Cordless drill smoking or smelling hot: what to do

Act first, diagnose later

Your first job is safety, not finding the cause. Work through these steps calmly before you look at the drill closely.

1. 1

   Let go of the trigger and stop using the drill.

2. 2

   Put it down on a hard, non flammable surface away from anything that can burn.

3. 3

   If the battery is not smoking or swollen and it is safe, remove it and place it outside away from buildings.

4. 4

   If the battery is smoking, hissing, swelling or on fire, leave the area, close the door and call 999.

5. 5

   Do not put a hot lithium battery in a bin, and do not charge it again.

Note:Lithium-ion battery fires can be fierce and can reignite. If in doubt, get out and call the fire service. Do not try to open or repair a damaged battery.

Is it the motor or the battery?

A hot smell from the vents with smoke that stops when you release the trigger usually means the motor or gearbox has overheated. A battery that is hot to the touch, bulging, leaking or smoking on its own is a far more serious problem.

Check the charger too. Flashing lights after an overheating event often mean the pack is too hot or faulty; see power tool charger lights flashing.

Common causes of overheating

Most hot drills are simply overloaded. Large spade bits, hole saws and augers in high gear, or a bit stalled in a hole for several seconds, make the motor draw heavy current. Blocked vents from plaster or brick dust stop it cooling. A blunt bit makes the drill work harder for longer.

On older brushed drills, worn carbon brushes can spark and smell. Brushless motors have no brushes but have electronic protection that may shut them down when hot; see brushless vs brushed drills.

• Use low gear for big bits.
• Keep vents clear of dust.
• Use sharp bits.
• Let the tool rest between heavy jobs.

When it is safe to try again

If the drill only smelt hot, cooled down and shows no damage, melted plastic or odd noises, it may be fine. Fit a battery you know is healthy, run it with no load and check for smells, sparks or noise. If anything is wrong, stop and get it checked.

Never use a battery that has been dropped and cracked, has got wet inside or has overheated badly. Recycle it at a household waste centre that accepts batteries.

Getting it repaired

Within warranty, contact the maker or retailer. DeWalt, Makita, Bosch and Milwaukee have UK service networks. Outside warranty, a service agent can replace brushes, switches and gearboxes on many models. Avoid copy batteries and chargers; see how to spot fake Makita and DeWalt tools.

If the drill keeps stopping without smoke, see cordless drill not working.

Preventing it happening again

Match the tool to the job. A light home drill is not meant for 25 mm augers through joists; a higher torque drill, as in our combi drill kit guide, handles that. Store and charge batteries as in storing tool batteries, and only use maker approved chargers.

Charge batteries on a hard surface, away from flammable materials, and not overnight unattended.

Frequently asked questions

Is a burning smell from a new drill normal? A faint smell on first use can happen, but smoke is not normal. Stop and contact the seller.

Why is my DeWalt drill smoking? Most often overload or blocked vents; on brushed models, worn brushes. If the battery smokes, isolate it and call 999 if needed.

Can I keep using a drill that overheated? Only if it cooled, shows no damage and runs normally. If in doubt, get it checked.

How do I dispose of a damaged tool battery? Take it to a household waste centre or retailer that accepts batteries. Do not put it in household bins.