How to Troubleshoot Auto-Firing in 4 Easy Steps: Causes, Fixes & Prevention Tips

Auto-firing—or automatic inhale activation—is a handy feature on some devices that lets you fire the vape by inhaling on the mouthpiece. Sometimes, this mechanism can malfunction. Here, we’ll be outlining some causes & fixes for common auto-firing problems. 

So, your vape won’t stop firing on its own. Maybe it’s even giving off a burnt smell. You’re not pressing the button and you’re not inhaling on the mouthpiece—so, what gives?

MTL vapers love automatic inhale activation, otherwise known as auto-draw or auto-firing. This feature allows you to simply inhale to activate (or, ‘fire’) the device. Still, this mechanism isn’t without its flaws. Many popular vape kits, like the original Uwell Caliburn and its descendants, are plagued with auto-firing issues—specifically, where the auto-fire mechanism malfunctions and activates itself.

Auto-firing issues are common in these devices, and they can cause many problems such as burnt coils, a bad smell, a warm battery, and more.

Thankfully, auto-firing problems don’t always signal the death of your favourite pod kit. There are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and rectify it once and for all. 

Why Is My Vape Auto-Firing? Causes of Auto-Firing Issues

After seeing and testing a number of devices with this issue here at Vape Green, we’ve gathered that these auto-firing issues often stem from one area of the device: the spot where the pod meets the battery.

Oftentimes, the cause of the issue comes down to the state of the device. This can be due to either cleanliness or damage. 

If your device has suffered a bad fall or has sustained damage, this may be permanent and the device may have to be replaced. 

On the other hand, if the issue is being caused by debris or excess liquid in the device, this is usually fixable. 

Vaping a pod kit will inevitably result in a small amount of E-Liquid condensation gathering on the outside of the pod. This is noted by manufacturers as being unavoidable. Usually, the condensation doesn’t cause any problems if you clean your device on a regular basis—cleaning roughly once a week should be enough to keep your vape in good shape. 

Still, even with regular upkeep, it’s possible for some of that condensation to collect between the pod and the vape battery, which can lead to issues with how the battery and the pod “communicate” with each other. This is often the cause of auto-firing issues.

In summary, here are some common causes of vape auto firing:

• E-Liquid Leakage: If E-Liquid seeps into the internal components, it can cause electrical malfunctions, leading to auto firing.
• Malfunctioning Auto-Draw Sensor: If the auto-draw sensor is on the fritz, your vape will believe you’re inhaling on the mouthpiece when you’re not.
• Faulty Fire Button: A malfunctioning fire button can become stuck or could be overly sensitive, causing the device to activate on its own.
• Damaged Parts: Worn-out or damaged components, such as the circuit board or wiring, can lead to unexpected firing.
• Improper Storage: Storing your vape in a pocket or bag where the fire button can be accidentally pressed can cause the vape to fire on its own.
• Manufacturing Defects: Rarely, manufacturing defects in the device or the battery can cause your vape to malfunction.

Troubleshooting Auto-Firing

Step 1: Remove the Pod

At the first sign of your auto-fire mechanism activating itself, you’ll first and foremost need to remove the pod from the battery. 

You should do this immediately upon noticing the problem. This is to prevent your coil from burning, which can happen when too much electricity is conducted through the coil, and to avoid any short-circuiting of the device’s battery.

Step 2: Inspect the Battery

After removing your pod, inspect the area where the pod meets the battery. If there’s any E-Liquid pooled there, or if you find any debris, you should clean the area with a cotton bud or a damp piece of kitchen roll and allow the device to dry fully.

You should also thoroughly clean and dry the outside of the pod, paying particular attention to the bottom of the pod where the metal pins connect to the battery when inserted.

Step 3: Replace the Pod

Once you have thoroughly cleaned the area where the pod meets the battery, you can re-insert your pod. 

If your auto-fire issue continues, read on.

Step 4: Reset the Sensor

If you’ve thoroughly cleaned the pod and are still experiencing auto-firing, the next step is to try to “reset” the auto-draw sensor. 

To do this, you’ll need to remove the pod, seal your lips around the top of the battery, and blow. Ensure that the vape is powered on while you do this.

This often works because the auto-draw sensor is designed to sense when you’re inhaling, but sometimes, this sensor can be “confused” by debris, E-Liquid condensation, or even your vaping style (if you take very gentle MTL puffs). By blowing into the sensor, you’re essentially telling it that you’re not inhaling and the auto-firing should stop.

If, while blowing into the sensor, you notice E-Liquid coming out of the airflow holes on your vape, this likely means that there is more E-Liquid build-up inside your vape near the battery, which could be causing the issue. If this is the case, wipe off the excess E-Liquid and repeat this step again until no more liquid comes out when you blow.

Sometimes, E-Liquid coming out of the airflow hole indicates that the liquid has gone toward the battery where you cannot reach it to clean it, which may mean that the problem isn’t fixable. This generally only happens if the vape is flooded with liquid (as in, not from normal usage). If you find that E-Liquid is still coming out of the airflow holes after trying this step several times, you may need to replace your vape kit.

If the Problem Persists

If you’ve taken the above actions and are still experiencing auto-firing issues, we recommend trying a new vape pod or coil (if applicable) in your device to see if this resolves the problem. 

Remember to prime your coil (as you normally would when replacing it) by filling the pod with E-Liquid and letting it sit for about 5 minutes. When you attach the new pod/coil to the battery, the issue should be fixed.

If you continue to experience the auto-firing issue after replacing the pod with a new one, this may signal damage to the battery or an issue with the pins located inside the device. In this instance, remove the pod immediately, stop using the device, and contact the retailer you purchased the vape from for support. 

How to Prevent Auto-Fire Issues

The best way to prevent this from happening to your pod kit is to keep your device in good condition, which means cleaning it periodically with a damp paper cloth or a cotton bud. As always, routine maintenance is key to keeping a vape functional in the long-term. 

When cleaning your device, you’ll want to pay extra close attention to the spot where the pod meets the battery.

And, this goes without saying, you should avoid dropping your vape or getting it wet. If you find yourself dropping your vape often (like me), it’d be best to invest in a shockproof vape.

Conclusion

Auto-fire issues are common with certain pod kit models, so it’s up to you as the user to identify the problem before that horrid burnt smell kicks in. Hopefully, a quick cleaning will suffice, and you’ll be back to vaping again in no time. 

But if you’re still experiencing the problem after trying all of the above steps, this means that your vape is beyond repair. Luckily, all vape kits have a 6-month warranty—so if you’re still within your warranty period, contact the retailer who sold you the device and they’ll be able to issue you a refund or replacement.

It’s important to note that this warranty does not cover accidental damage to the device (like drops or spills, for example), and you must contact the retailer where you bought the vape in order to return it.

Thankfully, we have a ton of draw activated vape kits if you’re in the market for a new one, with kits starting at just £9.99!

If you purchased your auto-fire device from Vape Green and it’s within its 6-month warranty period, contact support to let us know about the problem and we’ll be happy to help you.