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Red and green flashing

Ryobi Red and green flashing on RC18150: defective fault

Verified with sources1 sourceReviewed Oct 18, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you
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Risk level

Medium

Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

On the Ryobi 18V ONE+ RC18150 (5.0 A) fast charger, when both the red LED and green LED flash at the same time, the status is Defective: the battery pack or charger is defective. Remove and reinstall the battery pack to test a second time; if it repeats, try charging a different ONE+ battery.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Never immerse the tool, battery pack or charger in fluid (such as seawater, industrial chemicals, or bleach-containing products) or allow them to become contaminated with conductive metal particles from grinding, cutting or machining processes, which can cause a short circuit, fire or explosion.
  • Hazardous voltages are present within the RC18150 charger (equipped with a 3.15 A time-lag fuse): never modify, disassemble or attempt to repair the product yourself, never recharge primary (non-rechargeable) cells, and never charge a damaged battery pack or one that shows signs of leaked electrolyte; when transporting lithium batteries, protect exposed connectors with insulating, non-conductive caps or tape and never transport cracked or leaking batteries.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Remove and reinstall the battery pack in the RC18150 to test a second time
  • Unplug the RC18150 charger and clean dirt or dust with a clean cloth or soft brush
  • Try charging a different compatible Ryobi ONE+ battery pack from the manual table

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Professional repair of the RC18150 charger or supply cord at an authorised Ryobi service centre
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Proper recycling disposal and immediate replacement of the defective Ryobi ONE+ battery pack

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. Professional repair of the RC18150 charger or supply cord at an authorised Ryobi service centre

    What they doIf a different battery pack also indicates Defective on the RC18150, if the enclosure, cable or adaptor plug is damaged, or if the charger has suffered any heavy shock or jolting, return the unit to an authorised Ryobi service centre for professional repair.

    They must show youthe RC18150 charger showing Red LED ON and Green LED OFF when plugged in without a battery pack, and entering Fast charging when a pack is inserted.

    In writingthe professional repair diagnosis for the RC18150 (18 V, 5 A, 140 W) charger or supply cord replacement.

  2. Proper recycling disposal and immediate replacement of the defective Ryobi ONE+ battery pack

    What they doWhen a different battery charges normally on the RC18150, confirming that the first battery pack is defective or damaged, replace the damaged pack immediately and sort the defective battery for environment-friendly recycling.

    They must show youthe replacement 18 V ONE+ battery pack charging through the 80% stage to Full (Red LED OFF, Green LED ON).

    In writingthe model reference of the replacement ONE+ battery pack and recycling intake of the defective pack.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Remove and reinstall the battery pack in the RC18150 to test a second time

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, following the first Defective bullet in manual 961152595-02.
    How:
    when both the red LED and green LED flash, remove the battery pack from the RC18150 battery port and reinstall it within the recommended charging vicinity temperature range of 10 °C to 25 °C to test the conditions a second time, making sure the pack is not damaged and shows no signs of leaked electrolyte.
    Result that matters:
    checking whether the Defective LED status repeats a second time or switches to normal charging.
    If reinstalling it switches the RC18150 to Fast charging (Red LED ON, Green LED Flashing):
    reseating resolved the contact issue.
    If the red and green flashing status repeats a second time:
    unplug the charger to inspect the port or test a different battery.
    Evidence to keep:
    a short video showing the red LED and green LED status after removing and reinstalling the battery pack.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

  2. Unplug the RC18150 charger and clean dirt or dust with a clean cloth or soft brush

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, with the product plug removed from the 220-240 V power socket.
    How:
    remove the plug of the RC18150 charger from the power socket before cleaning it. Check that the product enclosure, cable and adaptor plug are not damaged, ensure no conductive material (such as metal particles from grinding, cutting or machining processes) or fluid has entered the ventilating slots or battery port, and use a clean cloth or soft brush (never solvents, brake fluids, gasoline or penetrating oils) to remove dirt or dust.
    Result that matters:
    a clean, dry battery port and unobstructed ventilating slots without electric shock risk.
    If dust was obstructing the contacts and the battery now charges:
    always protect battery contacts from metallic objects.
    If the port and cord are clean and undamaged but Defective still flashes:
    try charging a different battery pack.
    Evidence to keep:
    a photo of the cleaned RC18150 battery port and the rating label.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

