The different faults on electronic cigarettes

The most common faults of the electronic cigarette (and how to resolve them)

The electronic cigarette is designed to be easy to use and its models are increasingly reliable, but it can happen that certain malfunctions disrupt the vaping experience. Good news: in the vast majority of cases, the most common faults have an identifiable cause and a simple solution.

This article helps you understand why your e-cigarette is no longer working correctly, and above all how to fix it without panicking.

When should you change the coil on your electronic cigarette?

The question often comes up among vapers: when is it time to replace the coil of your electronic cigarette? The answer is not universal, as it all depends on your habits and frequency of use.

Indeed, the wicks inside the coil gradually degrade with each use. Over time, the cotton that absorbs the e-liquid becomes dry and eventually burns. A worn coil causes:

• Less abundant vapor;
• Altered flavor reproduction from your e-liquids;
• The unpleasant sensation of a burnt taste.

In practice, it is recommended to change the coil at least every 3 weeks or as soon as you notice a drop in vapor or an alteration in the taste of your liquids.

Tips to extend the life of your coil

1. Prime the new coil correctly
   • Before first use, pour a few drops of e-liquid onto the absorbent cotton;
   • Fill your tank and wait approximately 5 minutes for the coil to be fully saturated.
2. Vape gently at first
   • On a Mod or an adjustable battery, start at minimum power for a few minutes;
   • This avoids putting too much strain on the new coil and preserves its cotton.
3. Turn off the battery between uses
   • Press the fire button 5 times to turn off the box;
   • This prevents the coil from receiving electricity in your pocket, which could degrade it prematurely.
4. Hold the electronic cigarette correctly
   • Hold the battery in the palm of your hand without blocking the tank's air vents;
   • Improper handling can harm vaporization and the longevity of the cotton.
5. Adopt a good inhalation technique
   • Vaping is not smoking! Avoid quick, short draws;
   • Favor a slow and long inhale, lasting a few seconds, to protect the coil and fully enjoy the flavors.

My electronic cigarette battery no longer has enough endurance or no longer charges

My battery is draining faster and faster

A loss of battery life is often linked to the natural aging of the battery. Like a mobile phone, an electronic cigarette battery has a limited lifespan, estimated on average at 300 charge and discharge cycles. Once this threshold is reached, it begins to gradually lose endurance.

However, wear can be considerably accelerated by poor charging habits. Today, many smartphone chargers deliver high power (2.5 A or even 3 A), whereas the majority of electronic cigarettes are designed for charging at 1 A. Charging too quickly causes internal overheating, which prevents the battery from charging correctly and greatly reduces its lifespan.

Best practices to preserve your battery

• Use a 1A wall charger;
• Plug the vape device into a standard USB port (TV, internet box, power bank);
• For models with 18650 cells:
  • prefer an external cell charger;
  • reserve the box's USB port for occasional use.

My electronic cigarette no longer charges at all

When your vape device shows no sign of charging despite being plugged in for an extended period, the problem most often comes from the charging chain.

Before considering a serious fault, start by checking:

1. Check the USB-C port
   • Presence of dust or residue?
   • Blow gently or clean carefully.
2. Try another cable and another charger
   • Always at 1 A;
   • Avoid fast smartphone chargers.
3. Still nothing?
   • It may be:
     • a defective USB port;
     • a loose solder joint (in this case, contact customer service for a diagnosis).

The battery of my electronic cigarette is flashing and no longer delivers vapor

When the battery of your electronic cigarette starts flashing and vaporization is weak or non-existent, this can indicate several problems. It may be a poor contact, a worn coil, or a tank that is insufficiently filled with liquid. The built-in safety of the vape device may also block vaporization if the battery detects overheating.

