How to Fix a Clogged Vape Cartridge

How To Fix a Clogged Vape Cartridge?

We know how annoying it is when you pick up your vape pen to get a smooth puff of Delta 8 THC only to get your mouth filled with vape juice because it’s clogged! Especially if you’re at a party or with a group of friends, this little hiccup can turn into a big embarrassment! This is why in this article, we are going to tell you how to fix a clogged vape cartridge.

Vape cartridges are the best way to take Delta 8 THC. They are handy, affordable, and hassle-free. All you have to do is fit the cartridge in your vape pen and you’re good to go. Just press the button and pull to have a smooth hit of Delta 8. This amazing convenience is one of the main reasons why Delta 8 carts are getting so popular in high society.

But one of the biggest inconveniences you can face with your vape cart is clogging. Delta 8 distillate is prone to condense, and clog up the cartridge if kept unused at room temperature for a long time! Besides that, there are many other reasons why you might end up with a clogged vape pen.

So without further ado, let’s dig right in.

What Causes Vape Carts Clog?

There can be many reasons why a vape cart might clog up. Even if you buy a high-quality Delta 8 vape cartridge made with the finest material, there is a huge chance that it might clog up over time and use. This is why if you’re someone who regularly vapes Delta 8, you should have the knowledge to fix a clogged vape cartridge.

Here are some of the reasons that can cause your vape carts to clog up:

Distillate Condensation

Delta 8 vape cartridges need to be stored at a certain temperature to keep the consistency of the vape juice normal. If they’re kept unused, at room temperature for too long, the Delta 8 in them begins to clot and may clog up the air holes. This is called distillate condensation buildup, and it happens very common to people who vape Delta 8 casually, after days.

What happens is when you try to take a puff and pull from the mouthpiece, you’re met with a clogged cart. There will either be no airflow or you’ll get your mouth filled with vape juice! And trust us, we know how annoying that is.

The first sign of condensation buildup is getting vape juice drops in your mouth. So even if you get a tiny drop of flavor while vaping, stop immediately and try to fix the clogged vape pen cartridge. This will save you from future inconvenience.

Non-regular users who pick up their vape pen after days experience this a lot. Because the vape cart is left unused at room temperature, its Delta 8 distillate condenses and blocks airflow holes. Always store your vape pens below room temperature.

Chamber Flooding

Another big reason why vape carts might clog up is chamber flooding. This, like condensation buildup, also happens when the vape cart is left unused for a long period of time.

What happens in chamber flooding is that the Delta 8 distillate, when clogged up, starts sitting at the bottom of the cartridge. As a result, the wick of the vape gets saturated and the heating element or the coil is unable to produce enough heat to vaporize the vape juice! As the vape juice does not get enough heat, very less of it turns into vapor, resulting in a poor experience.

The biggest sign of a flooded chamber is that you get very less vapor when you pull. This results in thinner clouds and an overall poor experience. Another big sign is getting a burnt taste or smell while vaping. This happens because the coil is unevenly heated, and some vape liquid gets burnt, giving a foul taste.

Stop vaping immediately if you get a burnt taste because you’re inhaling burnt vape juice. This smoke is rather harmful as it might contain toxins.

What Happens When A Cart Is Clogged?

A clogged vape cartridge gives fewer vapors and is hard to pull. If you feel like your vape is not producing thick clouds, there is a big chance that your vape cartridge might be clogged up.

A bitter taste is another common sign of a clogged vape cartridge. This bitter taste is because of burnt vape oil. You will get a foul taste and burning smell if your cartridge is blocked.

Another thing that might indicate a clogged-up vape cartridge is getting vape juice in your mouth or on your hands. This happens because the coil does not produce enough heat to vaporize the vape liquid and as a result, you get the liquid instead of vapors when you pull.

Tap to Remove Air Bubbles

If you notice tiny air bubbles trapped in the oil, they could be the culprit behind your clog. These bubbles can create an air pocket that stops the oil from reaching the heating element. A quick and easy fix is to gently tap the cartridge. You can tap it against the palm of your hand or a solid, padded surface like a book. The goal is to use just enough force to dislodge the bubbles without risking any damage to the cart itself. This simple motion helps break up the air pockets, allowing the oil to flow smoothly again so you can get back to your session without interruption.

Flip it Upside Down

Sometimes, especially with thicker oils, a clog happens because the liquid gets stuck in the mouthpiece. This is common if your vape has been sitting on its side. To fix this, simply turn the cartridge upside down for a few minutes. Gravity will do the work for you, encouraging the excess oil to flow from the mouthpiece back down into the main chamber. This clears the airway and helps prevent that unpleasant experience of getting a mouthful of oil instead of vapor. It’s a simple, hands-off method that often resolves minor clogs before they become a bigger issue for any of your vape products.

How To Prevent Vape Carts From Clogging?

Here are some ways you can prevent your vape cart from clogging.

