When an electronic device makes an unexpected noise – particularly if it’s a device powered by a powerful lithium-ion battery – it’s incredibly disconcerting. You’ve almost certainly seen reports in the news about batteries that have caused burns or started fires after overheating, and the last thing you’d want is for something like that to happen in your own home. So, why is your vape hissing after you hit it? Is it because the device is auto-firing – and if it is, should you be concerned about a potential fire?
If you’re dealing with an auto-firing vape or a vaping device that continues to hiss after you hit it, this is the guide for you. In it, we’ll explain some of the common reasons why your vape might auto-fire and explain what you can do about it. Before we begin, though, it’s important to clarify one thing: Your hissing vape doesn’t necessarily have a problem.
It’s Normal for Some Vapes to Hiss After You Hit Them
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The first thing you need to know about a hissing vape is that it doesn’t always mean you have an auto-firing device. Is your vape only hissing for a brief moment after you puff on it? If that’s the case, it isn’t likely that your device is auto-firing. It’s more likely that the coil simply takes a moment to cool down after you hit your vape.
When you use your device, the coil becomes extremely hot. If you’re using a coil that’s very massive – a bulky pre-wrapped nichrome coil for a rebuildable atomizer, for instance – it’s going to retain that heat for a brief moment after you release your device’s fire button.
The coil’s retained heat will cause it to hiss for a split second after you hit your vape. If that’s the only time your device hisses, you probably have nothing to worry about.
If Your Vape Is Auto-Firing, Disable It Before You Troubleshoot Further
If your vape hisses when you aren’t actually vaping, it means that your device is turning on even though you aren’t puffing on it or pressing the fire button. In this case, your vape actually is auto-firing. An auto-firing vape will waste your e-liquid, and it’s also a potential fire risk since the battery could overheat from constant use. Before you troubleshoot further, you need to disable your device.
- If you’re using a pod-based device or a 510-thread battery without a manual fire button, your device is always on if a pod or cartridge is connected. Remove the pod or cartridge to stop the device from auto-firing.
- If you’re using a vape mod or vape pen with a manual fire button, the button controls the device’s on-off function. Press the fire button five times to turn your vape off.
- If you’re using a disposable vape such as the RandM Tornado 9000, there is no way to turn your device off or disconnect the e-liquid supply. In rare cases, a disposable vape that’s left on its side can experience an auto-firing issue because the vape juice seeps out of the wick and shorts the battery connection. You can sometimes resolve this issue by placing the device face up and leaving it that way for a while. If the auto-firing doesn’t stop, you should recycle the device.
Check Your Device for a Leak
The most common reason why a vaping device experiences an auto-firing problem is because it’s contaminated with vape juice or water. This is particularly common with pod-based devices because in a pod system, the airflow opening is often very close to the pod. To check for this issue, start by removing the pod, tank or cartridge from your device. Look under it. Do you see e-liquid in your device’s chamber or threading? If so, dry your vape completely with a paper towel.
If you’re using a pod system, there’s a high risk of e-liquid getting inside your device if the pod leaks. If this happens, you’ll need to blow it out. Locate the air inlet hole, which is usually on the bottom of the device. Hold a paper towel over the chamber at the top of your vape while blowing through the inlet hole. If you hear sputtering – and your paper towel is wet – you’ve successfully removed some of the vape juice. Continue doing this until no more e-liquid comes out.
After drying your device thoroughly, try using it again. If it no longer has an auto-firing problem, you’ve fixed the issue. If the device continues auto-firing, disconnect the tank or pod or turn your device off it has a manual fire button. Seal the device in a bag with desiccant packets for a day or two. The desiccant will absorb the excess moisture, and that will hopefully get your device working again.
Using desiccant packets to dry your vape isn’t just useful if you have a pod or cartridge that leaks. It can also potentially resurrect your device if you drop it in water accidentally, which can also cause auto-firing.
Clean Your Device’s Fire Button
Aside from a leaking pod, there is one other reason why a vaping device can begin auto-firing – a dirty or sticky fire button can also cause this issue. Use a toothpick or another thin non-metal tool to clean around the edge of the button. You can also try using a can of compressed air to blow out any dust that may be stuck under the button. If cleaning the button causes the device to stop auto-firing, then you’ve resolved the issue. Be more careful with your vape in the future to prevent the fire button from getting dirty.
Don’t Use a Mechanical Mod
A mechanical mod is a type of vaping device that has no electronic components. Instead, it has a physical button or switch that completes a circuit when you press it. When a mechanical mod’s button or switch isn’t working properly, the device may begin auto-firing. That’s a very dangerous situation because a mechanical mod has no safety circuit to prevent it from overheating. If you have a mechanical mod with an auto-firing issue, you should open it and remove the battery immediately.
Today’s electronic vape mods are more advanced and more reliable than ever, so there is no benefit to using a mechanical mod. If you are using this type of device, you should replace it with a regulated electronic mod right away.
