Disposable vapes live up to their name. They are single-use devices that do not require refilling or recharging.
You can throw them away once they run out of battery or liquid. Issues like clogged airflow, device malfunction, or simply drained battery or e-liquid may cause disposable vapes to become inoperable.
As you're trying to get a few last puffs from your favorite disposable vape, why not follow some troubleshooting instructions to revive a dead vape?
In this blog post, we tried to understand the common issue of dying vape and potential solutions to restore it.
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A Quick Bits To Make A Disposable Work After It Dies:
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Understanding the Components of a Disposable Vape
Basic Components
Practically, a disposable vape is a mini device with three primary components.
- Battery life: This is the powerhouse of the vape. Vapes generally use lithium-ion batteries to produce high energy density.
- E-liquid: E-liquid is a flavored juice which is contained within the device. It combines PG, VG, nicotine (optional), and flavorings.
- Coil: This one is a heating element that vaporizes the e-liquid when operated by a battery.
How They Work Together
The process isn’t rocket science and is easy to crack. They are relatively simple.
- Inhalation: When you take a puff, the vape sensor indicates to activate the battery.
- Power Transmission: After getting the sensor’s sign, the battery starts producing power for the coil to heat.
- Vaporization: After receiving power from the battery, the coils heat up to vaporize the e-liquid.
- Vapor Inhalation: Lastly, the vaporizing by the coil is inhaled through the mouthpiece.
Common Points of Failure
These are a few possible reasons that disposable reaches out of functionality.
- Short Battery Life: One of the most common issues is battery depletion. Since disposable vapes use precharged batteries, their usage time is limited. After reaching the limit, the device stops functioning.
- E-liquid Depletion: The same goes for e-liquid. Once you finish the e-liquid, the vape will no longer produce vapor.
- Burnt Tates: If you use the coil excessively or improperly, the coil starts to burn out. As we know, the burnt coil is the reason for the burnt taste and reduced vapor production.
- Clogged AirFlow: Debris and dirt tend to thicken the e-liquid, obstructing the airflow. This results in inconsistent vapor production or blocked airflow.
- Device Malfunction: Leakage, excess e-liquid, or, in some rare cases, internal component failures resulting in the device being inoperable.
Average Lifespan Of a Disposable Vape
Factors like battery capacity, e-liquid volume, and usage patterns decide the life expectancy of disposable vapes. However, most disposable vape average lifespan is designed to last anywhere from 300 to 800 puffs.
Note: This is a general estimation of vape lifespan; it can vary.
Common Issues of Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes are famous for their convenience, but some are prone to several issues that can decrease their performance and user experience.
Performance Issues
- Battery Depletion: Battery issues are widespread. Sometimes, a loose connection between the battery and tank can cause problems, or a drained battery can make the vape stop working.
- Flavor loss: E-liquid depletion may cause a loss of flavor or a change in taste after a couple of uses. It also weakens vapor production.
- Coil-Burnout: When the liquid inside the tank is finished, you can feel or smell a dry, unpleasant, burnout taste. Here, the battery basically burns the wick, which creates a foul smell.
- Inconsistent Flavor: Sometimes, the flavor weakens or changes suddenly due to coil condition or battery life.
Device Related Issues
- Leaks: Leakage is not so common since vape brands use leak-resistance technology. However, disposables can start leaking due to mishandling or dropping from the height.
- Flooding: Pouring the excessive e-liquid can lead to a gurgling sound, weak vapor production, and potentially burn taste from the flooded coil.
User-Related Issues
- Improper Use: Not knowing the proper way to use vapes can raise issues, such as excessively long or frequent puffs. These factors can cause the battery and coil to fail prematurely.
- Storage: Keeping the vape in extreme temperatures or warm surfaces affects the battery life and e-liquid consistency.
Troubleshooting Steps to Revive Your Disposable Vape
Now, the question that remains is how to solve these issues. The only way to revive the disposable vape is proper care and maintenance. You can follow several troubleshooting steps to fix a disposable vape and get it to work:
Step 01: Check The Battery Connection
- Inspect the Battery: The common reason the battery does not work is that either the connection is loose or the battery has drained all its power. You must ensure the battery is securely connected to the coil. You can also clean the battery surface to prevent any blockage.
- Clean Contacts Points: If you see the battery connection is alright, it is still causing problems. Then, look at the contact point. Here, you can take a soft cloth and rub alcohol on it to clean it. Additionally, utilize a cotton swab to remove dirt from the contact points. Ensure the contacts are completely dry before connecting them with the vape.
Step 02: Recharge the Disposable Vape
Disclaimer: Most disposable vapes don't have the option to recharge, so it can be risky to do so.
Steps to Recharge a Disposable Vape: If your vape has the option to recharge, follow these steps to ensure that it is charged as needed.
- Step 01: Use the compatible charger
- Step 02: Check if your vape has a USB charging port
- Step 03: Read the manufacturer manual on battery type and how to do it
- Step 04: Connect the vape by using a USB Type C or micro USB port
- Step 05: Check the indicator light to verify whether the vape charges or not
- Step 06: Charge the vape at least one minute per day
- Step 07: Don't overcharge the battery; otherwise, it will be overheated
Safety Precautions: You will need to understand a nonchargeable disposable vape doesn’t allow charging. So, if you try to do it, it can lead to a short circuit or electrical shock. There is a high chance the battery might even explode. So, doing so is risky to yourself, and maybe the vape even won't work. Yet, if you still want to try, we suggest getting professional help to reduce unexpected incidents.
