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I'm own a Black&Decker orbital sander (can be found here, using hook and loop papers), which is generally a good tool except for the fact that the sanding papers fall off before their sand becomes unusable.
I tried using different paper brands, but same result - paper usually comes off way before it becomes not-sandy. Anything I'm missing? Or do I need a better sander/papers?
Be sure to check whether the hooks (part of the hook-and-loop) on the backing pad are intact (not melted) and not clogged, all the way out to the edge of the pad. Usually the hooks around the edge become damaged first. If this is the case, you will need to replace the backing pad or the sander. It looks like replacement parts for your model are readily available online.
If you find that you are regularly burning up the hooks on your sander's pad, try turning down the speed if your sander has a speed control. I burned through 2 or 3 sanding pad attachments for my oscillating tool before realizing this. Also try connecting a vacuum or dust extractor to the sander to help get more airflow for cooling, as well as helping to prevent the paper from becoming clogged and overheating. Or, as Jacob Edmund suggested in a comment on your original question, you may be able to replace the backing pad with a smooth one designed for use with adhesive-backed sandpaper.
It sounds like you need to replace the pad on your sander. This is the "hook" part of the hook and loop system. This is a typical point of failure for orbital sanders, so it should be fairly easy to find one.
If you find you are going through them frequently (in addition to the steps in Rob's answer) you should consider using a "pad protector". This is just a two-sided sheet with "hooks" on one side and "loops" on the other. They are made for mesh sandpaper where the hooks are destroyed under normal use by poking through the mesh and contacting the workpiece.
You don't need to use different paper or replace the bottom pad with a smooth one for adhesives. You just need a replacement pad. A search for "Black & Decker 5" replacement pad" will show you what you need. You can buy them at hardware stores that carry Black & Decker or online.
If you look at the bottom of your sander you will see the 8 dust holes but you will also see a few holes that to down to screws. You can unscrew them and remove the bottom pad and screw the new one on.
You can avoid damaging your new one in many ways, many said already, including minimizing heat and pressure. But the most important thing to do is align the dust holes on the pad with the holes on the paper. The downside of this is you need to get sandpaper that has holes that align, probably brand specific. But anytime you leave a hole on the paper over the pad's hooks, you will be sanding down those hooks as if there was no paper on.
