Why is My Vape Blinking and not Hitting? 8 Posible Causes & Fixes

Sleek, discreet, convenient and portable, vape pens have revolutionized how people enjoy their preferred substences forever.

The lights on the vape play a crucial role in conveying important information to consumers, helping them monitor battery life, temperature settings, and safety features.

When you’re getting ready to vape, the last thing you want to see is a blinking light on your vape pen.

If your vape pen blinks, there’s an electronic issue that prevents it from functioning. Some devices might blink 3 times, and others 10 times or more.

Fortunately, A flum blinking light doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy a new pen, so let’s talk about some of the reasons this may happen and find the troubleshooting options.

And, most importantly, how you can keep your e-cig in great condition for your future vape sessions.

What are Vapes? and How do they work?

Vapes (also called vape pens, pods or e-cigs) are electronic devices that vaporize Nicotine e-liquids, cannabis oils or flower.

They consist of a battery, mouthpiece, an atomizer, and a cartridge or tank.

Vape pens come in both reusable and disposable variations and there's a type for almost every budget.

Vape pens come in different shapes and sizes, but they all work on the same basic principle.

The battery powers the atomizer, which heats up the e-juice or flower in the cartridge and turns it into vapor. The vapor is then inhaled through the mouthpiece by user.

Also Read: What is a Vape Pen? Benefits? Different Types? How does it work?

What Do The Lights On My Vape Mean?

Vapes come in a wide variety of styles and brands so there isn’t a universal warning system across all devices—it really depends on the manufacturer.

Genery speaking, The number of blinks can mean a variety of things, including issues with a battery, coil or something else.

The light color on the other hand, is typically used to indicate the current temperature or voltage setting of a vape.

The number of blinks, the light colors on your vaporizer, and what those colors stand for, are determined by how the vape’s PCB chip was programmed.

The PCB chip is the brain of the vape designed to show all sorts of colors or number of blinks.

Most of the time, the PCB chips are made with 2 or 3 blinking colors, but sometimes there can be 4 or 5.

Why is My Vape Blinking and not Hitting? 8 Posible Causes & Fixes

Vape Pens will blink for a variety of reasons from dead batteries and severed connections, to a coil needing to be connected. Luckily, most of them are easily fixable.

1. Low or Dead Battery

A low or dead battery is the most common reason for the blinking light.

In this case, the device will not be able to produce enough heat to vaporize the e-juice.

When the battery is low, the light turns red. It can be solid or blink slowly.

The red light will stay on until you recharge the battery or it completely dies.

The light will turn green when the pen is ready for use again.

Solution:

To fix this issue, you should charge your device using the appropriate charger.

Look for any Micro-USB or USB-C ports on your vape pen and plug it into a charger.

These ports are commonly found at the bottom of your vaping device. Once you charge your e-cig, the blinking should stop.

If it is a disposable vape then you need to dispose of it properly, many vape shops have proper recycling set up to take it from you, then you simply buy a new one.

2. Connection Issue

If the battery is charged but the vape is still blinking, it could be due to an issue with the connection between the cartridge and the battery.

A connection point is important as it facilitates the efficient transfer of power to the cartridge’s heating coil.

The common reasons for poor battery connections are dirty or damaged contact, improper aligne - loose or overtight.

Solution:

Check the connection between your battery and cartridge.

Unscrew the cartridge and reseat it. Make sure everything is screwed in correctly without being too tight or too loose.

If the connection is dirty by leakage or something else, A simple cleaning of the spring contacts and threading with a cotton swab and alcohol can work wonders.

Make sure that the threading is completely dry before using your vape pen again.

3. Exceed the Puff Limit

Heat is generated by the atomizer coil inside of the vape cart, as well as from the battery.

To keep the unit protected from overheating, many vapes have circuits that limit the output in a single span of time, like 10 seconds or longer.

Your vape pen may blink if you take too many puffs in quick succession that your device won’t be able to keep up.

Solution:

Take shorter puffs, Avoid Chain Vaping to prevent the issue from happening in the future.

If you’ve gotten overuse with your vaping, let the device reset for a moment.

If you keep trying to take a hit while the light is blinking, it will keep blinking.

4. Short Circuits

A short circuit can occur when the positive and negative terminals of the battery touch each other or when there is damage to the wiring or circuit board.

In this case, your device will blink to let you know there is an issue.

Solution:

Regularly inspect your vape pen for any signs of damage, and make sure you’re using compatible components.

