How to fix no atomizer

This is a common issue among vapers, and it often occurs unexpectedly and without notice.

When your battery/display mod's screen says 'Check Atomizer' or 'No Atomizer,' it normally means it can't find the coil or can't read the coil correctly.

This may be a connection issue where the 510 connector on top of the battery/mod isn't making proper contact with the tank, coil, or pod, in which case it would say 'no atomizer.' If it says 'check atomizer,' it means the battery/mod can't read the coil, i.e. it can't fathom the resistance, or it detects a problem.

Here are some suggestions for resolving this vexing issue.

Step One - Clean all contact points

Remove the tank (or pod, if you have one) from your computer and clean all threads and connections carefully. This is normally done with a paper towel. On batteries and mods, there is normally one central pin, also known as a 510 pin; on pod kits, contact points should be visible under the pod.

It's normal to find dust, grime, and e-liquid on the contacts, which means you'll need to clean them on a regular basis.

Replacing your tank (or inserting your pod) on your battery/mod is easy. Make sure the tank is securely fastened, but not too tightly. If the problem persists, proceed to phase two.

Step Two - Reseat the coil

Remove and replace the coil in your tank. Occasionally, this miraculously solves the problem.

You'll have to disassemble your tank as you would if you were replacing the coil, which, depending on the setup, may be uncomfortable and messy if you have a complete tank.

When the tank is disassembled, unscrew the coil from the tank's base and clean the bottom of the coil where it screws into and makes contact with the tank. You'll also need to clean the tank's interior, including the area where the coil rests. Reinstall the coil and reassemble your tank until it's clean and dry.

If you're still getting 'check atomizer' or 'no atomizer,' it's time to try another (new) coil if you have one on hand; even an old or burned coil will suffice as long as the same error message appears.

To see if the error message is present without having to refill the tank, turn the power down very low if possible, and push the fire button for a fraction of a second to see the message displayed. If all is working properly again and you push the fire button for an extended period of time after installing a new coil, you can flame the new coil out and waste it.

If you're still getting the error message and haven't tried a new coil yet, now is the time to do so to with a more extreme and irreversible fault with your battery/mod.

Step Three - check 510 pin

If you're using a conventional mod and tank, make sure the 510 pin on the tank is connected to your mod. If it's adjustable, pull it out slightly and reconnect to the mod.

If you're using a sub-Ohm tank, make sure the coil's base is connected to the tank's base. You can usually do this by gently pulling the coil's base out, being careful not to snap the wires inside, and then reassembling the tank.

Step Four - try another tank

This is an excellent method for determining or eliminating the source of the problem. Simply swap them out if you have another tank on hand, or borrow one if you don't.

Final Thoughts

Feel free to go over the steps again to grasp the processes fully.

The dreaded “No atomizer found” message on your box mod will be seen by all vapers at some point. It is unavoidable, but is often an easy fix.

In this guide we will run you through some of the reasons why you might be seeing this error message and how to fix the problem when it happens.

Buy Replacement Coils here

Why Does My Box Mod Say “No Atomizer Found”?

There are a few reasons why your box mod will be showing a “no atomizer found” message. Let’s look at the most common.

Vape coil dead – If your vape coil needs replacing your box mod can display the message “Atomizer not found”. This is because the coil isn’t working, so the mod cannot read it anymore.

Vape coil fitting – The vape coil has to be seated in your vape tank correctly. If it isn’t fitted into your tank properly then it will not make a connection to the mod, this can cause an error message.

510 connector – The 510 connection on your vape mod is a little base plate that sits at the bottom of the threads where you screw your vape tank in. This is what reads your coil when it connects to the base of the tank. If this has become depressed or is dirty it cannot make a complete connection.

Tank connector – On the base of your vape tank there is a circular metal plate. This makes the connection to the 510 on your mod. This has to be in the right place and free of debris to make a free connection to the mod.

Tank / mod combo – Are you using a coil that is compatible with your vape mod? Some older mods or starter kits won’t support sub-ohm vaping as an example. Is your tank and mod combo compatible?

Now we know some of the reasons why your vape might be displaying the “No atomizer found” message, lets see if we can fix the problem.

Step 1 – Disconnect the tank

Take the tank off the mod, and if possible, try another tank that you know is working already on your mod. If this works then we know the problem is the vape tank or coil. If it doesn’t then we can say the problem probably lies in the mod.

