In this article...
- My Vape is Showing a No Atomizer Message
- Why is My Vape Leaking?
- My Vape is Spitting and Gurgling
- I'm Not Getting Any, or Very Little Vapour
- Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
- My Vape Battery Won't Turn On
- Why Can't I Taste My Vape?
- A Sore Throat From Vaping / Vaping is Making Me Cough
- I Need Help With Something Else
Are you experiencing an issue with your vape? Wondering why your vape tastes burnt, or why your vape is leaking? Vape issues can be frustrating but don't let them get in your way on your journey to quitting smoking. The good news is that many of these problems can be resolved quickly and easily with these vape troubleshooting tips.
- Battery won't turn on
- Vape tastes burnt
- Vape pod or tank is leaking
- No flavour or vapour from my device
This guide will cover the common vape problems and how to fix them. However, if you can't find a resolution to your problem in this article, don't worry. Our expert customer service team is on hand to support you with specific requirements. You can also pop into any of our stores where our team will be happy to help find a solution for you.
My Vape is Showing a No Atomizer Message
Video: How to Fix a No Atomizer Message on Your Vape
If your vape is showing a 'no atomizer message' message on the screen but you have an atomizer fitted? There are a few reasons this could occur so try the following methods one at a time.
1. Check your atomizer head is screwed in properly
This seems obvious but the first port of call is to check your atomizer head is connected. If it's a screw in atomizer, unscrew it and then screw it back in, ensuring the thread is lined up. If the atomizer head uses a push fit connection and has a flat edge to stop rotation, make sure it is lined up with flat edge in the recess it sits in.
2. Check the connection between the battery and tank
If there is any dust, dirt or liquid residue on the tank or battery this could be blocking the connection. Unscrew the tank from the battery and ensure both connectors are cleaned with some tissue. This includes the central pin on the tank, the central pin in the battery connector, and all other visible surface area on each component.
If you’ve checked both these vape troubleshooting tips and are still getting the message, there is more than likely an issue with your battery or tank. To figure out where the problem lies, you could try testing the battery with a different tank if you have one. If the no atomizer message remains, you know there's a problem with your battery. When you try your tank on a different battery and the 'no atomizer' message remains, the issue is more than likely with your tank. If you don’t have a spare tank or battery, just try fitting a new atomizer head (AKA coil).
Vape Tank Problems – Is it the Atomizer?
If you diagnose the issue as being with your tank, you may simply need a new atomizer head. Take a new atomizer head and prime it by dropping a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton material. Fit the atomizer head and see if the device works.
It is less common for the problem to be with your battery, but if it is, it could be due to one of numerous issues depending on the type of device. If it’s an advanced device there may be a firmware update needed, it could be set to an incompatible output mode, or it may just be faulty. If you think you have a battery fault, you can pop into one of our shops, or call customer services.
Why is My Vape Leaking?
Video: Why Does my Vape Leak?
A leaking tank or pod can be a relatively common vape problem. It’s never great when e-liquid seeps from your vape into your pocket or bag. It’s an annoyance that most vapers will go through at least once, but fortunately there are some easy ways to reduce the risk of it occurring.
Your atomizer head may need changing
One common cause for a leaky tank is an atomizer head which is past its best. This could be a removeable atomizer head or a fixed atomizer head within a pod. Atomizer heads need changing from time to time. Fixed atomizer pods need changing after a while too. You can identify when an atomizer head needs changing as you will experience a slight burnt taste or a loss of flavour or vapour production. If you think your atomizer head needs changing then fit a new one, ensuring you prime it when you do so. When using a fixed pod system, then simply change the entire pod. Should the leaking persist, then it may be something else…
Overfilled tank
Vape tanks should not be filled to the very top. You should only fill the tank or pod to around 90% capacity. Your vape needs air to flow through the system, allowing the vapour to be drawn through. When this air tries to escape it can push e-liquid out with it. If you've over filled your tank, simply pour a small amount of e-liquid out into a sink or tissue. If there is any excess e-liquid around the mouthpiece, flick the vape into the sink or tissue to remove it. When refilling, only fill to 80 - 90% capacity and this should hopefully resolve your leaking issue.
