Why Your Vape Kit Isn't Working: Troubleshooting Common Problems
There's nothing worse than reaching for your vape only to find it isn't working. When cravings hit, you don't want to be caught short.
That's why, in this guide, we will help you troubleshoot some of the most common problems you may experience while vaping that prevent your kit from working properly. Our UK-based customer care team and resident vaping experts have guided thousands of customers through their vape kit woes over the years and have compiled their collective experience in this troubleshooting guide.
Read on as we explore the most common reasons a vape kit might not be working, their typical causes, and potential solutions you can try to fix the issues yourself.
My Vape Battery Won't Switch On
One of the most common issues people experience with their vape kits is the device simply not switching on.
This issue can occur at any time, with just as many of our customers experiencing it with brand new kits straight out of the box as those who have been using their devices for some time.
There are a handful of common causes and fixes you can try to resolve this issue, which we will explain below:
Causes
The most common reasons a vape kit won't turn on include:
- User error - not knowing how to turn on your specific vape kit model.
- Battery has insufficient charge / shows a "Low Battery" warning.
- Wear and tear - more common in older vape kits or those owned by people with a more physical job/lifestyle.
Fixes
The best ways to try and fix the issue:
- While not a universal rule, most vape kits require you to click a button a certain number of times to turn the device on or off. Some kits require 5 clicks, others three, and others may be different again - if in doubt, check your specific device's manual, it will almost always tell you how to properly turn it on.
- Ensure the battery is fully charged, using the cable provided. Most modern vape kits will have either a screen, or at least LED lights denoting your current battery level (Red = 20% Blue = 50% Green = 75% for example). Keep an eye on your battery level and ensure the device has enough charge before trying to turn it on. Many vape kits come out of the box with only a partial charge, so don't assume they will work right away.
- Vape kits aren't indestructible, and they don't last forever. If your kit won't turn on anymore, even if fully charged, but is a few years old, it is probably time for a replacement. Vape kit internal components can degrade over time with wear and tear, and it is not unheard of for them to simply stop working.
This same logic applies if your device gets knocked around a lot, such as if you work in construction or have other physical jobs/lifestyles - there's only so much punishment they can take before things start going wrong internally. We recommend trying to keep your kit out of harm's way as much as possible to prolong its lifespan.
My Vape Keeps Saying "Shorted" or doesn't work when I Inhale
If you try to vape and your device displays a warning saying either "shorted" or simply does nothing at all, it's likely there is an issue with the electrical contact points.
When something "short-circuits", it essentially means the electricity doesn't or cannot follow the intended path. In vaping terms, this means the current from your device battery is not reaching the coil as intended, preventing it from heating up and turning the e-liquid into vapour.
Explore the causes and fixes below to see if they can resolve the problem:
Causes
The most common reasons a vape kit shows a "shorted" error message or won't fire up include:
- Corrupted electrical contact points.
- The vape pod or coil is not installed correctly.
- Wear and tear - more common in older vape kits or those owned by people with a more physical job/lifestyle.
Fixes
The best ways to try and fix the issue:
- Pretty much every refillable vape will have a connection point of some kind, and ensuring that these are clean and kept in tact is a vital part of vape kit maintenance.
If you use a refillable pod vape, there will be copper connectors on the bottom of the pod as well as in the device where your pod sits. These can get vape juice on, or debris/pocket fluff and this will then cause issues as it won't recognize you have a pod connected and your vape isn't going to work.
If your vape tank screws in to your vape, this will be a 510 connection as standard, and it's good to keep the connection port clean, and don't overtighten it too much as this can cause wear to the threads and not create a proper connection.
Always give your connector area a wipe with some tissue every so often as this will keep it clean and keep your vape working how it should! - A lot of vape pods are sold with adhesive tabs covering the contact points, which are not always obvious. If you are using a new pod, ensure these are all removed to complete the circuit.
If using a device with a tank or removable coils, ensure all sections are properly screwed together and that the coil is properly installed - Even a quarter turn of a screw-fit vape tank can make the difference between a complete or broken circuit. - Always try to keep your vape kit out of harm's way, even if you have an active lifestyle/job. Wear and tear, especially over long periods of time, can cause certain parts to fail, and electrical contact points can be particularly sensitive to damage and debris.
If using a vape kit with screw-fit parts, the threading can become damaged or warped over time or through intense use. This can prevent parts from seating correctly, which can lead to the short circuit warning or prevent the device from working at all when activated.
My Vape Keeps Saying "No Coil" or "Check Atomizer"
"Check Atomizer" is a very common warning that most vapers will experience at least once in their vaping journey, provided they used a kit with a screen capable of displaying the error message.
