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Troubleshooting Common Vaping Problems

Whilst getting a new vape can be a thrilling experience, it can also be frustrating when your vape doesn't work the way that you expect it to. It can leave you scratching your head and wondering what's gone wrong.

Here at Grey Haze we understand the pain of a problematic vape, but never fear, for our Vape Troubleshooting Guide is here to help!

Why Your Vape is Not Working? Common Vape Issues

Vapes can be super simple, but due to their technologically advanced design they can also be a bit sensitive, which is why we've taken the time to list common problems that you might encounter. If your issue is on the list, keep reading to find out how you could fix it.

  1. Your vape tastes burnt
  2. Your vape isn't producing smoke/vapour
  3. Your vape is leaking
  4. Your vape won't turn on/switch on
  5. Your vape won't charge

Simple Solutions

Before we get into the nitty gritty of what could be wrong with your vape, we recommend first trying these simple solutions as they're the quickest ans easiest ways to get your vape going!

Is your vape switched on?

Is Your Vape Switched On?

Although this may sound obvious, it's often overlooked - have you switched your vape on? Depending on the device, you'll need to press the power button 5 times or 3 times quickly and consecutively. Look for any LED lights or a screen to indicate whether your vape is switched on, as they should light up when you press the power button.

Is your vape cleaned?

Is Your Vape Clean?

This quick trick likely won't apply to a new vape, but if you've been using your vape for a while and it's stopped working - is it clean?

Juice, dust and debris can cause a whole host of problems, so before trying anything else we'd recommend getting a clean, dry cloth and cleaning any of the contact points on your device, such as where you'd insert your batteries, attach your tank, or insert your pod.

Problem #1 - Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?

If your vape tastes like burning, it's usually because the coil inside your vape IS burned! This can happen for a number of reasons, for instance if you didn't prime your coil, or haven't refilled your tank or pod on time. Here are a few ways to avoid this pesky problem from cropping up in future, and how to fix it if it already has.

Solution

Unfortunately there's no way to salvage a coil or pod that has already been burned, so you will need to replace your burned coil/pod with a fresh one; but there are ways to prevent this from happening again.

The main cause of burned coils and pods is dryness. If you insert a dry coil/pod into a vape and attempt to use it straight away, the heating element will singe the dry cotton, which causes that unpleasant smoky taste. To stop this from happening we recommend you prime" your coil or pod before inserting it into your device.

To prime your pod or coil, you need to ensure that the cotton inside it is soaked with vape juice. To do this we suggest you apply 5 drops of juice directly into the centre, if you're using a pod. If you're using a coil you may need to add anywhere between 10 - 20 drops of vape juice to the centre of your coil to make sure it's soaked evenly throughout.

Aside from priming your coil or pod before use, it's also important that you refill it often to prevent the cotton at the centre from drying out.

Problem #2 - Why Is My Vape Not Working Properly?

There are a few reasons as to why your vape may not be working the way it should be; airflow and connection issues are just a few of them. If your vape is showing "atomiser not found" or "no atomiser detected" this is usually an indication of a connection issue, however if your vape is showing there is a coil or pod present but doesn't produce vapour this would suggest an airflow issue. Either way, here are the steps we'd follow to get your vape working again.

Solution

If your device isn't producing vapour the first thing we would check in store would be whether there was any liquid, dust or degree on your contacts, as this can cause connection issues. Grab a clean, dry cloth and wipe down the gold connectors on the bottom of your coil/pod, as well as where the tank or pod attaches to the vape itself.

Once the contacts have all been cleaned, as silly as it may sound, make sure that your device is charged and switched on.

If you're still having issues after following these steps, check that your airflow is clear and open. On a device with an auto-draw feature there will be a small hole inside the device, below where your pod inserts. Make sure there isn't any juice or debris either blocking or inside this hole.

Still having problems with vapour production? Our last resort would be to change your pod/coil, as there may be a fault with the pod/coil itself that can't be remedied.

Problem #3 - Why my vape is leaking?

Leaking issues are a common occurrence, and usually an easy fix too! So don't stress yourself out, just follow these simple steps.

