How To Fix a Disposable Vape That Won't Hit? [Expert's Tips]

Disposable vapes offer convenience. They’re ready to use out of the box, and once the e-liquid runs out, you can toss the device. But a disposable vape that stops hitting can be frustrating.

Our experts share tips on fixing a disposable vape that won't hit and explain the reasons for malfunctions.

Across the globe, vaping is continuously rising in popularity. And as demand increases, new products are hitting the market every day. Nowadays, disposable vapes are relatively affordable. Even so, you want to get your money's worth. If your vape isn't hitting, throwing it away might be premature. Here are some common ways to fix a vape that's not hitting.

It may seem obvious, but an excellent place to start is the battery level. Many disposable vapes have a light to indicate the battery level. The battery level may be low if the light changes colour, flashes, or goes out. A dying battery could be why your vape isn't hitting.

Some disposable vapes, however, aren't rechargeable. In theory, single-charge vapes should last as long as the e-juice does. If you have this type of vape and your battery dies, it could be due to a manufacturing error. If your disposable vape is rechargeable, plug it in for a while and see if that fixes the issue.

Not all problems are complicated or super technical. Do you frequently stick your vape in your pocket or backpack? Think about all the dust and lint that accumulates there. Dust or debris can block your vape's mouthpiece and prevent airflow. 

Before waving a white flag in surrender, check the mouthpiece for any debris. Carefully use a toothpick to clean out any blockage and see if it makes a difference. 

It may sound silly, but sometimes giving your vape a shake or tapping it on a table can make a difference. Sometimes, air bubbles can get trapped around the coil or in the cartridge, which prevents air from flowing easily. Give the vape a flick on the side close to the cartridge. A quick tap may do the trick.

Like any battery-powered device, your disposable vape can get overheated. When this happens, the best thing you can do is give your vape a break. 

A brief period of rest will let the temperature regulate. After a few minutes, you can try another hit. If allowing your vape to rest helps, try to build breaks into your vaping routine.

If your vape isn't hitting smoothly, there's a chance you're almost out of juice! One indicator could be a slightly burnt taste when you hit your vape. When this happens with a disposable, it's time to say goodbye and get another vape. The design of disposables doesn’t allow you to add more e-liquid, and attempting to take the device apart and refill it could be dangerous. 

Unfortunately, the tamper-proof design for most disposables also makes it tricky to check the level of e-liquid. If the outer shell is translucent, you can often hold it to a light and see inside. You can also shake it and listen for a faint liquid sound.

With disposable, the e-liquid is in the cotton around the coil. If you can't see any liquid or the cotton looks dry, that's a clear sign your vape is on its last leg. 

Do you take long and hard vape hits? It's possible your vape isn't conducive to your vaping style. Many disposable vapes have an automatic safety feature that limits the length of hits to between 8 and 10 seconds. This feature helps prevent the device from overheating. 

Let the device rest, and then try to take shorter, gentler hits for a while. If you notice a change in how the device pulls, you likely hit the vape harder than it can withstand.

Have you ever tried to drink out of a straw when there's no other airhole in the cup? It doesn't work too well. Trying to take a vape hit when the airflow holes are covered will produce a similar result. 

Ensure you aren't blocking air from flowing through the device with your hand to have a smooth hit. Often, there's an airflow hole on the bottom of the vape. 

If you've tried all these hacks with no luck, there's a chance you got a faulty vape. Consider how long you've had the vape and how much you've used it. If it's relatively new and should still have some life, it may be worth taking it back to the store you bought it from to see if they can replace it with a new one.

Manufacturers don’t recommend it for a reason. You shouldn’t try to take apart the vape and troubleshoot the problems.

Nowadays, manufacturers like WAKA Vape put their devices through extensive testing to ensure safety. However, deconstructing your device can put everyone at risk. Once you disassemble a device, you also won't be able to return it.

Understanding the root cause can help prevent issues from occurring again. Here are some common reasons your disposable vape may not be hitting.

A good hit depends entirely on a good inhale. You can't inhale effectively through your device if something is blocking the airflow. 

The airflow can be affected at a few different points. First, the mouthpiece could be the culprit. If there's any debris blocking the mouthpiece, this could negatively impact the airflow. Second, most devices have at least one airflow hole, often found at the bottom of the device. Make sure nothing is blocking the hole when taking a hit. 

Because disposable devices are disposable, not all manufacturers use the best quality materials. If your recently-purchased vape isn't hitting as it should, there's a chance that the e-juice leaked out of the device. 

Examine the device to find any possible leaks. If you keep your vape in your pocket or backpack, check if any liquid has spilled out of the device. Contact the manufacturer for a replacement if you identify a leak in your disposable vape. 

Sometimes, condensation builds up inside a disposable vape pen. When this happens, the formed mass prevents air from flowing, making it nearly impossible to get a good hit on your vape. You could even end up with a mouthful of vape juice! 

If you feel tiny droplets or thick vapour hitting your tongue as you inhale, there's a good chance condensation has built up in the device.

Chamber flooding can occur if you haven't used your vape for a while. Depending on your device, the e-liquid can thicken when left at room temperature for an extended time. This liquid can interfere with the internal mechanisms of the vape and make it hard to hit. 

The coil will require more power to overcome flooding. It can lead to the vape overheating. If a big pull doesn't amount to much and leaves you with a bad taste, there's a chance the chamber has flooded.

Disposable vapes may contain single-charge batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries. The single-charge design keeps the cost down for the consumer, but it also means that the vape is useless once you're out of power. 

While some manufacturers, like WAKA Vape, offer disposable vapes with rechargeable batteries, most do not. 

Similar to the battery, disposables are only as useful as the pre-packaged e-juice. However, disposable vapes don’t have a thank that you can refill. Sometimes, you can check the level of e-liquid by holding the device up to a light. Once the juice is gone, it's gone. 

Sometimes, you get a flawed product. If you've exhausted all other possibilities for why your disposable device isn't hitting and it should still have some life left, there's a chance you got a dud. 

Contact the manufacturer or return the device to the store to see if you can get a replacement device.