Try not to over-tighten the parts, as this can lead to damage and short circuits.

If you suspect that your vape has a short circuit issue, you should stop using it immediately and take it to a professional for repair.

5. Overheating

Vapes usually are come with lithium-ion batteries, which are very flammable.

As a safety measure, some vapes have an internal temperature sensor, which will shut down the device if it’s in danger of overheating and causes it to blink.

That might happen if you use your vape pen in direct sunlight or try to vape after leaving your device in a hot car for a while.

Solution:

Don’t store or use your vape pen in a hot environment or temp.

If you leave your device in a hot car accidentally, don’t use it until it’s had plenty of time to cool down.

6. Incompatible Cartridge

Cartridges are designed to function with specific types of vape pens. Each vape pen has unique preferences, from voltage requirements to thread patterns.

So, trying to use a cartridge that doesn’t match these set preferences, you’ll end up with a blinking light rather than a nourishing puff of vapor.

For example, If your vape pen operates at a single voltage, though, it’ll only work with small cartridges for oil vaping.

If you connect the type of large glass tank that people typically use for nicotine e-liquids, the vape pen will flash and stop working because the wattage would exceed what its battery can safely deliver.

Solution:

Always check the compatibility of your cartridge and battery. The right cartridge makes all the difference.

Try a different cartridge with your battery, and see if the problem is resolved.

If you have a small vape pen designed only for oil vaping, don’t attempt to use it with a large e-liquid tank.

7. Damaged Atomizer or Coil

The atomizer is the part of the vape that heats up the e-liquid and produces the vapor.

If the atomizer is damaged or not working properly, it can cause the vape to flash, which indicates an overload or something else.

The most common Atomizer issue is related to coil, which may have become burnt or worn out if you have been using vape for a long time.

Solution:

Inspect your vape pen’s tank or coil to find out if it functions.

If you notice any damage, such as a broken or burned coil, you might need a replacement. Follow the instructions to install a new coil.

8. Factory malfunction

There is a real possibility that a brand-new vape pen is damaged internally. It can be a factory problem or occur during shipping.

A light will flash because of its pre-programmed stalling mechanism.

Solution:

In this case, don’t use the vaporizer. Take pictures and videos showing the damage and contact either the manufacturer or the store that sold you the pen.

There is a high possibility to get a new device if the manufacturer is reputable.

The 3 Preventive Measures to avoid Vape Blinking

To minimize the chances of encountering light blinking issues with your vape, follow these preventive measures:

1. Regular Cleaning

One of the most important preventive measures for vape pen issues is regular cleaning.

Over time, residue can build up on the battery, connection, tank, and other components of the vape pen, leading to issues such as blinking lights and poor vapor production.

To avoid this, we recommend cleaning your vape pen regularly with a soft cloth or cotton swab. You can also use rubbing alcohol to remove stubborn residue.

2. Proper Storage

Proper storage is another important preventive measure for vape pen issues.

When not in use, your vape pen should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. This will help prevent the battery from overheating and potentially causing issues such as a short circuit.

Additionally, it is important to store your vape pen upright, with the mouthpiece facing up, to prevent e-liquid from leaking out of the tank.

Avoid storing it in pockets or bags where it can be subjected to pressure or jostling.

3. Timely Maintenance

Finally, timely maintenance is key to preventing issues with your vape pen. This includes replacing the coil or cartridge when necessary, charging the battery regularly, refilling the e-liquid to empty tank, and checking for any signs of wear or damage.

If you notice any issues with your vape pen, such as a blinking light, it is important to address them promptly to avoid further damage.

Explore More: How to Charge a Vape Pen? Step by Step Guide

Conclusion

There can be several reasons why vape pens blink. Although blinking typically indicates minor problems such as a low battery, exceed the puff limit, and poor connections, sometimes the problem can be more serious.

For instance, it can be short circuits or a damaged coil. Therefore, it is best to get it checked at a repair shop or return it to the seller and ask for a new one.

Move with haste, find out the reason for the blinking, and fix it before it’s too late.

To be completely certain why your vape pen is flashing and not working, you’ll want to reference the number of flashes in your device’s instruction manual and then return to this article to determine the appropriate troubleshooting steps.

Finally, it’s important to use and maintenance your vape pen in the way properly. By following these useful preventive Measures, you can help ensure that your vape pen lasts longer and functions properly.