Air leaks and e-liquid leaks
E-liquid leaks are generally easy to spot. You can wipe down the outside of the tank with a slightly dampened cloth, and then see where the e-liquid seems to be coming from. Air leaks are harder to spot, but can be just as troublesome. If the top of you tank isn’t sealing properly, then the fact air is getting in too easily can cause the atomizer to “flood”. See the section on spitting and gurgling for a fuller explanation of these symptoms.
Keep your vape upright
Where possible try and keep your vape upright to avoid leaks. When your vape is laid down for a prolonged period it can cause e-liquid to escape.
Some batteries' charging ports are positioned on the bottom of the device, which makes it impossible to stand it up while charging If you are experiencing leaking while the device charging, remove the tank and stand it up during the recharge period.
My Vape is Spitting and Gurgling
Video: Why Does My Vape Make Noises – Spitting and Gurgling
From time to time, your vape may gurgle or spit during use. This can be an unpleasant experience but is usually an easy one to fix. The reasons for this are similar to those associated with leaking tanks.
Flick excess e-liquid away
The first thing to do, is to get rid of that excess e-liquid that is trapped. Take your vape and flick it away from your body into a sink, or a piece of tissue. If your vape tank has a removable mouth piece, take this out before doing so. The gurgling may have just been caused by some e-liquid residue getting trapped near the mouthpiece. Give the vape another try but if the problem persists, try the troubleshooting tips below.
Have you overfilled your tank?
Overfilling your tank can not only result in leaking but can also cause spitting and gurgling. Without trying to sound like a broken record, it's essential to only fill vapes to 80 - 90% capacity. If you have overfilled the tank then remove some of the liquid and repeat the process of flicking excess e-liquid away.
Is your atomizer head burnt?
If your atomizer head is past its best, this can cause spitting or gurgling. This is due to the atomizer head being unable to absorb the e-liquid properly or unable to heat it to the required level to turn it to vapour.
Simply replace the atomizer head with a new one. Remember to always prime your new atomizer head by dropping a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton material. This will help stop the atomizer head burning out prematurely.
Does your tank have an air leak
Carefully check your tank for any cracks in glass or plastic parts. If it’s a top-fill tank or plastic pod/cartridge, does it always seem to be getting wet around the fill mechanism? If too much air can get in around any of these parts the atomizer will tend to overfill with e-liquid. We normally refer to this behaviour as “flooding”. Many metal refillable tanks, and the venerable Totally Wicked Skope S, come with spare o-rings so that you can replace. Your vape may have a plastic cartridge, like the Tornado GTL for instance. In these cases you simply need to replace the cartridge when the seals become worn. Fortunately they are not very expensive. .
Finally, if your tank or device has replaceable glass, remember that Totally Wicked will always provide free replacements. So even if you have a tiny crack in the glass that is causing issues, it won’t cost you anything to solve the problem. For more information about our GTL atomizer head range, take a look at our guide.
I'm Not Getting Any, or Very Little Vapour
You may be puzzled if your e-cigarette has been working fine but suddenly stops producing as much vapour. The screen is working and the LED is lighting up so you know it's turned on but you're just not getting much out of it. Worry not, this is usually a very easy problem to fix.
Check your airflow
Most e-cigarettes have adjustable airflow, which is usually adjusted via a ring at the base of the tank. This ring ultimately controls how much air is pulled through the vape, which affects your vaping experience. A tighter airflow (fewer holes or slot visible) will provide a more restricted draw and a wider airflow (more holes or slot visible) will provide an airier draw.
If the airflow is fully shut, this can feel like you are drawing no vapour through the device. Simply adjust the airflow so that more holes or slot is visible and see if this resolves the issue.
