A Guide to Troubleshooting the Most Common Vaping Problems
We’ve put together this handy troubleshooting guide for you to refer to if you encounter any issues with your vaping device or your vaping experience.
Vaping should be an easy and enjoyable experience - but sometimes things can go wrong which can be pretty frustrating. You’ll be pleased to know that most vape problems can be resolved really easily; so we’ve compiled this troubleshooting guide to the most common vape issues we get asked about.
Check this list the next time you run into problems with your vaping device, and quickly get back to enjoying your vape!
Troubleshooting topics
I don’t think I’m getting enough puffs from my disposable vape kit
Monitor how long of a draw you’re taking
Puff count is based on an average draw length which you could be exceeding. If you’re consistently getting fewer puffs than you expect, it’s time to switch up to a refillable and rechargeable vape kit which will better suit your style of vaping, and be more cost effective/less wasteful in the long run.
Take ‘vape breaks’
Make a conscious decision as to when you actually need to vape (as you would have done with a cigarette) rather than carrying your vape around with you in your hand, as you might be puffing away subconsciously. Keep it in your pocket/handbag when you’re out and about, or leave it in a designated vaping area when you’re at home.
Make sure you’re getting the right amount of nicotine
You may be drawing for longer, or taking more puffs than you realise, because you aren’t satisfying your cravings. Try moving up to a higher nicotine strength for a while until your cravings subside and you aren’t reaching for your vape as often.
If your disposable is the maximum 20mg already, then you may be vaping too much and taking in more nicotine that you did when smoking; thereby increasing your tolerance. Again, taking conscious ‘vape breaks’ will help you to naturally reduce your nicotine requirements.
Consider that it may be from a faulty batch
These are electronic devices with multiple components. They are perfectly capable of going wrong every now and again. If you think the device is at fault, just get in touch with us. Our customer service team will happily talk you through your options and, if necessary, replace your faulty device.
My disposable vape bar tastes burnt
Give the wick chance to resoak
If you vape all of the liquid contained within the coil, without giving it a chance to soak up more juice, you will end up sucking on burnt cotton. Countering this is simple. After you’ve taken a couple of puffs, put the device down and leave it a minute before you go in for another draw.
Change the position of the vape bar
If the tank is nearly empty, just tilt the device, or tip it upside down for a while, to make sure you get the last of the juice into the coil. Also, if the wick is getting to the end of its life, it might not be soaking up the liquid as well as it did at the beginning. Just letting it sit for a while could give you a bit longer with your disposable device.
Your disposable could be faulty
These are electronic devices with multiple components. They are perfectly capable of going wrong every now and again. If you think the device is at fault, just get in touch with us. Our customer service team will happily talk you through your options and, if necessary, replace your faulty device.
If none of that worked:
Ultimately, these are disposable vape devices. They aren’t designed to last forever. Once the reservoir of e-liquid is empty, or the battery runs out of charge, it’s time for a new one.
Disposable vape bars are intended to replace the approximate number of puffs you would expect from a packet of cigarettes. However, it still varies from brand to brand. If your current vape isn’t giving you enough bang for your buck, check the other disposable options for one with a larger vape juice volume, or switch to a refillable vape kit.
My vape kit battery doesn’t stay charged for long
Consider how much you vape through the day
It may be that you have purchased a vape kit with a smaller battery capacity than is required to handle your vaping needs. Check the mAh rating of your device - the higher the mAh rating of the battery, the more charge it can hold, and thus, the longer it can power the device. Consider switching to a higher storage capacity if you aren’t getting a full day’s charge.
Are you charging your vape kit correctly?
Rechargeable batteries will serve you for a long time, as long as you charge them correctly. Charging lithium-ion batteries to 100% can reduce their lifespan, so it’s recommended to cycle between 85% and 25% to prolong their longevity. Don’t leave your vape kit on charge overnight as it will overcharge; plus after every 30 charges, allow your battery to completely discharge before recharging.
Is your battery actually charging?
Check that your charging cable is free from damage, and that the connections are clean. When you plug your vape kit in to charge, it will give you a signal to let you know that connection has been made and charging is in progress.
Make sure your USB socket is free from debris
Check that your charging socket is free from fluff and crumbs. Use a toothpick, or similar, to dig out any debris to ensure a clean connection for charging.
