How to Troubleshoot a Power Drill

If your power drill stops working, you shouldn't just chuck it in the garbage pin, or go to the time and expense of bringing it to a repair professional. Troubleshoot the power drill to find out what's causing the malfunction.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Change the bit. If you can't get through a certain material, you may need a different type of bit to fix the problem with the power drill.

2. Get a better battery pack. If you're losing power quickly with your drill, you may need a higher voltage battery pack. If you plan to use your power drill often, then opt for at least a 12-volt pack.

3. Check the switch of the power drill. Flip the switch on and off several times to see if the power drill eventually works. If you need to hit the power numerous times before the drill works, then you probably need to replace the drill switch.

4. Check the charger. If the charger has failed, then a cordless power drill won't work properly.

5. Examine the brushes near the motor of the power drill. Worn-out brushes can cause a power drill to malfunction. A bad set of brushes will probably have little carbon remaining, or it may look chipped. The brushes will need replacing to fix the problem.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a bad motor, you'll most likely need to buy a new replacement drill.