Vaping is meant to be an enjoyable experience, but few things are more frustrating than your vape pen blinking 3 times with no apparent reason. Whether it’s your new disposable vape or a trusty device you’ve had for years, that blinking light signals something is amiss.
Don’t panic just yet. In most cases, this is an easy fix once you identify the root cause. This guide will walk you through the 10 most common reasons for a vape pen blinking 3 times and how to troubleshoot each issue.
What Does It Mean When a Vape Pen Blinks 3 Times?
It’s important to first understand that there is no universal standard for what vape pen blinking patterns mean across all brands and models. Some manufacturers use blinking as an indication the device is working correctly, while for others it signals a problem.
The meaning behind three blinks can vary widely between disposable vapes, basic vape pens, advanced mods, and more. Some vapes use colored LED lights, while others just have a single blinking light. Without knowing the specific device, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
However, we can look at some of the most common reasons that may be causing your vape pen to blink 3 times and guide you through troubleshooting each potential issue.
10 Common Reasons for Vape Pen Blinking 3 Times: How to Fix Them
While blinking patterns differ across models, there are some typical issues that could cause your vape pen to blink three times. Look ahead for how to resolve each one.
1. Low or Dead Battery
Battery issues should ring first whenever you see any indicator light blinking on your vape cart or battery. In fact, one of the most common reasons for 3 blinks is simply a low or dead vape battery that needs recharging.
Many vapes use this blinking pattern to warn you the battery is running low before it dies completely. Three light flashes can also indicate that the charge isn’t flowing to the cartridge. It pays to double-check your user manual.
How to Fix
Connect your vape to the charger and allow it to charge fully until the light turns green, indicating a full battery.
If that doesn’t solve it, detach the vape tank from the battery. Try hitting again. If your vape pen continues blinking, you’re dealing with a faulty battery. The same goes if your disposable vape doesn’t charge at all. You may need to replace the battery entirely.
2. Overheating Battery or Device
Another possibility for 3 blinks is that your vape pen battery or device is overheating. It pays to be careful, as this can be a safety hazard. This may be caused by extended use, exposure to high temperatures, or an internal issue.
Overheating is easy to detect. The battery and pen itself will feel hot to the touch. Thankfully, most high-end vape pens have an in-built auto shutoff feature that causes your device to blink three times as a warning.
How to Fix
- Stop using the vape pen immediately and remove the battery if possible. FDA has written a few tips you can use to prevent your vape from catching a fire.
- Allow the battery and device to cool completely before attempting to use it again.
- If overheating persists, stop using the device and replace the battery.
3. Short Circuit Issue
In some cases, a vape pen blinks three times to indicate an internal short circuit, which may occur if your vape gets wet or is physically damaged. Because many brands use Lithium-Ion batteries, many devices use this as a safety alert to prevent further issues.
How to Fix
- Remove the battery and thoroughly dry all components if the vape did get wet.
- Check for any visible damage and replace components. Follow the user manual.
- For disposable vapes, it’s often best to just replace the entire device.
4. Connection Problems
Is your vape blinking despite a charged battery? This could mean a connection plate issue. Perhaps there’s an issue with connection between the vape battery and vape cartridge or tank.
This is commonly caused by residue buildup, bent contact pins, or unscrewing parts incorrectly. For a more complete way to troubleshoot and fix connection issues with your cannabis vape pen or cart, this video might come in handy.
How to Fix
- Disassemble the vape pen and clean all connection points with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. This works especially if you’re using a 510-thread battery (like a FLARE, O2VAPE, or EDGE)
- Gently straighten out any bent contact pins using a small tool.
- Reassemble the device, ensuring a snug but not over-tightened fit.
5. Vape Pen Turned On Successfully
Believe it or not, sometimes blinking is just your vape pen’s way of telling you it has been turned on successfully after pressing the power button. If you start vaping with no other issues, this is likely the case.
How to Fix
- Check your user manual to verify if this is a normal blinking pattern when turning the device on.
- If vaping works normally after the blinks, no further action is needed.