My vape kit is leaking e-liquid
Don't overfill your vape kit
Check that you haven’t overfilled the pod/tank causing e-liquid to pool within the central tube. Leaving a small amount of air within the pod/tank creates a vacuum which helps to stop vape juice leakage.
Don't over tighten your tank to the battery
Make sure that all of the components are properly threaded, but not over tightened.
Check your pod/tank hasn't cracked
If your tank glass is cracked, then we stock replacement glass for a wide range of atomisers. If it’s your pod that has cracked, then it’s time to change to a new one.
Has your vape kit been on its side for a while?
We would always recommend leaving your vaping device standing upright when not in use.
Have you just been on a plane?
If you’ve recently taken a flight, the change in air pressure will force your vape juice out of the pod/tank through any available gaps. Always empty your vape pod/tank before take-off.
There is e-liquid build-up around the connections of my pod kit
I’m getting e-liquid leaking through the airflow of my vape pod/tank
No direct heat
Make sure your vape kit hasn’t been left in a hot place causing the device to overheat and the e-liquid to thin.
What’s your vaping style?
Examine how you’re vaping - if your device is designed for DTL vaping, but you’re MTL vaping, you may be causing the device to overheat and the e-liquid to thin.
Mouth-to-lung (MTL) is the vaping style that most closely replicates smoking. Most people switching from smoking will start by MTL vaping as it feels the most natural way for smokers to inhale.
Direct-to-lung ( DTL) is most commonly employed by experienced vapers. For transitioning smokers it can feel like a strange way to inhale.
What e-liquid/coil combination are you using?
If your coil is low resistance (sub-ohm) then it has bigger airflow holes which are designed for use with higher VG (thicker) vape juice. If your e-liquid contains too much PG (thinner) then it can end up leaking out of the airflow.
My vape kit isn’t working
Check if it’s turned on
Have you pressed the power button too often and turned it off? The majority of vape kits can be turned on and off by clicking the firing button a number of times in quick succession. Depending on the brand of battery/kit, this may be 3, 5 or 6 times - check your user manual for details.
Check for connection issues
The terminal between the battery and the pod/tank needs to be clean. Use a cotton bud to clear away any dust particles and gunked up vape juice.
I’m not getting any draw from my vaping device
Is there enough e-liquid in your tank/pod?
Make sure that the wicking holes in the coil are always submerged so your vape juice can be soaked up by the coil and transformed into vapour.
Check for connection issues
The terminal between the battery and the pod/tank needs to be clean. Use a cotton bud to clear away any dust particles and gunked up vape juice.
If none of that worked:
The odd coil can be a dud - even if it’s fresh out of the pack and properly primed. Sometimes the cotton can get too tightly wound within the coil which means no airflow can get through to give you the draw you’re used to. Change the coil for a new one, and let us know about the faulty coil so that we can replace it for you.
My e-liquids are turning dark
Where are you storing your e-liquids?
Store your e-liquid bottles in a cool, dark, dry environment. Read our guide to proper vape juice storage for more information.
How long has your vape juice been in the pod/tank?
Exposure to heat, UV and oxygen can cause e-liquid to darken over time. If you don’t vape very often, then consider only half filling your pod/tank to avoid colour changes.
What is the nicotine strength of your e-liquid?
Higher nicotine levels will oxidise faster and cause your vape liquid to darken more quickly.
Make sure your tank is clean
Any residue of old e-liquid can affect the new juice in the pod/tank.
I’m getting a dry hit / burnt taste when I vape
Is there enough e-liquid in your tank/pod?
Make sure that the airflow holes in the coil are always submerged to avoid the coil drying out.
I’m not getting big enough clouds when I vape
Check the VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid
VG is the ingredient that produces the big clouds so, if you’re not satisfied with your vapour production, you should consider switching to a vape juice with a high VG content. Make sure that you have the correct vape kit/coil combination to handle high VG liquids.
Check for connection issues
The terminal between the battery and the pod/tank needs to be clean. Use a cotton bud to clear away any dust particles and gunked up vape juice.
I’m not getting enough of a throat hit when I vape
Check the VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid
PG is the ingredient that provides throat hit so, if you’re not satisfied, you may want to switch to a higher PG vape juice. Make sure that you have the correct vape kit/coil combination to handle high PG liquids.
What kind of nicotine does your e-liquid contain?
