Vape Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Most vaping device problems have a simple cause. This page covers the common faults and the checks for each, in the order worth trying. If a device is genuinely faulty, your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act explains where you stand.

1. No vapour

You draw on the device and get nothing, or very little.

  • Charge. Check the indicator light. A rapidly blinking or dead light means a flat battery. Charge fully over USB and try again.
  • Power state. Many devices toggle on and off with five rapid presses of the fire button. Draw-activated devices have no button, so skip this.
  • Pod seating. Remove the pod or tank and reseat it firmly until it clicks. A loose connection is a common cause.
  • E-liquid level. If the pod is empty or very low, refill it and wait a few minutes for the wick to saturate before drawing.
  • Flooded coil. Gurgling with little vapour suggests excess liquid in the airway. Remove the pod, tap it gently on a paper towel, and reseat it.
  • Airflow blockage. Check the mouthpiece and airflow slots for debris or dried e-liquid and clean with a cotton bud.

2. Burnt taste

  • Dry wick. A new pod or coil needs 5 to 10 minutes standing upright after filling before the first puff. Drawing on a dry wick burns the cotton permanently.
  • Low e-liquid. If the level is below the wicking ports the wick cannot stay saturated. Refill before it runs dry.
  • Chain vaping. Rapid successive puffs do not let the wick re-saturate. Leave a few seconds between draws.
  • Worn coil. Coils last one to three weeks depending on use and e-liquid. If the taste persists after refilling and waiting, replace the pod or coil.
  • Power too high. Check the device is set within the coil's rated wattage range, usually printed on the coil.

3. Leaking

  • Overfilling. Do not fill past the maximum line. E-liquid expands with heat and needs the headroom.
  • Loose pod. Reseat it firmly.
  • Damaged seals. Inspect the rubber seals on the pod and coil base. Torn or missing seals mean the pod or coil needs replacing.
  • Temperature. A device left in a hot car or in direct sun will push liquid out as the contents expand. Store at room temperature.
  • Draw strength. Excessive suction pulls liquid into the airway faster than the coil vaporises it. Use a gentle, steady draw.
  • Cleaning up. Clean liquid out of the battery area with a dry cloth or cotton bud before reseating the pod.

4. Not charging

  • Cable. Cables fail more often than devices. Try a known-working one.
  • Port. Check for lint or debris and clean gently with a dry cotton bud.
  • Power source. Some high-output phone chargers do not suit small devices. Try a computer USB port or a standard low-output adapter.
  • Moisture. E-liquid in the charging port prevents a connection. Clean and dry it thoroughly first.
  • Damage. If a device is physically damaged, swollen, or making unusual sounds, stop using it and do not charge it. Take it to a council e-waste or battery collection point.

5. Spitback

  • Flooded coil. Remove the pod, tap it gently upside down on a paper towel and blow gently through the mouthpiece to clear the airway.
  • Draw technique. Short sharp puffs pull liquid into the mouthpiece. Use a slower, steadier draw.
  • Power too low. If the wattage is below the coil's range the liquid boils rather than vaporises. Increase within the rated range.

6. Weak or muted flavour

  • Desensitisation. Taste can dull towards a flavour used constantly. Changing flavour for a few days and returning often resolves it. Staying hydrated helps.
  • Old coil. Residue mutes flavour as a coil ages. Replace it.
  • Old e-liquid. E-liquid has a shelf life, typically one to two years from manufacture if stored properly. Liquid exposed to sunlight or heat, or left open, degrades.

Replace or repair?

Most problems are resolved by replacing a consumable part — a coil, a pod or a cable. The battery unit itself rarely needs replacing unless it has been physically damaged, exposed to liquid, or has reached the end of its useful life. If the checks above do not resolve it, staff at any of our stores can look at the device in person.

Common questions

How often should a coil or pod be replaced?

Typically every one to three weeks. The signs are a persistent burnt taste with a full pod, noticeably reduced flavour, less vapour, and dark discolouration of the liquid around the coil. Heavy use and sweet e-liquids shorten coil life.

Why does a new coil taste burnt straight away?

It was almost certainly not primed. Fill it and leave it standing upright for 5 to 10 minutes before the first puff so the cotton absorbs the liquid.

Can coils be cleaned and reused?

No. Coils are consumable items designed to be replaced. Rinsing rarely restores performance and a wet coil does not recover.

The device fires on its own. What should I do?

Stop using it immediately. Auto-firing usually indicates liquid damage to the internal circuitry or a stuck button. Remove the pod, do not charge it, and dispose of it at an e-waste point or bring it in. New Zealand devices deactivate automatically within 10 minutes, but that should not be relied on with an auto-firing device.

Is it normal for a device to get warm?

Slight warmth during use or charging is normal. If a device becomes uncomfortably hot, stop using it and let it cool. Persistent excessive heat can indicate a battery problem — discontinue use and seek advice.

Email customerservice@vapourium.nz or call 03 974 8136, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

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