Why is my vape bubbling? Common reasons and easy fixes
Has your vape been bubbling recently? You may be wondering if that means your vape is at the end of its life or if you’re doing something wrong.
The truth is that issues like bubbling and gurgling can happen at any time to any device, no matter how experienced you are.
When it first happens, you’re more likely to feel concerned, but we’re here to walk you through the reasons behind it and what you can do to fix it going forward. Don’t worry, it’s not as serious as it sounds!
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Is any bubbling normal, or is something wrong?
For the most part, a little bubbling is normal. You’ll often hear a slight crackling or light bubbling sound as your vaping device heats up the e-liquid, turning it into vapour.
That, on its own, is not usually a sign that anything is broken. However, you should be concerned if the bubbling becomes louder or more persistent, or if it occurs alongside other issues such as gurgling, leaking, spitback, weak vapour, or a burnt or muted taste.
If this happens, it often points to issues like e-liquid sitting around the coil, chimney, or airflow where it shouldn’t be. But we’ll get more into that in a minute.
Here are other situations where bubbling IS normal:
- The device is warming up after not being used for a while
- The coil is heating e-liquid as intended
- You’ve just filled the pod or tank, and the liquid is settling
- You’re using a sweeter or slightly thinner e-liquid
You’ll be able to tell if the bubbling is normal by checking that the flavour still tastes fine, that it’s still producing vapour, and that no hot liquid is spitting into your mouth.
7 common reasons your vape is bubbling
Now, let’s look at some of the most likely reasons that your vape has started bubbling.
1. Your coil is flooded or overprimed
If your coil is flooded, that means there is more e-liquid sitting around it than the device can handle.
Instead of turning neatly into vapour, that extra liquid starts to bubble, gurgle, and sometimes spit back through the mouthpiece, which is annoying, to say the least.
While you should be priming the coil, adding too much liquid directly to its centre can leave it oversaturated.
Solution: Clear out the excess liquid by gently dabbing the centre with rolled tissue or a cotton bud. Then leave the device upright for a while. When priming the coil, add only a few drops to the cotton, then fill the tank and leave it to stand for a while.
2. You have overfilled the pod or tank
A lot of the time, the cause for bubbling is just because you’ve added too much e-liquid to the pod or tank.
That leaves no room for air, so the excess e-liquid is pushed to the coil, the chimney, or the airflow. If you notice bubbling shortly after you’ve topped up your vape, this is most likely the reason.
Solution: Empty or wipe away any visible excess liquid, then refill more carefully, stopping at the fill line. Leave a bit of space near the top when filling up the device so there’s enough room for air.
3. Your wattage is too low for the coil
Sometimes, you simply set the wattage too low, so the coil doesn’t heat up enough to turn the e-liquid into vapour.
Instead, the liquid lingers and hangs to the coil, causing those gurgling, bubbling, or wet sounds you hear when inhaling.
Solution: Check the recommended wattage on your coil and adjust your device settings to match. If you can’t find the wattage, you can also start by gradually increasing it until the gurgling noise disappears.
4. The coil is loose, worn out or fitted badly
A poorly fitted or ageing coil can create gaps where e-liquid collects rather than being heated properly.
If you don’t install it properly, you’re likely to experience pooling and flooding around the coil, which can wear down the cotton wick over time. That causes e-liquid to flow through it too quickly, flooding your vape.
Solution: Take the device apart and check that the coil is properly fitted and screwed in firmly, without overtightening. If the bubbling comes with a weak flavour, a darker e-liquid colour, burnt notes, or cotton that looks dark rather than clean, the coil may need replacing.
5. Your e-liquid is not a good match for the device
Unfortunately, not every e-liquid is compatible with every vape device.
Thinner liquids can move too quickly through some coils and flood them, while thicker liquids can struggle to wick properly in smaller MTL coils. If you pair it with the wrong one, that’s when you’ll start to face issues like bubbling, gurgling, and spitback.
Solution: Check that your e-liquid is made for the coil and style of your vape. While thinner 50/50, high-PG, or nic salt liquids are a better fit for lower-powered MTL devices, higher-VG liquids are better suited for higher-powered sub-ohm settings.
6. You are inhaling too hard or too often
The way you inhale can actually affect your vape a lot more than you think. That’s why beginners who are less experienced in puff techniques often run into more problems.
Inhaling too forcefully can force more e-liquid into the coil than it can handle at once. If you chain vape without pausing between puffs, the coil might not have enough time to clear. Both of these can leave excess liquid sitting inside the coil and chimney.
Solution: Try shorter, gentler puffs and leave a little more time between inhales. If your device has adjustable airflow, try a looser or slightly tighter draw to see if that improves things.
7. The device is being used or stored at the wrong angle
Some vapes are more likely to bubble if left on their side, carried loosely in a pocket, or used at odd angles for extended periods.
That’s because it causes the e-liquid to move about and settle in places it shouldn’t settle, flooding the coil. Constantly leaving it in the sun or a hot place can also lead to bubbling.
Solution: Keep the vape upright as much as possible, especially after refilling or changing the coil. If it has been on its side, stand it upright and let the liquid settle before using it again. Also, keep it stored in a cool, dry place.
What about disposable vapes?
If you’re wondering why your disposable vape is bubbling when you inhale, the most likely cause is one of the ones we listed above.
Since disposable vapes are very similar to refillable kits in design, the bubbling sound is most likely coming from excess e-liquid around the coil, poor airflow, or liquid sitting in the wrong place inside the device.
However, since these can’t be refilled, the only thing you can do is to keep them upright for a while, take gentler puffs, and clean the mouthpiece to remove any excess liquid.
If that hasn’t stopped the issue, dispose of it and invest in a refillable pod that gives you more control and flexibility.
Vape smarter with Juciemate
We know how frustrating these issues can be, especially when all you want is a device that works properly.
Choosing the right products from the start can help cut down on problems like bubbling and spitback. At Juicemate, we offer a range of vapes, coils, and e-liquids to suit every setup and vaping style.
With the right match, you can spend less time dealing with leaks, gurgling, and weak hits and more time enjoying a better vape.