Why My Vape Pen is not Hitting the Weed​? 8 Fixes

When it comes to enjoying cannabis, nothing beats the ease and convenience of vape pens.

Vape pens are portable, discreet and effective delivery systems for cannabis products.

We love the convenience of a cannabis vape pen, but nothing is more inconvenient than when it stops working on you.

Be it a nasty amount of residue or a simple airflow issue, there are a bevy of possible obstructions that canrender your vape pen unusable.

Although these problems can be frustrating, Don’t give up on a vape if it doesn’t hit right away!

There are a few things you can do to try and solve most of the problems and get back to vaping.

In this guide, I’ve compiled the most common vape pen issues to help you troubleshoot and get your device working again.

Most of these repairs can be performed on wax dab pens, dry herb vaporizers, and oil vape pens.

Why My Vape Pen is not Hitting the Weed? 8 Fixes

The vape pen not hitting problem is often caused by clogged cartridges, dead battery, or dirty contact points. Sometimes, however, they indicate that your vape’s battery or coil might be damaged.

See my checklist below to confirm where the issue was. If it’s indeed one of the issue, there will also have a simple solution for you to follow.

1. Low or Dying Battery

The battery is the power source for your vape pen. The most common reason for your vape pen not hitting is to indicate that your battery run out of power, not fully charged, or even invalid.

Batteries don’t just magically infinitely hold their charge. They slowly drain over time.

Solution:

Ensure that your battery is actually charged. Most vapes have a LED light that indicates when it's time to recharge.

When there is not enough power coming from the battery, your vape will give a blinking light (a red light with some devices) to let you know it needs to be charged.

A green or blue light typically shows that the device is fully or half-charged, respectively.

If the battery is out of power, Plug the battery in to charge for a couple hours and try again. A vape pen charging cord is typically a micro USB or USB-C.

If it's not charging, the charging port, cable, or the battery itself might be damaged.

In this case, you will need to clean the charging Port, try a different charging cable, seek professional help or just replace the vape.

2. Bad Connection

If the battery isn't properly connected, it won't provide the necessary power to the heating element.

A loose or tight connection can disrupt the power supply to the heating element.

The 510 connection pin on the vape pen needs to connect with the cart to work. If you tighten the vape pen too hard, it can damage this important connection.

In addition, Over time, the connections between the battery and the cartridge can become dirty, which prevents the electrical current from flowing, leaving you high and dry.

Solution:

Ensure that the cartridge is properly connected to the battery. Twist until the cart is snug and doesn’t jiggle around, but avoid forcing it even tighter. A finger-tight hold is all you need.

Checkingthe contact points, If the connection pin not connect with the cart, Using a small tool like a flathead screwdriver, try slightly pulling the contact pin up until it is even and level.

Cleaning the 510 threading with a cotton swab and a bit of rubbing alcohol can help maintain a good connection.

3. Clogged Vape Cartridge

Frequent usage tends to lead to the buildup of residue from the vape liquid, especially if there’s no regular cleaning. This accumulated residue can hinder airflow and prevent your vape from working.

If the cartridge has airflow but isn’t producing vapor, it’s possible that the oil in the cartridge’s reservoir is too cold and viscous to absorb into the cartridge’s wick.

Solution:

To remove the residue, gently blow into the mouthpiece can help clear minor clogs. For stubborn blockages, using a small needle or paperclip can do the trick. Don’t scratch too hard, as this could damage the device.

For the cold or thick oil, warming the cartridge will often resolve the issue. You can DIY preheating by doing any of the actions below:

Use your hand: Warm the vape pen by holding it in your hand for a few minutes.

Submerge in warm water: You can place the cartridge in a zip-top bag and submerge the bag under warm water for a few minutes.

Use a hair dryer: Open the hair dryer and Position the hairdryer one or two feet away, warming the cart for around a minute. This will loosen up the residue and oil.

4. Incorrect Voltage Settings

Denser oils usually require higher temperature or voltage settings. If these settings are too low, the vape pen might not work properly - result in subpar vapor.

Solution:

If your vape pen has adjustable settings, experiment with higher temperatures — 2.5 volts and above—and see if it produces vapor.

5. Airflow Settings Are Off

If your vape has airflow settings or has an obstruction, then it could prevent air from moving through your cart.

If you feel resistance when you try hitting your vape and it’s difficult to breathe in, then it could mean there’s an airflow issue.

Airflow holes are one or two little slots at the bottom of the casing that need to be open and not blocked, to allow air to enter the device when inhaling.

Solution:

Avoid covering the airflow holes by hand.

Try adjusting to a more open airflow setting.

If you see that the airflow holes are blocked, Use a cotton swab or soft brush to gently clean out any debris present.

6. Locked Vape Pen

Sometimes, when a vape isn’t working, it could simply be because the device is not turned on yet.

Some vapes are draw-activated, while others need to be manually switched on by rapidly clicking the button five times.

Solution:

Check your user manual for specific instructions on unlocking your device.

Once it’s unlocked, your pen should fire normally.

7. Oil Insufficiency

Insufficient oil may hinder the production of vapor.

Typically, if no juice is left in the vape pen, you may get a nasty hit and maybe notice a slight burning smell.

Solution:

Check the oil level, The vape pen may have out of juice.

Just replace the empty vape pen with a new cart.

8. Factory Defects

Very rarely, you might get a vape that’s damaged or has a defect right out of the box. It’s sad, but poor-quality vapes are out there.

The most common reason a brand-new cart won’t hit is that its coil, chipset, or battery is defective.

Solution:

There’s nothing you can do to save the vape in this case.

Contact the store where you bought the cart and let them know about the issue to see if you can do an exchange or get a refund.

Generally It's crucial to ensure that your vape pens are high-quality and authentic. Counterfeit or low-quality vapes are more prone to have problems.

How to Maintain Your Vape Like a Pro!

Treating your vape with care can prevent many of the causes of an eventual failure. To extend the lifespan of vape, consider trying one of these easy methods:

1. Regular cleaning: Make it a habit to clean your vape after each use.

Wipe down the mouthpiece, connection and the exterior with a soft cloth, and periodically disassemble the pen and clean the internal components using a swab and isopropyl alcohol.

2. Proper storage: Store your pen vape upright in a dark, cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This helps to prevent leaks and keeps the battery from overheating.

Also, don’t keep your vapes inside pockets, it collects lint overtime.

3. Handle your vape with care: Treat your vape pen with care. Avoid dropping, mishandling, or shaking the device.

4. Monitor Usage: Pay attention to how your vape pen is performing. If you notice a burnt flavor or decrease in vapor production, it might be time to clean or replace coils.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting vape pens that aren't hitting can feel like a daunting task—but with a bit of know-how and patience, you can often get back to vaping in no time.

Remember, the key to a better vaping experience lies in proper handling, regular maintenance, and using quality products.

When you’ve tried everything to no avail, check to see if the cart’s manufacturer provides a warranty. Dispensaries and online retailers might also offer warranties, refunds, or returns on new products.

Most adjustments we’ve described won’t impact your ability to return a product. However, pulling apart your cart to fix the coil could complicate a return or refund request.