SMOK Nord 4 Instruction Manual and Troubleshooting Guide
We hope that you enjoy our SMOK Nord 4 instruction manual. If you’ve already ordered the Nord 4 and are trying to get a head start on learning how to use your new device before it arrives – or you already own the Nord 4 and are trying to fix a problem with it – you’ll find the information you need right here. We’ll also provide a brief history of the SMOK Nord series, which should aid your decision if you already own an earlier SMOK Nord and are trying to decide whether to upgrade.
Let’s dig in!
SMOK Nord 4 vs. Nord X, Nord 2 and Nord: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
If you’re followed the development of the SMOK Nord series, you’ve probably noticed that there’s been quite a lot of feature creep over the years. While the original SMOK Nord was a low-wattage device aimed squarely at beginning and intermediate vapers who preferred high-strength nicotine salt e-liquid, Nord devices have slowly migrated away from the mouth-to-lung vaping paradigm over the years.
With its larger airflow vents, the SMOK Nord 4 caters to the direct-to-lung crowd more than any other Nord device. You definitely wouldn’t want to use it with high-nicotine e-liquid – and you may not like the increased complexity of a device that becomes a bit more like a full-fledged vape mod with each generation. If you’re happy with your vaping experience as it currently is, there’s no reason to buy the Nord 4. If you’re looking for more power, though, you’ll definitely find it with this device.
Here’s an overview of how the different SMOK Nord devices compare and what features each new device offers compared to the previous device.
SMOK Nord
- 1,100 mAh battery
- 15 watts
- No wattage adjustment
- Uses Nord coils
- 37 amp charging speed
SMOK Nord 2
- 1,500 mAh battery
- 40 watts
- Adds display and adjustable wattage
- Uses Nord or RPM coils
- 2 amp charging speed
SMOK Nord X
- 1,500 mAh battery
- 60 watts
- Adds buttons for easy wattage adjustments
- Adds shock, water and dust resistance
- Adds e-liquid window
- Uses RPM or RPM2 coils
SMOK Nord 4
- 2,000 mAh battery
- 80 watts
- Adds adjustable airflow
- Adds leather trim option
- Removes shock, water and dust resistance
- Removes e-liquid window
- Uses RPM or RPM2 coils
Wondering what happened to the SMOK Nord 3? The answer is that it doesn’t exist. Since the SMOK Nord X was the third-generation Nord device, the designers at SMOK decided to skip the “Nord 3” moniker entirely.
What Pods and Coils Are Available for the SMOK Nord 4?
If you’re familiar with the SMOK Nord series, you know that the coils are interchangeable between the different devices. As long as you’re using the correct pod for the coil – and the coil’s resistance is within the device’s supported range – you can use any coil with any device. The SMOK Nord X and Nord 4 both support SMOK RPM and RPM2 coils, so there are no coils that you can use with the SMOK Nord 4 but can’t use with the SMOK Nord X.
The SMOK Nord 4 works with the following coils.
SMOK RPM Coils
- 3-ohm mesh coil (10-15 watts); for mouth-to-lung vaping
- 4-ohm mesh coil (25 watts); for direct-to-lung vaping
- 6-ohm triple coil (25 watts); for direct-to-lung vaping
- 8-ohm dual coil (16 watts); for mouth-to-lung vaping
- 0-ohm single coil (14 watts); for mouth-to-lung vaping
- 2-ohm quartz coil (12 watts); for thick oils
- RBA coil; build your own coil with a minimum resistance of .25 ohm
SMOK RPM2 Coils
- 16-ohm mesh coil (25-50 watts); for direct-to-lung vaping
- 6-ohm dual coil (12-25 watts); for mouth-to-lung vaping
How to Charge the SMOK Nord 4
You can charge the SMOK Nord 4 by connecting it to your computer using the included USB-C cable. When the device charges, the screen displays a percentage indicator. It also displays an estimate of how long it’ll take until the charging process is complete. When the device is fully charged, the screen will display “100%.”
How to Fill the SMOK Nord 4
To fill the SMOK Nord 4, start by pulling the pod out of the device. You’ll see a red silicone stopper on the side of the pod. Lift the stopper and add e-liquid to the pod until the reservoir is almost full. Replace the pod and return it to the device. Don’t begin vaping until you’ve given the coil a few minutes to absorb the e-liquid.