If you're new to vaping, you might not understand what this means so we will explain.
If you try to use your vape but nothing comes through, despite it being fully charged and with a suitable coil/pod installed, this is when the warning may appear. "Check Atomizer" indicates there's an issue with your coil, preventing the device from properly detecting it or reading its resistance (ohms).
This kind of issue can be caused by a number of things, which we will explain below:
Causes
The most common reasons a vape kit shows a "Check Atomizer" error message include:
- The vape pod/coil is not installed properly.
- The coil resistance is not suitable for the device.
- Obstructed electrical contact points
- Faulty coil/device
Fixes
The best ways to try and fix the issue:
- Ensure all tabs are removed from new vape pods that might prevent them from sitting properly in the device. You should also check there is no debris in the device that may prevent the coil/pod from seating properly. If your device has screw-fit parts, ensure they are properly tightened as this can also prevent coils from connecting properly - even small discrepancies can prevent the coil from being detected.
- Despite most modern vape kits only having suitable pods/coils available for their power output, there are rare exceptions that might demand too much of your battery. Vaporesso, for example, launched the Xros Pro not long after they release the Xros 3 pod vape kit - both kits use the same pods, however the Pro model came with a 0.4ohm pod that demanded more power than the Xros 3's battery could provide, which would trigger a "check atomiser" warning.
Always ensure you stick to coils/pods that suit your battery's power output. You can find information to help guide this on product pages before purchase and in manuals after the fact. If you are ever unsure, you can seek advice from our UK-based customer service team. - Always ensure you have removed all tabs from new vape pods, and cleared any debris/e-liquid residue from contact points between your device battery and coil. This will help guarantee the circuit will be complete, and you won't get any error messages.
- While rare, vape coils are mass-manufactured and occasionally faults can be present, which may prevent the coil from working out of the pack. If possible, try testing another coil so you can be confident there is not a problem with the vape kit itself. If you experience this issue, you should contact the seller of the coils so it can be raised with their suppliers, and so you can replace/ be refunded.
I Can't Vape Properly With My Device, The Inhale Is Too Restricted
It is quite common, especially when using an older vape kit or one with features you may not have gotten used to, for the inhale draw to feel restricted or tight.
This can be caused by a few different things, ranging from very simple to more complex issues, but there are fixes available that we will explore below:
Causes
The most common reasons a vape kit has a restricted inhale draw include:
- The device's airflow is not properly adjusted.
- The airflow channels are obstructed.
- The vape coil may be flooded or damaged.
Fixes
The best ways to try and fix the issue:
- The majority of modern vape kits feature adjustable airflow. This is most commonly a slider located somewhere on the device battery or pod/tank. If your draw feels too tight, find the slider and adjust the airflow according to your preference.
- In order for your device to pull air through the coil when you inhale, it relies on internal and external airflow channels being clear. Over time, these channels can become clogged with a combination of e-liquid residue, condensation from air/breath, and debris like fluff and small dirt particles. Ensure they are kept clean and free from obstruction to avoid an overly-restricted inhale. This can be done by giving it a gentle blow to clear anything out, or using a toothpick if your airflow has tiny holes.
An easy mistake to make, especially when using a new vape kit, is to hold it in such a way that your hand covers the airflow channels, which can give the impression that the draw is overly restricted. Familiarise yourself with the device and locate these airflow holes to ensure you don't cover them when holding the kit to vape. - If your vape coil has been in use for some time, it may start to degrade which can obstruct the airflow channel, particularly if the wicking material has become swollen. This can also occur if the wrong type of e-liquid is used or if the tank/pod is overfilled, which can "flood" the coil, also restricting airflow. The best resolution to this is to replace the coil, and take care to match the right e-liquid to your chosen device type, which you can learn more about in our guide.
My Device Produces Too Much/Little Flavour and Vapour When I Inhale
It's very common, especially amongst newer vapers, to find that your device is struggling to produce much vapour and flavour. Equally, you might find that it is producing way too much vapour, causing you to cough or generally have a bad vaping experience.
This issue is most common with vape kits with adjustable power settings. If you experience this with a vape kit that auto-adjusts the power, then it could be a sign that you are using the wrong pod/coil. In the worst case, it could mean that the internal microchips are faulty, which you won't be able to fix yourself.
The good news is that in most cases, this should be easy to fix, and the main causes for these kinds of issues are most often linked to your device's power settings, which we will explain below:
Causes
The most common reasons a vape kit delivers too much or too little flavour/vapour include:
- The device's power output is not properly adjusted (primarily applies to kits with adjustable wattage).
