How to Fix a Blinking Disposable Vape?

2024-11-20
Out of all the different types of vapes, it’s safe to say that disposable vapes are the most user-friendly. That’s because you don’t have to worry about preparing or maintaining them. A disposable vape is ready to go right out of the package, so all you have to do is remove it from the box and start vaping.
The fact that disposables usually work without any effort on your part, though, makes it quite a surprise if you have a disposable vape that’s blinking when you try to use it.
So, why is your vape flashing and not working? In this article, you’re going to find some answers. Stick around to the end, because as an added bonus, we’re also going to provide some tips for fixing other common problems with disposable vapes.

Why Does a Disposable Vape Blink?
If a disposable vape flashes and doesn’t work, it means one of four things.
  • The battery is dead. This is by far the most common reason why a disposable vape blinks.
  • You’ve taken such a long puff that the device’s built-in puff limiter has been triggered. This is also known as “hitting a blinker.”
  • The device has detected a critical error such as a short circuit. This can happen when a disposable vape is dropped on a hard surface or in water.
  • Your vape is blinking on its own when you aren’t using it. This is also known as “auto-firing.”
We’ll address these four issues separately and explain how to fix them.

How to Fix a Blinking Disposable Vape with a Dead Battery
If you used your disposable vape for a while without any issues before it started blinking, the most likely problem is that the device’s battery is dead. What happens next depends on whether your vape has a charging port.
  • If you have a disposable vape with a charging port, your device has a rechargeable battery. Connect the vape to your computer with a USB cable to recharge it. When the light turns off or changes color, your vape is fully charged. .
  • If you have a disposable vape without a charging port, your vape isn’t rechargeable, and it’s time to replace it. There’s no need to worry that you’ll be wasting e-liquid in this case because non-rechargeable vapes have smaller e-liquid supplies and are designed to run out of vape juice and battery power at about the same time. Don’t attempt to recharge a disposable vape that doesn’t have a charging port because doing so could potentially be dangerous.
Non-rechargeable disposable vapes are common in the United Kingdom and Europe because of the Tobacco Products Directive, which limits the e-liquid capacity of pre-filled vaping devices to a maximum of 2 ml.

How to Fix a Disposable Vape That’s Hitting a Blinker
If you’re hitting a blinker when using a disposable vape, it means that your device is cutting off and blinking during long puffs. This is a normal behavior for all vaping devices because all vapes are designed to limit long puffs to prevent overheating. To prevent your vape from cutting off, you simply need to shorten your puffs in order to avoid tripping the automatic limiter.
 
How to Fix a Blinking Disposable Vape After Dropping It
If your disposable vape started to blink after you dropped it on a hard surface or in water, it is possible that the device is damaged – and in this case, you’ll most likely need to replace it. However, we do have a couple of tips that might make it possible for you to revive the device.
  • If you dropped your vape on a hard surface, try tapping it gently against your hand a few times. It’s possible that the impact caused some of the device’s internal components to become misaligned, and tapping the device in the opposite direction may move the components back to their original positions.
  • If you dropped your vape in water, start by blowing firmly through the air intake opening, which is usually on the bottom of the device. This should remove the majority of the water. If your vape still doesn’t work, try sealing it in a bag with desiccant packets for a couple of days.
 
How to Fix a Disposable Vape That’s Blinking on Its Own
If you have a disposable vape that’s blinking on its own or keeps hitting after you stop, your device is auto-firing. It’s important to fix this promptly because, in addition to being inconvenient, it’s also a potential safety issue. Here’s an overview of what to do; click the link above for more detailed troubleshooting information.
  • Blow firmly through the intake opening at the bottom of the device. The most common reason why a disposable vape blinks on its own is because the puff sensor is stuck, and this will usually fix it.
  • Tap the vape against your hand a few times. This can also potentially fix a puff sensor that’s stuck.
  • Turn the vape off and back on if it has a power button or switch. This resets the device, which may resolve certain auto-firing issues.
  • If you can’t get your vape to stop flashing, there is a slight danger that the device may overheat. You should move it to a fire-safe location and wait for the battery to die. Recycle the device after the battery is dead.
 
How to Make a Disposable Vape Last Longer Before It Blinks
As we’ve explained in this article, the most common reason why a disposable vape blinks is because the battery is dead – and if you have a non-rechargeable vape, it means that it’s time to replace the device. Whether your vape is rechargeable or not, though, you definitely want it to last as long as it can because the longer your vapes last, the less they cost over time. Here are some tips that can help you make a disposable vape last longer.
  • Try switching to a higher nicotine strength if you can. If you’re using your vape constantly because the experience isn’t satisfying enough for you, using a higher strength may allow you to reduce how often you vape.
  • Take shorter puffs to prevent the coil in your vape from becoming overly hot. Also, make sure that you’re waiting several seconds after each puff before using your vape again. If you don’t give your device a chance to cool down, the elevated temperature of the coil will cause your vape to use its e-liquid supply more quickly.
  • Wait a while between vaping sessions and try to vape only when you’re really craving the nicotine. If you vape constantly all day out of habit, your device will run out of e-liquid much more quickly.
 
Troubleshooting Other Common Problems with Disposable Vapes
1. Brand-New Disposable Vape Isn’t Working
If you have a brand-new disposable vape that isn’t working. For instance – getting warranty service might not be quite so easy. In that case, here are four ideas that might help.
  • Make sure that you’ve removed the silicone plug from the mouthpiece.
  • Check the bottom of the device for a sticker covering the airflow hole. Remove the sticker and discard it.
  • Puff a little more firmly. It’s possible that the device’s airflow sensor needs a little more air pressure in order to trigger.
  • Try moving the airflow switch. Some disposable vapes turn off when their airflow vents are fully closed.
2. Disposable Vape Tastes Burnt
If your disposable vape tastes burnt, it means that the device’s wick is either partially or completely dry. A disposable vape has a wick positioned in close proximity to the atomizer coil. The wick is saturated with e-liquid, and as you vape, the e-liquid moves from the outside of the wick to the inside where the coil is. If there isn’t a sufficient amount of e-liquid touching the coil when you puff on your disposable vape, you’ll get a burnt flavor.
  • If you’ve been using the vape for a while and it now tastes burnt every time you puff on it, the device is probably out of e-liquid. It’s time to replace your vape.
  • If your disposable vape tastes burnt even though you’ve just started using it, vape at a slower pace. Make sure that you’re giving the device’s wick several seconds to refresh itself after each puff.
3. Disposable Vape Spitting or Leaking
If your disposable vape spits or leks, the most likely reason is that you’re puffing on the device too firmly. Vaping devices are designed to work under gentle air pressure. If you puff on a disposable vape with the same air pressure that you would use when smoking a cigarette, you’ll draw some of the e-liquid out of the wick. The solution is to puff more gently. If you hold the device upright for several minutes, some of the excess e-liquid may flow back down to the wick. You can also absorb some of the liquid by running a paper towel down the device’s mouthpiece.


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