Freebase nicotine delivers a sharper throat hit than nicotine salt, so if that’s the effect you’re after, consider switching to freebase vape juice. If you’re already vaping freebase, is the nicotine strength high enough? As nicotine strength increases, so does the throat hit.
What is the flavour of your e-liquid?
Menthol, tobacco, and citrus flavours deliver more of a throat hit than sweet, fruity, and creamy options.
I’m getting too much of a throat hit when I vape
Check the VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid
PG is the ingredient that provides throat hit so, if you’re not satisfied, you may want to switch to a higher VG vape juice. Make sure that you have the correct vape kit/coil combination to handle high VG liquids.
What kind of nicotine does your e-liquid contain?
Freebase nicotine delivers a sharper throat hit than nicotine salt, so if you dislike the effect, consider switching to nic salt vape juice. If you’re already vaping nic salts, is the nicotine strength too high? As nicotine strength increases, so does the throat hit.
What is the flavour of your e-liquid?
Menthol, tobacco, and citrus flavours deliver the most throat hit, so you might want to try switching to one of the many sweet, fruity, or creamy flavours on offer.
I’m not getting enough of a nicotine hit when I vape
What strength of nicotine does your e-liquid contain?
Have you reduced the nicotine strength of your vape juice too quickly to adequately satisfy your cravings after quitting smoking? You may need to increase the strength for a while until your cravings are under control.
What kind of nicotine does your e-liquid contain?
Freebase nicotine e-liquids deliver nicotine into the blood more slowly than cigarettes, which can leave you thinking that you’re not getting the instant hit that you did when you smoked. Try changing to a vape juice that contains nic salts, as they have a far faster nicotine absorption rate.
What’s your vaping style?
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping is achieved by long, gentle drags on your vape kit, which will produce the best nicotine hit. If you’re trying to vape a high nicotine vape juice in a Direct-to-Lung (DTL) style, you will not benefit from decent nicotine absorption.
I’m not getting enough flavour from my e-liquid when I vape
Try having a drink
If you have perfume/aftershave on, or a scented candle burning, after a while you become ‘nose blind’. The scent hasn’t gone away, but your ability to detect it has. The same can apply to flavour; it’s called olfactory fatigue. Take a swig of water to flush your taste buds to see if that helps.
How old is your e-liquid?
Oxidation can lead to degradation in the flavour of vape juice over time. If you find that your bottles of e-liquid are lasting you a while, try switching to smaller bottles, and make sure that you’re storing your vape juice correctly.
Change to a different flavour
If you’ve been vaping the same flavour for a while, and you only vape one flavour, you may be suffering from vaper’s tongue (which is just like olfactory fatigue mentioned above). Switching your flavours around periodically usually does the trick. Even if there’s only one flavour you like, try changing brands as different manufacturers will use different food grade flavourings that could solve your problem.
Check for connection issues
The terminal between the battery and the pod/tank needs to be clean. Use a cotton bud to clear away any dust particles and gunked up vape juice to make sure that no grubby build-up is affecting flavour delivery.
If none of that worked:
Do you currently have a cold, or Covid? Our sense of taste is hugely affected by our sense of smell, so Covid and colds can often be the culprit of things tasting bland or nasty. Also, stress, certain infections and/or medications can lead to a temporary change or loss of taste.
I’m getting spitting and/or gurgling sounds when I vape
Try flicking your vape kit
Remove the mouthpiece / drip tip (if possible) and flick the device towards the floor (preferably outside or into some tissue) to remove any excess vape juice from the coil.
Try blowing into your vape kit
Power off your device and alternately blow and draw gently through the mouthpiece to clear any excess vape juice from around the coil.
Don't overfill your vape kit
Check that you haven’t overfilled the pod/tank causing e-liquid to pool within the central tube. Leaving a small amount of air within the pod/tank creates a vacuum which helps to stop vape juice collecting in the mouthpiece.
Thoroughly clean your pod/tank
Take the pod/tank apart and run it under warm water to clear out any excess juice - thoroughly dry with clean kitchen paper before putting your device back together.
So there you have it!
These are the most common vaping issues that we get asked about, and our recommendations for solving them. We will keep this list updated as and when new problems become commonplace.
However, in the meantime, if you have a question about vaping that doesn’t appear in this troubleshooting guide, get in touch with one of our vaping experts.