Battery will not charge; charger LED flashes red or shows E5; vacuum LEDs indicate charging fault

Safety first: Unplug the charger from the wall before inspecting contacts.

• Check outlet: Plug another device into the same outlet to verify power. Avoid using power strips with surge issues.
• Inspect charger and contacts: Examine the charger plug, cord, and battery contacts for damage, burn marks, or corrosion. Clean contacts gently with a dry cloth.
• Cool the battery: If the battery is warm from recent use, let it cool for 30 minutes before attempting to charge again. Some Hamilton Beach chargers will flash an error if the pack is too hot or too cold.
• Try reseating: Insert the battery into the charger until it clicks. Remove and reinsert several times to ensure a solid connection.
• Test with another battery/charger: If available, test the battery on another Hamilton Beach charger or test a known-good battery on this charger. Replace the faulty component (charger or battery pack).
• Do not open battery: If E5 persists, the internal BMS or cells are likely damaged. Replace the battery pack; do not attempt internal repair.