Common Vape Problems and How to Fix Them: Leaking, Burnt Taste and No Vapour

Leaking, a burnt or harsh taste, and weak or no vapour are the three most common complaints with any vape, whether it's a pod system or a mod. The good news is that almost all of them trace back to a handful of simple causes, most of which you can fix yourself in a couple of minutes. Here's what's usually going on and how to sort it.

Leaking: why it happens and how to stop it

A pod or tank that's leaking from the airflow slots, the bottom, or around the mouthpiece is almost always down to one of a few things: the pod or tank wasn't seated or screwed in properly, the seals or O-rings have worn out or shifted, it's been overfilled past the max-fill line, or it's been stored on its side or upside down with e-liquid pooling against the seals.

Start with the basics: make sure the pod or tank is fully clicked or screwed into place, check the fill line hasn't been exceeded, and store the device upright between uses. If leaking continues after that, the seals on the pod or coil have likely worn out, which is normal after enough refills or enough time in use — the fix is a new pod or coil rather than trying to keep squeezing life out of a worn one.

Burnt or harsh taste: almost always a coil problem

A burnt taste means the wick inside the coil isn't getting enough e-liquid to keep up with the heat being applied to it, so the cotton is scorching instead of vaporising juice. The most common causes are a coil or pod that's simply reached the end of its life, vaping at a wattage that's too high for the coil installed, chain vaping without giving the wick time to re-saturate, or firing a brand-new coil before it's had a chance to soak up e-liquid.

If it's a new pod or coil, let it sit filled for 5–10 minutes before the first vape, and take slow, gentle puffs for the first few to let the wick fully saturate. If it's an older coil that's started tasting burnt or just "off" compared to when it was new, that's the wick telling you it's done — replacing it is the fix, not pushing through it. Running a lower wattage than the coil is rated for, or switching to a higher-resistance coil, can also help if harshness keeps showing up early.

No vapour or weak vapour: work through it in order

When a device produces little or no vapour, work through the likely causes in order: check the battery is charged, check there's actually e-liquid in the pod or tank, check the airflow isn't blocked by lint or pocket debris, and check the device is actually firing (a blinking light or no light at all usually points to a battery or connection issue rather than the coil). If the device fires and has juice and charge but vapour is still thin or weak, the coil is most likely near the end of its life and struggling to vaporise liquid properly, even if it hasn't fully burnt out yet.

The coil is the common thread

Leaking, burnt taste, and weak vapour all point back to the coil or pod more often than anything else. As a rough guide, most coils and pre-filled pods last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on how much you vape and what you're vaping, and replacing them on a regular schedule rather than waiting for a problem to show up will save you most of these headaches before they start. If you're not sure which coil or pod your device takes, check the model printed on the device or the original packaging before ordering.

You can browse compatible options in our Replacement Pods, Coils & Tanks range.

When it's not the coil

If you've replaced the coil or pod and the same problem keeps coming back, the issue may be with the device itself — a damaged battery, a faulty connection pin, or a cracked tank or pod housing. At that point it's worth bringing the device in or getting in touch so we can take a proper look, rather than cycling through coil after coil.

This article is general product information, not medical advice, and is intended for existing adult vapers and smokers looking to switch. All products sold by NZ Vapez are R18+ — proof of age is required at checkout and on delivery.