Disposables Troubleshooting – Disposable Vape Guide

Problems with your disposable vape? Here's how to fix them...

17 March 2022 | Hannah Rubery

Like with most things, when something isn’t quite working right, we head to the one place we know we’ll find answers. The internet. And problems with your disposable vape is no different. Although designed to be simple to use, even disposable vapes can sometimes have issues whether that be the product itself, the way you use it or the wrong sort for you personally. Here are some of the most common problems that vapers have with disposable vapes, and our answers to these issues.

Not getting enough of a nicotine hit

You may be vaping a strength that’s too low for you. Most vape devices deliver nicotine slower than cigarettes, so you might need to increase your strength slightly. If you find your nicotine cravings haven’t subsided after a while of vaping then try a disposable of the next level of strength.

Having too much of a nicotine hit

Likewise, it’s possible that the strength could be too much for you if you only used to smoke every now and then. Casual smokers picking up a 20mg disposable may find it makes them cough or get a nicotine rush they’re not used to. If you find this is the case, opt for lower strengths and gradually increase if you find a low strength unsatisfying.

Getting a burnt taste when inhaling

If your disposable vape is giving you a burnt flavour, then it could be a sign that you are vaping too fast. Disposable vapes lack any kind of temperature control. This means that fast-paced vaping could be burning your wick, as the wick may not have a chance to absorb anymore E-Liquid before you draw again. In such situations, it’s easy for your device to overheat so take it slow and steady.

If you’re already vaping at a slow pace, then your device may simply be out of vape juice. Try setting your disposable device down for a few minutes so that the wick can absorb any last E-Liquid to get the last few puffs from it, and then it’s time for a new device.

My device is leaking/gurgling

Most likely this could be due to too much air pressure when you puff. As you suck E-Liquid into the device’s chimney/coil, the excess E-Liquid from too hard a puff will likely bring E-Liquid either into your mouth or dripping out of your device’s air intake vent. Neither is particularly nice, E-Liquid certainly should not be ingested only vapourised. To avoid this puff with gentle air pressure.

Why is my disposable vape not hitting?

Potentially this could simply be that the nicotine strength is not high enough for you, however, if you’re already vaping a strength you know you enjoy, then something else may be at play. There could possibly be air bubbles that are stopping the wick from absorbing as much E-Liquid as it needs – try tapping the device gently against a surface to break up any bubbles. Give it a few seconds then try vaping again.

Likewise, if you’re chain vaping or vaping quite quickly, you might not be allowing enough time for the wick to absorb the E-Liquid. Give your vape a rest between puffs and try a slower vaping pace.

There could also be a problem with the device itself. Disposables use an airflow sensor to detect when you puff. If it’s not hitting quite right, try covering the device’s intake vent with a finger while puffing. This will increase the pressure of the air flowing through the disposable so if the sensor isn’t quite detecting your puff, this should help.

My disposable vape’s battery has died

Some disposable vapes include an indicator light to tell you the status of the battery. If it’s blinking or lighting up a different colour when you inhale and the device isn’t doing anything, good chance the battery is dead. Sometimes you may be able to get one last puff or two if you leave it an hour or so.

Most disposables are created with batteries that are intended to last a little longer than the E-Liquid supply inside of them, but this is all dependent on how heavy you vape. Those that vape heavily could quite likely run out of battery before you run out of E-Liquid.

Unfortunately, disposable devices are not rechargeable and the only thing to do at that point is to throw them away and pick up another. There have been mentions of vapers trying to recharge their disposable devices however it is unsafe to do so, as these batteries are not designed to be recharged. Attempting to do so could make your disposable expand, leak or worst case, explode when trying to charge. If you’re looking for a device that you can reuse time and again, we would suggest picking up an actual kit like a pod kit or tank kit.