Check your power setting
Many e-cigarettes have adjustable wattage or voltage. This ultimately means the amount of power which is being provided from the battery to heat the coil in the atomizer head. Different types of atomizer heads are suited to different power levels, but an ideal wattage range is usually etched on the side of the atomizer head itself. You can often find a full guide to our atomizer head specifications on each of their product pages.
If your power level is set too low, the atomizer head will not be as hot, ultimately meaning it won't turn as much of your e-liquid to vapour. Simply check your wattage level and if it is below the range indicated on your atomizer head, you probably need to turn it up a bit.
Check your atomizer head
If your atomizer head is past its best, this will affect your vapour production. This is because the wick has burnt and can no longer soak the e-liquid effectively. Simply take a new atomizer head, prime it, and leave it to soak in the tank for 5 minutes. Try your e-cigarette again and see if the vapour production is back to expected levels.
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
Video: When to Change Your Vape Coil
Getting a burnt taste from your vape is not all that unusual, but is unpleasant nonetheless. Every vaper will experience this from time to time and it usually means your atomizer head needs changing as the wick has burnt. Once your vape tastes burnt, the situation is often unretrievable so the best thing to do is follow these tips to help avoid premature burning in the future.
Make sure you have e-liquid in your tank
A sure-fire way to burn your atomizer head prematurely is by vaping with no, or very little e-liquid in your vape tank. If there is no e-liquid to saturate the wick, the wick itself will absorb the heat, get too hot and ultimately burn. This is what we call a 'dry hit' and could be the reason why your vape tastes burnt.
If you hadn't already guessed, this issue is easily resolved by simply keeping your tank topped up with e-liquid. From time to time, we all have mishaps and take dry hits by accident. Sometimes the atomizer head is salvageable so it's worth removing the atomizer head and repriming it. However, if the vape still tastes burnt after repriming, it's time for a new atomizer head.
Wattage level is too high
If you try to put too much power through your atomizer head, it's likely to burn. Most atomizer heads have a suitable wattage range etched onto the side of them. If you set your power level too high for the atomizer head fitted, it will likely burn prematurely. Be careful not to put your power above the recommended wattage and you should find your atomizer head lasts for longer.
You may find your wattage is accidentally changing in your pocket. To combat this, always remember to turn your vape off when not in use. Some e-cigarettes also allow you to lock your wattage setting. The way you do this can vary between devices so check the manual of your vape, but it is commonly done by holding the up and down wattage buttons simultaneously.
Always prime your atomizer head
Priming your atomizer head takes just a few minutes and is well worth the time taken. To prime your atomizer head first drop a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton or mesh material. Then, fit your atomizer head into the tank and leave it for five minutes before use. You should do this every time you change your atomizer head to a new one. Where possible, you can also take a few draws on your e-cigarette when it's turned off to help lightly draw some e-liquid through the atomizer head.
If you are using a fixed atomizer head pod, simply fill the pod with e-liquid and leave it to soak for 5 minutes before using the device.
My Vape Battery Won't Turn On
Most vape batteries turn on and off with 5 clicks of the power button. This is to stop them accidentally activating in your pocket or bag. If the vape has a screen, this will turn on and show your settings. When there is no screen, an LED will usually flash or illuminate to indicate the kit is on. If you go to turn your vape battery on and the device doesn't respond, here's a few things to check.
Is your battery charged?
This may seem obvious but the first thing to check is that your vape battery has charge. You never know, the plug socket may have been switched off last time you recharged. Simply charge the device up for a while, and give it another go.
Is your device set to stealth mode?
Some vapes have a stealth mode setting. This setting simply means the e-cigarette's screen is blank, but the device will still work as normal. You may have set this setting by accident so if your screen doesn't appear to turn on, don't worry and give the device a try. If it works, then your device is more than likely set to stealth mode.
The stealth mode setting is accessible in the additional menu. Different e-cigs have different ways to access this menu so it's best to check the manual. However, the most common ways are by clicking the power button 3 times, or holding the wattage up button and power button down simultaneously.
Is something blocking the connection between the battery and tank?
