If your vape isn’t working, it’s frustrating, especially when it was fine earlier. Whether your device won’t hit, produces no vapour, lights up but doesn’t work, or your pod vape has suddenly stopped, most problems have simple fixes.
This guide walks you through what to check step by step, starting with quick fixes and moving on to more specific causes. You don’t need any technical knowledge. Just follow the sections that match what your vape is doing. If the issue can’t be fixed, we’ll also explain when it’s safer to replace the device.
Quick Checks
- Is the device charged?
- Is the pod fully inserted?
- Is there e-liquid in the pod?
- Are there any warning lights?
Vape Lights but no vapour
When a vape lights up but produces no vapour, it means the battery is working, but something is stopping power or airflow from reaching the coil.
Most of the time, this isn’t a serious fault, it’s usually a connection or airflow issue.
Likely causes:
- Pod not seated properly
- Airflow restricted
- Coil not firing
Fixes:
Fix 1: Remove and reinsert the pod firmly
Pod vapes rely on small metal contact points to transfer power from the battery to the coil. If the pod isn’t fully seated, those contacts don’t line up properly, and the coil won’t heat. Even being slightly raised can be enough to stop vapour production entirely.
That’s why removing the pod and pushing it back in firmly often fixes the issue immediately.
Fix 2: Adjust airflow
Airflow controls how much air passes over the coil when you inhale.
If airflow is too open, the vapour becomes thin and unsatisfying
If airflow is too restricted, the coil can struggle to vaporise e-liquid properly
By adjusting the airflow gradually, you’re helping the coil reach a balance where it:
Heats efficiently
Produces consistent vapour
Feels comfortable to inhale
This is why small adjustments work better than fully opening or closing it in one go.
Fix 3: Check for condensation
Condensation builds up naturally as vapour cools inside the device. Over time, this moisture can:
Block airflow
Interfere with electrical contacts
Cause weak or inconsistent firing
A quick wipe restores proper airflow and electrical connection, which is why this step often solves the problem instantly.
Vape not hitting properly (weak or inconsistent)
If your vape does produce vapour but feels weak, airy, or inconsistent, the device is working, just not efficiently.
This usually comes down to airflow balance, coil condition, or battery output.
Likely causes:
- Airflow not matched to draw style
- Coil nearing end of life
- Battery too low
Fixes:
Fix 1: Slightly restrict airflow
Airflow doesn’t just control air, it controls vapour density.
Fully open airflow = cooler, lighter vapour
Partially restricted airflow = warmer, denser vapour
Beginners often leave airflow fully open without realising it’s making the vape feel underpowered. Slightly closing it concentrates the vapour and improves flavour and throat feel.
That’s why a “balanced draw” often feels much better than “maximum air”.
If you’re using a prefilled pod system, airflow balance is especially important, devices like the Franko Prefilled Pod Kit are designed to work best with a slightly restricted draw rather than fully open airflow.
Fix 2: Take slower puffs
Coils need time to re-saturate with e-liquid between puffs.
If you vape too quickly:
The cotton dries out
Vapour becomes thin
Flavour drops
Slower, steadier draws give the coil time to absorb liquid properly, which improves consistency and prevents dry hits.
Fix 3: Fully charge the device
Many beginners assume that if the vape lights up, the battery is fine.
In reality:
Low battery = weaker coil heating
Weaker heating = less vapour
Fully charging the device restores proper power output, which is why this step often improves performance immediately.
Vape turns on but still produces no vapour
At this point, if airflow and seating are correct, the issue is usually coil-related. Vape coils are consumable parts. Over time, residue builds up on the heating element and cotton, reducing performance until vapour production stops altogether. This is normal, not a fault.
Likely causes:
- Coil Failure
- Condensation blocking contacts
Fixes:
Step 1: Remove Pod
Step 2: Clean Contacts
If e-liquid leaks or condenses into the contact area, power transfer becomes unreliable.
Cleaning removes that barrier, allowing electricity to flow correctly again. This is why cleaning is always worth trying before replacing parts.
If cleaning the contacts doesn’t help, the coil inside the pod has likely reached the end of its life. This is normal, coils are consumable parts and need replacing regularly.
Using a fresh Franko Prefilled Pod restores clean cotton and proper heating, which is why vapour usually comes back immediately.
Vape not charging or holding charge
Most charging problems are caused by:
Worn cables
Dust or lint in the charging port
Even a small amount of debris can stop the charger from making proper contact. Cleaning the port and switching cables often solves the issue without needing a new device.