How to Vape with the SMOK Nord 4
After you disconnect the SMOK Nord 4 from the charging cable, you’ll probably find that the device is turned off. Press the fire button five times quickly until you see the SMOK logo. Give the device a moment to start up, and you’ll be ready to vape.
When the SMOK Nord 4 starts up, the screen displays the device’s current wattage. If it shows a number that’s higher than the recommended wattage range for the coil you’re using, press the “-“ adjustment button to lower the wattage. When you’re breaking in a new coil, it’s a good idea to start at the bottom of the coil’s recommended wattage range and increase the power slowly.
To vape with the SMOK Nord 4, simply hold the fire button while puffing. If you’re not happy with the airflow characteristics, turn the ring above the fire button until you achieve your ideal draw.
How to Replace the SMOK Nord 4 Coil
After several days of vaping, you’re going to find that the SMOK Nord 4 doesn’t produce the same flavor quality that it did when the coil was new. That means it’s time for a new coil. To replace the SMOK Nord 4 coil, start by removing the pod from the device. On the bottom of the pod, you’ll see the circular outline of the coil. Pull the coil out of the pod and push a new coil in. After filling the tank, don’t start vaping right away. The coil’s cotton wick needs to be completely saturated with e-liquid before you press the fire button.
NOTE: Some SMOK Nord 4 pods have a child-resistant mechanism that prevents easy removal of the coil. If your pod has that mechanism, you’ll need to move a small plastic tab on the bottom of the pod to release the coil. After installing a new coil, move the tab to its original position to lock the coil in place.
How to Fix Problems with the SMOK Nord 4
The engineers at SMOK have been designing industry-leading vaping devices for many years now, and that means you can generally expect a completely problem-free experience with the SMOK Nord 4. If you do happen to encounter an issue, though, we’ve got your back. In this section of our SMOK Nord 4 instruction manual, we’ll explain how to troubleshoot any problem you might encounter.
If you have a problem that you’re unable to fix, don’t be shy – leave a comment! The comment areas in our instruction manuals often end up becoming lively discussion areas, and there’s a good chance that someone will chime in with a potential solution for you.
SMOK Nord 4 Not Charging
If your SMOK Nord 4 isn’t charging, the first thing that you should check is the USB cable. You probably have a spare USB-C cable – the cable that came with your phone, for instance – that you can try using. USB cables are very fragile, and they rarely last as long as the devices that come with them.
Don’t forget that, like all vaping devices, the SMOK Nord 4 is designed for charging through a computer. Don’t try charging the device with the wall adapter for a smartphone or tablet. If the Nord 4 doesn’t charge when you connect it to your computer – even after trying a different USB cable – you should try a different computer or USB port.
SMOK Nord 4 Not Hitting
If your SMOK Nord 4 isn’t hitting, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue.
- Turn the device on by pressing the fire button five times quickly until you see the SMOK logo.
- Press the fire button three times quickly to unlock the device.
- Charge the SMOK Nord 4 battery fully.
- Remove the pod and make sure that the coil is fully seated.
- If the device displays an error message when you try to vape, consult the guide at the bottom of this article.
SMOK Nord 4 Leaking
One of the great things about the SMOK Nord 4 is the fact that the coil’s triple-gasket system should make leaking almost impossible under normal usage conditions. If your device does happen to leak, though, the problem should be easily fixable with these steps.
- Don’t overfill the pod. If the pod is too full, you’ll push e-liquid out of the pod when you close the stopper.
- Always puff gently when you vape. If you use too much air pressure, you’ll flood the coil, and the e-liquid will spit from the top of the pod or leak out of the air vents.
- Remove the pod and check the coil. The pod will leak if the coil isn’t fully seated or has damaged gaskets.
SMOK Nord 4 Producing a Burned Taste
Vaping should always taste good – and if your SMOK Nord 4 produces a burned taste, it’s definitely a fixable problem. Here’s how to resolve it.
- Always wait several minutes before vaping when you install a new coil. If dry hits with the SMOK Nord 4 are a persistent problem for you, prime new coils before installing them by putting a little e-liquid on the wick openings.
