A leaking vape is nearly always one of a few things: the pod is overfilled, the fill bung isn't pushed home, the coil is worn or loose, the liquid is too thin for the coil, or the pod has a crack. To fix it, take the pod off, empty or wipe the excess, dry the contacts and airflow, check the bung and coil, then refill to just under the max line. Most leaks stop there. If yours doesn't, the pod itself is probably done. Our pods and coils hub explains how the parts fit together.
UK law requires refillable kits to have a way of refilling without leaking, under regulation 36 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. That covers filling, not everyday use, so a bit of seepage over time still happens.
Common causes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Liquid round the base after filling | Overfilled, or bung not sealed |
| Gurgling, liquid in your mouth | Liquid in the airflow tube, or a flooded coil |
| Slow, steady leak over days | Worn coil or tired pod seal |
| Leak after a hot day or a flight | Heat or pressure pushed liquid through |
| Leaking from a crack | Damaged pod; replace it |
| Constant leaking on a new coil | Coil not seated, or liquid too thin for it |
Step by step
1. Take the pod off and look
Pull the pod from the battery. Check for cracks in the reservoir and see where the liquid is coming from: the fill port, the base, or the mouthpiece.
2. Clean and dry everything
Wipe the outside of the pod and the base with a tissue. Dry the battery's contacts and the pod's contacts too. Liquid on the contacts can stop the kit firing, which is a separate problem covered in vape not hitting.
3. Clear the airflow tube
Wrap the pod in a tissue, mouthpiece down, and give it a couple of firm flicks. Then blow gently through the mouthpiece with the pod off the battery. This clears the liquid that causes gurgling.
4. Check the bung and the coil
Press the fill port bung firmly back into place. If your pod takes replaceable coils, take the coil out and push it back in until it seats fully. A coil that's sitting slightly proud is a classic leak.
5. Refill to just below the line
Tilt the pod and fill slowly, stopping a little short of the max line. A brim-full pod leaks more easily. The full method is in how to refill a pod vape.
6. Change how you draw
Hard, long pulls on a tight MTL pod can drag liquid through the coil faster than it vaporises. Take steady, gentler puffs of a couple of seconds.
7. Replace the coil or pod if it keeps leaking
If you've done all of the above and it still leaks, the coil or pod is worn out. Coils that are past their best tend to flood, and old pods lose their seal. Swap it.
Habits that prevent leaks
- Keep it upright. In a bag or pocket, an upright kit leaks far less than one lying flat.
- Mind the heat. Hot cars and sunny windowsills thin the liquid. Thin liquid passes through cotton more easily.
- Release pressure before flying. Some vapers empty the pod or store it upright in a sealed bag. Check the rules first in our guide to taking a vape on a plane.
- Match the liquid to the coil. Very thin, high-PG liquids can seep through some coils. If that's happening, a 50/50 blend usually helps. The VG/PG ratio guide explains why.
Prefilled pods that leak
You can't open a prefilled pod, so the fixes are limited to drying the contacts, clearing the airflow with a tissue flick and keeping it upright. If a prefilled pod leaks straight out of the pack, it's likely faulty. A pod that starts leaking near the end of its life is usually just finished. See how long does a vape pod last for the signs.
When it's the coil, not the pod
Leaking and burnt tastes often turn up together on a worn coil. If you're getting both, change the coil before you blame the kit. Our vape coil guide explains what to look for, and the mesh coil guide covers why mesh pods sometimes spit a little when new.
Questions people ask
Why is my vape leaking from the bottom?
Usually because the pod was overfilled, the fill bung isn't sealed, liquid got into the airflow tube, or the coil is worn or not seated properly. Clean and dry it, then work through the steps above.
Is it normal for a vape to gurgle?
A little gurgling can happen when liquid collects in the airflow tube. Wrap the pod in a tissue and give it a firm flick to clear it. Constant gurgling usually means flooding or a worn coil.
Can e-liquid leaking damage my vape?
Liquid sitting on the contacts can stop the kit firing and, if it gets into the battery, can damage it. Wipe leaks up quickly and dry the contacts before refitting the pod.
Why does my vape leak in my pocket?
Body heat and pressure changes thin the liquid and push it through the coil. Keep the kit upright where you can and don't fill right to the brim.