- You are using the wrong device/coil for your preferred e-liquid type.
Fixes
The best ways to try and fix the issue:
- Ensuring your device's power settings are properly adjusted is vital if you want the vape kit to work properly. The ideal wattage range depends on your chosen pod/coil. Your device's manual and compatible coils should give you an optimum power range to stick to if you need support.
If you have your output set too low, then this won't heat the coil up properly and you'll get little to no hit or vapour production. If you have it set too high, it's going to heat your coil up way too quickly and likely burn the cotton and ruin the coil, as well as produce way too much vapour to vape comfortably. You can learn more about what wattage your vape needs to be set at by reading our handy guide that explains everything you need to know.
If your device has adjustable wattage, make sure it is set to an appropriate level for your coil/pod. Turn off or lock the device to prevent buttons from being accidentally pressed in a pocket or bag that might change the power without you noticing. - While most manufacturers make it hard for you to make this error, certain models have multiple coil options covering a huge range of power outputs, meaning you may be using one that isn't suitable for your device.
If the coil needs more power than the battery can give, it will likely gurgle and produce minimal flavour/vapour (if it works at all). Equally, if your power setting is much higher than the recommended range of a coil, it may produce an uncomfortable amount of vapour and heat, as well as risk burning out the coil altogether.
The best way to avoid this is by always checking the appropriate power settings for a new pod/coil before using it, to ensure it is suitable and that you understand how to set the wattage properly.
My Vape Tank/Pod Is Leaking
This is probably one of the most common issues a vaper will experience throughout their journey, it can be very messy and impractical.
There are a few potential reasons your vape kit might be leaking, but thankfully, the solutions are quite simple and you should be able to fix/prevent the issue quite quickly as we explain below:
Causes
The most common reasons a vape tank/pod leaks include:
- The coil/pod is not installed properly.
- The tank/pod is damaged.
- The coil is flooded or has degraded.
- The coil's seals are missing/damaged.
- The tank/pod has been filled incorrectly.
Fixes
The best ways to try and fix the issue:
- Always ensure the coil/pod is properly installed in the device with no gaps or obstructions. This is particularly important in kits with fully replaceable coils separate from pods/tanks, as these can sometimes not be pushed or screwed in properly, allowing e-liquid to gradually leak.
- Check your pod/tank regularly for any signs of damage, like chips and cracks, that might leak when filled with e-liquid. If your tank has screw-fit parts, ensure the threading is not damaged, as this can cause leaks over time.
- If you overfill your tank/pod, you risk flooding the coil or causing leaks due to adverse pressure inside the vessel - always leave a few ml of space inside the pod/tank to avoid this.
Equally, if your coil is getting a bit old and has been in use for a good while, the wicking material may swell or degrade, which can allow e-liquid to seep into airflow channels, causing leaks and spitting when you vape. To remedy this, you must change the coil/pod for a fresh one. - This issue is far more common in vape kits with tanks rather than pods. The coils and often other modular parts of a vape tank have silicon O-rings that act as seals when the device is properly put together. If these are damaged or missing they will almost always cause leaks, so check them regularly as a part of your maintenance process and replace when necessary to avoid the issue - kits that have these O-rings often come with spares in the starter kit, or you can buy them from specialist vape stores.
- This issue is more common amongst new vapers, but accidents do happen even to veterans. Trying to add e-liquid anywhere other than the intended filling port can cause leaks, especially if you accidentally get e-liquid in the central airflow channel in the middle of the coil/pod. In most cases, you will need to discard the coil/pod, clean the device and start again, as the e-liquid will easily flow through the airflow channels and spread quickly if you don't act fast.
Troubleshooting Other Common Vape Kit Problems
If the information above hasn't solved your vape kit woes, check out these other common FAQs our customers ask when having trouble:
Why Won't My Vape Turn On?
Why Won't My Vape Turn On?
The most common way to turn a vape on and off is a series of quick clicks of the fire button, either three or 5 within a short window of 2 seconds. Make sure you're doing this quick enough and it should turn your vape back on.
The other solution to the problem would be making sure your vape is charged fully as if it isn't, then chances are it isn't going to turn on! Most devices have a power indicator or LED display that will flash if it is depleted – alternatively make sure the circuit is complete; tanks sometimes come with adjustable connection pins so make sure it’s set up properly.
There's Enough Charge in My Battery, Why Is My Vape Still Not Turning On?
There's Enough Charge in My Battery, Why Is My Vape Still Not Turning On?
