Beginner’s Guide to Solving Common Vaping Issues
Vaping is supposed to be smooth, flavorful, and satisfying—but if you’re dealing with burnt hits, weak flavor, or even coughing fits, don’t panic. These are common beginner hiccups, and the good news is: they’re all fixable.
Here’s your no-BS guide to the most frequent vape problems—and how to solve them.
1. Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
That awful burnt taste usually means your coil has overheated or dried out. Here’s why it happens:
- You didn’t prime the coil before use (let the e-liquid soak into the cotton).
- You’re vaping at too high a wattage.
- Your tank is low or empty.
- The coil is old or gunked up and needs replacing.
How to fix it:
- Always let a new coil soak for 5–10 minutes before vaping.
- Keep your tank at least half full.
- Lower your wattage if it’s too high.
- Replace your coil every 1–2 weeks, depending on use.
2. Why Am I Coughing When I Vape?
Vape coughing is super common for new users, even if you were a smoker. Causes include:
- Using high nicotine (especially salt nicotine).
- PG-based liquids with strong throat hit.
- Inhaling incorrectly (vaping is best with slow, gentle puffs—not deep, sharp inhales like cigarettes).
How to fix it:
- Try lower nicotine strength or nicotine-free juice.
- Choose higher-VG liquids for a smoother hit.
- Use the MTL (mouth-to-lung) inhale technique: draw into your mouth first, then inhale into lungs.
3. Why Can’t I Taste Anything When I Vape?
If your vape feels flavorless or muted, the issue could be:
- Vaper’s tongue – temporary loss of taste due to sensory fatigue.
- Old or dirty coils.
- Too high wattage burning off flavor compounds.
- Overly complex or weak e-liquid flavor.
How to fix it:
- Drink more water to refresh your palate.
- Take a short vape break for 1–2 days.
- Clean or change your coil.
- Switch flavors to reset your taste buds.
4. What If My Vape Tastes Too Sweet or Overpowering?
Some e-liquids—especially dessert or fruit blends—can be too intense for daily use. It may taste good at first but become cloying fast.
How to fix it:
- Try mixing with an unflavored or milder e-liquid to dilute it.
- Steep it for 1–2 weeks if it’s freshly made.
- Consider rotating flavors to avoid taste fatigue.
5. Why Does My Vape Taste Metallic or “Rusty”?
This is usually a sign of a dry hit or a burnt coil.
Other causes include:
- Coil not properly saturated.
- Cotton burnt due to high wattage.
- Metal heating element is exposed.
How to fix it:
- Replace your coil immediately.
- Re-prime and check your wattage setting.