How to Fix a Disposable Vape Pen That’s Not Hitting

While disposable vape pens are easy to use, compact, and convenient, there are inevitably times when they malfunction, which is frustrating for the user. You may be tempted to throw out the disposable vape pen and buy another, but it is always worth a little bit of troubleshooting first.

There are a few simple ways to quickly fix your disposable vape pen that’s not hitting, which means you will get more use out of it before buying a new one.

Below you will find our easy tips for troubleshooting a disposable vape pen not hitting, but first, we will take a look at the individual components of the vape pen so you will better understand how and why they sometimes malfunction.

What Is a Disposable Vape Pen?

In a consumer market that demands convenience, disposable vape pens are the ideal all-in-one system for anyone who enjoys vaping. These pens are essentially “idiot proof” as you open the package, and you are ready to go! There is absolutely no hassle involved with a disposable vape pen. Users do not need to worry about assembling the pen, charging it, or filling it with liquid.

A disposable vape pen is effortless and easy to carry anywhere as it fits in your pocket. You can also tell from the manufacturer’s product information what to expect regarding the pen's life: this is known as the puff count.

If you have neared the end of this “puff count,” or the estimated number of times you can pull from the device, it may not be worth trying to troubleshoot and instead just purchase your next one. However, if the disposable vape pen is still fairly new and you are nowhere near maxing out on the puff count, you should definitely investigate to determine why it’s not hitting.

Parts of a Disposable Vape Pen

If you have used a regular, non-disposable vape pen, you may be familiar with those components and wonder how a disposable pen stacks up against it—and how it functions without charging. Here is what you can expect to find in a disposable vape pen:

Cartridge

The disposable vape pen includes a cartridge built into the device, but you will not see it or remove it. The cartridge holds the preloaded vape oil, and a mouthpiece at the top of that cartridge allows the user to draw the vapor.

Battery

While it cannot be recharged like the batteries included with traditional vape pens, a battery is built into the disposable vape pen. This battery powers the device for as long as the liquid is in it (or, in theory, this is how it should function).

Battery capacity in a disposable vape pen falls into a range and is dictated by the size of the device and its overall liquid capacity, too. You should be able to determine this information in the product guidelines, just as you can see the estimated puff count.

Coil

The coil is effectively what the battery "powers" in a disposable vape pen. Because it is made of metal, this is the heating element tasked with heating the liquid to turn it into the vapor you inhale. The coil is inside the cartridge, so you will not see it, but you will know it is working if you can successfully vape from the pen.

Troubleshooting Guide: What to Do When a Disposable Vape Pen Isn’t Hitting

If the disposable vape pen is nearing the end of its life (“puff count”), you may as well invest in a new one. However, if the pen is fairly new, you should try a few simple tricks to see if you can get it to function correctly and allow you to draw vapor from it.

Tip #1: Look For Debris

A quick debris check is the first thing you should do if your disposable vape pen is not hitting. This is one of the most common reasons the pens malfunction, thanks to their time in pockets, purses, or backpacks, being jostled around among everything from candy wrappers to crumbs.

The device may have something tiny lodged in the mouthpiece, causing it to malfunction when you try to vape. A quick inspection of the mouthpiece—use the flashlight on your phone if needed—may show you that some debris is lodged there. With a toothpick or safety pin, you should be able to gently pry out whatever is in the way.

Tip #2: A Simple Tap

Disposable vape pens can also stop working when an air bubble forms inside the cartridge. While you cannot see an air bubble, you can certainly rule that out as a cause by gently tapping the side of the cartridge to see if it functions correctly afterward. This means the air bubble was broken, and the airflow in the disposable vape pen was restored to normal function.

Tip #3: Assess the Battery Signal

If your disposable vape pen comes with some type of light showing battery function, look at whether it lights up when you hit the pen. If the light has stopped working and the battery is dead, you will know it’s time to dispose of that pen and purchase a new one.

Remember, there is no method for battery replacement with disposable vape pens; they are intended to last as long as the battery's life only, and then you start over with a new disposable vape pen. Some clever users and amateur scientists even repurpose the pen parts rather than throwing them out!