Let me tell you something about disposable vapes: they’re designed for ease-of-use, not perfect performance. And while many of the problems people run into with these devices are due to their design, most of those problems are actually fixable. This is not just a tutorial for fixing your disposable vape — it’s a collection of knowledge and methods to save your device from going to the waste bin and save yourself the hassle of having to go back to the vape shop.
How Disposable Vapes Work
Every disposable vape has three main parts: a battery, an e-liquid reservoir (which holds the “juice” and the wicking material), and a coil that vaporizes the liquid. Most disposable vapes have an internal sensor — usually a pressure-activated airflow sensor — that signals to the device when you’re taking a puff. Since there aren’t any user-serviceable parts on disposable vapes, knowing how the entire system works gives you a chance to focus on repairing the specific part of the system that has failed. From my testing and experience with the various types of disposable vapes, I would say that the single largest area of failure is not related to the battery running out of charge, but rather problems with airflow and e-liquid flowing properly and activating the internal sensor.
The Device Produces No Vapor
You take a drag, the light may even come on, but you get a faint puff or nothing at all. This is probably the most frustrating problem you’ll encounter with your disposable vape.
Checking and Clearing the Airflow Sensor
Airflow sensors are usually located on the bottom or side of your disposable vape. If the airflow hole(s) are blocked by water vapor, loose packaging materials, or lint, your vape won’t work. To clean the airflow holes, take a firm, yet gentle, breath through the mouthpiece to clear any minor clogs. Alternatively, you can also use compressed air to clear any debris from the intake holes. I’ve managed to revive numerous “dead” disposable vapes, merely by blowing through the mouthpiece to clear out the airflow sensor hole.
Making Sure the Vape Activates Properly
There are some disposable vapes that have a draw-activation mechanism that requires you to remove a protective sticker or pull-tab on the mouthpiece. Check to make sure there are no stickers or tabs that need to be removed to allow the airflow through the device. It seems silly, but sometimes you just overlook something obvious when trying to enjoy your new vape.
A Burnt or Muted Flavor
When you burn the wick inside the coil and it’s not soaked in e-liquid, you get a harsh, charred taste, commonly known as a “dry hit.” This is a harsh taste that usually destroys the vape permanently, if not addressed right away.
Fixing a Dry Wick
As soon as you taste the slightest hint of burnt flavor, stop vaping immediately. The most effective method I have found to fix a dry wick is to gently heat the device. Hold the device in your closed fist for a few minutes or place it in a slightly-warm (not hot) location. The warmth should help to thin the e-liquid enough to resaturate the dry wick. Another option is to tap the device firmly against your palm, mouthpiece facing down, to move the e-liquid closer to the coil. I once revived a new, unused vape that had a burnt taste after I left it plugged into a laptop charger for 10 minutes to warm it up; it worked great for the remainder of its life.
Chaining Vapes
Disposable vapes are not designed to be used repeatedly in rapid succession. Because the wicks are simple, and can’t handle repeated hits in quick succession, the simplest solution to avoid getting a burnt-taste vape is to wait 15 – 30 seconds between hits, to give the wick time to resaturate. One simple habit will dramatically increase both the longevity of your disposable vape and the overall taste-quality of each hit.
The Vape is Gurgling or Leaking
When you hear your vape making a gurgling sound, it generally means that the device is flooded. Excess e-liquid has accumulated in the atomizer chamber, creating an obstruction to the coil and airflow. Sometimes you’ll also feel a splashing sensation of e-liquid in your mouth.
Removing Excess E-Liquid
Disconnect the vape from the charger, if it is still charged. Take a paper towel and wrap it around the mouthpiece, then flip the vape downward several times (like you were flipping water off a thermometer). The centrifugal motion should force the excess e-liquid out of the chimney. Afterward, take a series of quick, short draws on the vape (without pulling on it hard enough to activate the sensor, if it has a button, don’t push it) to flush out the remaining residue in the mouthpiece. I carry a package of cotton swabs specifically for this purpose to help absorb any excess e-liquid that pools in the mouthpiece.
The Device Won't Charge or Has a Flashing Light
If your disposable vape has a charging port, a flashing light, or fails to charge, it can be confusing.
Troubleshooting the Charging Port
First, make sure you are using a low-current power source. A computer USB port or a low-amp wall adapter is ideal. Fast-charging adapters designed for modern smart phones can provide too much current for a disposable vape, and could possibly damage the vape or render it unable to accept a charge. Also, test your charging cable to see if it is good. In my experience, a bad charging cable is the root of about half of all “wont’ charge” issues. Test another cable before giving up on the vape.
Light Codes
A flashing light usually means one of two things: either the battery is totally dead, or the vape has reached its predetermined number of puffs (some “smart” disposable vapes have a built-in counter). If neither of those solutions work, the vape has likely reached its end of life and has developed a short-circuit internally.
Preventative Measures for a Longer Lifespan
The best form of troubleshooting is preventing it altogether. Store your vape upright in a dry, cool environment that doesn’t receive direct sunlight. Heat can evaporate the e-liquid and cause leaks; cold temperatures can thicken the e-liquid and cause dry-hits. Also, be careful not to store your vape in a tight pocket where the airflow sensor can become activated accidentally and drain the battery. If you treat your disposable vape as the electronic device it is, you will be rewarded with a consistent experience from start-to-finish.
Knowing When to Let Go
It is essential to realize that disposable vapes have a limited lifespan based on their e-liquid storage and battery chemistry. If you have tried the relevant fixes in this article and haven’t had any luck, or if the vape is physically broken, it is time to dispose of it. The best, and most environmentally friendly, thing to do is to replace it. Once you have learned from this article, your next disposable vape will perform better and last longer, turning what could have been a moment of frustration into a feeling of accomplishment over mastering the devices of today’s modern world.