How to resolve this problem:

1. Check your battery charge level: a battery that is too low does not allow optimal vaporization. Charge it fully before testing the vape device again;
2. Inspect the connection between the battery and the atomizer: make sure the threading and the center pin are not clogged with liquid or dust. Clean them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol if necessary;
3. Check the coil: a coil that is too worn or poorly detected will prevent the clearomizer from heating correctly. Replace it if it is damaged;
4. Allow a pause between each inhale: some electronic cigarettes cut off vapor if the coil overheats. Wait approximately 20 seconds between each puff to protect your device and extend the life of your coil.

My electronic cigarette fell in the water

Falling in water is one of the most critical problems for an electronic cigarette, unless you own a waterproof kit, such as the Aegis range by GeekVape or the Armour by Vaporesso. Water can cause short circuits, damage the battery and render the box unusable.

Steps to follow to save your device:

1. Never vape or charge the device immediately: turning it on or charging it risks permanently damaging the battery;
2. Disassemble the vape device: remove the clearomizer, cartridge, tank and any removable component;
3. Carefully wipe each part: remove any remaining liquid with a dry cloth;
4. Allow to dry for several hours, or even a few days: place your device in a dry, well-ventilated area;
5. Check the coil and the tank: if the coil has been wet, it will be unusable and will need to be replaced to ensure a good hit and good vapor.

Tip: blow gently into the USB port to check that no water remains in the box before attempting to turn it on.

The battery works, but the clearomizer does not heat up

Sometimes, the battery or box of your vape device works perfectly, but the clearomizer remains cold and produces no vapor. This may be due to a defective coil, a poor contact, or incorrectly set power.

Solutions to restore vaporization:

• Check the coil and the cotton: if the cotton is dry or burnt, replace the coil to restore taste and vapor;
• Clean the connection between the battery and the clearomizer: the pins and threading must be clean to ensure a good electrical connection;
• Adjust the box wattage: some coils require a specific power range to function correctly. Too low a power will prevent the clearomizer from heating;
• Check the airflow: if the airflow is completely closed, vapor cannot be produced correctly. Open it partially to allow proper inhalation and an optimal hit.

Little vapor and burnt taste

A low vapor output accompanied by a burnt taste is one of the most frequent problems for vapers. It generally results from poor liquid feed, a worn coil, or incorrect power settings.

To resolve this problem:

1. Check the liquid level in the tank: a dry coil produces no vapor and burns the cotton, causing a burnt taste;
2. Prime the coil correctly: saturate the cotton with liquid before first use to avoid a dry hit;
3. Replace the coil if necessary: after several vaping cycles, the coil's cotton can become worn and alter the flavors;
4. Respect the intervals between puffs: chain vaping can overheat the coil and generate an unpleasant taste;
5. Adjust the box wattage: use the recommended range for your coil to ensure optimal vaporization and preserve the lifespan of your device.

Why is e-liquid coming back up into my mouth

Liquid leaking back up is a frequent inconvenience for vapers. It often occurs when the tank is too full, the power is poorly adjusted, or the coil is too saturated. Too strong an inhale can also push liquid directly towards the drip-tip.

How to avoid liquid leaking back up:

• Fill the tank only up to the recommended maximum level;
• Inhale gently and slowly to allow correct vaporization;
• Check that the coil is not flooded and replace it if it is worn;
• Adjust the battery power according to the ohm value of the coil;
• If the vape device has been inactive for a long time, blow into the drip-tip to clear any excess liquid before vaping.

Why does my electronic cigarette make me cough?

Coughing in new vapers or when changing equipment is common. It can be caused by several factors related to vaping and your electronic cigarette:

• Inhalation habits and technique: the larynx and respiratory tract react differently compared to traditional cigarettes. Take small, gentle draws and focus on breathing without talking during the puff;
• Power too high: excessive power causes too strong a hit. Reduce the watts for a smoother vaping experience;
• Unsuitable nicotine level: a level that is too high can irritate the throat. Try reducing it by half, or use a kit that produces less vapor;
• Sensitivity to propylene glycol (PG): some people react to PG. Try a base with more vegetable glycerin (VG) or a vegetol substitute to assess your tolerance.