Take Small Hits

Taking smaller hits can prevent your cartridge from clogging up. When you take smaller hits, less liquid is accumulated in the mouthpiece which results in lesser chance of a buildup. We recommend taking 3 or 4 second long hits. This allows the perfect amount of vape juice to get into the mouthpiece for the best experience.

Store Your Vape Cartridge Below Room Temperature

Another thing that can prevent your cartridge from clogging up is storing it at the right temperature. As discussed earlier, Delta 8 distillate is prone to condense and sit at the bottom of the cartridge if stored at room temperature for too long. To prevent this, we recommend storing your vape at below room temperature or in a fridge. Casual vape users, pay attention. We know you store your cartridges in your bedside drawers and forget them for days.

Also, make sure that your cartridge or vape pen is away from direct sunlight as it can speed up the condensation buildup, as well as produce harmful substances. A lot of people also store their pens and carts in their cars’ glove compartments. Never do this if you don’t want a clogged vape cartridge.

Wait Between Puffs

It can be tempting to take one puff right after another, but this can overwhelm the cartridge and lead to clogs. When you pull too frequently, the oil doesn’t have enough time to heat up properly, and you risk pulling liquid into the mouthpiece before it can vaporize. A simple fix is to slow down your pace. Try taking a gentle puff for about 3-5 seconds and then wait for at least 30 seconds before your next one. This brief pause allows the atomizer to cool down and the wick to properly re-saturate with oil for the next hit. This simple habit prevents flooding and ensures you get a smooth, flavorful draw every time.

Avoid High Heat Settings

While cranking up the heat on your battery might seem like a good way to get a bigger cloud, it often does more harm than good. Using very high heat settings can actually burn the oil, which not only ruins the flavor but also creates a thick, sticky residue that quickly leads to clogs. Burnt oil can also damage the coil inside your cartridge, shortening its lifespan. To avoid this, start with the lowest voltage setting on your battery and gradually increase it until you find a comfortable balance of flavor and vapor production. This protects the integrity of the oil and keeps your vape functioning smoothly for longer.

Take Dry Hits

Another way to prevent clogging is taking dry hits. Clean the mouthpiece of any vape juice or moisture and pull without firing up the vape to take a dry hit. This effectively clears any moisture that might be present in the mouthpiece of the vape pen.

Take dry hits from time to time to prevent condensation buildup in your vape cartridge. However, do not pull for too long as you might get a burnt taste or a burning smell.

Clean The Mouthpiece From Time to Time

If you vape regularly, make sure to clean the mouthpiece from time to time. This removes excess vape juice from it and you get pure vapors when you pull. Moreover, a dirty mouthpiece can contain germs and even fungus.

To clean the mouthpiece, take some cotton and gently rub it inside the piece so that it absorbs all the moisture and vape liquid. You can also use a cotton bud for quick and effective cleaning.

Store Your Cartridge In An Upright Position

When storing your vape pen or cartridge for a longer period of time, make sure that you store it in an upright position. In this way, excess vape liquid does not flow into the wick, preventing saturation. Moreover, this puts less load on the coil to heat the liquid and you get the perfect volume of vapors.

We recommend removing the vape cartridge from the device before storing it however, if you’re storing your vape without removing the cartridge, make sure to take hits from time to time. This will prevent distillate condensation buildup.

Choose High-Quality Carts

Last but not least, make sure that you choose a high-quality Delta 8 vape cartridge. Elevate manufactures the best vape cartridges in the market. Our vape carts are manufactured while maintaining the highest standards of quality so you only get the absolute best.

Our products are made of all-natural ingredients and are free from harmful toxins. The vape carts are made of leak-proof, food-grade plastic which majorly eliminates chances of clogging. Moreover, each vape cart is quality and safety tested before being released in the market. Visit the Elevate official store to check out amazing Delta 8 vape carts.

Extreme Temperatures

Think of your vape oil like honey—its consistency changes dramatically with temperature. If you leave your vape cartridge in a hot car or direct sunlight (above 70°F), the oil can become too thin. This causes it to seep into the airway and atomizer chamber, and when it cools back down, it solidifies and creates a stubborn clog. On the flip side, storing your vape in a cold room (below 60°F) makes the oil thick and sludgy. When you try to take a hit, the thick oil can’t flow properly to the heating element, leading to a blockage. The key is to store your vape in a cool, dark place to maintain the perfect consistency and prevent temperature-related clogs.

Thick Vape Juice Consistency

Sometimes, a clog isn't your fault—it's simply the nature of the oil. High-quality distillates, especially those with high cannabinoid concentrations and minimal additives, are naturally more viscous. While this thickness often signals a pure and potent product, it also means the oil is more prone to clogging, particularly in colder temperatures. It struggles to move through the small intake holes of the cartridge to reach the coil. This is why it’s so important to buy from brands that understand their formulations and pair them with the right hardware. A well-designed cartridge will have intake holes and an atomizer built to handle thicker oils, ensuring a smooth draw every time.

