There comes a point in all vape users’ days where we ask ourselves: why is my vape pen not working? Truthfully, there are a number of reasons why a vape pen might stop working. Read ahead to learn about common vape pen problems and how to fix them.
Why is my vape pen not working?
No device is perfect. When you vape, you will most likely encounter some common problems that stop your vape from working effectively. These problems are often caused by clogged cartridges, charging ports, or contact points. Sometimes, however, they indicate that your vape’s battery or coil might be damaged.
Luckily, these problems are generally fairly easy to fix.
Dead battery
This one may seem obvious, but if your vape pen is not working, it’s possible it just needs a charge.
All of Vessel’s vape pens, like the Wood (Slate/Walnut) pen from Vessel’s Craftsman series, feature USB magnetic charging ports. Furthermore, the Craftsman series is designed to last as long as possible: with a high-quality 300mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery core and three indicator lights for battery life and power settings, you’ll never spend time wondering if you should charge your vape.
Vessel’s pens also feature a button that controls heat settings (the Craftsman pens boast four adjustable settings). You also press this button as you’re pulling from the device. Pull buttons like these ones help to preserve battery life. In contrast, batteries with no pull button are always on and are likely to die faster.
If a dead battery is all you’re facing, simply charge your pen. If your pen isn’t holding a charge or getting hot while you charge it, it may be time to replace your battery entirely.
Oil settling in the cartridge
When cannabis oil becomes cold or settles into one side of your cartridge, it may become stiff or clog the holes in your cartridge. This clogging will prevent you from being able to pull vapour from the mouthpiece, as air is unable to travel through the cart.
To troubleshoot, follow these steps:
- Warm your cartridge up between your hands or with a hairdryer set to the lowest setting. The heat will lower the viscosity of your cannabis oil, letting it flow through the cartridge better.
- When the oil starts to bubble in the cartridge, let it sit for a few seconds to cool down.
- Dry hit your cartridge. Make sure air is flowing through when it is not connected to the battery.
- Reconnect your cartridge to your battery and turn on your device.
- Pull from your vape to make sure it’s working again.
Burnt flavour
Another common issue vape users encounter is a burnt wick. When your vape’s coil wick is drying up, you’ll experience a dry hit or a burnt flavour when you hit your device.
This burnt flavour is caused by a dry wick. When the wick is not saturated with oil, the atomizer burns the wick instead of vaporizing the oil. This complication results in a burnt flavour and, sometimes, a permanently damaged wick.
To troubleshoot, consider the following:
- Use a lower temperature setting in your vape. Higher settings can sometimes cause the atomizer to vaporize the oil too fast, drying out the wick.
- Take shorter pulls. Long hits expose your wick to high heat for longer. Shorter pulls reduce this exposure.
- Take breaks between hits. Give your wick time to re-saturate with cannabis oil by letting your vape rest between hits.
- Clean your coils. Every device gets dirty with build-up and dust. Clean your device--including the contact point and coils--to ensure that this build-up isn’t contributing to your vape problems.
Damaged contact
If the contact point for your vape is clogged or pushed down too far, it may cause your vape to stop working.
If the contact point is pushed down too far on your battery, it will not connect with the cartridge once it is attached. Lightly and gently pull up on the contact until it is level with the top of the connection.
If your contact is clogged with dust or debris, lightly wipe it with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol. This will remove the clog and strengthen the potential for connection between battery and cartridge.
To sum it up
Like any device, vape pens go through natural levels of wear and tear. This wear and tear can sometimes prevent your device from working properly. Always make sure your device is clean and charged, and learn to troubleshoot atomizer, cartridge, and contact issues to make your vaping experience as pleasant as possible.
FAQs
Why has my vape suddenly stopped working?
There are a number of reasons why a vape might suddenly stop working. Make sure the battery’s contact and charging ports are both clean and that your cartridge isn’t screwed on too tight. If it still doesn’t work after a good cleaning, it’s possible your cartridge is clogged. Use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to gently heat your cartridge and get the oil moving.
Why is my vape flashing and not working?
If your vape pen is flashing, that usually means the battery is dead. Plug in your vape pen only until it is fully charged--overcharging can cause damage to the battery.
Why won’t my vape pen heat up?
If your vape pen won’t heat up, it’s possible that your battery is completely dead. Before buying a new one, make sure your charging port is not clogged with dust or debris.
Why won’t my vape pen work after charging?
If your vape pen still won’t work after you charge it, check the contact point between your battery and cartridge. If the contact is working effectively, make sure your oil hasn’t settled in the cartridge.
Why is my new cart not hitting?
If your new cart won’t hit, it’s possible the cartridge is clogged, or the oil has settled. Use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to gently heat your cartridge and get the cannabis oil flowing again. If it’s still clogged, use a toothpick or paper clip to unclog the cartridge.