Step 2 – Clean the 510 connection

Make sure the 510 connection on your mod is clean and free of debris. Also do a quick visual check and make sure it isn’t fully depressed down into the surrounding O-ring. If it is, turn the mod off and try to gently prise it up with a pin.

Step 3 – Check the tank connection

Have a look at the tank base plate mentioned earlier. Is it clean? Is it fully depressed into the surround O-ring? Make sure it is free of e-liquid and seated in the correct position.

Step 4 – Unscrew base

Unscrew the base of your tank (making sure your tank is as empty as possible so you don’t lose any e-liquid) and check that your vape coil is screwed in properly. Unscrew it and make sure there is nothing in the base of the tank, then screw the coil back in securely, ensuring there is no double threading.

Step 5 – Test

Once you have done the above, try your set up again. If it is still not working, then the problem probably lies in the coil.

Step 6 – Change your coil

Even if you have just installed a new coil, it doesn’t matter. Coils can be dead on arrival, they don’t last forever, no coil does (although it would be great). So, change it for a new one and this should see your problem solved.

Read: Tips For Priming Your Vape Coil

An “atomizer short” or “atomizer low” message is usually easier to rectify. This points directly to the vape coil.

Step 1 – Disconnect the tank

Get the tank and mod apart to visually assess that all looks OK with your mod.

Step 2 – Clean the 510 connection

Make sure the 510 connection on your mod is clean and free of debris.

Step 3 – Check the tank connection

Clean the base plate of your tank and make sure there is no external damage.

Step 4 – Unscrew base

Unscrew the base of your tank and check that your vape coil is screwed in properly.

Step 5 – Change your coil

Even if you have just installed a new coil, it doesn’t matter. Coils can be dead on arrival. Change it for a new one and this should see your problem solved.

Step 6 – Check your tank and mod combo

As explained earlier, is your mod compatible with the coil you have installed? Check whether the two can work together.

As above, you should now have a working vape just from changing the coil. But these steps do not take into account any external damage your e-cig may have taken.

Read our Guide to Batteries to get a better understanding of your mod and use our Battery Safety Guide for E-cigarettes to ensure you are using it safely.

You should now have a working vape again. But remember; the above advice is given under the assumption that there have been no other external factors to contribute to this error message. If your mod or vape tank has been; dropped, taken a knock, has been consistently flooded with e-liquid due to leaking, has had water damage etc, then the likelihood is the above will not fix it.

An e-cig that says ‘no atomizer’ or ‘check atomizer’ is a message that no vaper wants to see. A source of frustration because this message flashing up on your vape mod most probably means that you cannot vape. 

It will inevitably happen at some point and it is usually an extremely easy fix. If you press the firing button on your e-cig and you see the message ‘no atomizer’ or ‘check atomizer’ it means that your vape mod is not reading the coil within your vape tank properly. 

It can be because of the 510 connection, the vape coil itself or the bits in between. If your vape mod can’t detect your atomizer head, then it cannot properly deliver power to it. So your e-cig will throw up that message to let you know that there is a problem. 

Don’t worry vapers, if you are here because your e-cig is currently giving you this message, follow our simple guide and we will have you vaping again in no time. 

Try another vape tank or vape mod

So, you have the ‘check atomizer’ message, but we first need to find out if the problem lies within the tank or the mod. If you have them available, we need to try another tank and mod. This is the quickest method to determine where the problem lies. 

If possible, remove your vape tank and pop it onto another vape mod. Is the different e-cig throwing up the same message? Then we absolutely know that the problem is within the tank / coils. If a different vape mod doesn’t show the message with your tank, then we need to narrow down if the problem is with the mod. 

Pop a different vape tank on the mod and see if it is showing the same message. If it is then we know that your tank is fine and we need to take a closer look at your e-cig. 

Check your vape coil

Let us start simple. The number one cause of a ‘check atomizer’ message is your coil. 

Is your atomizer head screwed in? How old is your coil? Is it dead out of the box? 

Let us go step by step to try and fix this problem. 

Is your atomizer head screwed in right?

Take the base of your tank off. Take care if it is full of fluid and make sure you can remove the base without the tank leaking. If not decant the vape juice out of the tank first.

Now check that your coil is screwed into the base of the tank correctly. It has to be seated right inside your tank to make a proper connection to your vape mod. 

