Why Is My Vape Leaking? 5 Common Causes & How to Fix Them Fast

A leaking vape is messy, wasteful, and frustrating but it rarely means your device is broken. Here is how to troubleshoot the mess and get back to a clean, seamless vape.

At the risk of stating the obvious, your e-liquid should stay inside the pod until it is turned into vapour. But if you have ever found sticky liquid coating your hands, pooling in your pocket, or, worst of all, spitting into your mouth, you know the icky annoyance of a leaking pod or tank.

While it is easy to blame the hardware, most leaks are caused by simple physics or user habits. The good news? They are easy to fix. Here are the 5 most common reasons your vape is leaking and how to stop it for good. 

It is tempting to fill your pod to the absolute brim to make it last longer, but this is a mistake. Vape pods rely on a small air vacuum to keep the liquid inside. If you fill it 100%, there is no room for air, and that pressure has nowhere to go but out, pushing liquid out of the seals or into the airflow.

The Fix: Always leave a small "air bubble" at the top of the pod. Never fill it more than 90% full. 

If you have replaced smoking with vaping, you might be used to taking short, sharp drags. However, a vape works differently. When you inhale, you create suction that pulls liquid into the coil.

If you draw too hard, you pull liquid into the coil faster than the heating element can vaporise it. This excess liquid has to go somewhere, so it travels up the central chimney and into your mouth (spit-back) or leaks out of the airflow holes at the bottom.

The Fix: Take longer, gentler draws. Let the device do the work. 

Look closely at your pod. There is a fill port (usually on the side or top, covered by a rubber bung) and a central metal tube (the chimney) where the vapour comes out.

If you accidentally squeeze e-liquid into that central tube while filling, it will run straight through the coil and out of the bottom of the device.

The Fix: Be precise. Only fill through the designated rubber-covered port. If you miss, blow through the pod into a tissue to clear the chimney before putting it back in the device. 

This is a common issue for vapers who switch between different device types. Vape liquids come in different thicknesses, determined by their VG (Vegetable Glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol) ratio.

High-VG (70%): Thick and syrupy. Designed for sub-ohm/DTL (direct-to-lung) tanks.

50/50 Ratio: Thinner and more fluid. Designed for pod kits.

If you put a thin 50/50 liquid into a sub-ohm tank, it may leak. Conversely, putting thick High-VG liquid into a pod can clog it, causing pressure build-up and leaks.

The Fix: For refillable pod kits, always use a balanced 50/50 e-liquid, like our Gold Bar Nic Salts. It is the perfect consistency for reliable wicking without leaks. 

Cotton wicks degrade over time. After 1-2 weeks of use, the cotton inside your coil loses its ability to hold liquid effectively. It becomes oversaturated and "saggy," allowing e-liquid to seep through and pool in the airflow base.

The Fix: If your pod has been performing well for a week and suddenly starts leaking, it is a sign the coil is dead. Replace it immediately. 

If your pod is gurgling or leaking, don't panic. You don't always need to throw it away. Try the "Flick Trick":

• Take the pod out of the battery device.
• Wrap a tissue around the bottom of the pod.
• Hold the top of the pod and flick your wrist firmly (like shaking down a thermometer).
• This forces the excess liquid out of the chimney and into the tissue, clearing the airway. 

If you are tired of carrying tissues and wiping sticky hands, the ultimate solution is to remove the "refilling" variable entirely.

Gold Bar Prefilled Pod Kits, like the Gold Bar Apollo 20K or Gold Bar XL, use sealed pods. Because they come pre-filled in a sterile environment, there is no risk of overfilling, no messy caps, and the coil is perfectly paired with the liquid inside. It is the most reliable way to guarantee a leak-free experience. 

Leaks are annoying, but they are almost always solvable with a quick adjustment to your filling habits or vaping style. By keeping your chimney clear, your draws gentle, and your e-liquid balanced, you can enjoy the full flavour of your Gold Bar Nic Salts without the mess.

If you're still having trouble, or if you think your device might be faulty, don't hesitate to reach out. Our Customer Service Team is always on hand to help you troubleshoot or find the perfect kit for your needs.