  3. Try charging a different compatible Ryobi ONE+ battery pack from the manual table

    No special tools

    Who:
    you, with a second compatible 18 V Lithium-Ion battery pack listed in the manual.
    How:
    try charging a different compatible battery pack listed in manual 961152595-02 on the RC18150 charger: RB18L13 (1.3 Ah, 20 min), RB18L15 (1.5 Ah, 25 min), RB18L20 (2.0 Ah, 30 min), RB18L25 (2.5 Ah, 40 min), RB18L26 (2.6 Ah, 40 min), RB18L40 (4.0 Ah, 50 min), or RB18L50 (5.0 Ah, 60 min).
    Result that matters:
    verifying whether the different battery enters Fast charging (Red ON, Green Flashing), reaches 80% capacity (Red OFF, Green Flashing), and finishes Full (Red OFF, Green ON).
    If the different battery charges normally:
    the first pack is defective; dispose of the defective pack properly as instructed in the Maintenance section.
    If the different battery also indicates Defective (Red and Green LEDs flashing):
    the RC18150 charger may be defective and must be returned to an authorised Ryobi service centre.
    Evidence to keep:
    the model codes of both battery packs tested (such as RB18L25 and RB18L50) and the LED response for each.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Garden
Brand
Ryobi
Product type
Cordless garden tools

Known code variants

  • Cargador Ryobi RC18150 batería o cargador defectuoso
  • RC18150 defective flashing
  • RC18150 LED roja y verde parpadeante
  • RC18150 parpadeo rojo y verde
  • RC18150 red and green LEDs flashing
  • Red and green flashing
  • Ryobi battery pack or charger is defective
  • Ryobi LED roja parpadeante y LED verde parpadeante
  • Ryobi ONE+ RC18150 estado defectuoso
  • Ryobi RC18150 charger flashing red and green
  • Ryobi red LED flashing green LED flashing

What it means

The LED charge indicator table in Ryobi original instruction manual 961152595-02 for the RC18150 charger (18 V, 5 A, 220-240 V 50/60 Hz, 140 W) assigns Red LED Flashing together with Green LED Flashing to the Defective status, stating that the battery pack or charger is defective. The manual instructs you to try to repeat the conditions a second time by removing and reinstalling the battery pack, and if the LED status repeats a second time, to try charging a different battery. Other models may differ, and this flashing pattern alone does not prove which component has failed.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Mediumsource verified

    Never immerse the tool, battery pack or charger in fluid (such as seawater, industrial chemicals, or bleach-containing products) or allow them to become contaminated with conductive metal particles from grinding, cutting or machining processes, which can cause a short circuit, fire or explosion.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

  • Highsource verified

    Hazardous voltages are present within the RC18150 charger (equipped with a 3.15 A time-lag fuse): never modify, disassemble or attempt to repair the product yourself, never recharge primary (non-rechargeable) cells, and never charge a damaged battery pack or one that shows signs of leaked electrolyte; when transporting lithium batteries, protect exposed connectors with insulating, non-conductive caps or tape and never transport cracked or leaking batteries.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Defective or damaged 18 V Lithium-Ion battery packCommon

    Manual 961152595-02 for the RC18150 charger states that if a different battery charges normally on the unit, the first battery pack is defective and must be disposed of properly.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

  • Incomplete initial seating or dirt in the RC18150 battery portPossible

    The LED charge indicator table in manual 961152595-02 instructs you to remove and reinstall the battery pack to test the condition a second time, and the Maintenance section directs you to remove dirt or dust with a clean cloth or soft brush while unplugged.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

  • Internal fault in the Ryobi RC18150 5.0 A chargerPossible

    Manual 961152595-02 notes that if a different battery also indicates Defective with both the red and green LEDs flashing, the RC18150 charger itself may be defective.

    Evidence: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

Virtual technician

Does Red and green flashing still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)

    Ryobi · 2015 · official_doc

Sources: Ryobi RC18150 18V ONE+ 5.0A Charger Original Instructions (961152595-02)reviewed 2026-10-18 · verified

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