Why is my vape flashing? The common light codes decoded

There is no industry standard for vape light codes. Each manufacturer picks its own, and the same brand may change them between models. So the patterns here are the common ones you will see on many kits, not guarantees for every device.

That said, the same few messages need communicating on every vape: battery level, lock status, pod or coil problems and safety cut-offs. Most brands use similar flashes for each, so the table below covers the majority of kits.

If your device has a screen, it will usually spell the error out instead, such as check pod or low battery.

When the flash happens is the key to reading it. Pick the moment that matches what you saw.

Timing matters because the device only runs certain checks at certain moments. It reads the coil when you try to fire, checks the battery every puff, and monitors charging only while plugged in.

If your pattern does not match any of these, look up your model's manual. Most brands publish them on their websites, and the code table is usually on the first few pages. Searching the model name plus the word manual normally finds it in seconds.

Many pod kits use a single LED that changes colour to show how much charge is left. A common scheme is green for plenty, then a middle colour, then red when it is time to charge.

The exact colours and thresholds vary by brand, so use the scale below as a typical example rather than a rule. When yours hits red, charge it soon: lithium cells prefer not to be run completely flat, and power drops as the battery empties, which weakens flavour.

If the colour drops to red quickly after a full charge, the battery may be ageing. Our battery drain guide covers what to check.

Most flashes are routine, but a few situations mean you should stop using the device for a moment and check it properly.

A short-circuit warning is the important one. If the device flashes a short or atomizer error and also gets warm, remove the pod, put the device on a hard surface and let it cool. Short errors on mods are covered in our check atomizer guide.

Flashing while charging combined with heat, a smell or a swollen case means unplug immediately and stop using the device. A replacement kit costs far less than the risk of carrying on with one that is clearly unhappy.

A lot of flashing is self-inflicted and easy to undo. Tap each card to check whether one of these explains yours.

Accidental locking is the big one. A pocket, a bag strap or a fidgety thumb can press the button five times without you noticing, and the kit then flashes and refuses to fire. It looks like a fault, but five quick presses fix it.

If you have ruled out everything here and the light keeps flashing on a draw, try a fresh pod or coil from our pods range before deciding the device is faulty.