Most modern vapes are designed to be as simple to use as possible, and malfunctions are becoming ever less common.

However, problems do still occur, and to help you understand what causes one of the most frequently encountered issues – and what you can do about it – in this post, we answer the question, why does my vape cart have airflow but no smoke?

Why Does My Vape Cart Have Airflow but No Smoke?

1. Battery not charged

Whenever you have a problem with your vape, the best course of action is to start with the most obvious causes and eliminate them one by one until you find out why your vape is not working properly.

For this reason, the first possibility to eliminate is the battery since a battery that is not charged could give you the sensation of airflow without the vape producing any “smoke”.

What to do:

If the battery has some kind of indicator – such as an LED – to let you know when it’s empty, check to see what it’s telling you. Otherwise, just charge it up fully and try vaping again to see if that resolves the problem.

2. Battery too tight

Another problem can be if the battery is screwed in too tightly.

Of course, you need to make sure the battery is screwed in tightly enough, but if it’s screwed in too tightly, it might prevent the vape from working properly – and it may even cause permanent damage to your vape.

What to do:

If you think this might be the cause of your vape not working correctly, unscrew the battery completely and remove it.

Next, screw it back in so that it’s “finger tight” – in other words, make sure it’s screwed in firmly without forcing it.

You can then try it again, and now hopefully it will start producing clouds of vapor again.

Tip: You can avoid this problem – and many of the others we talk about in this post – by switching to a high-quality disposable instead of a refillable vape.

This is because disposables come fully loaded with juice and incorporate a fixed battery – and since you can’t remove any of the parts, there’s far less scope for problems.

For example, if you choose a top-end disposable such as the Katana BP10000 from Spiritbar, you can enjoy up to 10,000 puffs of luxurious vape juice without ever having to worry about filling it up or removing the cart – you just need to charge the battery whenever it runs low.

As well as being highly convenient and easy to use, these vapes are stylish and attractive – the Katana BP10000 was inspired by the iconic Japanese katana sword – and these are all reasons why devices such as this are seeing a great surge in popularity.

3. Connection pin too flat

Another possible cause of a malfunctioning vape is if the pin that connects to the battery becomes flattened, leading to a poor connection. This may also happen if you tighten the battery too much. Fortunately, however, it’s an easy issue to fix.

What to do:

To fix this issue, simply remove the battery and use a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool to bend the pin back into position. Next, screw the battery back in and check to see if you’ve fixed the problem.

4. Dirty connections

Another cause of a poor connection between the battery and the vape can be if your vape is dirty inside, either through dust, condensation, a build-up of leaked vape juice – or a combination of all of these.

What to do:

This is another easy fix. Start by taking a piece of cotton and some rubbing alcohol and wipe the connection clean of any gunk or grime. Once it’s clean, replace the battery and see if the problem has been resolved.

5. Wrong settings

Other than physical problems, another possibility to consider is that your vape is not configured with the correct settings.

If you don’t use the correct settings on your vape for the battery you’re using, it may mean it doesn’t generate enough power or heat to properly vaporize the juice, which will result in airflow without vapor.

What to do:

This is another easy fix. Check the user manual that came with your vape for details of the correct settings – and you may also find relevant details with the leaflet that came with the battery if you bought it separately.

Then all you need to do is adjust the settings accordingly and your vape should start working correctly.

6. Clogged cartridge

Something else that can cause airflow with no smoke is if your cartridge is clogged.

This is unlikely to be the case with a new cartridge but is more likely to occur with an old cartridge, especially if you use it a lot without cleaning it regularly.

It can also occur if you store the vape lying down since this can cause a small amount of juice to leak out, resulting in a blockage.

What to do:

Take the cart out and inspect it – and if it’s blocked, you’ll probably be able to see some residue on the cart.

To clean it, you just need to use a cotton bud and some rubbing alcohol to wipe it clean. Once this is done, try vaping to see if the problem has been fixed.

7. Clogged vape

A similar problem to having a blocked cart is if you have a blocked vape – although this is more likely to manifest itself as reduced airflow rather than airflow with no vapor.

Inspect the mouthpiece to see if it’s clogged, and if it is, you’ll need to unclog it.

What to do:

Use a cotton bud and some rubbing alcohol to try to remove the residue. You may also find it helps to scrape it clean with something like a bent paperclip.

8. Thick oil

If you vape CBD or THC oil, you may also encounter issues. This is usually because these oils are more viscous than regular vape juice, so this may cause problems when you turn your vape on and try to take a hit.

What to do:

Because these oils are thicker, you’ll need to be more diligent in keeping your vape and all its components clean.

If you have trouble vaping, you might try letting your vape warm up before you try taking a hit since this will help thin the oil. However, not all vapes allow you to do this.

9. High or low temperature

Similarly, if the external temperature is too high or low, it can also cause an issue – and this is especially true when vaping CDB or THC oil.

If it’s too hot, the oil will become too thin while if it’s too cold, the oil will be too thick to vape.

What to do:

The simple fix here is to return your vape to room temperature for the oil to reach its optimum consistency and then you should be good to go.

If your vape is too cold, you can warm it up faster by placing it in your pocket – but don’t try to heat it by placing it on a radiator or other heat source since this could cause it to explode.

Tip: Avoid leaving your vape outside in your car overnight in cold weather because it is unlikely to work properly the next morning when you want to take your first hit of the day.

10. Faulty or old coil

If the coil is faulty or simply needs replacing, this can also cause the airflow without vapor effect. You may also experience a burnt taste in your mouth when trying to vape, and this is a clear sign that your coil needs replacing.

What to do:

When your coil dies, all you can do is replace it. All coils need replacing periodically, and as you gain experience vaping with your device, you’ll start to get a feel for how often you need to do it.

11. Flooded chamber

Finally, if the chamber becomes flooded and the wick becomes oversaturated, this can also result in airflow with no vapor – or if you get any vapor, it will be thin, unpleasant and unsatisfying.

Sometimes, you may also experience a burnt taste, and you may notice some strange noises or other odd behavior from your vape.

A flooded chamber can occur when a vape isn’t used for long periods, especially when stored on its side.

What to do:

When this happens, you need to take your vape apart, clean it and dry out the various parts.

When everything is clean and dry, you can replace the cart, give it a few moments for the wick to absorb the juice and then try vaping. With any luck, your vape should be back in working order and producing the big clouds of satisfying vapor you know and love.

Several possibilities – and mostly easy to rectify

As we’ve seen, there are several reasons why a cart will give you airflow but no smoke. However, the key to resolving the problem is first working out what’s causing it – after which, fixing the problem is usually not especially difficult.

Sharing is caring!