A leaking device is unpleasant and a bit alarming the first time it happens, but it's almost always due to one of four specific causes, none of which mean the device is irreparably broken.
The coil isn't seated correctly
If a coil isn't fully screwed in, or was inserted slightly crooked, e-liquid can seep past the seal instead of remaining contained. This is the most common reason for a device to leak directly after a coil change. Removing the coil, checking the threads for cleanliness and integrity, and then fully and straightly reinserting it usually fixes this immediately.
Overfilling the tank
Filling right to the top, or filling too quickly, can force e-liquid past the airflow channel instead of allowing it to settle properly around the coil. Leaving a small gap at the top when filling and pouring slowly instead of quickly prevents most overfill leaks from happening in the first place.
Temperature fluctuations and air pressure
E-liquid expands slightly with heat, and a device moving from a cold environment to a warm pocket, or left in a hot car, can push e-liquid out through the airholes as it expands. This is more of a physical phenomenon than a device fault, which is why many notice occasional small leaks particularly after temperature changes rather than during normal use. Storing the device in a place with a stable temperature, rather than one that alternates between hot and cold, reduces how often this happens.
A worn or damaged sealing ring
Every tank has small rubber seals, called O-rings, around the coil and base. These wear out over time, and a cracked or porous O-ring will allow e-liquid through even if everything else is correctly assembled. If a particular tank keeps leaking despite everything else, and it's not due to a new coil or overfilling, worn O-rings are the most likely remaining cause. Many tanks come with spare O-rings, and replacing a worn one takes a few minutes.
How to actually identify the cause
If the leaking started directly after inserting a new coil, first check the coil's seating. If it happens after refilling, especially with generous filling, overfilling is the likely cause. If it happens randomly, especially after the device has been in a warm place, temperature expansion is probably behind it. If none of this fits and the tank is genuinely older, it's worth checking for worn seals before suspecting anything more serious.
When it's actually a bigger problem
If a tank consistently leaks regardless of coil, fill level, or temperature, and the seals don't appear visibly worn, the tank body itself might have a fine crack or a manufacturing defect. This is worth bringing in for us to look at, rather than continuing to try solutions that would never have fixed the problem anyway.
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