If you’ve been vaping for a while, chances are you’ve hit a few hiccups. Maybe your vape suddenly tastes like burnt toast. Maybe it stops making vapor just when you need it. Or worse—you pull it out of your pocket and it’s leaking everywhere. Annoying, right? The good news: most of these problems are easy to fix once you know what’s going on.
The Burnt Taste (a.k.a. the Worst Surprise Ever)
That harsh, campfire-like taste? Every vaper runs into it eventually. It usually means your coil is fried or the wick inside is bone dry.
So, how to fix a burnt coil? Well, here’s the deal: sometimes you can’t. If it’s too far gone, no trick will save it. But here are a few things you can do to prevent it next time:
- Make sure your tank has enough juice. Dry wick = burnt hit.
- Prime new coils. Let them sit soaked in e-liquid for a few minutes before using.
- Don’t blast your vape at max power right away. High wattage fries coil fast.
I learned this the hard way once during a road trip. Bought a fresh device, didn’t wait to prime, and boom—burnt coil by the second stop. Lesson learned.
Weak or No Vapor
You take a big puff… and barely get anything. Or nothing at all.
Usually, the culprit is simple: clogged airflow, dead battery, or a coil that’s on its last legs. Try cleaning out the mouthpiece, give the device a gentle blow-through, or just charge it up fully. If it’s still weak? Time for a coil swap.
This happens a lot with cheap vapes. They’re great for convenience, but sometimes performance drops faster compared to premium devices. Still, for the price, many people don’t mind grabbing a new one.
The Messy Leak
Pulling a vape out of your bag and finding sticky liquid everywhere is the worst. Leaks often happen when tanks are overfilled, not sealed tight, or left in hot places (like a car on a sunny day).
Quick fixes:
- Don’t fill your tank to the brim—leave some space for air.
- Keep the vape standing upright when you can.
- Check the seals and O-rings. A missing or worn one will cause problems.
Most disposables don’t leak, but refillable ones definitely can. Again, build quality matters—some cheap vapes cut corners here, so leaks happen more often.
Battery Acting Up
We’ve all been there: you go to take a puff and… nothing. The battery’s dead. Or it refuses to charge.
Sometimes it’s as simple as switching cables. Other times, the charging port just needs a quick clean. If you’re using a disposable, remember—it’s not designed to recharge. Once the battery’s out of juice, that’s the end of the line.
For rechargeable devices, batteries just wear out over time. If yours isn’t holding a charge anymore, replacement might be the only real fix.
Bland or Weird Flavor
Ever notice your favorite e-liquid suddenly tastes dull? Don’t blame your taste buds right away.
- Try cleaning the tank—old residue messes with flavor.
- Pop in a new coil.
- Or switch up your juice; sometimes you just get “flavor fatigue.”
I’ve had a strawberry flavor I loved, but after vaping it nonstop for a week, it suddenly tasted like nothing. Took a break with a mint flavor and when I came back, the strawberry was amazing again.
Wrapping Things Up
Vaping should be simple and enjoyable, not a headache. The most common problems—burnt hits, weak vapor, leaks, dead batteries—usually come with straightforward fixes. And if you’re constantly running into issues, maybe it’s time to upgrade… or at least stick with reliable cheap vapes that you won’t mind replacing.