How to Fix a Clogged Vape Cartridge: 6 Common Issues + Fixes
Few things are more frustrating when vaping than a clogged cartridge. Picture it: You're looking forward to a smooth, relaxing hit with some eye-catching clouds, then bam! A clogged pen immediately puts a crimp in your style. You can’t enjoy a quick hit if your gunked-up vape cart doesn't have a quick fix.
Although clogged vape carts are never welcome, they aren't uncommon, and it’s best to know how to handle the issue right from the start. Learn how to avoid a clogged vape cart, the most common causes of clogs, and how you can efficiently deal with them. By the end of this article, you can rest easily, knowing your next vape session is totally under control.
Why Is My Cart Clogged? How To Unclog a Vape
Vape cart clogs have many causes, but a few issues tend to pop up in vaping circles and on hemp forums more often than others. Whether you're dealing with residue buildup, battery issues, or the cartridge's quality, identifying the root cause is the first step to fixing it.
Before you troubleshoot a vape pen that isn’t working, make sure it’s fully charged! A less than optimally charged battery could be contributing to your vape issues, so hook your pen up to a USB port and get it fully charged before continuing on to troubleshooting a clogged vape cart.
Too Much Power
While dead batteries are a "drain" on vape pens, there are some instances where too much power can cause clog-related issues. Specifically, if you're using a unit with variable voltage settings, you might accidentally create clogs by putting the unit on too high a temperature. Using too much power can damage the coils and cause the oil to overheat, leading to thickening and, eventually, clogging.
How To Fix It: Never start with your vaporizer's highest setting. Instead, check the default voltage on your vape and try to keep it in a mid-range of about 2.5V to 3.5V. If you want to experiment with higher heat settings, be aware that they may cause clogging issues, and take extra care to inspect your unit after each usage.
Oil Not Flowing Through Cartridge
If the oil in your cart is particularly thick, it may have difficulty flowing through the narrow channels in the vape cartridge. HHC is notorious for this issue since it's a hydrogenated cannabinoid, meaning it has a more stable chemical structure with extra hydrogen atoms.
How To Fix It: The simplest way to get the oil flowing through your vape cart is to generate a little heat by rolling it between your hands or using a hair dryer on a low setting. You can also put your vape cart over a pot of warm water, but you have to be careful not to drop it in! All these techniques aim to increase the oil's viscosity and allow it to flow freely again.
Atomizer Not Working
As the central heating element in your vaporizer, the atomizer plays the most significant role in warming the oil and turning it into vapor. Understandably, if there's an issue with the atomizer, it won't heat your vape cart properly, potentially leading to clogs. For those who suspect an atomizer issue, you might need to do some detective work to figure out the root cause and decide on the best course of action.
How To Fix It: How you fix the atomizer depends on why this unit isn't working. First, it could be an issue with the chipset controlling the heating element; if so, you must replace your vape pen completely. In other cases, your atomizer may need some TLC to remove trapped debris, in which case you could soak it in isopropyl alcohol for about one hour.
Lastly, you should avoid over-tightening your atomizer as this could erode the connections between the atomizer and battery or break the O-rings that provide the seal. Double-check that the seal between your atomizer and the battery is secure without being too tight to prevent oil leakage.
Low-Quality Vape Cartridge
The explosion of interest in hemp vaping—coupled with the lack of regulation from organizations like the FDA—means there are tons of HHC and THCA vape carts with poor quality controls, design flaws, and impure chemicals. Using a lousy starting material makes it far more likely you'll be dealing with clogging issues down the road.
How To Fix It: Only work with reputable vape cart brands that offer third-party lab testing on all their products. If you notice frequent clogs with a particular company's carts, consider switching to a manufacturer with a higher reputation for quality assurance to see if the clogging issues disappear.
Oil Cartridge Needs Replacing
Even high-quality vape cartridges don't last forever. Carts will degrade with age, especially if stored improperly in between uses (see below for tips on proper storage). The first warning signs of this problem are usually an "off" taste. You'll also start to see the oil thicken or become stale over time, eventually leading to clogs.
How To Fix It: The simple solution to this problem is to replace your old cartridge with a fresh one.
Dry Hits
A dry hit is a very unpleasant sensation some vape fans will experience when taking a draw. Instead of getting a blast of terpene-rich vapor, these accidental hits slap the back of your throat with a harsh and burnt taste.
Why does this happen? Generally, people experience dry vapes when their vape tank doesn't have enough oil or the wattage is set too high. It could also be that your vape cart's oil is all dried up, and the coils must be replaced. Whatever the issue, if you're experiencing dry hits, you should watch out for clogs, as these are often a contributing factor.
How To Fix It: Try priming your cartridge with a few gentle pulls without fully activating the battery. If the oil level is low, it may be time to replace the cartridge. You should also take longer breaks in between pulls and ensure the wattage is set to a low level.
Best Tips for Avoiding a Clogged Cart
Preventing clogs is way easier than fixing them, so it pays to stay on top of your vape cart hygiene. Consider making a few of these techniques a regular habit, and they should keep your vape cartridge running smoothly:
Store Vape Carts Vertically: The simplest way to prevent clogging is to ensure all your vape pens are upright rather than lying on their side. Storing your vape pen vertically helps keep the oil in contact with the atomizer, significantly reducing the risk of clogs.
Regular Cleaning: Yes, it's a bit of a pain to wipe down your vape cartridge after every use, but this little bit of cleaning goes a long way to keep clogs at bay. Use some isopropyl alcohol pads to regularly clean your cartridge and battery connections and remove any residue buildup.
Use at the Right Temperature: Even if a vape pen can "handle" high temperatures, it's not a good idea to push it too far. Avoid using your vape at excessively high voltages to prevent the oil from thickening and clumping up in the device.
Take Gentle Puffs: Aggressive inhaling often draws too much oil into the atomizer too fast, increasing the risk of clogs. Instead, take slower, gentler draws and pause for a few minutes to savor your session rather than rushing for your next hit.
Shop Premium Vape Carts With The Dopest
Clogged vape carts are always a bummer, but there are many ways to minimize the risk of this common nuisance. For starters, you should stick with a brand like The Dopest that takes pride in only producing the highest quality hemp-derived HHC and THCA vape products.
Our team works with the best of the best in hemp cultivation, manufacturing, and extraction. Plus, you can check the quality of our vape carts—and all of our other products—with our third-party certificates of analysis (COAs). Even better? You can have your quality vapes delivered right to your door!
If this article inspired you to learn more about vaporizers, unique cannabinoids, and other cannabis-related topics, why not keep going? Check out the rest of our blog, where you can explore more in-depth articles like our explainer on Liquid Diamonds or the difference between HHC and THC. Any other questions? Simply drop us a line—we’re here to help!
