Disposable Vape Firing on Its Own? Stop Using It

If the disposable vape is firing, hissing or heating up by itself, stop using it and do not charge it. Place it on a non-flammable surface away from anything that could catch fire, preferably outside, and leave it there.

A device which continues to fire even after you have stopped drawing is a fire hazard, and it is not something to troubleshoot back into use.

What to Do Right Now

1. Stop using it and don’t charge it. Charging a device which is auto-firing feeds energy into a fault that is already uncontrolled.
2. Put it somewhere non-flammable, such as a ceramic plate, a metal tray, or outside on concrete. Make sure it is away from bedding, paper, upholstery, and all other similar materials.
3. Do not open the shell. There’s nothing inside that you can repair, and opening it would expose a lithium cell which may already be under stress.
4. Allow it to discharge itself in a safe location. Don’t place it in water, and don’t attempt to smother it.
5. Dispose of it properly once it has stopped. See below.

If It Has Only Fired Briefly

A device which hisses for a second or two after being used and then stops is most likely showing residual heat rather than a genuine auto-fire, so it’s worth making one careful attempt. Blow gently into the mouthpiece to free any liquid trapped there, then stand the device upright for a few minutes. A stuck sensor is often simply contaminated by condensation.

But if the device continues to fire for longer than about five seconds after you have stopped drawing, it should not be used. That is the line. Don’t attempt to clear it, don’t charge it, take it out of service.

Why It Happens

Almost every auto-firing disposable has the same root cause: e-liquid has reached the internal airflow sensor or the circuit board and is holding the firing circuit closed. Flooding comes first and auto-firing follows, which is why gurgling, liquid in your mouth, or wetness around the base are worth acting on early. Our guide on a leaking disposable vape covers catching it at that stage.

It is less often the case that a sensor becomes too sensitive as a result of ageing, or that lint partly blocks the draw port and keeps the pressure difference activated. Counterfeit devices tend to fail in this way much more frequently than genuine ones, since their sensors and seals are of a lower standard.

Warning Signs to Take Seriously

Stop using any disposable, immediately, if it shows any of these:

• Firing or hissing when you aren’t drawing on it
• Getting hot during use or charging, beyond normal warmth
• A swollen or deformed body
• Liquid coming from the battery or charging area

An internal short circuit may be indicated by any of these, and none of them get better with use.

Disposing of It Safely

A disposable vape contains a lithium-ion battery and must not go in household rubbish, where it can be crushed and ignite. Take it to an electronics or battery recycling drop-off. Call2Recycle runs the provincially approved consumer battery recycling programme in British Columbia, with more than 15,000 drop-off locations nationwide and over 90 percent of Canadians living within 15 kilometres of one. Our guide on recycling disposable vapes in BC covers where to take them locally.

If the device was recently bought from us, bring it in rather than binning it. A device that auto-fires early is a manufacturing fault worth flagging to the distributor.

Replacing it? Our disposable vape range is here, and the complete disposable vapes guide explains what separates a well-built device from a cheap one.

FAQs

Is an auto-firing vape dangerous?
Yes. Continuous firing means the battery is discharging without control, which generates heat and creates a genuine fire risk. Take the device out of use rather than trying to fix it.

Can I fix a disposable that fires by itself?
If it stops within a second or two, blowing gently into the mouthpiece and standing it upright may clear a contaminated sensor. If it fires for more than about five seconds after you stop drawing, no. Stop using it.

How do I throw away a vape that won’t stop firing?
Let it discharge somewhere non-flammable first, then take it to a battery or electronics recycling point. Never put a lithium battery in household rubbish.