Is your vape not working? If you’re having trouble with your disposable vape, vape pen, pod system or vape mod, you’ve found the right place because we’re going to walk you through troubleshooting any type of vape problem based on the initial symptom. Do you have a brand-new vape that isn’t working? Maybe your vape previously worked fine, but now it’s not working after a charge. We’ve got something for that too.
Get your vape fixed now. Scroll down to find your initial symptom and follow the steps to get it fixed.
Brand-New Vape Not Working
Disposable Vape
Learn More: Brand-New Disposable Vape Not Working
- Make sure that all of the packaging materials are removed and discarded. A new disposable vape almost always has a plug in the mouthpiece and will often have a sticker over the airflow vent as well.
- Try puffing a little harder in case the airflow sensor is stuck or not working properly.
- If the device has a switch on the bottom, try moving the switch. In some cases, a disposable vape’s airflow switch also functions as an on-off switch. The Geek Bar Pulse is an example of a vape with this feature.
- Try charging the battery. Although a disposable vape should always arrive with a fully charged battery, it’s possible that the device has been sitting around long enough for the battery to self-discharge.
- Check the authenticity code on the box to confirm that you don’t have a fake vape. Go to the manufacturer’s website manually and don’t use the QR code.
Refillable Vape
- Make sure that the device is charged. If you’re using a vape with a removable battery, you should also confirm that the battery is inserted properly. In most cases, the battery’s positive terminal should face the top of the device.
- Try turning the device on. If you have a vape with a fire button, you’ll usually press the button five times to turn the device on and off. If the device has no fire button, it should be on when you connect the pod or cartridge.
- If you’re using a pod vape, check for a sticker at the bottom of the pod. The sticker is there to ensure that the device can’t turn on in the box. Remove the sticker and discard it.
- Make sure that the pod, cartridge or tank is pushed or screwed fully into the device. If your vape has a removable coil, make sure that the coil is fully inserted. In many cases, a coil will have a flat edge on the bottom to ensure that it can only be installed one way.
Vape Flashing and Not Working
Learn More: Why Is My Vape Blinking?
If your vape is flashing and not working, it’s helpful to count the number of blinks and check the instruction manual to find out what problem the blinks correspond to. There are four common reasons why a vape might blink and then turn off, and we’ll discuss all four reasons here.
Dead Battery
The most common reason why a vape flashes and stops working is because the battery is dead. Connect the vape to your computer with a USB cable to charge the battery. The charging process is complete when the light changes color or turns off.
Device Locked
If your vape has a fire button, it might be locked or turned off. To turn a vape on or off, press the fire button five times. In some cases, a vape also has a separate locking function that’s usually enabled or disabled by pressing the button three times.
Overheating
If your vape is overheating, you’ll definitely know it because the device will feel unusually warm. This can happen, for example, if you’re vaping outdoors in direct sunlight. Move your vape to a cooler place and wait a while before using it again. In the future, avoid using your vape in hot environments.
Short Circuit or Coil Not Detected
Your vape might experience a short circuit if it has leaked or if you’ve just replaced the pod or coil. Here’s how to troubleshoot the issue.
- Remove the pod, tank or cartridge and check for a leak under it. Thoroughly clean and dry your vape and its components and try vaping again.
- If your vape has a replaceable coil, make sure that the coil is fully installed. If the coil twists in, make sure that it isn’t cross-threaded and try screwing it down a little more firmly. If it pushes in, make sure that it’s fully installed. Remember that if a coil has a flat edge at the bottom, it needs to be aligned with a flat edge in your pod or tank. If it’s not aligned, you won’t be able to push it in all the way.
- If nothing else works, replace the pod or coil.
Vape Not Working and Light Isn’t Coming On
Here’s what you should do if your vape doesn’t do anything at all when you puff on it or press the button.
- Make sure the device isn’t turned off by pressing the fire button five times.
- Try charging your vape. If you’re unable to charge it, we’ll discuss how to troubleshoot that issue in the next section below.
Vape Not Working After Charge
Was your vape working normally until you charged it? We’ll describe three possible reasons and explain what you should do next.
Your Vape Overheated While Charging
Did your vape feel unusually warm when you disconnected it from the charger? If so, you should check the charger that you’re trying to use. If you’re using a wall charger:
- The charger’s voltage and amperage should match what your vape is designed for. Usually, a vaping device is designed to work with a 5-volt, 1-amp charger, although there are some vapes that support faster charging. If the charger’s amperage is too high, it could potentially cause your vape to overheat.
- You shouldn’t ever use a wall adapter for a phone, tablet or computer to charge your vape. These types of devices are designed for very fast charging, and a fast charger for a mobile device is highly likely to make a vape overheat.
To guarantee that the charging parameters will be correct, it’s always best to use your computer as the power source when charging your vape.
If your vape overheated during charging, it’s possible that permanent damage was done to the battery – and if that’s the case, you’ll need to replace your device (or the battery, if it’s removable). Before you assume that your device is bad, though, you should let it cool down fully and try using it again.
Your Vape Wasn’t Actually Charging
It’s also possible that your vape didn’t actually charge when you connected the cable. You assumed that it was charging and walked away for an hour or two, but the charging process never actually started. You can confirm this by reconnecting the charging cable. Does your vape’s light turn on, or does it stay dark? If your vape isn’t charging, follow these steps to fix the problem.
- Try charging your vape with a different USB cable. It’s possible that the cable you’re trying to use is old. It’s been in a state of degradation for a while, and it’s finally reached the point where it’s no longer able to transmit power.
- Try charging your vape through a different power source. As we explained above, some vaping devices can be pretty finicky when it comes to wall chargers. For that reason, we always recommend charging your vape through your computer. If you’re already trying to charge your vape through your computer, try a different computer. Problems with computers’ USB ports are rare, but they do happen.
- Make sure that your vape’s charging port is clean. If there’s any lint, dust or other debris trapped in the port, you can remove it with a toothpick.
If your vape still isn’t charging after you’ve performed all of the above steps, it’s likely that you’ll need to replace the device or the battery.
The Problem Isn’t Related to Charging
If neither of the conditions described above seem to apply to your situation – you don’t think that your device overheated, and it seems to be charging normally – the fact that your vape stopped working after you charged it is probably a coincidence. In other words, the cause of the problem probably isn’t related to charging at all. In this case, you should go through the other subsections in this article and find the one that applies to the symptoms you’re seeing.
Vape Not Working After Being Dropped
Learn More: Dropped Vape in Water? Here’s What to Do Next
Did your vape stop working after you dropped it? Dropping a vape in water or on a hard surface is likely to cause permanent damage unless your device has features for shock or water resistance, but it may be possible in limited cases to get it working again.
Dropped Vape on a Hard Surface
If you dropped the vape on a hard surface – and it either turned off completely or now flashes when you try to use it – it’s possible that the device’s internal components are now misaligned in such a way that the vape can no longer operate safely. If you’re using a disposable vape, it’s best to recycle the device at this point because trying to use a device with a damaged battery is potentially dangerous.
If you’re using a vape mod or pod system, it’s possible that the coil or pod is now misaligned. Troubleshoot this issue using the “Short Circuit or Coil Not Detected” section above. If you’re unable to fix your device, the problem is probably related to battery damage, and you should recycle the device in this case.
Dropped Vape in Water
If you dropped your vape in water, you should immediately turn it off and blow out as much of the excess water as you can. Seal your vape in a plastic bag. Add some cat litter or desiccant and wait a couple of days for it to absorb any remaining moisture. If the device works afterwords, you’ve successfully fixed it.