How to Troubleshoot Auto-Fire Issues in 4 Quick & Easy Steps
Auto-fire—otherwise known as automatic draw activation—is a feature on some pod systems allowing you to vape while simply inhaling on the mouthpiece. But these mechanisms aren’t without their faults. Let’s outline some causes & fixes for common auto-fire issues.
Your vape is firing on its own. Soon enough, it’ll start giving off a gross burnt smell, too. You’re not pressing the button and you’re not inhaling on the drip tip—so what’s happened?
Vapers love auto-fire activation for its ease-of-use and buttonless firing. Still, auto-fire mechanisms aren’t flawless, and many popular pod systems are plagued with auto-fire issues—including the famed Uwell Caliburn pod kit and other similar kits. Chiefly, the auto-fire can sometimes activate on its own.
Thankfully, this doesn’t always signal the death of your trusty vape. There are steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem and save your vape from damnation.
Read on for a list of common causes, prevention tips, and fixes.
Causes of Auto-Fire Issues
Auto-fire issues usually stem from one area of a pod system: the place where the pod meets the battery. More often than not, the cause of the issue comes down to the state of the device—namely, either cleanliness or damage.
If your vape suffered one too many falls before the auto-fire problem started, the issue may be permanent and you’ll likely have to replace the device entirely. But if the issue is being caused by trapped debris or vape juice condensation, this is a very fixable problem.
When you vape a pod system, some condensation is inevitable. Usually, this doesn’t damage the device unless you neglect upkeep. Still, even with regular cleaning, some of that condensation can still collect around the metal pins connecting the pod to the battery, causing the two elements to “miscommunicate” with one another. This is the most common cause of auto-fire issues.
How to Troubleshoot Auto-Fire Issues
Read on for tips for troubleshooting your auto-fire problem.
Step 1: Take Out the Pod
The very moment you realise your vape is auto-firing on its own, you need to immediately remove the pod from the battery to prevent accidentally burning your coil or short-circuiting the battery.
This can happen quickly if you’re not careful, which can ruin your device.
Step 2: Check the Battery
Check the area where the pod meets the battery. Is there debris, like lint or crumbs? Do you see vape juice condensation pooled around the bottom? If so, this could be the cause of your auto-fire woes.
Step 3: Clean the Area
Clean the area with a cotton bud or a damp piece of kitchen roll and allow it to dry fully. Ensure that you only use a very small amount of water to clean this area, as any other corrosive substances (like cleaning fluid or alcohol-based products) or too much water may cause further issues.
You should also make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the outside of the pod to rid it of any excess E-Liquid condensation.
Step 4: Replace the Pod
Now, re-insert your pod. The problem should be solved if your auto-fire issue was being caused by excess condensation or debris.
If Your Auto-Fire Issue Persists
If the problem isn’t resolved, your next step would be to try replacing your current pod with a new one. It may be the case that the pod itself is causing the issue. Remember to prime your new pod (as always) by filling it with your chosen E-Liquid and letting it sit for at least 5 minutes. When you insert the new pod into the battery, the issue should be resolved.
If you’ve taken all of the above actions and still experience issues, this may signal an issue with the battery in the device, or the metal pins connecting the pod to the battery—in which case, you should remove the pod from the battery entirely and contact the vape store you bought it from for assistance.
They may tell you that it’s time to replace your device altogether.
Preventing Auto-Fire Issues
The absolute best way to prevent auto-fire issues is to ensure that you always keep your pod device in tip-top shape, with routine cleaning and maintenance. This type of upkeep is pivotal if you want to keep your vape in working order.
When cleaning your device, make sure to pay extra attention to the spot where the pod meets the battery, and remember to only use the materials we mentioned when cleaning your device.
Plus—and this should go without saying—don’t go chucking your vape down any long corridors. Maybe don’t throw it at a brick wall or drop it on the concrete. This is bound to cause auto-fire issues like the ones we’ve described here.
Summary
While auto-fire issues are common, they’re not the death of your favourite vape. It’s up to you as the knowledgeable vaper (and clever internet user) to identify the problem and treat it accordingly.
Hopefully, with a quick clean, your vape will be good as new. If not, you may have to find a new pod system.