Likely causes:
- Dirty charging port
- Cable issue
- Battery degredation
Fixes:
Fix 1: Clean charging port
Vape charging ports are small, and over time they collect:
Pocket lint
Dust
Condensation
Dried e-liquid residue
Even a tiny amount of debris can stop the charging cable from making full contact with the internal pins. When this happens, the vape may:
Charge inconsistently
Only charge when the cable is held at an angle
Appear to charge but never reach full power
Cleaning the port works because it restores proper contact, allowing electricity to flow normally into the battery again.
Fix 2: Try another cable
Charging cables wear out far more often than vape devices.
A damaged or low-quality cable may:
Deliver inconsistent power
Stop charging altogether
Cause extremely slow charging
This can make it seem like the vape is faulty when it isn’t.
Trying a different cable helps you quickly rule out the most common cause before assuming there’s a battery problem.
Fix 3: Allow longer charging time
As vape batteries age, they charge more slowly.
This means:
The device may light up before it’s fully charged
Short charging sessions may not provide enough power for normal use
Allowing the vape to charge uninterrupted for 30-60 minutes ensures the battery reaches a stable charge level, which often restores normal performance.
All vape batteries degrade over time.
If a device:
Charges very quickly
Drains very fast
Loses power suddenly
It’s usually a sign the battery has reached the end of its lifespan. At that point, replacing the device is safer and more reliable than trying to force it to keep working.
Vape pod not working properly
Pods are basically the “engine room”: they contain the coil and airflow path. If the pod isn’t working, the whole experience fails even if the battery is fine.
Likely causes:
- Condensation inside pod cavity
- Flooded pod
- Faulty pod
Fixes:
Fix 1: Remove the pod and wipe the cavity (condensation check)
Warm vapour cools inside the device and turns back into droplets. That condensation can:
block airflow
cause weak hits
interfere with electrical contacts
Wiping it clears the airflow path and restores clean contact, which is why this fix can instantly bring vapour back.
Fix 2: Tap out excess liquid (if the pod is flooded)
Flooding happens when too much e-liquid gets into the coil chamber. When that happens, the coil can’t vaporise properly, it’s like trying to light a soaked match.
Tapping helps remove the excess and lets the coil return to a normal saturation level.
Signs of flooding:
gurgling sounds
spitback (tiny droplets)
very weak vapour
Flooding can also be caused by e-liquid that’s too thin for the device. Pod systems generally work best with High PG e-liquids, which wick more efficiently and reduce leaking or flooding.
Fix 3: Try a fresh pod (best diagnostic step)
This is the fastest way to isolate the problem.
If a new pod works → your device is fine, old pod was the issue
If a new pod also fails → likely device/charging/contact issue
Pods can also be faulty out of the box occasionally — it happens with mass production. This step saves time and guesswork.
Cold Weather Issues
Cold weather can make a vape feel “broken” when it isn’t.
What happens
Cold affects vapes in two big ways:
Batteries perform worse when cold
Rechargeable batteries deliver less power in low temperatures. Less power means less coil heat, which means weak vapour.E-liquid thickens
When e-liquid gets thicker, it moves more slowly through cotton. That can cause poor wicking and weak hits or even dry hits.
Fixes:
Fix 1: Warm device in pocket
When you warm the vape in your pocket, you bring the battery and liquid back into a normal operating range. The coil can heat properly and the cotton wicks correctly again.
Practical advice
Keep it in a pocket (close to your body)
Avoid leaving it in a car
If it’s been cold, wait 5–10 minutes before vaping
If it works indoors but not outside, it’s almost always temperature-related.
Fix 2: Avoid leaving in car
Cars expose vapes to extreme temperature swings, which can cause multiple problems even if the device was working perfectly before.
In cold weather, a vape left in a car can become much colder than the outside air. This leads to:
Thicker e-liquid that struggles to wick into the coil
Reduced battery performance
Increased condensation inside the device
When you try to vape immediately after bringing it inside, the coil often can’t heat properly and vapour production drops or stops completely.
In warmer conditions, cars can heat up quickly - even on mild days. Excess heat can:
Stress or degrade the battery
Thin the e-liquid too much, leading to leaks or flooding
Reduce the lifespan of internal components
Because vape batteries and e-liquids are designed to work within a stable temperature range, sudden changes are especially hard on them.
When to stop fixing and replace
This step is important because there’s a point where continuing to troubleshoot becomes:
frustrating
expensive (wasted pods)
potentially unsafe (battery/charging issues)
Signs it’s time to replace the device
Why replacing is often the best fix
A failing battery or unstable charging circuit won’t be solved by “tips.” It may behave for a bit, then fail again.
Replacing:
removes safety risk
saves money long-term
stops you wasting pods trying to diagnose a battery issue
If a device is overheating or showing weird charging behaviour, it’s not worth pushing it.