Why my Tank is Leaking?

Pressure

Air pressure is a top contender for reasons why your tank or pod might be leaking!

First check that the top/cap is fastened correctly. If you're using a tank, you'll need to make sure that the top is screwed on or pushed closed correctly and that there's no gaps where air may be entering. If you're using a pod with a removable cap, make sure it's fastened securely.

Secondly, if there are any rubber seals or stoppers, check to see if they're inserted and intact.

Is your vape coil fitted correctly?

Coils, Atomisers & Pods

First things first, if you're using a tank or pod with a removable coil - is the coil inserted correctly? As a loose or poorly fitted coil can cause juice to seep out.

Secondly, when's the last time you replaced your pod or coil? If your pod or coil is more than 10 days old, is burned or over-saturated it's worth replacing it as this can be a contributing factor in leaking.

Lastly, are you using the right vape liquid? A device or coil that uses a lot of power will need a thicker juice such as a 70% or 80% VG blend to prevent leaking, as the more heat that your coil produces, the thinner the liquid will become. Alternatively, if your device pr pod doesn't use much power you'll need a thinner blend of vape juice such as a 50% VG mix; if the juice is too thick you'll be drawing it through as you inhale, but your device won't be powerful enough to vapourise all of the thicker juice, resulting in excess seeping out of the coil and causing leaking.

What About Wattage?

The amount of power you pump through your coil is another big factor when it comes to your tank or pod leaking liquid!

Exceeding the recommended wattage of your coil or pod can cause it to heat up too much, which very quickly causes the vape juice inside to thin and start to seep through.

On the flip side of this, if your wattage is significantly less than the recommended for your coil (approximately 10 Watts or more) you may not be providing your coil with enough power to adequately evaporate the vape juice that you're drawing into it, causing the coil or pod to become over-saturated and leak.

To prevent this problem we wholeheartedly suggest that you stick to the recommended power for the coil or pod that you're using.

Problem #4 - Why Won't My Vape Turn On?

You're probably sitting there asking yourself "Is my vape broken?"; luckily for you, we have some tips and tricks you can try before you throw in the towel and buy a new one.

Quick Clicks to turn On

Quick Clicks

If you're using a Vape Kit that has a button, you might have read in the instruction manual that you need to press the power button either 3 or 5 times consecutively to switch it on. What the manufacturer may have failed to explain is that this needs to be done quite quickly for the device to register the sequence of button presses. Give this a few tries before moving onto the next step.

Charging Your Vape?

Charging Your Vape

Unfortunately not all Vape Kits come with charge in their battery, so before you try anything else, we suggest you pop your device on charge for about 10 minutes. Do any lights come on? Does the screen light up? If so, this would signal that it's charging and you might want to try the first step again.

If you put your Vape on charge and there's no signs of it actually charging, you may need to check that you're using the correct power supply. If you supply your vape with too much power, it may protect itself by cutting off the supply to the battery and stop the charging process. Alternatively you may not be supplying your battery with enough power - check the instruction manual supplied by the manufacturer for more information on this.

However if none of these work, and you've completed the next step too, it may be that your charging port is damaged or the device is faulty.

Check your vape batteries

Batteries

It's such an easy mistake to make; so don't be embarrassed if this one applies to you - there's no shame in the learning game!

Does your Vape require batteries? The best way to check is to either read the instruction manual or check whether there's a removable panel or a panel at the bottom of your device that opens in order to insert your vape batteries. If you have inserted your batteries, check that you've inserted them the correct way round.

Summary

If we haven't answered your question or you feel that you need more assistance, you're always welcome to contact us or visit one of our store. We'll do everything we can to help and have you walking away with a working vape and a smile.

Author: Taz Dean

Taz Dean has had a ten year career in the vaping industry. He has helped build business', develop products and create e-liquid lines globally. As an ex smoker, avid vaper and vaping advocate, he has years of knowledge and experience on aspects of the vaping industry, from the shop floor all the way to distribution . This unique insight helps with his unique perspective and engaging informational content.

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