Vape not working? There are a few common culprits if you get less than satisfactory results. 

Here are the most common areas for a disposable vape that won’t work, along with potential fixes to try:

1. Ensure Your Device is Charged

The first port of call if your vape isn’t working is to check the charge or level of your battery. Many devices come with a light or indicator to show when the device is charged and/or firing. 

Check for lights when you try and fire the device. No lights mean the device has run out of battery. With some devices, the light will pulse or flash several times if the battery level is low.

Suggested Fixes:

If your device is not rechargeable, then there isn’t too much you can do when it comes to dead batteries.

If you have a rechargeable device, plug it into the charger. Pay careful attention to whether this causes any lights to come on. You may have a dud if the device’s light remains out even when charging.

WARNING: Do not attempt to charge your device if it is not specified as being rechargeable. Batteries that aren’t meant to be recharged can swell, ignite or explode if you try to recharge them.

2. Check the Mouthpiece

Your device may actually be firing, but something is blocking the vapor flow. The mouthpiece is the driving force behind sufficient airflow. It can be easily blocked (especially if you keep your vape in lint-ridden pockets).

Suggested Fixes

If the mouthpiece is removable, remove it and hold it up to the light to see if there are any obstructions.

With non-removable mouthpieces, use a toothpick or Q-tip to gently check if there is anything that could be blocking the mouthpiece.

3. Check The ELiquid Level

One key area that causes disposable vapes to malfunction is a lack of e-juice. While manufacturers often offer a suggested ‘puff count’, this is based on average use. If you hit your vape longer or harder, there is a good chance that the juice will be exhausted sooner. 

Suggested Fixes

It can be hard to check the eliquid level for most disposable vapes. A surefire sign of a lack of juice is a burned or harsh taste. If this is the case, it may be time to purchase a new one.

On some disposables, you may be able to remove the mouthpiece. Underneath the mouthpiece there is usually a rubber seal, along with a wad of cotton that is holding the ejuice. If this cotton looks dried up, then that’s a good indication that your disposable is out of ejuice.

4. Check Airflow

The mouthpiece is not the only area to influence airflow. Many vapes have small air intakes that allow air to flow into your device. Due to the size of the holes, they can  easily become blocked. 

Also, some devices are activated by the vacuum effect of you sucking on the mouthpiece. Light puffs are sometimes not enough to activate the device.

Suggested Fixes

As with the mouthpiece, a toothpick or pin can gently clear away debris in and around the airflow holes.

If you have a draw-activated disposable device with more than one airflow hole, try covering up one of the holes and taking a draw. This increases the suction on the switch and also, due to the increased vacuum pressure, can sometimes clear debris from the other airflow hole.

How to Fix a Disposable Vape that Isn't Working - 2

5. Gently Tap and Shake

Sometimes air bubbles can form in your juice reservoir, meaning it isn’t in contact with the coil. This can lead to muted flavor or a burnt taste as the wicking in the coil dries out. This is an easy fix, especially if your device is brand new.

Suggested Fix:

Give your device a gentle tap or shake to dislodge any air bubbles. Wait for a few minutes, and then try hitting your device again to see if there is any improvement.

6. Take a Break

If you hit your vape often, the wicking material (responsible for ensuring juice flows to the coil) may be a little dry. This can lead to a weaker vape or, in extreme cases, a strong acrid or burned taste in your vape.

Suggested Fixes

Give your device a little rest. Five minutes is good, but ten is better. If you think you may have dried out your coil, give your disposable vape a couple of gentle shakes and swirls to ensure the juice will soak into the coil and wicking.

If your disposable vape is working and this happens often, consider reducing the number or strength of hits you take with each use. 

7. Disassemble Your Vape

Most disposable vapes come with few options for complete disassembly. While there are guides that will show you how to do it, it is not advisable. The inner components can be quite delicate, and there is a strong chance that even if you succeed in taking your device apart, it won’t be as easy to reassemble.

If you are the kind of vaper who likes to take things apart or wants more reliability, a good suggestion would be to check out some pod vapes. This way, you can replace faulty components, like a bad pod, without discarding an entire device.

8. Consider a Return

Disposable vapes are mass-produced, and, as the name would suggest, they are generally a ‘use and throw away’ kind of deal.

Due to inconsistencies in mass manufacture, now and again a dud sneaks its way in!

Suppose you have tried all of the above steps without success. In that case, there is a strong possibility that you have just been unlucky and acquired a faulty device.

What can you do if your new disposable vape isn’t working?

As a ‘when all else fails,’ it is often a good idea to return to where you bought it from. If this is a brick-and-mortar store, they should be happy to exchange it with proof of purchase. 

Online customers have a couple of options as well. You can either contact the manufacturer directly, or simply return the device for a replacement.