What Does It Mean When a Disposable Vape Blinks?

Disposable vapes are quickly becoming the most popular way to replace traditional smoking, and with good reason! When purchased from a reputable vendor, they are a safe alternative that millions enjoy across the globe.

Most disposable vapes come equipped with indicator lights that will start to blink for a variety of reasons, and none of them are good. If your light has started blinking and you have no idea why, you’re in the right place. 

Why is My Disposable Vape Blinking?

The Battery Inside, Your Disposable Vape, is Dead

This is the most likely reason for your indicator light to start flashing, especially if you’ve been using your device for a while. Plain and simple, the lithium-ion battery inside has died, and it’s time to replace it. Most disposable vapes are one-use only, hence the name, but some are rechargeable, depending on the brand. 

If you aren’t sure whether or not the light is flashing erroneously, consider how many puffs the vape was advertised as having. A standard amount is around 300 puffs, which should last you around 1-2 days of continued use. If your vape was advertised as having 300 puffs but hasn’t lasted this long, a different fault could be occurring. 

You’re Exceeding the Vape’s Puff Timer

Overheating is one of the leading reasons behind vape failure, so preventative measures are put in place to avoid it. One of these is the existence of a ‘puff timer’. This essentially monitors how long your drags are, and if they go on for too long, the timer will cut off the flow of air to prevent your inhaling. This gives the potentially overheated coil time to cool down.

If you consistently take drags too long for your device to handle, the puff timer will activate. Not only does this prevent you from inhaling more, but it also causes the indicator light to blink. In most disposable vapes, the assigned puff timer is between 8-10 seconds. If your indicator light has started to flash for seemingly no reason, it could be because you’re puffing for too long in one go. 

Your Disposable Vape is Overheating

Finally, if your indicator light is blinking, but your battery isn’t close to dying, it could be because your device is overheating. Disposable vapes utilise a lithium-ion battery for heating their coils, but these batteries are especially sensitive to heat. If the internal temperature rises too high, the device will be forced to shut down to prevent an explosion or fire. 

Some of the most common causes of overheating include leaving your device out in direct sunlight, placing it near a heat source, or continuous chain vaping. Vape explosions are rare but possible, so it’s essential you’re mindful of how you use your device. 

How To Fix A Blinking Disposable Vape

It might not be possible for you to fix your disposable vape by yourself. However, if you can’t return the device thanks to owning it past the return date, it’s worth a shot. Here are some things you could try – carefully.

Check the Air Intake Vent

If your vape is brand new and isn’t working or the indicator light is flashing, it could be an issue with the air intake vent. This is usually located at the bottom of your vape and is protected by a sticker during delivery. However, this sticker can interfere with how the puff timer functions. Remove it with care, and your vape should start working properly. 

Disassemble the Device

If you’ve removed the sticker and your vape still isn’t working, it might be time to go for more drastic measures. Disassembly will help you identify if any inner parts have been damaged or inappropriately placed, resulting in an overactive indicator light. 

What Should You Do if Your Brand New Disposable Vape Blinks?

Under no circumstances should your vape be blinking if it’s brand new. If this is the case, you need to return it immediately. Not only have you been sold a faulty product that will never be able to perform at the appropriate level, but it could also prove dangerous, as faulty vapes are more prone to exploding. 

To return your vape, you will need to have the receipt from the vendor you purchased it from and the original packaging. All vendors have different protocols for returning products, so make sure you understand their return policy before bringing the problem to their attention. 

For future reference, it’s always best to check a business’s returns policy before making a purchase so you know where you stand if there is a fault. Some brands (such as WAKA!) are more forgiving than others.

Rather than being a manufacturing fault, the problem may have occurred during delivery. Disposable vapes aren’t always the most durable devices, meaning their inner mechanics can become damaged when shipped. The lead cause of this is fluctuations in air pressure causing e-liquid leaks, damaging the internal battery compartment. 

Although tempting, it’s strongly advised that you don’t attempt to fix your disposable vape yourself. Not only are there safety concerns featured here, but the likelihood of you being able to fix the issue is pretty slim. Also, if you take the vape apart, you ruin any chance of returning it, no matter how generous the brand policy is. 

Your best option is to return the device back to the vendor in its original packaging. If you purchased it from a physical store, this would just be a case of returning it in the same box. If you purchased your device from an online video, sending an email with video evidence of the flashing light is likely the best way to get a refund or replacement. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Fix a Blinking Disposable Vape?

It isn’t always possible to fix a blinking disposable vape by yourself, so it’s widely recommended that you simply return it to the manufacturer where possible. Otherwise, you can try removing the sticker on the air intake vent or disassembling your device to diagnose the problem. 

Why Is My Disposable Vape Blinking 3 Times?

Three blinks in quick succession often indicate a lack of battery or that you’ve run out of e-liquid. If neither of those seems to be the case, you may be using a faulty device.

How Do I Know if My Disposable Vape Is Empty?

Under ordinary circumstances, your indicator light should start to blink to let you know you’re running low. Other tells are if your puffs have started to taste more bland than usual or if they taste more burnt as you start to burn the wick within. 

Need a New Disposable Vape? Shop WAKA Vape! 

At WAKA Vape, we offer a huge range of delicious and efficient vapes you can trust. We go the extra mile to ensure quality in all of our devices, but if you run into any issues, our returns policy has you covered. Browse our full collection today for inspiration.