargers, because of their small size.

7. Look to see if there is a switch which has to be set to the number of batteries being charged (often two or four); if so, verify that it has been set appropriately.

8. Try troubleshooting it using another electrical outlet, especially if the charger has a large adapter or is in a rechargeable flashlight; some outlets are too recessed behind their outer panels for the prongs of such devices to fully reach them.

9. Refer to the battery label, packaging, and/or charger manual to make sure you aren't charging the batteries too long or short a period of time. The correct charging time depends upon the battery capacity (measured in mAh) and how much power the charger outputs.

When you are troubleshooting or otherwise using battery chargers, be sure to unplug them before touching the metal contacts. Also, keep in mind that although you are troubleshooting the charger and batteries, there could instead be a problem with the device you are trying to use them in.