Why Is My Vape Cart Clogged, and How Do I Fix It?

Why do carts clog in the first place?

Cannabis oil is thick, and it gets thicker as it cools. When it's cold, it can't flow to the coil fast enough, so draws feel tight. A second common cause is pulling too hard: a strong, fast draw can drag oil up into the airway, where it cools and sets. Finally, oil or lint on the threads can stop the battery from making contact, which feels like a clog even though it isn't.

What should you try first?

• Make sure the battery is charged and switched on (often five quick clicks).
• Unscrew the cart, wipe the threads and the contact pin with a dry tissue, and screw it back on gently.
• Warm the cart in your hand or pocket for a few minutes.
• If your battery has a preheat mode, run it once or twice.
• Try a slow, gentle draw instead of a hard pull.

In most cases, one of these steps solves it.

What if the airway is blocked?

If you can see oil in the mouthpiece, hold the cart upright and blow gently through it, away from your face, with the battery off. Then take a couple of slow, dry draws without firing the battery to pull the airway clear. Avoid poking sharp objects into the cart: you can damage the coil or crack the glass.

Never heat a cart with a lighter, an open flame or a hair dryer on high. Gentle warmth is enough.

Does the type of oil make a difference?

Thicker oils are more likely to clog, especially when they're cold. Live resin and Liquid Diamonds oils can both be fairly thick at room temperature, which is normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong. Warming the cart gently before your first puff of the day, and storing it upright, does most of the work. Our live resin vs Liquid Diamonds post explains how the two oils are made.

Is a higher heat setting a good fix?

Usually not. Turning the battery up can make a stubborn cart fire, but it can also scorch the oil and leave a burnt taste that doesn't go away. Fix the cause first, then use the lowest setting that gives good vapor. Our 510 battery settings guide explains the trade-offs.

Could the battery be the problem?

Sometimes what feels like a clogged cart is really a battery issue. Signs that the battery is at fault include a light that doesn't come on when you draw or press the button, a light that blinks several times (often a low-charge or short-circuit warning), or a cart that works on a friend's battery but not yours.

• Charge it fully with a suitable cable, then try again.
• Clean the battery's contact pin and threads as well as the cart's.
• If the centre pin on the battery sits very low, it may not touch the cart. Some batteries let you raise it slightly; check the instructions first.
• Try a different cart on the same battery to see which part is at fault.

If the battery is old or damaged, replace it and recycle the old one safely; see how to dispose of vapes and carts.

How do you stop carts clogging again?

• Store carts upright, mouthpiece up.
• Keep them at room temperature, never in a cold car or a freezer.
• Take slow, steady draws of two or three seconds.
• Keep the threads clean and the battery charged.

If a brand-new cart still won't work after all of this, contact us with your order number. And if you'd rather skip carts altogether, an All-in-One vape has no threads or battery contacts to clean.