Low-Quality Equipment

While it can be tempting to grab the cheapest cartridge available, you often get what you pay for. Low-quality or counterfeit vape cartridges are a primary cause of clogging and leaking. These products are often made with inferior materials and poor designs, featuring improperly sized air holes or wicks that can’t absorb the oil correctly. This leads to chamber flooding or blockages that are nearly impossible to clear. To avoid this frustration, always purchase your vape products from a reputable source. Investing in well-made hardware from a trusted brand ensures that the cartridge is designed to work flawlessly with the oil inside, giving you a much more reliable and enjoyable experience.

Low Battery Power

If your vape seems to be clogging constantly, your battery might be the culprit. The coil inside your cartridge needs to reach a specific temperature to vaporize the oil instantly and efficiently. When your battery is low on power, it can’t supply enough energy to get the coil hot enough. Instead of vaporizing, the oil just gets warmed up, turning it into a thick, sticky residue that doesn’t get cleared from the airway. Over a few puffs, this residue builds up and creates a clog. A simple way to prevent this is to keep your vape battery fully charged. This ensures the coil always has enough power to do its job properly, turning that oil into smooth vapor instead of a sticky mess.

How To Fix A Clogged Vape Cart?

Here are some ways you can unclog your clogged vape cartridge:

Take A Hard Pull

A quick way to fix a clogged vape cart is by taking a hard pull without firing up the vape. What happens is that this removes all the liquid from the mouthpiece and possibly the clog as well.

This is a quick fix and can help with minor clogs. If you’re dealing with major clogs, try the following methods.

Use Body Heat

If a hard pull didn't clear the blockage, your own body heat can be a surprisingly effective tool. The thick distillate inside your vape cart can solidify when it cools down, which often leads to a clog. Gently warming it up helps the oil return to a more liquid state, clearing the airway. The simplest way to do this is to roll the cartridge between your palms for a few minutes. For a more stubborn clog, try tucking the cartridge into your pocket for about 10 minutes. This method uses your body's natural temperature to slowly and safely loosen any condensation or buildup. It's a simple, free, and safe way to fix the issue without risking damage to the cart from more intense heat sources.

Clean the Connection Points

Sometimes the issue isn't a clog inside the cart but simply a poor connection between your cartridge and the battery. Over time, a bit of oily residue can build up on the metal contact points, which can interfere with the battery's ability to heat the oil properly. To fix this, you just need to do a quick cleaning. Grab a cotton swab, dip it in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol, and gently wipe down the threads and connection points on both the battery and the bottom of the cartridge. This simple step removes any residue that's getting in the way, ensuring a solid electrical connection and consistent performance from your vape.

Check the Cartridge Connection

This might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how often a bad connection is the culprit. You want your cartridge to be screwed on securely, but it's possible to overdo it. If it's too loose, it won't make proper contact with the battery. However, if you tighten it too much, you can also create connection issues or even damage the components, preventing the cartridge from firing correctly. The sweet spot is "snug." Screw the cartridge on until you feel gentle resistance, and then stop. If your vape isn't hitting, try unscrewing the cart completely and then re-attaching it with just the right amount of pressure.

Manually Unclog The Cart

Another way to unclog a clogged vape cart is to manually unclog it using a wire. For this, the first step is to empty the mouthpiece completely. After that, take a thin wire or half a toothpick and carefully insert it in the mouthpiece. Move it all around inside the mouthpiece to unhinge any clogged up distillate.

Delta 8 residue is usually very sticky and it can easily be scrapped out like this. Although, make sure that you do not scratch the inside surface.

Use the Preheat Function

If your vape pen has a preheat function, you're in luck—it's one of the easiest ways to fix a clog. This setting is designed to gently warm the oil in your cartridge, which is perfect for melting any thick, stubborn residue that's blocking the airway. To activate it, just press the power button two or three times quickly. You might even hear a faint sizzle, which is a good sign that the oil is loosening up. If your device doesn't have this feature, don't worry. You can create a similar effect by holding the button down for a few seconds before you take a puff. This gentle heat is often all it takes to get things flowing smoothly again, ensuring you can enjoy all the great products from our full collection.

Gentle Heating

Heating the cartridge gently can also help unclog it. This method is best for major clogging as heating can effectively help dissolve a large amount of condensed Delta 8.

For this method, take the clogged cart and gently heat it using a hairdryer or by submerging it in warm water. Before using water, place the cart inside an air-tight bag and seal it.

The heat will help dissolve condensed Delta 8 so you can continue using your cart. Never heat the cartridge under intense direct heat as it might change the chemistry of the liquid inside or worse, cause the plastic to melt.

Blow Into The Cart

If all the above methods fail, try blowing into the vape cart to dislodge the clogged-up Delta 8. This method works best with refillable cartridges however you can also try it with disposable ones. By blowing into the cart, you remove all the vape juice from the wick which effectively unclogs the cart.

Final Thoughts

For people who frequently vape, a clogged-up vape cartridge is something very common, and very annoying. It can even cause embarrassment in gatherings. This is why in this article, we tell you how to fix a clogged vape cartridge.

We have summed up multiple fixes along with ways to prevent your vape cartridge from clogging up. Follow them and see if they work.