- Lower your device’s wattage. If you’re too aggressive with the SMOK Nord 4’s wattage settings, you’ll end up burning the coil’s cotton wick.
- Replace the coil. If the coil’s wick is burned, the coil will always produce a bad flavor; there’s no way to resolve that issue. Also, it’s important to remember that every coil has a finite lifespan. A vape coil can last several days, but you may experience shorter coil life if you use heavily sweetened e-liquids because sucralose causes coil gunk.
SMOK Nord 4 Producing Weak Hits
A strong, satisfying hit is one thing that you should always be able to count on when you use the SMOK Nord 4. With 80 watts of power at your disposal, the Nord 4 produces enormous clouds compared to what you’d get with a first-generation pod system. If you experience weak hits with the Nord 4, these are the things that you should try.
- Increase the device’s wattage.
- Adjust the airflow. If you open the airflow, you’ll get bigger clouds; if you close the airflow, the vapor will become warmer and more intense.
- Try a different coil. If you switch to a coil with a lower resistance, you’ll get bigger clouds.
- Increase your nicotine strength. For most vapers, a nicotine strength of 3 mg/ml or 6 mg/ml will work well with the SMOK Nord 4.
SMOK Nord 4 Error Messages
We’ll conclude this SMOK Nord 4 instruction manual with the list of the error messages that you might see when using this device. If your SMOK Nord 4 isn’t hitting – and the screen displays an error message – you’ll find the solution here.
- BATTERY LOW: The device’s battery is nearly dead. Charge it soon to prevent the device from shutting down.
- GOODBYE: The device has shut itself down because the battery is dead. Charge the battery.
- OHMS TOO LOW or OHMS TOO HIGH: The coil’s resistance isn’t within the SMOK Nord 4’s supported range. If you’re using a pre-built coil, the coil probably has a manufacturing fault. You should replace it. If you’re using the RBA deck, you’ve built a coil with an unsupported resistance.
- NO ATOMIZER: The SMOK Nord 4 doesn’t detect the connected atomizer coil. Remove and reseat the coil. If the error persists, replace the coil.
- ATOMIZER SHORT: The connected atomizer coil has a short. Remove and reseat the coil. If the error persists, replace the coil. If you’re using the RBA deck, it’s likely that you made an error when building the coil. Check the make sure that the coil isn’t touching the interior of the RBA deck’s metal housing.
- TIME OVER: You’ve exceeded the SMOK Nord 4’s puff timer. Puffs need to be eight seconds or shorter.
- PCBA TOO HOT: The SMOK Nord 4 has overheated. Move the device to a cool place and wait a while before vaping again.
- POWER LOCK: The device’s locking function is enabled. Press the fire button three times quickly to unlock the device. The screen should then display the message POWER UNLOCK.
127 Comments
Submit a Comment
Best of eCig One
Jason Artman founded eCig One after switching from smoking to vaping in 2010 and has been a professional writer and SEO consultant since 2007. His work has been featured on television and in leading publications, and it has been referenced in numerous peer-reviewed journals. Jason works with leading vape brands around the world to generate targeted web traffic and increase their revenue.
Great guide. Thank you. I’d suggest adding: “press the “-“ adjustment buttons which are found to the left of the usage display.” VERY annoying Captcha time out which deletes entered comments.
My vape keeps shutting off with a full battery what do I do to fix it
How do I fix it when it says “puff clean”
My nord 4 won’t turn on and it’s completely charged. Help!!!
Do you open your mod again?, i have the same issue
So minus stuck on time over. I was going to hit it and the button got stuck and it went to time over. That was 2 hours ago it’s still stuck on time over no matter what I do I can’t get it to do anything. Help!!
How do you change the voltage mine shows 0
My Nord 4 will not turn on unless I plug it into the charger. Then I’ll take the charger out and it will not hit no matter what I do! The hit button does not work at all. It will not power it on or off. I don’t know what to do…
No matter how many times I press it 3 times I can’t get it unstuck. Please help
My smok 4 says ohms to high I’ve cleaned it and still says to high.i put my back up pod on because I have the kit.and it says to low omhs now.
I taped a ring on to it so I could hang it on the wall but got some stickiness stuck in the finger firing button on the outside by the leather. Now it holds down sometimes when I fire it up. How can I safely focus that? Thank you for the help and reading this.
