When a vape isn't hitting, check the simple things first: is the battery charged, is the pod clicked in properly, and are the metal contacts dry and clean? If the kit fires but makes little or no vapour, the problem is usually the pod. The coil may be flooded, dry, not seated, or simply worn out. Most of the time, charging, cleaning the contacts or changing the pod sorts it. The order below goes from quickest to most involved. For more on how pods and coils work, see our pods and coils hub.
Start here: what does it actually do?
Pin down the symptom first, because it narrows the cause a lot.
| Symptom | Most likely area |
|---|---|
| Nothing happens, no light | Battery flat, or kit locked |
| Light flashes, no vapour | Battery low, or pod not connecting |
| Light comes on, very little vapour | Coil flooded, dry or worn |
| Hits on the button but not on auto-draw | Auto-draw sensor blocked or damp |
| Weak and gurgly | Liquid in the airflow tube |
| Harsh, hot, burnt | Dry or burnt coil |
Battery and power
Charge it. Obvious, but a lot of "dead" kits are just flat. Give it a proper charge with a cable that you know works, and check the charging light behaves the way the manual says it should.
Is it locked? Many button kits lock or unlock with a set number of quick presses, often five. Check your manual. If the kit flashes when you press the button, a lock is a common reason.
Check the power setting. On kits with adjustable wattage, a setting turned right down can produce almost nothing. Bring it back within the range printed on the coil or pod.
Pod connection
Take the pod off and look at the base and the battery's contact points.
- Wipe the contacts. Use a dry tissue or cotton bud. Leaked e-liquid on the contacts is one of the most common reasons a kit won't fire. If you've been getting leaks, our vape leaking guide deals with the source.
- Reseat the pod. Push it firmly back in. Magnetic pods sometimes sit slightly off.
- Try another pod. If a fresh pod works and the old one doesn't, the old pod's coil has failed. That settles it quickly.
Coil problems
If the battery fires but there's little vapour, the coil is the usual suspect.
Not primed. A brand-new coil needs five to ten minutes to soak before use. Fire it dry and you'll get a weak, harsh hit, or scorch it altogether. The method is in how to refill a pod vape.
Flooded. Too much liquid in the coil chokes it. You'll often hear gurgling. Remove the pod, wrap it in a tissue and give it a couple of firm flicks, mouthpiece down. Then try a few gentle draws without firing.
Worn out. Coils lose performance over time. If the flavour and vapour have been fading for a few days, replace it. Our guide to how long a vape pod lasts covers the signs.
Burnt. A burnt coil can still fire but tastes awful and produces thin vapour. There's no fixing it. The burnt taste guide explains how to avoid it next time.
Wrong liquid. Very thick, high-VG liquid can struggle to reach the cotton in a small MTL coil, so the coil runs dry. If you're using shortfill-style liquid in a pod kit, that's probably it. See the VG/PG ratio guide.
Auto-draw not working
Auto-draw kits fire when a sensor detects you inhaling. If it's damp or blocked, the kit won't respond. Dry the base, clear the airflow tube, and blow gently through the mouthpiece with the pod off. Some kits also have adjustable airflow; if it's closed right down, the sensor may not trigger.
Still not hitting?
If you've charged it, cleaned the contacts, tried a fresh primed pod and it still won't produce vapour, the battery or the device itself is likely faulty. At that point it's a warranty or replacement job.
If you're replacing the kit, our best pod vape guide compares current options. And if you're replacing pods, the pods for vape guide covers fit and compatibility.
When a dead kit has to go, don't put it in the household bin. Our guide to recycling vapes explains where to take it.
Questions people ask
Why is my vape flashing and not hitting?
Flashing lights usually mean a low battery, a pod that isn't connecting, or a coil the kit can't read. The exact pattern varies by brand, so check your kit's manual for what each flash means.
Why is my vape not hitting when it's full?
The usual causes are a flooded coil, liquid on the contacts, a new coil that hasn't soaked yet, or a blocked airflow path. A coil at the end of its life can also stop producing much vapour.
My vape lights up but there's no vapour. What's wrong?
The battery is firing, so the issue is in the pod. Check the coil is seated, the pod has liquid, the cotton has soaked, and the airflow isn't flooded. If all that's fine, replace the pod or coil.
