Nominal voltage of your battery is 4,2V ?
What is the load voltage of your charger and in-charge intensity ?
I don't think it comes from charger. If you let them down to 3V, I'm almost sure they are dead.
There is something I'm missing.
I got a laser diode with two pins. + and -
It is supposed to work with 2V DC.
If I take a 2V DC battery, why would I need any kind of regulator ?
Thanks.
Edit : Didn't took in fact that it is a semi-conductor and the current isn't linear to voltage.