99% Isopropyl Alcohol is safe for most electronics but might damage the leather. Maybe try a q tip with alcohol & then wipe the leather with a lightly damp rag.
Puff clean is showing. And then going back to 5w.
Can you help?
how to lock the Wattag on a nord 4 vape
press the “fire” button quickly 3x’s
please ignore last comment, it locks it completely…lol
Stuck on time over screen can’t turn the mod off either
Keeps reading OHMS to high even though the coil is the correct coil and new
I have the same problem….how do you fix thus?
The TIME OVER will no disappear. It’s stuck in error mode and won’t turn of no matter how many times I’ve pressed the power button.
I have this issue as well.
Same issue here today
How to take off Time Over
My nord 4 won’t turn on, but it charges
Hi, i just changed my coil but after 3 puffs it’s say no atomizer, what should I do?
Power lock is stuck on none of the things you a guys say to do are working
Good day,
I have the same problem with my Nord 4 (black leather). Charges, but does not come on. It did leak liquid prior to this. May I ask did you manage to resolve your?
i threw mine at the wall and it fixed when saying time over
Did you ever get timer over to go away mine is doing the same thing now. 😔
Same issue here
My vape won’t turn on but when charging it shows fully charged, changed coil and all. Please help
The TIME OVER will no disappear. It’s stuck in error mode and won’t turn of no matter how many times I’ve pressed the power button.
How do I reset it when I get this message
I cannot turn the power off message reads puff clean
The pod will not fit in the body I think it might be something to do with the magnets
I have been using the nord 4 for a year, its a great device i love it but the past 3 days the device has been malfunctioning. When i press the power button down to hit the vape it acts as if i never let go of the power button so it stays on and continues hitting until the “time over” message appears. Then that message doesnt go away for atleast 3 hours.
I had the same issue.
I’m having the same issue right now,did you find out why the power button was acting like that?Now my vape is on “time over” does it correct itself?Or is it better to buy a new vape?
Did anyone ever resolve this? My power button continues to do this until time over. Regardless or new pod or new coil. Also, a second nord 4 i purchased is now doing the same. Seems to be a product design flaw. Very frustrating
I have been having the same issue. Has anyone supplied advice to fix this?
When I had this issue one of the magnets have worked loose from the pod and was still stuck in the actual pod housing. The pod then would seat correctly.
O used tweezers to pull out the old magnet from the previous pod and replaced with a new pod. Problem solved
Hey my Nord 4 keeps spitting juice into my mouth and it’s very off-putting. I’m using an RPM2 coil at 35-40w.
My nord 4 has come up with first time over on then it changed to puff clean but will not do anything. Won’t let me turn off or interact when you press any buttons. It’s only 6 months old!
I’m having the same problem. I’ve tried hitting the button 5 times, but no change.
How to reset the puff
wattage down+ vape button
This isn’t working for me 🙁
Hi I am using authentic coils with my Nord 4 but I keep getting ohms to high and when I do get the coils to work the number of ohms keep changing every time I fire?
Having this prob too
what is PUFF CLEAN?
My nord Leaks from time to time and I also get a liquid from when I inhale to vape it any suggestions on what I should do
What is puff clean ?
My nord 4 is brand new i am using the rpm 1 0.41 ohm pod that comes with the vape. My problem is that when i leave my pod upside down the juice leaks from where you inhale i am using 50mg nicotine 60pg 40vg juice what can i do to prevent the flooding of the coil?
Hi my nord 4 was dropped in water and it comes on but now when you change wattage it only changes on the display but it stays on 80 watt
Same issue here
Nord 4 device three months old and has started randomly changing the wattage. It will start at 5 and count up to 80 over and over until I turn it off?? Why any troubleshooting???
You’re missing an error message, my partners nord 4 is reading ‘puff clean’ and the button seems to be getting stuck. The only way to stop it vaping itself is to remove the pod. What would you recommend as a lot of people seem to have had this issue on other forums but there seems to be no mention of it here
My Nord 4 is stuck in power lock mode. Hitting the fire button 3 or 5 times quickly does nothing. I have had this for about 5 months now and it has not been dropped or damaged at all. HELP!
