When you use your vape kit, you expect it to produce a big, satisfying cloud of vapor every time you puff on it or push the button until the battery dies. When that doesn’t happen, it’s a problem – and the solution may not always be entirely straightforward. A vape that’s lighting up but not hitting is a perfect example of a problem that might not be easy to troubleshoot – so we’re going to shed some light on your situation in this article. The good news is that when your vape isn’t hitting, the problem usually stems from a configuration issue that’s fairly easy to fix. Here’s what you should do.
Check Your Device for an Error Message or Blink Code
If your vape isn’t hitting but is lighting up, the first thing that you should do is check the screen for an error message or examine the indicator light to see if it’s blinking. If your vape is blinking blue and not hitting, for instance, it could mean that the battery is dead. If you’re using a pod system, it could mean that your device can’t detect the pod. We’ll provide some of the fixes for the most common errors that your device might encounter.
1. Vape mod displays an error message like “Ohms Too High,” “Ohms Too Low,” “No Atomizer” or “Atomizer Short”:
Make sure that your tank is assembled properly and that the coil is screwed all the way in. If you’re certain that the tank doesn’t have an assembly issue, replace the coil. Click any of the links above for more specific information about troubleshooting your device’s error message.
2. Pod system blinks or lights up but isn’t hitting:
Make sure that the device is charged and that the pod isn’t empty. Remove the pod and check for a leak. If you find vape juice under the pod, dry it completely. If the device still isn’t working – or the pod hasn’t leaked – try a new pod or replace the coil.
3. Disposable vape blinks or lights up but isn’t hitting:
If the device worked previously, it’s possible that the battery is dead. Try connecting the device to your computer to charge the battery. If you have a brand-new disposable vape that isn’t working, click the link for more detailed troubleshooting information.
Make Sure Your Device Is Set Up Properly
If you have a new vaping device that isn’t working, it’s important to make sure that you’ve set it up properly to prepare it for use. Many devices also offer various configuration options, and having those options means that it’s possible to configure your device incorrectly. Here are some of the most common fixes for a vape that’s lighting up but not hitting.
- Make sure that the battery is charged. If the battery’s charge is too low for continued vaping, the device will blink or display a message to let you know that you need to charge the battery.
- Make sure that the device isn’t locked. If your vape has a manual fire button, you can usually lock and unlock it by pressing the fire button either three or five times quickly. A few vaping devices also have physical locking switches. If your device is locked, it’ll respond when you press the fire button, but it won’t produce vapor. You’ll probably also see a “Locked” message on the screen.
- If you have a device with adjustable airflow, make sure that the airflow vent isn’t closed. If air can’t flow through the device, you’ll have trouble vaping.
- If you have a device with adjustable power, make sure that the wattage isn’t turned all the way down. In this situation, your device will produce little to no vapor.
- If you have a disposable vape, make sure that you’ve checked the device for stickers and removed them. It’s common for a disposable vape to have a sticker covering the airflow opening because that helps to prevent the device from leaking or activating while it’s still in the package.
Your Device May Be Clogged
If you’re using a small 510-thread vape pen, a pod system or a disposable vape, it’s possible that your device has become clogged. This can happen in a small device because there’s very little space between the atomizer coil and the outer wall of the tank or pod. Air bubbles can get trapped in that space, and the bubbles can prevent the e-liquid from flowing through to the coil. Try tapping the device against your hand a few times to break the bubbles. Wait a few minutes for the e-liquid to absorb into your device’s wick and try vaping again.
It's also possible for a 510-threaded cartridge with thick vape oil to clog, but this type of clog can be a little more difficult to remove. Try the following steps to unclog a vape oil cartridge.
- The cartridge could be clogged because the oil is too cold and viscous to absorb into the wick. In this case, you can clear the clog by warming the cartridge using one of the below methods. When you see air bubbles rising from the cartridge's wick, you've fixed the problem. Wait a few minutes for the oil to fully saturate the wick before you resume vaping.
- You can hold the cartridge between your hands for a few minutes.
- You can seal the cartridge in a plastic bag and run warm water over it.
- You can place the cartridge in front of a heater vent.
- The cartridge could be clogged because oil is stuck in the chimney or in the intake vent. In this case, you can get the cartridge working by removing the clog with one of these methods.
- You can puff on the cartridge very firmly until you feel a pop.
- You can run a paperclip or sewing needle down the cartridge’s mouthpiece to dislodge the clog.
Your Device May Be Out of E-Liquid
In most cases, you’ll know immediately if your vaping device is completely out of e-liquid because it’ll produce a horrible burnt flavor. It’s possible, though, for a device to stop producing vapor entirely if it has an automatic temperature limiting feature. This is the case with some pod systems and disposable vapes. In this case, when the device is empty, it’ll cut off the power automatically to prevent a burnt hit. If you’re using a pod system, you can refill the pod to resolve this issue. If you’re using a disposable vape, though, it’s time to dispose of the device when it’s empty.
It's also possible for a vape mod to light up but not generate vapor if it’s in temperature control mode. You can resolve this issue by switching your device to the standard wattage-based vaping mode or by lowering your device’s power level. In temperature control mode, if a vape mod’s power level is set too high, the device won’t generate vapor because the coil will exceed the temperature limit as soon as you press the fire button. When this happens, the screen should display an error message.
Your Device May Have an Issue with the Airflow Sensor or Fire Button
If your vape has an airflow sensor to allow for puff-based firing, it’s possible that the device isn’t hitting because the airflow sensor is stuck or not working properly. You may be able to resolve this problem by blowing a firm, quick puff of air through the device. If the airflow sensor isn’t working because it’s stuck, this may get it working again.
Does your device allow both puff-based and button-based firing? If it does, then you should always try both firing modes when your device isn’t hitting. If one firing mode doesn’t work but the other does, you immediately know that it’s the puff sensor or the fire button – and not the device itself – that’s causing the problem.
We’ve already explained how to troubleshoot a problematic puff sensor above. If your device’s fire button isn’t working, that’s also usually a pretty easy problem to resolve because a non-functioning fire button is usually just dirty. Try running a toothpick around the edge of the button to remove dust, lint and old e-liquid.
If you’ve tried to troubleshoot the issue and are still unable to get one of your device’s firing modes to work, you should check the settings to see if there’s actually a configuration issue. In many cases, a vape that has dual firing modes will have a configuration option available that allows you to shut one mode off. Turning off your device’s puff sensor, for instance, helps to minimize the chance of the device activating accidentally while you’re carrying it in your pocket. Normally, you can see which firing modes are active by looking at the device’s screen. Switching between the modes might be as simple as pressing the fire button a few times, but you can check your vape’s instruction manual to be certain.
