When your little compact battery companion called the Lookah Bear begins flashing yellow unexpectedly while you are using it, it interrupts your vape rhythm. Although the Lookah Bear, with its 510 threaded design and playful little silicone body, is generally considered to be very reliable, the blinking light isn’t random – the light is a message from your device.
In this article we will discuss what a blinking yellow light usually represents, and give you simple and easy-to-follow steps to take care of the problem and continue using your device without interruption.
10 Common Reasons for a Yellow Blinking Light
There are ten reasons why the LED light on the top of the Lookah Bear will begin blinking yellow.
- A Low Battery Charge: The most common reason the light blinks yellow is because the battery has run out of charge.
- A Loose Cartridge Connection: When the cartridge is loose, the connection between the cartridge and the battery is disrupted, which creates a break in the circuit.
- Dirty Contact Points: If there is residue on either the 510 connection points of the cartridge or on the battery itself, it can prevent the two parts from making good contact.
- Pushed-Down Connection Pin: It is possible to push the connection pin down too far into the battery, creating a gap between the two components of the battery.
- Incompatible Cartridge Resistance: If the cartridge does not fall within the specified resistance range of 0.7 to 5.0 ohms, it may not make contact properly.
- Overheating Protection: The device will also flash yellow when overheating occurs due to continuous use or exposure to a hot environment.
- Screwed on the Cartridge Too Tight: If the cartridge is screwed on too tight, it can create a gap between the cartridge and the battery.
- Faulty or Damaged Cartridge:: Sometimes the issue lies with the cartridge, not the battery.
- Short Internal Circuits: There is a possibility of a short internal circuit occurring inside the battery.
- Software Glitch: Sometimes a glitch can occur in the software of the device, causing it to think there is an error and send an error signal.
Troubleshooting the Flashing Yellow Light
Do not panic – most of the time the flashing yellow light is easily fixed. To troubleshoot, follow this process of elimination.
Basic Checks
Always try the easiest and most common fixes first.
- Recharge Your Battery: First, connect the Bear to its charger and recharge the battery until it reaches a full charge, which usually takes 1-2 hours. A solid blue light at the front of the device indicates a full charge.
- Reseating the Cartridge: Remove the cartridge completely and screw it back onto the battery tightly but do not over-tighten it. Do not overtighten it.
- Try a New Cartridge: Try using another cartridge that you know works. If it works, then you know that the problem was with the original cartridge.
Inspect and Clean the Connection
After checking the basics above, inspect the actual connection and see if it is physically damaged or dirty. I’ve found that dirty contact areas are one of the leading causes of “the mystery” blinking issues.
- Remove the cartridge.
- Examine the gold-plated 510 connection pin on the battery. Be sure it is sticking out just a little bit and not down against the side of the battery.
- Soak a cotton swab in a high concentration of isopropyl alcohol (ideally 90% or better).
- Use the cotton swab to gently scrub both the connection area of the battery and the 510 connection pin as well as the connection area of the cartridge.
- Let the connection sit for at least a minute to air dry before reconnecting.
Advanced Troubleshooting
If the problem persists even after cleaning the connection, there could be other causes.
- Checking For Overheating: Check the temperature of the device. If it feels warm, let it cool down for 10-15 minutes in a shaded location.
- Verifying Cartridge Compatibility: As previously stated, the Lookah Bear can be used with a wide variety of resistances (between 0.7 and 5.0 ohms), however, if you use a cartridge with too low a resistance, it could potentially cause issues.
- Soft Reset: Quickly click the power button 5 times to shut the device off, and wait a few seconds before clicking it 5 more times to turn it back on. This will reset the electronics and eliminate any small glitches.
Your Lookah Bear's LED Light Colors Meaning
The LED indicator at the top of the device is how you communicate with the device. Below is a quick reference chart explaining each signal.
Prevention and Best Practices
By maintaining good habits when charging and handling your Lookah Bear, you can greatly reduce the chances of encountering issues with the device and prolong the life of your device.
- Charging Proactively: Recharge the battery when the battery drops below 50%. Charging the battery regularly will keep the battery healthy.
- Cleaning Connections Frequently: Make cleaning the 510 connection points of the cartridge and the battery a regular part of your routine, particularly every time you replace cartridges.
- Handling With Care: Avoid cross-threading when attaching cartridges. Attach the cartridge firmly enough so that it makes contact with the battery and tighten it until it no longer turns.
- Proper Storage: Store the device in a cool, dry location that is exposed to no direct sunlight and in an area where it will not be exposed to extreme temperatures.
When to Replace a Device
Even though you can follow all of the procedures mentioned in this article and still encounter a faulty battery, it is possible that the battery was defective from the start. Here are some examples of when it would be wise to consider replacing the battery.
- You have tried all the troubleshooting techniques listed in this article and the light continues to blink yellow regardless of the number of new cartridges you have tried.
- The device has been physically damaged, such as cracked, dented or will not charge.
- The battery has lost most of its ability to hold a charge and only lasts a short time.
Lookah provides a 90 day warranty on all of its products. Many customers have praised the responsiveness and willingness of the customer service department to assist in resolving problems with their devices and to honor their warranties. If your device is still under warranty, it would be best to reach out to them.