One of the biggest reasons why so many people buy disposable vapes is because they’re so easy to use – and a big component of the ease-of-use element is the fact that you can expect a device to work right out of the box without any setup on your part. With that in mind, it’s going to come as quite a big surprise if you have a disposable vape that’s not working even though you just got it. If a disposable vape is supposed to be charged and ready to use immediately, what can you do to troubleshoot the problem if it isn’t working?

As you’re about to learn, there are several situations in which it might actually be possible to fix a disposable vape that seems dead on arrival – and don’t forget that if you do happen to get one of the rare vapes that turns out to be a dud, a good retailer should always take it back or let you exchange it for a device that does work.

Why is your disposable vape not working when you just got it? Let’s explore the possible causes and talk about what you can potentially do to fix it.

Check for a Fake Vape

If you have a disposable vape that isn’t working out of the box, the first thing that you should do is try to confirm the device’s authenticity – especially if you didn’t buy it from a reliable vape shop. Whenever a product becomes popular enough, unscrupulous sellers are going to make fake versions of it – and that has unfortunately happened in a big way in the vaping industry. There are probably millions of fake disposable vapes on the market today – and although they should at least work, you can never be completely certain of a manufacturer that puts another company’s logo on its products.

Here’s a quick guide that can help you check for a fake vape.

Look for an authenticity code on the outer box. The code might be hidden under a scratch-off panel. Go to the manufacturer’s website manually – not by using the QR code, which could also be fake – and enter the authenticity code. If the code passes and hasn’t been used before, your device should be real.
Check the quality of the packaging. The outer box for a fake vape will often have telltale signs of inauthenticity such as poor-quality cardstock, blurry images, typos or washed-out text.
Check the quality of the device itself. Fake vapes will often have manufacturing issues such as off-center text and parts that don’t quite fit together correctly.

Make Sure You Unpacked the Vape Correctly

It’s important to remember that a disposable vape will be packaged in such a way as to ensure that it can’t activate and potentially overheat while it’s in the box. So, although you don’t need to set up a vape before you can use it, you do need to unpack the device correctly to get it ready for use. Here’s how to do it.

Check for a cover over the mouthpiece or a plug inside it. Remove the cover or plug and throw it away.
Check for a sticker covering the airflow hole, which is usually at the bottom of the vape. The vape won’t work when the sticker is in place because the sticker is there to block airflow.
If you’re using a vape with an airflow slider, try moving the slider. In some cases, a disposable vape may actually be powered off when the airflow is fully closed.

Test for a Faulty Airflow Sensor

The airflow sensor inside a disposable vape is a very simple component. It’s a moving part such as a membrane that moves when air travels through the device, completing a circuit and turning the vape on. Because airflow sensors are so simple, it’s possible for them to be faulty or to get stuck during shipping.

Luckily, it’s usually possible to overcome a faulty airflow sensor in a disposable vape by just puffing a little harder. Try drawing air firmly through the device and see if the light comes on. If it does, your vape actually does work. You might need to continue puffing harder than you normally would in order to keep the device working, but at least you’ll be able to use it.

Charge the Battery

Does your disposable vape have a USB port? If it does, your device has a rechargeable battery. Rechargeable batteries are very common in disposable vapes these days because of the large e-liquid supplies that many devices have. If a disposable vape has a capacity of thousands of puffs, there’s no way you’d be able to use all of the e-liquid before the battery died unless it was rechargeable.

We mention this because it’s possible – although rare – for a lithium-ion battery to self-discharge in storage to the point where normal use is no longer possible. So, before you assume that a disposable vape is dead on arrival, you should try charging the battery with a USB cable and see if it comes to life.

Extra Troubleshooting Tips for Oil-Based Vapes

Most disposable vapes are filled with e-liquid, but a few contain thick oil-based herbal extracts. In this case, a vape that isn’t working may require a bit of extra troubleshooting because leaked oil can potentially cause a device to clog. Here’s what you should do.

Try drawing air through your vape. If the airflow is smooth, the device isn’t clogged. Hopefully, one of the other troubleshooting steps in this article will resolve the issue.
If you do have difficulty pulling air through the device, try taking a short, sharp puff to dislodge the clog. If this works, you’ll hear a “pop,” and the vape will then work normally.
If that doesn’t work, try pushing a safety pin or toothpick down the vape’s mouthpiece to move the clog out of the way.
If oil leaks out of the vape’s airflow vents, the leak is probably so bad that it won’t be fixable. You should return the device to the seller in this case.

(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)