Unscrew the coil and screw it back in again, making sure it is fully screwed in and there is no cross threading. Now try the tank on your mod and see if this has solved the problem. 

How old is your vape coil? 

How long have your had the coil in your tank? All atomizer heads need to be replaced at some point, the time varies between days and weeks. Depending on what power you use, what vape juice you use and the coil resistance. 

If your coil needs changing for a new one, it can cause this error. So if you think it is time for a new one try putting a new coil in your tank. Taking care to fully prime your coil before use. This should get rid of the ‘check atomizer’ message. 

Is your coil dead on arrival? 

Rarely some coils don’t work straight out of the box. 

If you have just installed a new coil and everything was working until this point, try taking this out and putting another one in. If this solves the issue, contact our customer service team who will be able to advise you regarding a coil that doesn’t work straight away. 

510 connections on your e-cig

There two points within your e-cig that have to meet properly and make a connection. This allows power to pass between your e-cig mod and tank. 

If you take your tank off your mod and have a look at them you will see the connections. On your mod there is a ‘female’ connection with threads that you screw your tank into, at the bottom of this is a small plate of metal. On your vape tank there is a ‘male’ connection with threads that you screw into your e-cig, right at the end of this is another metal plate. 

These two sections on your e-cig are called your ‘510 connections’. These two metal plates have to make a proper connection for your e-cig to work properly, this is where power passes through from your battery to your coil. 

Clean the 510 connection on your vape mod

If you have done the first test and another tank on your vape mod is showing the same message, this would indicate that the problem is your e-cig battery or mod. The chances are this is an easy fix. 

The first thing we need to do is clean the metal plate of your 510 connection. Over time the connection on your e-cig can gather dust, dirt and e-liquid. If this is the case and your mod can’t make a complete connection to your vape tank, then this message will display. 

Remove your tank from your e-cig and have a look at the threads and metal plate to make sure there are no larger pieces of debris there. Then take a cotton bud, or piece of paper towel and press it gently into the hole on the top of your e-cig. Twist it round as you go and make sure that you have cleaned off the top of the metal plate. 

Once you have done this, have another look to make sure that there is no paper towel or cotton in there. Screw your tank back onto your e-cig, make sure you don’t over tighten this. If it still isn’t working then move onto the next step. 

Clean the 510 connection on your vape tank

So, we have cleaned the connection on your vape mod, now we need to look at the bottom of your vape tank. 

You should have already looked at the 510 connection earlier. You need to make sure that this is clean of any e-liquid or dust. Take a piece of paper towel or tissue and gently wipe off the base plate of your tank. Don’t press to hard and make sure that no tissue is left on the threads or metal connection. 

Now both 510 connections should be clean and when you screw your vape tank back into your vape mod the connection should be made and the message will disappear. If not then move onto the next step. 

Check the 510 connection on your tank

Even though you have cleaned the 510 connection on your tank, there is a chance that it might need a little bit more love. 

If you have over tightened your tank onto your mod, it can push the metal plate from the 510 connection up into the tank. This usually means that it is sat flush with a rubber o-ring. If this is the case then it won’t make a full connection to your e-cig. While your tank is disconnected from the mod, look at the metal plate. Is it damaged in any way? If it doesn’t look damaged, does it look like it is pushed up too far? 

If so, you need to gently try and manipulate the plate back to its normal position. Take care not to pull this out too far or you can remove it entirely. Use your fingernails and try and pull the pin down a millimetre or two. Then try it again on your mod. 

Check the 510 connection on your vape mod

Just like the 510 connection on your tank, the one on your mod can also suffer if your tank has been screwed on too tight. 

Most 510 pins on e-cigs are spring loaded, so they should naturally seat themselves back to the correct position. But they can sometimes get stuck if too much pressure has been applied. 

Take your tank off your mod and turn it off, or remove the battery. Then take something small, like a small screwdriver and very gently press down on the pin. You should feel the spring underneath and this can get it to pop back into the correct position. 

Try attaching your tank again and see if the message has gone. If not and you believe that the pin on your e-cig is the problem, contact our customer service team. Anything else you try and do can risk damaging the e-cig further and can risk voiding any warranty. 

Contact us

While getting any error message on your e-cig can be frustrating, remember the fix is usually easy. If after this guide you are still struggling don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team who will be more than happy to run through some further problem solving with you. 

We will get to the bottom of any problems you may have.