There’s nothing more annoying than reaching for your vape, only to find it’s leaking juice like a busted water bottle. Whether you’re a newbie just switching to nic salts or a seasoned cloud chaser rocking a sub-ohm setup, vape leaks can happen to anyone.
The good news? Leaks usually have a simple cause, and an even simpler fix. Let’s break down six common reasons your vape is leaking and what you can do to keep your e-liquid where it belongs: in your tank, not in your hands.
1. Your Coil Isn’t Sitting Right
The coil is the engine of your vape, and just like any engine, if it’s not installed properly, things can go wrong fast. A poorly fitted coil can create tiny gaps in your vape tank, letting your precious vape juice sneak out through the cracks.
This is especially common when you’re installing a fresh coil. If it’s not aligned just right, or if it’s cross-threaded (a fancy way of saying it’s screwed in wrong), you’ll often see leaks around the base of your tank or pod.
The Fix:
When changing coils, take your time. Make sure it’s snug, not overtightened, not loose, and check that the O-rings are intact and sitting flush. Damaged or missing O-rings can cause leaks just as easily as a loose coil.
And hey, if your vape is tasting burnt or the coil looks gunky, it’s probably time to bin it and pop in a new one. Regular coil changes happy vaping.
2. You’re Overfilling Your Vape Tank (We’ve All Done It)
We get it. You’re eager to get back to vaping, and that bottle of nic salt e-liquid is just begging to be used. But if you’re filling your vape tank to the brim, you’re asking for trouble.
Overfilling doesn’t give the juice room to expand or settle, which means it can leak out through the airflow holes. This happens a lot with refillable pod systems and sub-ohm tanks alike.
The Fix:
Check for a max fill line on your tank or pod, it’s there for a reason. Always leave a little air pocket at the top of your tank. That space helps create a vacuum seal, which prevents leaks and helps maintain pressure as you vape.
Pro tip: Tilt your tank slightly when filling and pour slowly. Take your time, rushing the refill is how most spills start.
3. Your Vape Juice Is Too Thin for Your Kit
Not all e-liquids are created equal, and using the wrong kind of juice for your device can cause leaks. Thin, high-PG vape juices (the kind often used for nic salts) are more runny, meaning they can slip through the cracks and flood your coil if your device isn’t designed for them.
This is a common issue when people use nic salts in powerful sub-ohm devices or pair high-VG liquids with low-power pod kits.
The Fix:
Match your e-liquid to your device. Pod systems and starter kits usually work best with thinner 50/50 or high-PG nic salts. Sub-ohm tanks and high-wattage mods prefer thicker, high-VG juices, something like a 70VG/30PG ratio.
Not sure what VG and PG mean? Quick breakdown:
- PG (Propylene Glycol): Thinner, carries flavour better, hits harder.
- VG (Vegetable Glycerin): Thicker, smoother inhale, bigger clouds.
If you’re getting leaks, switch to a higher VG juice and see if that sorts i
4. You’re Puffing Too Hard, Too Fast (AKA Chain Vaping)
Chain vaping, taking puff after puff with no break, is a sneaky leak culprit. When you vape rapidly, you’re not giving the coil time to cool down. This causes the e-liquid to thin from the heat, which makes it more likely to leak through airflow holes or coil openings.
Plus, the cotton in your coil can get overwhelmed and flood, leading to gurgling sounds, spitback, and yep, more leaking.
The Fix:
Give your vape a breather. Wait 15–30 seconds between hits so the Coil can cool down and re-saturate properly. Not only does this prevent leaks, but it also makes your coil last longer and keeps your flavours tasting crisp.
If you’re feeling impatient, consider using a device with mesh coils, they tend to handle frequent vaping better.
5. Your Vape Tank or Pod Has Taken a Knock
Ever dropped your vape or banged it against something? Even a small crack in the tank or a misaligned seal can cause your e-liquid to leak out slowly (or sometimes all at once).
Hairline fractures can be hard to spot, especially on glass tanks or plastic pods. And once there’s damage, your vape’s ability to keep liquid contained is pretty much toast.
The Fix:
Inspect your tank or pod regularly. Look for chips, cracks, or any signs of wear around the seals. If your vape’s been dropped, even once, check it over before refilling.
Investing in a silicone vape band or carrying case isn’t just for show, it can actually help protect your device from the odd drop.And remember: if your tank or pod is damaged, replace it. No amount of tissue paper can fix a cracked pod.
6. Your Coil Is Old, Burnt, or Gunked Up
Coils don’t last forever. An old or burnt-out coil can’t vaporise e-liquid efficiently, meaning you’ll often get flooding, spitting, or leaking.
Burnt coils can also lead to dry hits and ruined flavour, not ideal when you’ve just topped up with your favourite juice.
The Fix:
Keep a mental checklist for your coil’s lifespan. If you’re using sweetened e-liquids, coil life may be shorter due to gunk buildup.
A good rule of thumb:
- Light vaper = change coil every 2–3 weeks
- Moderate vaper = every 1–2 weeks
- Heavy vaper = once a week (or sooner)
If you taste burning, notice a drop in vapour production, or see dark liquid pooling in the tank, it’s time for a coil swap.
Final Thoughts
Leaky vape? Don’t stress. It’s usually down to something simple like a misaligned coil, a thin juice, or an overzealous fill-up. Once you understand what’s causing the problem, you’ll be back to leak-free vaping in no time.
Just remember:
- Install coils carefully
- Don’t overfill
- Match your juice to your device
- Take breaks between puffs
- Check for damage
- Replace your coils regularly
Still having issues? It might be time to upgrade to a more leak-resistant vape kit or try a pod system with better airflow control.
For more expert tips and the best vape kits and e-liquids in the UK, check out our latest guides and reviews, because your vape shouldn’t leak, and neither should your patience.