Your device may turn on but will not activate when you draw on it. This could be due to something blocking the connection between the battery and tank or pod. If your pod has leaked, the e-liquid residue could be the cause of this. Remove your pod, wipe away any excess e-liquid from both the pod and the battery and refit it.
Likewise, something could be stuck in the 510 connections between your tank and battery. Unscrew your tank, clean the bottom of the tank and the 510 connector in your battery. Give it another go to see if it's back working.
Why Can’t I Taste My Vape?
Flavours are an important part of many a vaper's journey. The array of different e-liquids is just one of the many benefits of vaping compared with smoking. If this flavour becomes muted or disappears, it can be a bump in the road on your stop smoking journey. It's therefore important to keep your vape working well and keep those e-liquids fresh and flavourful. Here's a few tips to do just that.
Check your atomizer head
If your atomizer head is past its best, the flavour will suffer. Prime and fit a new atomizer head and you should find the flavour is back to its potential. Atomizer head life will vary depending on numerous factors such as the device, power level, e-liquid and the way you vape. However, they will generally last around 1 - 2 weeks before they start to deplete.
Vaper's tongue
Vaper's tongue is a term used when you basically get used to your e-liquid flavour and it starts to taste a little muted. This doesn't happen to every vaper and the length of time taken to experience vaper's tongue varies.
The solution vaper's tongue is simple... try a new e-liquid. There are countless flavours of e-liquid available so you're sure to find another you like.
A Sore Throat From Vaping / Vaping is Making Me Cough
It's likely that you will have switched to vaping from smoking to benefit your health. It's therefore be concerning if you find you experience a cough or sore throat when vaping. Don't worry this is normal, particularly in the early stages of switching to disposable vapes and vape kits. Let us put your mind at ease by explaining why this happens and how to stop it.
You're repairing the damage caused by smoking
When you quit smoking your lungs and airways will start to repair some of the damage which has been caused by tobacco combustion. During this repair process, your lungs will begin to clear the tar on your lungs and your damaged cilia will start to grow back. Cilia are the tiny hairs on the back of throat which help to clear dirt and dust. As this process happens, it can cause irritation.
The sore throat or coughing is therefore a sign of progress and indicates that you are on your way to becoming smoke-free. While there isn't an immediate fix for this, the good news is that it is only temporary. After a few weeks, these effects should subside. If the coughing persists, it could be due to one of the reasons below.
Nicotine strength is too high
If you're a heavy smoker, it's advised to start on a high nicotine e-liquid and then reduce your intake over time. However, high nicotine e-liquid is more likely than lower strength e-liquids, to cause a cough or sore throat. Try reducing your nicotine strength to 10mg/ml or lower. If you find your nicotine cravings aren't being satisfied at this level then try a different type of e-liquid.
The best type of e-liquid to try would be a nicotine salt formulation. Nicotine Salts or 'Nic salts' use a synthetic nicotine which provides a smoother throat hit, even at higher nicotine strengths. Why not try the Symphonic range?
High PG e-liquid
E-liquids are manufactured using 4 main ingredients: propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine, and flavourings. The ratio of propylene glycol to vegetable glycerine varies dependent on the e-liquid range. This ratio affects the vaping experience. High VG e-liquids like Diavlo or Symphonic are suited to higher powered devices and provide larger, thicker clouds of vapour. High PG e-liquids like Patriot will produce thinner clouds of vapour and provide a more prominent throat hit.
This prominent throat hit is preferred by some vapers but it can cause a sore throat or a cough for others. Try switching to an e-liquid range with a higher VG ratio and this should help to reduce your cough.
I Need Help With Something Else
If you can't find the answer to your vaping related issue in this article, don't worry. The Totally Wicked customer service team are on hand to help you with specific queries and provide expert advice. Contact us via live chat, email, phone or social media and we will support you with your enquiry. You can also visit one of more than 150 Totally Wicked stores across the UK for face-to-face support with our highly trained team members.