Tip: alternating between different coils or cartridges can also help find the perfect combination to avoid coughing and fully enjoy the flavors and vapor.

The most common error messages on your electronic cigarette

Even experienced vapers can encounter error messages on their box or kit. These alerts are designed to protect your equipment and avoid risks related to a poor connection, a defective coil or an insufficiently charged battery. Here are the most common ones and how to resolve them.

Message "No Atomizer", "Check Atomizer" or "No Coil Detected"

This message appears when the electronic cigarette no longer detects the coil. It generally indicates a poor contact or a connection problem between the battery, the clearomizer and the coil. On models without a screen, the LED indicator flashes to alert you to the problem.

How to fix this problem:

• Check the connection between the battery and the clearomizer: make sure the threading and the center pin are clean and free of liquid or dust;
• Inspect the coil: unscrew it, clean the contacts, and screw it back in correctly;
• Adjust the atomizer tightness: an atomizer screwed too tight can create a poor contact;
• Slightly raise the center pin if necessary: carefully insert a flat-head screwdriver and apply a slight levering action to restore the connection;
• Replace the coil if necessary: if the message persists despite cleaning, the coil is probably worn or defective;
• Test the box with another atomizer or cartridge to confirm that the problem does not come from the device.

Message "Atomizer Low", "Low Resistance" or "Atomizer Short"

This message indicates that the box detects a coil resistance value that is too low, or that the coil is poorly detected due to a poor contact. Not all electronic cigarettes support sub-ohm (resistance < 1 ohm), and some protections prevent vaporization if the ohm value is too low (< 0.15 ohm).

• Check the coil: make sure the ohm value corresponds to the recommended range for your atomizer and your box;
• Clean the contacts: check the center pin and threading to remove any e-liquid residue or dust;
• Adjust the atomizer tightness: an atomizer screwed too tight can create a poor contact;
• Slightly raise the center pin if necessary: carefully insert a flat-head screwdriver and apply a slight levering action to restore the connection;
• Replace the coil if the message persists after all these checks.

Message "Battery Low"

This message means that the battery or cell no longer delivers enough power to heat the coil. Several causes may be responsible:

• Battery or cell too low: recharge using a dedicated external charger, preferring a power of 1A to avoid overheating;
• Drop in the nominal voltage of the cell: each cell has a specific voltage range (4.2 V max charged, 3.7 V nominal, minimum 3.0 V or 2.5 V). A cell that is too discharged (or too old) will not provide enough power for vaping;
• Cell unsuitable for the power used: a cell designed for MTL or low power will not handle sub-ohm. In this case, reduce the power or use a suitable cell with a higher maximum discharge current (MDC).

Message "Check Battery"

This message generally appears when the box no longer correctly detects the battery. This may be due to:

• A drop that has damaged the electronic circuit;
• An aging battery that no longer provides a stable connection.

Possible solutions:

• Charge the battery slowly on a 1A outlet to avoid any overheating;
• Check the cleanliness of the threading and the center pin;
• If the message persists, contact customer service or after-sales support for a diagnosis: repairing an electronic box is delicate and requires expertise.

Message "Lock"

This message indicates that the electronic cigarette is locked. Unlocking varies depending on the model:

• Quickly press the fire button 3 to 5 times;
• Some models require pressing fire + + or fire + - simultaneously;
• On other boxes, a dedicated button or a settings menu allows you to disable the lock.

The lock prevents any accidental ignition and protects the coil and battery.

Message "Puff Over"

Some electronic cigarettes have a puff counter to limit your consumption. When the message appears, you have reached the permitted limit.

How to proceed:

• Access the menu of your box and reset the puff counter;
• You can also disable the Puff Counter function if you do not wish to limit your vaping;
• Take advantage of this function to track your consumption and better manage your use of liquid and your coil.