Why is my vape leaking? 9 causes and how to fix them.
Sticky fingers, a gurgling pod, e-liquid all over the bottom of your bag. A leaking vape wastes juice, makes a mess and can stop your device firing properly.
The good news? Almost every leak comes down to a handful of simple causes, and most take less than a minute to fix. Here's how to work out which one you've got.
Short version? Here you go.
Is it actually a leak, or just condensation?
Before you start taking things apart, check what you're actually dealing with.
A small amount of moisture around the mouthpiece or the pod contacts is usually condensation: vapour cooling and turning back into liquid. It's normal, especially in colder weather, and a quick wipe with a tissue sorts it.
A true leak looks different: e-liquid pooling in the pod bay, dripping from the base of a tank, or the level in your pod dropping faster than you're vaping it. If that sounds familiar, read on.
Overfilling the pod or tank.
This is the number one cause we see in store. Pods and tanks need a small air gap at the top to keep the pressure balanced. Fill right to the brim and the excess liquid gets pushed through the coil and out of the airflow.
Fill to the max line marked on the pod (or about 80–90% full if there isn't one), then close the fill port firmly.
A worn-out or flooded coil.
Over time the wicking material in a coil gets clogged and stops absorbing e-liquid properly. Instead of holding liquid, it lets it flow straight through. A flooded coil (one that's taken on more liquid than it can vaporise) will also gurgle and spit.
If you've had the coil or pod for more than a week or two and you're also getting a muted or burnt taste, it's time for a fresh one. Browse our replacement vape coils or replacement pods and cartridges. To clear a flooded coil, remove the pod, wrap a tissue around the base and give it a couple of firm flicks.
Not sure which coil to pick? Our vape coils guide explains resistances and compatibility.
Not priming a new coil.
It sounds backwards, but a coil that hasn't been primed properly can cause leaks as well as burnt hits. A dry wick can't hold liquid evenly, so your first few puffs can draw too much through at once.
After fitting a new coil or pod, fill it and leave it to sit for 5–10 minutes before vaping. Our step-by-step guide on how to prime a vape coil covers it in detail.
The wrong e-liquid for your coil.
E-liquid thickness matters. Liquids with a high PG content are thinner and flow more freely. Put a thin, high-PG liquid into a low-resistance sub-ohm coil designed for thick, high-VG juice and it can soak through too fast and leak.
The reverse (thick shortfills in a tight MTL pod) usually causes dry hits instead.
Match your liquid to your device. Nic salts and 50/50 liquids suit MTL pod kits with coils of around 0.8Ω and above; 70/30 VG shortfills suit sub-ohm tanks. Find out more in What is PG & VG in e-liquid?
Most leaks aren't a faulty vape. They’re a full pod, a tired coil or the wrong juice.
Damaged or missing seals and O-rings.
Tanks rely on small rubber O-rings to stay sealed, and pods have silicone plugs over the fill port. If one is split, twisted, missing or not pushed fully home, liquid will find its way out.
Check every seal for damage and reseat it. Most tanks come with spare O-rings in the box. With pod kits, a loose or torn silicone bung usually means it's simply time for a new pod.
A cracked pod or tank.
A drop onto a hard floor can leave a hairline crack you barely notice. Tank glass and plastic pods can also craze if cleaned with alcohol or harsh chemicals.
Hold the pod or tank up to the light and look closely. If it's cracked, replace it. Never try to tape or glue it. Clean with warm water only; see our guide on how to clean your vape.
Swap the pod, or upgrade the kit.
If your pod is worn or cracked, a fresh one fixes most leaks straight away. If your device is past its best, these kits use top-fill pods with secure silicone seals.
Inhaling too hard (or the wrong way).
Pod kits are mostly designed for gentle, slow mouth-to-lung (MTL) draws. Pulling hard and fast creates strong suction that drags liquid through the coil before it has a chance to vaporise, which leads to gurgling and liquid in your mouth.
Take a slower, steadier draw, as if sipping through a straw. If you prefer bigger direct-to-lung (DTL) hits, a sub-ohm kit is a better match. Read MTL vs DTL vaping to find your style.
Heat, pressure and how you store it.
E-liquid gets thinner when it's warm, and changes in air pressure push it outwards. That's why vapes often leak after a flight, a hot day in the car or a night lying on their side.
Store your vape upright and out of direct sunlight. Before flying, empty or half-empty your pod and keep the device in your hand luggage. Our guide to flying with a vape has all the details.
The coil isn't fitted properly.
On tanks with replaceable coils, a coil that's cross-threaded, loose or not pushed fully into the base leaves a gap for liquid to escape.
Empty the tank, remove the coil, and refit it carefully so it sits straight and snug. Hand-tight is enough; over-tightening can damage the threads and seals.
What's causing your leak?
Match what you're seeing to the most likely cause, then try the quick fix.
| What you notice | Most likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid around the fill port | Overfilled or seal not closed | Fill to the max line and press the bung firmly shut |
| Gurgling or spitting | Flooded coil or drawing too hard | Flick the pod into a tissue; take slower draws |
| E-liquid in your mouth | Flooded coil or wrong liquid | Clear the coil; check PG/VG suits your coil |
| Leaking from the base | Worn or loose coil, damaged O-ring | Refit or replace the coil and check seals |
| Leaks after travel or heat | Pressure or temperature change | Half-fill before flying; store upright and cool |
| Leak plus burnt taste | Coil at the end of its life | Swap in a fresh coil or pod |
Tried a fresh pod, the right liquid and a gentle draw and it still leaks? The device itself may be worn. Have a look at our pod kits.
Bring it in. We'll take a look.
Pop into your local I Love Vapour store and our team will help find the problem, whether it's the coil, the pod or the liquid you're using.
Or grab replacement pods and coils online, with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Shop coils & pods →Leaking vapes: the questions we get asked.
Why is my vape leaking from the bottom?
Leaks from the base are usually caused by overfilling, a worn coil, a loose or badly fitted coil, or a damaged O-ring. Start by checking the coil is seated properly and the seals are intact.
Why am I getting e-liquid in my mouth?
This is often called spitback. It's normally caused by a flooded coil or by drawing too hard on an MTL device. Clear the excess liquid and try a slower, gentler draw.
Why is my vape gurgling?
Gurgling means there's too much liquid sitting in the coil or airflow channel. Flick the pod into a tissue to clear it, and check you're not overfilling or using a liquid that's too thin for your coil.
Do new pods leak more than old ones?
A brand-new pod shouldn't leak if it's filled correctly and primed. Leaking usually gets worse as a pod or coil wears out, which is a sign it's time to replace it.
Can a leaking vape damage the battery?
E-liquid getting into the pod connection or charging port can stop your device firing or charging properly. Wipe it away with a dry tissue or cotton bud, let it dry fully, and don't charge it while it's wet.
How often should I change my pod or coil?
As a rough guide, most pods and coils last 5–14 days depending on how much you vape and the e-liquid you use. Sweet, dark liquids wear coils out faster.
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