Why Is My Geek Bar Hissing? 5 Shocking Causes & Fixes

Geek Bars are disposable vapes best suited as to-go options. Unlike traditional vaping kits, Geek Bars come with prefilled e-liquid tanks and fully charged batteries and require very little human intervention. Their sleek designs, variety of flavors, and ease of access make them a first pick amongst new and experienced vapers alike.

Geek Bars are an excellent choice as a ready-to-go option. But this can cause a few issues if not used properly. One of the most common being hissing and crackling noises. In this article, I’ll be talking about the hissing noise issue and explain all the what’s and why’s behind it. So let’s star to know about why is my Geek Bar hissing !

What Does the Hissing Mean?

Hissing noises are a common part of disposable vapes. This is primarily caused by e-liquids being vaporized by the coil. In most cases, this is an indication of the device working properly. This kind of hissing sound is identified by gentle his while inhaling, slight bubbling sound, etc. These hisses only occur while taking a puff.

But, hissing sounds can be a bad sign as well. When your Geek Bar is blinking red and hissing rather loudly, this might be a cause for concern. This could potentially indicate a hardware issue and can be a cause for safety hazards. You can identify abnormality by the red blinking followed by ;

• Persistent, loud hissing even when you’re not inhaling
• Popping or sputtering noises
• Whistling sounds due to airflow obstructions
• Crackling accompanied by a burning taste or excessive heat

When to Be Concerned

You should be concerned if:

• The device continues to hiss when it’s not in use, as this could indicate a stuck activation mechanism or electrical issue.
• The noise is unusually loud or accompanied by popping, which may signal a damaged coil or flooded e-liquid chamber.
• You notice other issues like excessive heat, poor vapor production, or a burnt taste, which may suggest coil or battery problems.
• The sound starts suddenly and is different from what you’ve experienced previously.

Common Causes of Hissing

A number of reasons can cause Geek Bar to hiss: 

1. Over-tightened or Loose Components

Proper airflow is essential for vapor production. Improper assembly such as the mouthpiece, or other parts being too tight/loose, can restrict airflow. This in return disrupts the vapor production, which the unusual hissing noise can detect

2. Faulty or Damaged Coil

The coil is like the heart of Geek Bars. It heats up the e-liquids and turns them into vapors. Faulty coils can affect this process badly. This can cause the device to overheat, resulting in a burnt and unpleasant taste in the vapors and loud hissing sounds. 

3. E-Liquid Issues

Disposable Geek Bars come with prefilled e-liquid. Sometimes they can be overfilled, it can flood the chamber, or seep into areas it shouldn’t, leading to hissing, sputtering, or even leaking.

4. Battery or Power Problems

Inconsistent power delivery can lead to uneven heating, producing louder heating/sputtering sounds. 

Signs of a faulty battery are:

• Rapid depletion
• Overheating
• Fail to activate

This not only affects taste, and performance but also poses a safety risk. If you notice a battery-related issue, then it is ideal to dispose of it properly or talk to the retailer and follow their instruction.

5. Auto firing and leakage 

If your Geek Bar is hissing loudly even when you’re not inhaling, this could mean the device is autofiring. There can also be leakage. This can pose a safety hazard in multiple ways.

Solutions to Fix a Hissing Geek Bar

1. Make sure the airflow is ok

As I’ve previously mentioned, your Geek Bar’s hissing is most probably caused by uneven airflow. First, try to address that issue:

• Check for blockage

If your Geek Bar’s air vents are clogged by debris, you can simply deal with it with a cotton swab or a soft brush. Be gentle with it though.

• Check for leakage

If you have a disposable vape that’s leaking then, there’s nothing much you can really do about it. The ideal way to deal with it is to just dispose of it, or contact your retailer and follow their advice.

2. Check for auto-firing

If your Geek Bar is hissing while you’re not inhaling then it’s most likely auto-firing. In such a case, you should move the vape to a fire-safe location and wait for the battery to die out. You can do this by burying the device with dirt or putting it in a pan covering it with a lid and leaving it outside. After making sure the battery is fully drained, dispose of it properly.

3. Try a little gentle fix

Gently tapping on the device can sometimes help with the hissing. This is more suitable if your Geek Bar is auto-firing or there’s a blockage somewhere. Hold the device upside down and tap on it gently. Then blow into the mouthpiece and see if the issue fixes itself.

4. Check for overheating

Geek Bars will blink red and hiss audibly if it’s overheating. If it is then, you should shut the device off immediately if there is an option for it, if not then you should stop inhaling, put in somewhere cool and dry, and let it cool on its own (Do not put it in a refrigerator.). 

5. Examine the Battery

If there’s no other physical indication, but your Geek Bar is hissing, tastes burnt, and drains the battery unusually fast, it’s probably a faulty battery. If that’s that’s the case then you should stop using the device immediately and dispose of it or seek professional help for it.

Preventive Measures

Disposable vapes like Geek Bars are designed for convenience but their compact design can often cause issues. You can take a few preventative measures for it:

1. Proper usage techniques.

You should inhale gently and steadily. Unlike traditional cigarettes, vapes don’t combust so it takes more time to produce vapor. Puffing too aggressively can pose issues.

Another vaping etiquette is to avoid overuse at once. This puts a strain on the battery and causes overheating, you know by now how that can be hazardous. 

To ensure your Geek Bars life span, you should avoid tinkering with it. Especially with the hardware, and the e-liquid. 

2. Routine maintenance schedule.

Geek Bars require less maintenance compared to other vaping kits but a little cleaning and checks for leakage can go a long way. And you need to dispose of it properly when necessary.

3. Using manufacturer-recommended components and accessories.

Only use Geek Bars as intended without attempting to refill or modify them. These devices are designed for single use, and altering them can lead to safety risks.

For rechargeable/refillable Geek Bars, always use the products compatible with your model. Aftermarket products are often not good for the devices and can cause problems in the long run.

To avoid these issues altogether, you should always purchase your Geek Bars from a trusted retailer. This way you can bypass the counterfeits and even if any issues arise you can have a better line of communication.

Conclusion

Geek Bars are fantastic disposable vapes available on the market. But they too have a few problems here and there. Not all of them are serious, however. Good thing they have built-in functions to let you know if there’s anything wrong with them like red blinking and audible hissing. Although, hissing doesn’t always mean a problem. You should be concerned only when the noise is loud enough, and followed by a few other indicators. 

But there are a few fixes for the most part like blowing in the mouthpiece, gently tapping, letting the device rest, or shutting it off temporarily. They also have  an active customer support. You should always buy from trusted retailers that way you can have faith in the product you purchased and have a clear line of communication. 

If all else fails, Geek Bars are disposable meaning, you can easily discard them with normal trash (be mindful of your local laws though). It’s important to know when to take action and not to temper the hardware and also use compatible products only. With this, you can ensure a healthy lifespan for your Geek Bar. 

Frequently Asked Questions