6. Pressed Power Button Too Long
With some vape models, such as those from Evolab and TRENDI, pressing and holding the power button for too long can trigger the device to blink 3 times as an error warning. The auto shutoff feature prevents accidental firing. It serves as a built in puff limiter.
How to Fix
- Check your manual for the recommended duration to press the power button.
- Avoid holding the button down for extended periods when not in use.
7. Drawing Too Long Puffs
Many vapes have automatic cut-off features that trigger blinking patterns like light flashing three times if you take an extremely long puff, usually over 10-15 seconds. This is a protective mechanism for the device.
How to Fix
- Take shorter puffs, releasing the fire button periodically.
- Consult your manual for the maximum puff duration.
8. Charger Issue
While less common, a faulty charger could potentially cause your vape to blink in an atypical pattern like 3 times. Using an incompatible or damaged charger may disrupt the connection.
How to Fix
- Use only the correct charger provided or recommended for your vape model.
- Check the charger for any visible damage and replace it if needed.
9. Airflow Blockage
If your vape pen has an air flow sensor, blinking patterns could indicate a blockage preventing optimal air flow during use. This may be due to a clogged cartridge or tank.
How to Fix
- Remove the tank or cartridge and blow through the air inlet to dislodge any debris.
- Replace the tank and or cartridge if the blockage persists.
10. Indication to Replace Atomizer Coil or Other Parts
In some cases, three blinks can signal that it’s time to replace key components like the atomizer coil or battery to ensure safe, quality performance.
How to Fix
- Replace the atomizer coil if you notice degraded vapor quality.
- Install a fresh vape battery if the current one is old or damaged.
Other Common Blinking Issues and How to Solve Them
Vape blinking three times is a classic case among most vapers. However, you may encounter other blinking patterns and colors from your vape pen. Although everything could be okay, these blinks and flashes may indicate issues with your device.
Vape Pen Blinking 5 Times
Five blinks in a row typically means the battery has a critically low charge remaining. Time to recharge or swap out the battery.
Vape Pen Blinking 10 Times
If you see 10 vape blinks consecutively, it often indicates a short circuit or atomizer failure. Try replacing the vape coil first.
Vape Blinking 15 Times
Most vape pens blink 15 times to indicate an overheated or over-discharged battery that needs to cool off before charging.
Flashing Green Light
A flashing green blinker is an indication the device is actively charging. Once fully charged, it may switch to a solid green light.
Vape Device Blinking White Light
A white vape pen light typically mean the it is turned on and operating normally, though functionality can vary by model.
Vape Pen Flashing Yellow Light
On some devices, yellow can indicate medium battery life, often around 30-50% remaining charge level.
Vape Pen Blinking Red Light
A red blinking pattern nearly always signals a low battery in need of charging right away to prevent auto shut-off.
Vape Pen Blinking Blue LED Light
Many mods use a blinking blue LED when the battery level drops to around 60-70% as a warning to recharge soon.
General Care Tips to Prevent Blinking Issues
While blinking lights provide a handy alert system, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Proper care and maintenance of your vape pen can prevent many of these common issues from occurring in the first place.
(1) Store Your Vape Properly
Avoid exposing your vape pen to extreme temperatures by storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight which can cause overheating.
(2) Clean Vape Pen Regularly
Make it a habit to fully disassemble and clean your vape every 1-2 weeks to prevent buildup that clogs components.
(3) Don’t Over-Tighten Components
When reassembling your vape pen, tighten components like the tank and battery together snugly but avoid over-tightening, which can damage seals and connections.
(4) Use the Correct Charger
Only use the charging cable and power adapter designed specifically for your vape model’s battery to avoid potential charging issues.
(5) Avoid Extremely Cold Temperatures
Just as excess heat is bad for vape pens, extremely cold temperatures can also negatively impact battery performance and cause problems.
(6) Replace Vape Coils Regularly
Changing out the atomizer coil every few weeks ensures optimal vapor production and prevents burnt tastes from degraded coils. Watch this video to determine if and when the coil is due for replacement.
(7) Keep Device and Tank Clean
Leaving e-liquid residue and gunk buildup can eventually clog up critical airflow channels and electrical connections, leading to malfunctions.
