One of the best things about modern vapes compared to the devices of the past is how much more reliable they are. You’re totally right to expect your vape to work every time you puff on it or press the fire button – whether it’s one of the most popular vapes or a lesser-known brand. Based on that reliability, it’s going to come as a bit of a shock the first time you have a vape that doesn’t behave as you expect when you try to use it. Why is your vape not working? Is it something you did, or have you managed to buy a faulty device?
The good news about dealing with a vape that isn’t working is that the solution is often simpler than you might expect. It’s usually the result of a simple failure in setting up or configuring the device, and you can generally resolve the issue in just a moment or two. It’s also possible that the problem Is more severe, though, and this article will discuss how you can tell when it’s time to replace your vape.
Let’s jump in and help you find a way to get your vape working.
Fix a Disposable Vape That Isn’t Working
We’ll start with some tips for fixing a disposable vape that isn’t working. Disposables are the most popular vapes on the market today, and that’s because they’re simple and easy to use. The simplicity also means that these devices are generally very easy to troubleshoot.
Make Sure Your Vape Is Fully Unboxed and Ready to Use
Disposable vapes don't require setting up in the traditional sense, but you still have to make sure you’ve unboxed your device correctly before you can vape. A disposable vape is specially packaged to ensure that it can’t leak or activate accidentally until you’re ready to start using it. If you have a brand-new disposable vape that’s not working, here are the key things you may have overlooked.
- Check to see if there’s a plug or cap sealing the mouthpiece. If this is the case, you won’t be able to pull air through the device. Remove the plug and discard it.
- Check to see if there’s a strip of tape over the airflow hole, which is usually at the bottom of the device. Like the plug sealing the mouthpiece, the tape prevents the device from activating before it’s removed from the box.
- If you’re using a vape with an airflow slider, you may need to open the airflow before the device will work. This is the case with the Geek Bar Pulse; when the slider is in the “Close” position, the device is turned off.
Charge the Battery
Did you use your vape for a while before it stopped working? If so, it’s likely that the battery is dead. If your vape has an indicator light, the light will blink when you puff on the device if the battery needs to be charged. A vape with a screen will have a meter that shows you the exact remaining percentage of the battery’s charge. To recharge a disposable vape, connect it to your computer with a USB cable and wait about 30-45 minutes.
Puff a Little Harder
An automatic puff sensor might seem like a complex piece of hardware, but the fact is that the puff sensor in a disposable vape is usually just a tiny moving part that completes a circuit when air passes over it. Occasionally, that component can get stuck – if the device was jostled in transit, for instance – and you’ll need to unstick it to get the device working. Try tapping your vape gently against your hand a few times. If that doesn’t work, pull air through the device a bit more firmly and see if the light turns on.
Check for a Fake Vape
Did you know that factories in China are making counterfeit disposable vapes and distributing them to unsuspecting retailers around the world by the millions? Most fake vapes end up in places like gas stations and convenience stores – so if that’s the type of place where you bought your vape, you should take a moment to authenticate the device. Go to the manufacturer’s website and enter the authenticity code on the box. If the authenticity checker says that your device is real, you probably have nothing to worry about. If the code doesn’t pass the check, though, you should return the vape to the seller.
Consider Whether Your Vape Is Empty
Disposable vapes are the most convenient vaping devices on the market, but the convenience comes with a drawback in that you need to replace your device when it’s out of e-liquid. How can you tell when a disposable vape is empty? Many modern devices actually have screens with e-liquid meters, and you can watch the meter to know when your vape is nearly done. You can also pay attention to the device’s flavor quality and vapor production, which will both drop considerably when the vape is running out of juice. When the device stops producing vapor or begins to taste badly burnt, it’s empty.
Fix a Refillable Vape That Isn’t Working
It’s also possible for a refillable vape to stop working, and that’s what we’ll discuss next. Compared to disposable vapes, refillable vapes are a bit more complex and can sometimes require a little extra troubleshooting. Here’s what you need to know.
Check for an Error Message
If you have a vape mod or pod system with a screen, checking the screen for an error message should always be the first thing that you do when your vape isn’t working. A message like “No Atomizer,” for instance, indicates that your device can’t detect the coil in the tank or pod. The error message gives you a starting point by telling you what aspect of your device you need to troubleshoot.
Charge the Battery
If your vape blinks when you try to use it or displays an error message like “Check Battery,” it’s likely that the battery is dead. Connect the vape to your computer with the included USB cable to charge the battery. Vape mods often have high-capacity batteries and take a bit longer than disposable vapes to charge. You can expect your device to charge in an hour or two depending on the capacity of the battery. If you have a vape mod with a removable battery, check the battery to make sure that it’s undamaged and installed in the correct orientation. Usually, the battery’s positive terminal should face the top of the device. In a dual-battery mod, the terminals should usually face in opposite directions.
Make Sure Your Vape Is Turned On and Unlocked
Are you sure that your vape is turned on? In most cases, you need to press the fire button on a vaping device five times to turn it on or off. In addition to the on/off function, your vape may also have a locking function. Depending on your device’s design, you may be able to unlock it by pressing the fire button three times or by moving a sliding switch.
Check for a Leak
If your vape displays a message like “No Atomizer” or “Check Atomizer” – and you’re using a pod system – the first thing that you should do is check for e-liquid under the pod. Some pod vapes can leak if they’re not filled or set up properly – and if that happens, the device may have trouble detecting the coil in the pod. Remove all of the e-liquid with cotton swabs or paper towels. Make sure that the pod’s filling plug is completely closed. If the pod has a removable coil, confirm that the coil is pushed all the way in. If the device works now, you should be all set.
Replace the Pod or Coil
If none of the other tips in this guide have helped you to get your refillable vape working, it’s time to consider the possibility that there’s something wrong with the atomizer coil in your tank or pod.
- If you’re using a pod system, make sure that the coil is installed properly. Sometimes, a coil will have flat edges in its base that need to be correctly aligned, or it won’t be possible to push the coil all the way into the pod.
- It’s also possible to install a coil incorrectly in a vape tank. If the coil pushes into a chamber in the middle of the tank, make sure that it’s aligned properly. If the coil screws into the tank’s base, confirm that it’s fully tightened.
If you’re unable to resolve the issue by following the tips above, you should try installing a new pod or coil.
Consider Whether It’s Time to Replace the Device
Many vape mods – and almost all pod vapes – have built-in batteries. Having a permanent battery makes a device lighter and less expensive, but that does come with a drawback in that you need to replace your device when the battery doesn’t hold a charge anymore. Before your vape stopped working, did you find that the battery life seemed unusually poor? It’s likely that the battery has reached the end of its life, which means that it’s time for a new vape.