Cordless vacuum will not hold a charge; battery drains while sitting unused

Safety first: Remove the battery pack from the vacuum when not in use.

• Charge and monitor: Fully charge the battery, then remove it from both charger and vacuum. Check charge level after 24–48 hours.
• Compare behavior: If the battery loses significant charge while disconnected, it has high self-discharge and should be replaced.
• Storage practices: Store replacement batteries at about 40–60% charge in a cool, dry place to extend life.
• Replace pack: Install a new Hamilton Beach battery pack if self-discharge is confirmed.