I pulled the tank off and then pressed the fire button a few times. Put the tank back on then it fired up.
My Nord 4 is stuck on “Time over” is there anyway to fix this?
Mine has just done this too!
Why are my rpm coils for my Nord not fitting in my pods. The box says RPM Mesh ).$ Coil. It will not set in .my pod. and yes I do understand that the pod are different. I wasted my money on coils that do not fit
I accidently dropped me vape in a cup of sweet coffee about a week ago, now the lights will come in, but the RPH numbers keep going up and won’t stop 5-80, then when I woke up this morning everything still the same as was but t won’t hit,I need my vape lol
The child lock on my pod appears to be permanently locked. I also can’t even see it. How on earth am I supposed to “toggle’ it?
Nord 4 leather series…watts no longer changing ,stuck @ 63 watts….help please
Mine keeps showing the ohms too low no matter what I do. How do I fix it?
Device 5 months old, well taken care off. All of a sudden having PUFF CLEAN message, device unusable.
Message “puff clean” will not go away and mod will not allow to turn off vape nor charge
My nord is saying OHMS too high, I have cleaned it and I even changed the coil to a new one and same issue occurs.
Amazing vape, only problem I have no idea how to reset my puff count I’ve tried fire button and down wattage button at the same time, any suggestions?
Nord 4 only a couple months old and won’t do anything unless it’s plugged into a charger. I rarely hit it maybe 4 or 5 times a day. I’m disappointed
Did you figure this out?
Following… Mine just started this as well.
Mine too. Did you figure out how to fix it?
Same problem, does anyone has a solution?
I’m getting a “NO ATOMIZER” message. On my Smok nord 4. However, one of the connectors inside got stuck in the bottom I can seem to make it pop up again. I always keep my vaper very clean. I don’t really understand why this happened. In fact, I just got this one about 2 months ago.
They are spring loaded you remove your pod to much wore out the spring
My nord 4 is completely locked up. The screen is stuck on no atomizer and no matter what I do it won’t change from that
Can it rechay
I meant can it RECHARGE!
My vape stopped working when unplugged and charged won’t turn on but it works when plugged in only had this thing for 2 months changed coil still does the same thing
Did you figure this out?
Puff Clean / frozen
I have 2 Nord 4 and both will not turn on- I have charged them, changed coils and still nothing— however the pods work in my old one
I have a SMOK nord 4 and the wattage numbers keep counting down from 79W to 5W, then it goes back to 79W and counts down to 5W, eg: 79,78,77,76,75,74,73,72,71…etc. It is fully charged, I replaced the pod and coil. Powered off and back on and the wattage numbers still keep flashing down from 79W to 5W. I can still vape although it might take me pressing power button a few times.
I have had my nord 4 for almost a year. It started the same, what I did that seem to fix was to spray a little electrical contact on a tissue and clean the many e liquid leaks off the wattage adjusters and the entire outside of the nord 4.
Puff clean error message.. can’t interact with the device
Wtf I’m having same issues with wattage and puff clean msg
My Smok Nord 4 has not been working for a day now. The error message says ‘PUFF CLEAN’ I have properly cleaned the vape and still nothing. I cant reset it or switch it off. Has anyone else had this issue or knowledge of how to fix this problem?
RE: Puff Clean Error.
Remove the tank, clean the surface of the coil, then clean the contacts on the tank and the contacts inside the unit. It went away for me right away when I did that.
My nord 4 says puff clean and is stuck in this mode
To reset the puff counter, simultaneously press the fire button and the wattage-down button. BUT this only works if the pod is removed from the device. That last part (about needing to remove the pod) is generally missing from the instructions I’ve found in web searches.
Also note that this only works if the power lock is NOT on.
To reset the puff counter, simultaneously press the fire button and the wattage-down button. BUT this only works if:
1) the pod is removed from the device; and
2) the power lock is NOT on.
That last part (about needing to removing the pod and turning off the power lock) is generally missing from the instructions I’ve found in web searches.
I’ve tried everything to get my Smok nord 4 to charge….cleaning charging port, using my laptop to charge it, different cords, different wall blocks & NOTHING works!! What do I do now???
