A dying coil rarely fails all at once. The flavour slips, the vapour thins, the liquid in the tank turns darker, and then one day you get the burnt hit. Spot the early signs and you can swap before the bad puff, rather than after it.
The short version
- Muted flavour and less vapour are the earliest signs.
- A burnt or bitter taste means the coil is finished.
- Liquid darkening in the tank points to residue on the coil.
- Some "dead coil" symptoms are really flooding, low battery or wrong power.
The seven signs
Some of these signs creep up slowly, which is why many vapers keep using a coil well past its best without noticing. If you tick two or more of these, it is almost certainly time to swap.
The burnt taste is the final sign rather than the first. By the time it arrives, the cotton has already been struggling for days. Catching the earlier ones, like muted flavour or darker liquid, saves you from that nasty hit.
Keep a spare head or pod with you, so a dying coil never leaves you stuck with it for the rest of the day.
Is it the coil, or something else?
Not every problem is a dead coil. Flooding, a low battery and the wrong power setting can all cause symptoms that look like a failing coil. Before you bin it, rule these out.
Pick the symptom you are seeing below. If the answer points away from the coil, try the fix first. You might save a coil that still has days of life in it.
The resistance reading on your mod is a handy clue. A good coil shows a steady figure close to what is printed on it. A reading that wanders, jumps or shows "no atomiser" usually means a poor connection or a coil that has failed electrically.
What are you noticing?
Usually a dead coil, unless it is brand new. If it is new, it was probably not primed. Either way, replace it.
Often flooding, not a dead coil. Remove the tank, blow out the excess through the airflow, and raise the power slightly.
Check the battery is charged and the wattage has not been changed. If both are fine, the coil is fading.
Reseat the coil and clean the 510 contacts. If it persists, the coil has likely failed.
What a dead coil looks like
You can often see a dying coil before you taste it. Hold the tank up to the light, or pull the coil out and look at the cotton through the side ports. Fresh cotton is white or pale cream. As residue builds, it turns tan, then brown, then black and crusty.
The liquid tells a story too. A pale liquid that has turned amber in the tank has picked up caramelised residue from the coil. It will taste different, and the coil behind it is struggling.
The comparison below sets out what to look for in a healthy coil and a tired one, so you can judge without guessing.
Common myths about dead coils
Some advice about stretching the life of a dying coil does more harm than good. Tap each card to see what holds up and what does not.
The big one is the idea that turning the power up compensates for a fading coil. It might bring back a bit of vapour for a day, but it speeds up the burn and gets you to the scorched hit faster.
Another is that a coil only counts as dead once it tastes burnt. By then you have been vaping a weaker, duller version of your liquid for days. Swap at the muted stage and every bottle tastes the way it should.
Make the next coil last longer
When you replace a dead coil, think back to how long it lasted and what you were vaping. If it was well under a week, the cause is probably sweet liquid, high power or chain vaping. Our guide on how long coils last walks through the main causes.
Prime the new one properly, start low and refill before the tank runs dry. If you are using a pod kit, give a new pod at least five minutes after filling.
Pick up spares from the coils range or replacement pods so you are never stuck with a dying one.
Test yourself
One last question to check the key point. Many vapers wait for the burnt hit before swapping, and end up vaping a dull version of their favourite liquid for days.
A good habit is to note the date you fit each coil. If you know a coil usually lasts about ten days for you, you can start paying attention to flavour around day eight and swap at the first sign of fading.
And if you get a burnt taste from a brand new coil, read our guide on priming a coil before fitting the next one.
Which of these is usually NOT a sign of a dead coil?
Quick answers
How do I know when my coil needs changing?
Muted flavour, thinner vapour, darker liquid or a burnt taste. Two or more of those means it is time.
What does a dead coil taste like?
Burnt, bitter or dull. Some vapers describe it as a scorched or cardboard taste.
Can a gurgling coil still be good?
Yes. Gurgling is often flooding. Clear the excess liquid and try slightly higher power before replacing it.
Why does my mod say check atomiser?
Usually the coil is not seated properly or the 510 contacts are dirty. If cleaning does not help, the coil may have failed.
