Modified on: 24/05/2024
Unrecognized atomizer: what it means and why it happens
What to do when you read the phrase “no atomizer” on your e-cig?
To avoid permanently damaging your device and forcing you to buy a new one prematurely, it is essential to know the causes and viable solutions to this phenomenon.
Now you are wondering what they are, right?
That is why in this article we will try to understand how to behave when the electronic cigarette no longer recognizes an atomizer.
Let’s start from the beginning: what does this error message on your e-cig mean?
When you receive the message ‘no atomizer’, your electronic cigarette does not detect any atomizer. To be more precise, it means that the mod does not believe that the tank, or more precisely the coil or atomizer head, is connected to the connection point.
The same message appears when trying to start a mod with nothing connected. However, if the tank or atomizer is connected, that means something is preventing you from making that connection.
This can sometimes seem like an unusual error message, especially if you have been vaping quietly until recently. But connection problems can develop over time even if you do not change anything in the e-cig’s settings: it’s rarer, but it can happen.
Therefore, if you have also read this message, you will have realized that by pressing the button to activate the electronic cigarette you could not vape as before.
But why does this happen and how to fix it?
The causes, and solutions, are many, but let’s take a look at some of the most common.
Also read: Are nicotine salts bad for you? Differences with liquid nicotine
‘No atomizer’: why it happens and how to fix it
To continue vaping with peace of mind, it is essential to trace the cause that has led to this error message.
One of the most frequent concerns the atomizer: in fact, it often happens that it is screwed badly. In this case, it is enough to screw it to the box, trying not to tighten it too much, since there would be a risk of damaging the filling.
In other cases, the atomizer may need to be replaced with a new one: since this is a significant expense, be sure to rule out any other causes first!
But let’s continue.
It may happen that the resistor has some defects. Here are two options:
- if the atomizer is regenerable, then it may be that the resistor has been ‘built’ wrong by the owner: in this case it will be necessary to create another one.
- if it is not regenerable (that is, if it has been bought ready to use) it could be a factory defect: here it is also advisable to replace it with a new one.
If the problem persists even after replacement, I will say exclude the coil from the probable causes, because finding two in a row with factory defects is rare.
Finally, the contact with the box could also give this error message: if it is defective, it will be necessary to buy a new box. Here we are also talking about a significant expense, so you will have to rule out any other factors first.
What to do if your e-cig atomizer is not recognized
Step One: Clean All Contact Points
The first thing you should do is remove the tank (or pod) from the device and carefully clean all the fillers and connections. A paper towel is usually adequate for this job.
On batteries and mods there is a center pin, often referred to as the 510 pins. It is common to find dust, dirt, and e-liquid inside, so understand that contact areas need to be cleaned regularly.
At this point, you can screw the tank back on, making sure it is firmly in place, but not too tight.
If the problem persists, go to step two.
Step Two: Replace the coil
Sometimes removing the coil from the tank and reinstalling it miraculously solves the problem.
In this case you will have to disassemble the tank as if you were replacing the coil. When disassembled, unscrew the coil from the base of the tank and clean the bottom where it threads on and makes contact.
Once clean and dry, reinstall the coil and reassemble the tank.
If you keep reading ‘no atomizer’ then it is an enjoyable time to try another coil.
Step Three: Check the 510 pins
If you have a traditional mod and tank, check the 510 pins on the tank and verify that it is connected to the mod. If it is adjustable, pull it out a bit and reattach it to the mod.
If, on the contrary, you have a sub ohm tank, check that the base of the coil is connected to that of the tank: to do this, you have to slightly extract the base of the coil, being careful not to loosen it and not to break the cables inside and reassemble the tank.
Step Four: Try Another Tank
This is a wonderful way to establish the true cause of the problem and rule out all others. If you have another tank on hand, you can try swapping it out.
💡Important note before doing this: if the resistance of the coil in the tank is less than one ohm, make sure the battery or mod is safe to use the coil. Most mods usually pull in down to at least 0.5 ohms but keep this in mind and double check if you are unsure.
If the new tank works fine in the mod, you will be sure that the problem is either the existing tank or the coil.
If, on the other hand, you were to continue reading ‘no atomizer’ even with the new tank, the problem is likely to be with the mod.
Finally, you can check if your existing tank works on another mod. If you see the same error, you know it is certainly a contact problem in the tank or a problem with the coil.
Also read: GLO or IQOS? Main differences (and why the best alternative to blondes is still vaping)
In conclusions
In this article we have seen how to behave when the phrase ‘no atomizer’ appears on the electronic cigarette.
As you will have seen, the causes of an unrecognized atomizer can be many, so care must be taken to exclude them one by one and return to the real problem.
So, you can resume vaping with complete peace of mind. 😉