A close-up of a person sitting crossed legged, holding thier vape in their hand while resting it on their left leg

Why Does My Vape Leak and How Do I Fix It?

Adult vapers who notice a leakage with their device may be wondering ‘why is my vape leaking?’ If you find your vape leaking, it’s best to consult any information pamphlet or other guidance provided with your device to address the issue. If you notice your vape leaking frequently or during regular use, stop using the device immediately and contact the manufacturer - as you might have a defective device. Additionally, remember not to touch the leaky pod or tank with bare hands.

Determining the cause of the leakage can depend on the device you’re using. Vape Pens and Box Mods generally use tanks to hold e-liquid. If one of these devices leaks, this suggests there’s an issue with the tank. Pod Mods and Cigalikes generally don’t use tanks. If you notice a leak with one of these devices, then the issue is more likely to involve the pod or cartridge you’re using.

Causes for a Leaking Vape - and How to Fix Them

There can be a range of different reasons for a leaking vape, many of which could be easily resolved. Therefore, when a vape leaks, you might not need to discard and replace the device entirely.

Here are a few issues that could be the cause of your vape leaking:

A faulty vape tank: Check for visible signs of damage to your tank, such as cracks. If you identify your vape tank as the issue, it may be best to replace the tank with another one.
Overfilling/incorrectly filling the vape tank: Take care when filling or refilling your tank with e-liquid. For some devices, you may want to leave a bubble of air at the top of the tank - this can create a vacuum that keeps the e-liquid from spilling out.
A loose vape tank: Ensure the tank is amply tightened and secured onto the device to prevent e-liquid from leaking out.
Incorrect e-liquids: It’s best to only use e-liquids that you know are compatible with your device. The manufacturer’s guidance may offer information on this.
Incorrect wattage or voltage levels applied to the e-liquid and coil being used: This is something the manufacturer's advice should cover, so it’s worth checking this guidance for further information.
Improper handling of your device: Follow the vape manufacturer’s guidance on how to correctly handle the product. Careful handling of a device could limit leaks.
A faulty vape coil: A vape coil that’s malfunctioned or worn out can cause a device to leak. Fortunately, depending on the device, coils can be changed in many vape devices with ease.

Once you’ve identified the cause of the vape leaking, and resolved the issue, you might then want to think about ways to potentially prevent leaks from happening in the future. Explore the pointers below for more information on this.

How to Prevent Leaks from Happening

While it’s unlikely that prevention measures will completely protect you against any future vape leaking, by doing your own research and following the manufacturer’s guidance, you could reduce the risk of certain leakage issues.

Following the tips below could help to minimise the chance of your vape leaking:

Check Your Tank (if your device utilises a tank)

Inspect your tank for damage.
Do not use a damaged or cracked tank.
When you purchase a replacement tank, make sure the model is compatible with your device.
When placing your tank on your vape, ensure that it’s properly attached to the vape according to the manufacturer's guidance.

Don’t Pour Liquid Down the Chimney (if your device utilises a tank)

In some devices, the ‘chimney’ is the part of the vape that runs from the coil and wick to the mouthpiece.
Be careful not to fill this with e-liquid when reloading.
If e-liquid enters the chimney, the coil could flood and your device may leak and produce spitback.
Holding your tank at an angle while filling, so the liquid trickles down one wall of the tank, can help avoid e-liquid entering the chimney.

Don’t Overfill the Tank (if your device utilises a tank)

Take your time filling the tank, and make sure there’s a small pocket of air left in the top of the tank. As explored above, this could help prevent the e-liquid from leaking.
It might also be worth cleaning your tank every time you switch e-liquids, as a build-up of residue could cause issues with the seal of the tank.
You may be able to clean your tank with warm water and dish soap, before being left to air dry. That said, it’s important to always check the manufacturer's instructions before removing or washing any part of your vape.

Check The Age of Your Coils

Coils can become worn with time. If your wick has lost its absorbency, your coil may become flooded and start to leak.
Typically, coils also need to be replaced regularly. A standard coil might last between one to two weeks.
You may be able to extend the lifespan of your coil by cleaning it. Follow the link to find out more on this.

Don’t Inhale with Too Much Force

Inhaling with more force than necessary could cause e-liquid to enter the mouthpiece. This can lead to leakage once you’ve placed it back in your pocket, or on a surface.

Check You’re Using the Correct E-Liquid

Devices may only be compatible with certain types of e-liquids.
Generally, PG is thinner than VG, and e-liquids with high PG ratios could cause the wick to become oversaturated.
Conversely, high VG ratios may also prove to be too thick, clogging the wick and inducing leakage.
If you are using a sub-ohm device, you may want to opt for a slightly higher VG ratio. However, this will ultimately depend on what the manufacturer recommends.
The appropriate ratio of VG to PG will also be determined by the resistance of your coil.

Avoid Extremes of Temperature, Humidity, or Altitude

Changes in pressure, weather, humidity, and altitude could impact your vape.
Your vape might not be designed to withstand extreme heat or cold, so you may want to keep it within its recommended operating temperature (if provided).
Proper storage can also help to avoid leakage. It might be useful to keep your vape standing, not flat - with the mouthpiece facing up.

Contact Your Manufacturer about a Damaged Tank

If your device leakage issue persists, contact the manufacturer. They might be able to fix the issue or identify a faulty device. Do not attempt to dismantle your device without the recommendation and advice of the manufacturer.

Measures like these could help to prevent frequent leaks in the future. However, when preventive measures like those above have been factored in, but leaks still continue to occur, then it might be time to look for a replacement device.

Avoid Vape Leaking Completely with IQOS

Vapes aren’t the only product available that could be an alternative to continued smoking (depending on the product in question and manufacturer guidance surrounding this). Heated tobacco devices - like those in the IQOS range - might also be worth considering. For example, IQOS ILUMA is a better alternative to cigarettes. IQOS ILUMA Smartcore Induction Technology heats tobacco instead of burning it to deliver the taste of real tobacco.

Important information: IQOS ILUMA is not risk-free.

Moreover, IQOS ILUMA does not need cleaning to ensure optimal performance. IQOS ILUMA leaves no tobacco residue in your pocket or bag. Learn more about IQOS ILUMA and its compatible TEREA sticks.

Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. Smoke-free products are not an alternative to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether.

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.