Step 03: Tap or Gently Shake the Device
How To Dislodge Potential Air Bubbles or Blockages
Disposable vapes start producing weak vapor or inconsistent hits when in contact with air bubbles or blockage issues. If you experience such problems, use a simple, effective method like shaking or tapping the device.
Here is how you can do it:
- Tap the device by holding the vape upright and gently tapping on the bottom side. It will clear out air bubbles within the e-liquid.
- If tapping the device doesn’t work, try shaking it. Just don’t do it too aggressively; it might loosen the internal components.
Note: These methods might solve minor issues, but you need to understand that disposable vapes are for single use, so tapping or shaking doesn’t fit their design.
Step 04: Inspect for Leaks
- Check for E-liquid: Examine the device to see if it has any wet spots or signs of spilling e-liquids.
- Identify Source: If you notice any excess liquid coming out of the vape, it could be due to a faulty seal or pouring too much juice.
- Cleaning: You can wipe down the spill if it isn’t too much, but if it is connected to any internal components, then consult with an expert.
Step 05: Adjust the Airflow
- Identity Airflow Control: Some disposable vapes have adjustable airflow settings. Understand them before you use them to control the vape.
- Experiment With Setting: Knowledge of the airflow system is necessary. You can use it to improve the vapor pressure.
Advanced Fixes for Persistent Issues
Replacing the Battery
We don’t recommend replacing the battery of disposable vape since the design doesn’t allow it. But if you want to do it, then do it with a person who is experienced with vape or electronics. Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 01: Read the user manual to identify the battery type. The manual must contain information about the battery.
- Step 02: Take your expert friend and start disassembling the vape. It might take force to crack open the cover as it is tightly attached to the vape.
- Step 03: Remove the battery from the other connected compartments after dismembering the vape.
- Step 04: Use an X-Acto knife to cut the shrink tube from the weld tabs and wire. Then, install the new shrink tube on the wires.
- Step 05: Now connect the new battery. Use solder to lock the wire to the terminal tabs only, not the battery. Next, slide the shrink tube over the terminal tabs and heat them with a heat gun to shrink them.
- Step 06: Finally, assemble everything as it was before.
Cleaning the Coil
Similar to the battery, disposable vapes don't have replaceable coils, but you can surely clean them. You can start by cleaning the mouthpiece with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. You can also use a soft cloth. Unfortunately, you can’t clean the internal coil part as it attaches to the device.
Refilling the E-Liquid
Disposable vapes are ready-to-use devices, meaning they come with prefilled liquid from the manufacturer. Refilling them will make the problem worse, as it can cause leaks, flooding, and device failure. So, we don’t recommend refilling disposable vapes.
Preventive Measures to Extend the Life of Your Disposable Vape
Maintaining proper maintenance can extend the life of your disposable vape. Here is how:
- Always vertically put your vape to prevent leaks.
- Keep your disposable vape in a dry, cool place, away from direct heat or sunlight.
- Regularly cleaning the vape wouldn't build up any dirt in the airflow venting.
- Restrict yourself from long or frequent inhaling, as overheating shortens the lifetime of the coil and battery.
- Give your vape rest between the vaping session to cool it down.
- Clean the mouthpiece and vape surface daily with a clean cloth.
- Be conscious about preventing the vape from dropping or any external damage.
When to Consider a Replacement?
- Consistent Flavor Changes: If you see an unexpected deterioration in the vaping flavor that is out of the improvement range, then it is time for a new device.
- Reduced Vapor Production: If no difference is noticed even after trying different methods to increase the vapor output, it may indicate a failing device.
- Burnt Taste: A persistent burn taste after using additional settings is a clear sign to replace the vape.
- Frequent Charging: If you constantly recharge your vape more than you should, it shows that the battery is nearing its end life.
- Leaks and flooding: Leakage and flooding indicate damage to internal components, which compromises the device’s performance and requires replacement.
Cost-benefit analysis of fixing vs. replacing:
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Fixing The Vape |
Replacing The Vape |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my disposable vape stop working?
The common causes of disposable vapes stopping working are a dead battery, empty e-liquid, clogged airflow, or device malfunction.
Can I recharge a disposable vape?
Generally, no, but if your disposable offers a rechargeable option, then you can. However, disposable vapes are not designed for recharging.
How do I know if my disposable vape is out of e-liquid?
You can see symptoms like reduced vapor production, burnt taste, and no sign of e-liquids.
Is it safe to fix a disposable vape myself?
No, we don’t recommend fixing the disposable yourself. If necessary, you can get help from an expert.
How long should a disposable vape last?
The typical range is from 500 to 600 puffs, but it can vary depending on the device.
Are You Saying Goodbye To Your Vape or Replacing It?
Disposable vapes are packed with offers, but they have limitations. Understanding the machinery behind them will help you properly ensure their performance.
Temporarily, you can fix minor issues by following troubleshooting steps. But in the long run, replacing the vape for a hassle-free experience is best. If you are inquisitive, check out VapeDeal for various disposable vaping options that can replace your current disposable vape.