Why Is My Vape Not Working? A Troubleshooting Guide

Temple of Vape Team · July 29, 2026

Before you write off a vape as broken, it's worth knowing that nine times out of ten it's something small and fixable. Work through these in order — most people find the culprit in the first few checks.

1. It won't turn on or fire

Charge it. Obvious, but the most common cause. Use a USB-C cable and give it a proper charge.
Check it's switched on. Many kits turn on/off with five quick clicks of the button.
Clean the contacts. A dab of e-liquid or grime where the pod meets the battery breaks the connection — wipe both with a dry tissue.

2. No vapour (or very little)

Is there e-liquid in it? Vaping a near-empty tank produces little vapour and risks a burnt taste. Refill it.
New coil not primed? A dry wick barely vapes and burns fast — learn to prime a coil.
Draw softer. On mouth-to-lung kits a long, gentle pull works far better than a short hard one — see MTL vs DTL.

3. It tastes burnt

That's almost always the coil — either unprimed, worn out, or run dry. Our full guide on why a vape tastes burnt and how often to replace coils covers it, and changing the coil fixes it.

4. It's leaking or gurgling

Usually an overfilled tank, a badly seated coil, or air pressure changes. Don't over-tighten. Full fixes are in how to stop your vape leaking, and a periodic clean prevents most of it.

5. Weak flavour

Coil past its best — swap it.
Same flavour for weeks? That's "vaper's tongue" — try a different flavour for a day to reset it. Finding a good all-day vape helps.
Check your PG/VG ratio suits your kit.

When it really is broken

Batteries don't last forever, and if a device won't charge or hold charge after all the above, it's reached the end of its life. If it's a recent purchase, get in touch — a faulty kit within warranty should be replaced. If you're due an upgrade anyway, our best beginner kits and kits under £20 are a good place to look.