My vape said ‘time out’ (even though wasn’t using it) and now just constantly says pod detached. Have changed coil, there’s no liquid on the elements. Can’t get message off and it won’t work!
I think my Nord 4 got wet or something, and now it just says atomizer sorry. I can’t hit it, I can’t turn it off and/on. It keeps showing the fire screen like I’m gonna be able to hit it, but then it flickers off a half second later. The screen keeps flickering on and off like that when it’s plugged in. HELP PLEASE!
Meant to say atomizer short**
mine did the same have you figured out how to fix this?
Just bought one of these on the recommendation of a friend. I like to feel some resistance when I draw on it but even with both air flow vents fully closed it still feels as if I’m sucking on fresh air. In fact I can tell no difference between fully open and fully closed. Am I doing something wrong?
How can I remove a coil that the top has come off of coil inside the mod?
I like how the manufacturer obviously ignores anything about the puff clean message
Just got my Nord4 and USB cable is not recognized on two different CPUs, so can’t even get started. I’ve been told my brand new cable might be defective but I don’t have another with the same fittings.
Porque me sale OHMS TOO HIGH
I dropped my nord 4 in tea. And now the charging light is flashing and when I turn it off it says it’s charging. What do I do?
I’m stuck on puff clean and cannot resolve this. I’m out of the country and need help!!
Mine started auto firing I took the coil out and the it said time over then time over went away and now it’s stuck on watt lock what do I do
Have you “watt lock” problem been repaired? Bother my Nord 4 and 5 has done this and I cannot use it at all. Not buying another Smok again, though.
Just got a new Nord 4 and using the RPM2 .16 coils. Bought new coils and tried 3 different ones and still getting ohms too low. Any way to fix this as I want to try a direct to lung vape. Thanks
Mine won’t do anything when I press the button. It shows the display when plugged in, so it is on. This started out slowly, the button not doing anything when pressed, but finally would. Now I can press it all day and nothing. Every now and then it will let me take a hit. How do I fix this?
i have the same problem. its so frustrating, i dont know what to do. its just stoped working completely. i cant even turn it off anymore. i can only change the W. also the button sound like it should sound when pressint it, but its just not doing anything. and when i plug it in, instead of a white light on the button, its shows me a yellow light ;((
How to clear puff clean message and it counting w by itself from 5w to 80w then got stucked
Nord 4 stuck on puff clean how do I reset
Nord 4 stuck on puff clean .
Hello very very frustrated. My vape is not working and I need my nicotine. I have had all kinds of problems with this Smoc 4.
Leaks into my mouth I get nauseous but yet I still vape
Now the fire button won’t allow me to turn on when I hit the up/down button it shows the wattage that’s all the vape reads
Before this happened, it was stuck on lock it will not unlock I really
I do not want this vape anymore
I have tried all the troubleshooting text, so please do not tell me something I already did
Nord 4 stuck on puff clean how do I reset
My nord 4 metal sleeve has slipped out of my Vape 4. This is second one that’s done this. How can I fix it?
When I hit the fire button and let go, it keeps on going like I’m holding button. Then craps out and says time over. How do I fix this?
Mine fell in the bath for 4s, best advise?
Hi there. My Nord 4 is completely frozen. First, it couldn’t stop hitting despite me releasing the hit button. To avoid burning the coil, I took out the pod. Then, it showed “no attomizer”, understandable, but it’s been like this all the time, despite the pod being put back in. I’m unable to even turn the device off. How do I reset it?
Nord 4 stuck on puff clean how do I reset
Hi i am having trouble turning mine on it does have battery power no issue hardly used it but having trouble stating it up it does display battery when power when plugged in
I have had this SMOK Nord 4 for 4 months, it is 100% charged, new coil, but it will not fire. I get no hit;. What is wrong with it. For the money I paid It should last longer than 4 months? How can i fix?
My nord is fully charged but goes off if disconnected to charger
Hi Teresa, how old is your device? If it only works when connected to the charger, the battery probably no longer holds a charge. If this is the case, it’ll be necessary to replace the device. Lithium-ion batteries last for about 300-500 charges on average.
Nord 4 won’t charge above 0%
Shuts down by itself, will not start after 6 ,sometimes needs 12 or more. Power locks for no reason. Won’t unlock after 3 . Press more than 3 shuts down.