Most vapes take a few clicks, on average 3-5, to actually turn on. This feature is intended to stop it accidentally being activated in a pocket or bag.
Make sure it’s turned on before you assume it’s broken!
Connection pins can sometimes get squashed, which can stop the current passing through regardless of charge. Double check them!
Make sure the coil is the correct resistance for your chosen device – you can learn more about this in our guide.
The most important thing is to ensure the ohms are suitable for the watts your device puts out. Too much or too little power can prevent some devices from firing at all if they have the wrong coil fitted as a safety precaution.
Why Am I Getting Minimal To No Flavour?
Why Am I Getting Minimal To No Flavour?
You might be vaping and find that the flavour of your vape juice isn't coming through as much as you'd hoped. The reason for this happening could be because your wattage settings isn't right as we mentioned above. If your wattage is too low, your coil isn't going to heat up properly and operate at optimal levels, so ensure to check your wattage settings if you're experiencing a muted flavour from your vape juice.
Another thing worth keeping in mind is to make sure you're using the correct vape juice for your device. If you're using a High VG vape juice with a high ohm coil, then it's not going to pull through the coil properly and the flavour will be slightly muted. 50-50 juices require a lower power device with a coil rated at 1.0ohm or above. High-VG juices require a higher power device, with a coil rated 0.9ohm or below (sub-ohm). Nic Salts can be vaped in the same type of device as 50-50’s.
If you are confident that you have the correct juice for your device, then make sure the power output is suitable, as too much could give you a burnt taste, too little won’t heat the coil enough to kick out the flavour you are after.
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
Every vaper would have experienced a "burnt hit" in their time, and we'll explain why this happens. The simple explanation is that the cotton inside your coil has deteriorated and become burnt, and this will cause your vape juice to taste off compared to normal, and chances are you're going to get a burnt cotton taste when you vape.
This will signal it's time to change your vape coil! Put a fresh pod or coil in, top it up and then the burnt taste should be no more! (Providing you've primed the coil correctly and are using the correct power settings)
Why Am I Not Getting Much Vapour?
Why Am I Not Getting Much Vapour?
Check your airflow – this can prevent any vapour being pulled through if closed.
Check the battery level – if it’s running low, it will produce less vapour!
Check your power settings – you’ll need to be hitting at least the lowest recommended power level for your chosen coil (it’s written on the coil if you need to check this).
Ensure that your wattage settings are set correctly to the coil ohm resistance you're using. If you're using a 0.4ohm coil, this will need around 25w-35w of power for the coil to function properly, and get maixmum flavour from your vape juice. If it's run any lower, the coil won't function properly and it won't produce much vapour.
Remember, the higher the wattage, the bigger the clouds!
Why Am I Not Feeling Any Nicotine Hit, Or Am Getting Light-Headed When I Vape a Lot?
Why Am I Not Feeling Any Nicotine Hit, Or Am Getting Light-Headed When I Vape a Lot?
This is not likely down to your device but your e-liquid. If you are struggling to work out which strength is right for you, check out our guides for both freebase and nic salt strengths.
If you are vaping something too weak vs your previous smoking habit, you likely won’t get the hit you need, nor will it satisfy your cravings. Equally, vaping something too strong will lead to you experiencing the symptoms of nicotine overdose – which includes lightheadedness and nausea.
Why Is My Vape Tank/Atomiser Leaking?
Why Is My Vape Tank/Atomiser Leaking?
This could be down to cross-threading when you have put it together, which can be easily remedied. A little trickier, but also possible, is to check and replace the silicone O-rings, which are seated in multiple points of your device where the different parts connect, like above and below the tank glass. Most mod kits with removable tanks will come with spares in the box for this reason.
Why Is Vape Juice Coming Through When I Vape?
Why Is Vape Juice Coming Through When I Vape?
This either means your coil isn’t installed correctly, or that it has flooded – in either case, it will need to be removed to solve the problem. Once corrected, make sure to clean out the airflow of your device as liquid can hide in here after a leak.
I Bought a New Vape Tank - Why Won't Stay On The Battery?
I Bought a New Vape Tank - Why Won't Stay On The Battery?
Unfortunately, this almost certainly means you have bought a non-compatible tank for your battery. It’s always worth double-checking what your battery can accept before buying a new tank, as there are no guarantees of a universal fit.
The only solution is to find a tank that does fit – a top tip when trying a new tank is to screw it to the battery dry and empty, just to test if the treading is compatible. This way, you might be able to return a tank you can’t use, as it won’t have been spoiled by e-liquid.
