Are you having trouble with your vape device? Here at VapeExpress NZ we understand that it can be frustrating when your vape suddenly stops working as it is supposed to. Fortunately, there are often a few simple steps that you can take to troubleshoot your vape and get it back up and running in no time! If you are having issues with your vape device, we recommend that you have a read through our troubleshooting guide below.

Vape device not turning on?

1. Check that you are trying to power on your device correctly
   Many vape devices include a safety feature that requires you to press the firing button multiple times in quick succession to turn the device on. Depending on the brand of your vape device this may be three or five times, check the instruction manual for details on this.

2. Check that your vape device/batteries are charging correctly 
   Make sure that you are using the correct charging cable for your device, or if you are using an external battery, the correct battery charger for your batteries. If you are using a vape device with an internal battery, or a device with onboard charging; we recommend using the charging cable that was supplied with your vape kit or mod. If your device did not come with a charging cable, it is best to check the instruction manual for details on which cable to use.
   
   If you are using a wall plug, the output of this should not exceed more than 1-2A depending on your vape device. Some devices may support 2A fast charging but we recommend that you check the instruction manual for more information on this! If you’re unsure of the power output of your wall plug, most USB ports on computers and gaming consoles have a 1A power output, making them suitable for charging your vape device.
   
   If you are using an external battery charger to charge your vape batteries, make sure it is the correct charger for your type of batteries. It is also important to purchase a high quality battery charger from a trusted brand, at VAPELAB we stock a range of premium battery chargers from some of the world's top manufacturers. 
   
   Battery safety is extremely important, we recommend that you read our Vape Battery Safety page for more information on how to handle and take care of your vape batteries.

3. Check for connection issues
   As a third method for troubleshooting a vape device which won’t turn on, we recommend checking your charging port is clean. Overtime, dust, dirt and even e-liquid can build up causing connectivity issues which prevent your vape device from charging properly. You can use a cotton bud or tissue to gently clear away any dust or debris. 
   
   

Vape device not firing? 

1. Check the connection pins
   Check that the connection pins on the bottom of your tank or pod are not damaged or dirty. If they are broken or have sunken down, it’s probably time for a new tank or pod. If the connection pins on your tank or pod are dirty with dust, debris or e-liquid, you can simply clear this away with a cotton bud or tissue. It is also a good idea to check that the connection pins on your mod or vape device are clear of any damage, debris and/or e-liquid/. Again, if they are dirty, gently clean the area with a cotton bud or tissue. 

2. Check your coil
   If you are using a tank or pod with a removable coil, make sure that the coil is correctly installed and is not loose or crooked in your tank or pod. 

3. If using a sub-ohm device, make sure the atomiser is properly connected to your mod
   If your device is displaying ‘no atomiser’ check that your atomiser (tank or pod) is threaded onto your mod correctly. If it is cross-threaded, simply remove the tank and thread it back onto your mod straight. 
   
   

Vape device spitting or making gurgling sounds?

1. Check that your e-liquid isn’t overflowing
   If your vape device is spitting e-liquid into your mouth when you vape, or making a gurgling sound, it is very probable that your coil is simply over-saturated or flooded. First check that your tank or pod is not overfilled with e-liquid. If your tank is overfilled or has excess e-liquid in the coil, you can remove the drip tip (mouth piece), and flick your device towards the ground onto some tissue, this should remove some of the excess e-liquid. Otherwise, if you are using a pod vape device, you can remove the pod and blow through the mouthpiece into a tissue to get the excess e-liquid out.
   
   

Vape device leaking?

1. Check your pod or tank for any damage
   If your vape device begins leaking, it is a good idea to first check your pod or tank for any damage/cracks. If you notice any damage that may be causing e-liquid to leak through, it’s time to replace the glass, tank or pod! 
   
   
2. Check that your coil is not over-saturated
   If your coil is over-saturated (or flooded) with e-liquid, it may cause leaking through the mouthpiece and/or the airflow. If you can, increase the wattage (power output) on your device -  this can sometimes help to vapourise any excess e-liquid quickly.
   
   If your vape device is still spitting e-liquid into your mouth when you draw, try removing the drip tip (mouthpiece) and flick your device towards the ground onto some tissue. If you are using a pod vape device, remove the pod and blow through the mouthpiece into some tissue to get the excess e-liquid out.

3. If using a sub-ohm tank, check the VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid
   Most sub-ohm tanks will have a few different coil resistance options for you to choose from. Lower resistance coils often have larger wicking ports meaning that thin e-liquid (high PG ratio) can leak through the airflow and cause spitting and/or leaking through the mouthpiece.
   
   As a general rule of thumb, when using a sub-ohm device you want to use an e-liquid with a high VG (Vegetable Glycerin) ratio eg. 70/30. The VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid will often be displayed on the bottle however if you are unsure, feel free to contact us!

4. Has your device or e-liquid been in direct sunlight/heat?
   When your e-liquid is exposed to heat it can become thin, and leak from your vape device. It is important to keep your device out of direct sunlight and away from hot temperatures. Always store your e-liquid bottles in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat.

6. Make sure your O-rings are not damaged
   If you’re using a sub-ohm tank, check that your O-rings are intact, free of any damage, and installed correctly. If they are broken or beginning to wear then this may be causing your tank to leak e-liquid, in which case it is time to replace your O-rings.  

5. Increase your wattage (power output)
   If your vape device has an adjustable wattage, check the recommended wattage range for your coil and set your device to match the higher-end of this recommendation. It is possible your device may simply need a bit more power to vapourise your e-liquid properly, especially if your coil is over-saturated or flooded.
   
   If your vape device does not have a variable wattage and you have tried all of our other suggestions, it may be time for a new vape! 
   
   

Experiencing a dry and/or burnt taste on inhale?

1. Check your coil
   If you are tasting a burnt flavour when you vape, it is probably time to change your coil! Coils usually last 1-3 weeks depending on how often you vape and what e-liquid you are using (typically, sweet dessert flavoured e-liquids will burn out your coil faster).  A good sign that it's time to change your coil is when the cotton (wicking material) starts to turn brown.

2. When installing a new coil, allow the coil time to absorb the e-liquid
   When you install a new coil in your vape device, it is important to allow the e-liquid time to fully saturate your coil before vaping. We recommend filling your tank or pod with e-liquid and leaving it to sit for a couple of minutes. This ensures that the cotton in your coil has sufficiently soaked in the e-liquid. 

3. If using a pod device, check the VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid
   If you are using a pod vape device, you may experience a dry or burnt taste if the e-liquid you are using has a high VG/PG ratio. We recommend using an e-liquid with a 50% VG / 50% PG ratio, using a thicker e-liquid eg. 70/30 in a pod device will most likely result in dry hits. This is due to the high resistance coils typically used in pod vape devices having small wicking ports which struggle to pull through the thick e-liquid fast enough to vape. The VG/PG ratio of your e-liquid will often be displayed on the bottle however if you are unsure, feel free to contact us!

4. Make sure your pod/tank has sufficient e-liquid
   It is important to ensure your pod/tank is always sufficiently filled with e-liquid. If you notice your e-liquid level drop below the exposed cotton on your coil - it is time to refill! Keeping your pod/tank sufficiently filled with e-liquid will significantly reduce the chance of prematurely burning out your coil and/or experiencing dry hits. 

If you have read through our troubleshooting guide and are still experiencing issues with your vape device please feel free to contact us.  At VapeExpress we want to ensure that you are getting the best possible experience with our vape devices, so we are always happy to help you with any issues or concerns that you may have.