Vape pens are a safer and cheaper alternative to traditional cigarettes. Unlike cigarettes, vape pens don’t burn tobacco, so they smell much more pleasantly. A lot of facilities allow using vape pens inside so many take advantage of this option.
While using a vape pen is very easy, it is an electronic device that can malfunction occasionally. Is your vape pen blinking? Continue reading to find out all the possible causes of this issue. I will provide you with the solutions so you can continue using your vape shortly.
Possible Causes of Your Vape Pen Blinking
If you noticed that your vape pen started blinking you may be wondering if something is wrong with the device. Blinking doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to buy a new pen, so let’s talk about some of the reasons this may be happening.
Keep in mind that there are hundreds of vape pen manufacturers out there. What is true for one brand may not be true for another, so always check the specific manual of your manufacturer first.
1. Low Battery
A blinking of a vape pen is most commonly caused by battery issues. Check if your vape pen is fully charged – most pens will start blinking if your battery is low or dead. This is true for both reusable and disposable vapes.
Usually, a vape pen blinks red when its battery is low. Most devices blink red while charging as well. The light will turn green when the pen is ready for use again.
Solution
In case your battery is low, the solution is pretty straightforward. Charge it fully before using it again. However, avoid vaping while the device is connected to the electricity. At the very least, it can damage the battery, and in more serious cases, it can be a fire hazard.
If your battery is dead, there is not much you can do except replace it or buy a new vape pen. The latter is more expensive, but consider it if your device is old. If you use a disposable pen, throw it away and buy a new one.
2. Connection Issues
Another issue you may be experiencing is if the battery is not properly connected to the other parts of a device. For the vape to work well, its battery needs to be securely connected to the cartridge.
Solution
To solve this issue, you will need to take apart your vape pen and put it together again. Before doing this, turn off your device. Screw the battery to the cartridge slowly until they are fully attached. Turn on the pen according to the brand’s instructions and the issue should be fixed.
3. Dirty Battery
A battery needs to have an uninterrupted connection with the cartridge and atomizer to work properly. Make sure that your battery is not dirty or covered with dust as this can interfere with the connection, prevent the device from functioning, and cause it to blink.
Solution
You can solve this problem by cleaning the inside of your vape pen. Here are the steps to doing this safely and properly.
- Disassemble the vape pen after turning it off. Separate the battery, cartridge, and mouthpiece.
- Cleanse the battery using a cotton swab or pad previously soaked in rubbing alcohol. You can also dry-clean it or use fresh, warm water.
- Clean the cartridge thoroughly. Soak it in warm water mixed with isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub it with a cotton pad or a soft cloth.
- Wait for all the device parts to completely dry.
- Reassemble the vape pen and use it like you normally would.
If a battery or any other parts of your vape pen were dirty, your device should stop blinking after cleaning it. However, always check the manufacturer’s instructions as some vape pens require specific care and materials when it comes to cleaning.
4. Battery Overheating
The overheating battery is another possible reason your vape pen is blinking. Overheating can happen due to multiple reasons including, but not limited to overuse, exposure to high temperatures, and overcharging.
If you notice that your battery is hot, you will need to address the issue as soon as possible. If not solved, a battery that overheats can pose a risk of fire and even explosion.
Solution
Take apart your vape pen and remove the battery. If you notice that it is leaking or swelling, dispose of it immediately. This means that it is not safe to use.
If the battery is not damaged, put it in a place at room temperature so it can cool down. Do not put it in a fridge or a freezer as humidity can damage the battery further.
To prevent your vape pen battery from overheating, don’t expose it to direct sunlight or high temperatures. Keep it in a shade or your pocket if you are outside.
5. Overuse of Vape Pen
Your vape pen may blink if you overuse it. Vaporizers work by using a battery to heat a coil, which in turn heats e-liquid to produce vapor.
If you take long puffs or if you take shorter puffs but repeatedly, your device won’t be able to keep up, which can cause it to start blinking.
Furthermore, most vape pens have a feature that allows them to shut down the heating element when the device is used more than the mechanism can handle.
Solution
The solution to this problem is to take shorter puffs or a bigger pause in between the puffs to allow the vaporizer to work properly. Blinking is your device warning you to take it more slowly so it can work better and protect the coil and the battery.
6. Low E-Liquid Levels
If your vape pen is running out of e-liquid, the device can start blinking to indicate the issue.
Vaping with low levels of e-liquid can be dangerous as this can overheat the device and damage the coil or battery.
Solution
Refill the vape pen promptly. Don’t let the device run out of juice but don’t overfill it either. Follow the brand’s instructions on the proper refill steps and the amount of liquid you need to put in.
If you use a disposable vape pen, throw it out when there is not enough liquid in it anymore.
7. Burnt Coil
If you have been using your vaporizer for a long time, the coil may have become burnt or worn out. In this case, your device will blink to let you know there is an issue with it. You will also notice that the pen produces less or no vapor at all.
Solution
If you notice there is a problem with a coil in your device, you should either replace the coil or the whole vape pen.
If you decide to replace a coil, make sure that you buy the correct type and brand to avoid further issues with your device. Follow the brand’s manual on how to do this. If you are not sure that you will be able to properly replace this pen part, visit a nearby vape shop to ask for help.
Why Is Your Brand New Vape Pen Blinking?
Your brand-new vape pen shouldn’t blink right out of the box. Let’s see what may be causing this issue and how to fix it.
8. Battery Issues
It is possible that your new vape pen is low on battery. Some manufacturers sell fully charged vaporizers but if this is not your case, you just need to charge the device before you start using it. Look at the manual to see how long you should keep the pen connected to the electricity.
9. Locked Device
Most vape pens are locked when you buy them. Therefore, the device will start blinking if you try to use it. Depending on the brand of your vaporizer, you will probably need to click the power button several times repeatedly to turn it on. Once it’s on, the blinking will stop.
10. Factory Malfunction
There is a chance that your vape pen arrived already damaged. This can be a factory problem, transportation issue, or some other previous malfunction.
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.
You will likely be able to return the vape and get a new one. If the seller is refusing to reimburse you, avoid using the device anyway. If a battery or a coil is damaged, it is a hazard, so it is much better to dispose of it and buy a new one than risk getting injured.
Conclusion
Your vape pen can be blinking for a multitude of reasons. Most probably it is a minor issue, like a low battery, dirty components, loose connection, low e-liquid levels, or overuse of the device.
On the other hand, it could be that your vaporizer is overheating or that the coil inside it is damaged.
If your vape pen is brand new, the blinking can be caused by a low battery, a locked device, or a factory issue.
Most of these problems are easily solved, but if there is a more serious issue going on, throw away your vape pen or try to replace it with a new one.
If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments. We love to hear from you!
