Last fact-checked 22 October 2026 | Report a content error
Quick answer: If your vape won't fire, first check it isn't locked, the battery is charged, and the contacts are clean and dry. If the centre pin on a 510 connection is pushed down and stuck, switch the device off (and remove the battery if you can), then gently work around the pin with a fine-pointed tool until it springs back up. A plastic or wooden pick is the safest choice. On pod kits like the OXVA Xlim, wipe the contact pins dry and check they move freely. If a pin still won't move, don't force it: contact the retailer or manufacturer.
There’s nothing more frustrating than a stuck pin on your vape!
In this illustrated guide, we’ll show you the safest way to unstick a 510 pin on a mod or tank, and what to do about stuck contact pins on pod kits. We’ll explain how the 510 connection works so that you can safely attempt to fix the problem yourself, and show you what to do if your pin-pulling attempts don't work.
Easy fixes to check first
First, make sure that you really do have a ‘stuck pin’ problem. Sometimes the reason your vape won’t fire is simply that the device has been locked. You might also be using incompatible parts (for instance, a button-activated tank and a draw-activated battery won't work together). Dust, lint or a drop of e-liquid in the connector can also stop your vape from firing. Our guide to why your vape isn't working covers the other common causes.
Once you've ruled out the obvious and you're certain you have a stuck pin, you can get to work ‘pulling the pin’. It's a simple procedure, but you need to know how a 510 connection works before you get started.
How your vape's 510 connection works
On most vape mods, the box mod (the battery part) is connected to the vape tank (the atomiser and reservoir) with a screw-in connector called a 510 connection. This connection lets an electrical current pass through it. When you screw the two parts together, a circuit is formed and your vape battery can power the atomiser.
One half of a 510 connection is female (the battery part) and the other half is male (the tank part). On the female connection, there is a spring-loaded central plate, or ‘pin’, which makes contact with the central plate on the male connector.
Your battery's current flows up through the positive pin on the female connector, into the matching plate on the tank's male connector. The current passes through the coil in your atomiser (creating vapour), then travels back to the battery through the outside of the 510 connection, completing the circuit.
As long as the central pins on your tank and battery are touching, you can press the fire button and vape away. If there’s a gap between the two plates, your vape won’t fire. The most common cause of this is a stuck pin.
Why a vape's 510 pin gets stuck
On the battery part of your 510 connector, the pin is spring-loaded and surrounded by a rubber collar. This rubber collar is vital and should never be removed: it’s an insulator that stops your vape battery from short-circuiting. If the collar gets dirty or sticky, it can stop the pin from springing back to its normal position when you unscrew your tank. Over-tightening the tank can also push the pin down too far. Either way, it leaves a gap between the two plates.
Even a fraction of a millimetre between the central plates of your 510 connection will stop the current from passing from the battery to the coil.
How to prevent your 510 pin from sticking
The best way to stop your 510 pin from sticking is to avoid over-tightening when you screw the parts together, and to keep the connection clean.
When screwing your tank on to your mod, you shouldn’t need to use much force. Both halves should screw together gently, and you should stop when you feel resistance. The connection should be snug, not tight.
A speck of dust or a tiny dribble of e-liquid is enough to jam the central pin. Stuck pins rarely happen if you keep both halves of your 510 connection clean. First, make sure the device is switched off, then take a cotton bud with a little rubbing alcohol and wipe around the pin, the rubber collar and the threads of the 510 connection on your mod. Clean the same parts on your tank. It only takes a few seconds, and doing it regularly keeps your 510 connection in good condition.
How to fix a stuck 510 pin
If the pin does get jammed, you can usually free it with a vape tool. Set yourself up on a stable surface in a well-lit area. Make sure the device is switched off, and remove the battery if your mod has removable batteries. Then grab a small tool with a fine point: a plastic or wooden pick is safest, but fine tweezers or a small screwdriver will also work if you're careful.
Gently push the point of your tool into the space between the rubber collar and the pin, then give it a wiggle. Move a few degrees around the pin and wiggle again from a slightly different angle. Keep repeating this gentle turn-and-wiggle until you've worked your way around the whole pin. With any luck, you’ll see it spring back up to its normal position.
Stuck contact pins on pod kits
Pod kits such as the OXVA Xlim, Vaporesso XROS and Uwell Caliburn don't use a 510 thread. Instead, the pod sits on small spring-loaded contact pins, sometimes called pogo pins, inside the device. If a pod isn't recognised or the device won't fire:
- Take the pod out and check that the pins move up and down freely. They should spring back when pressed gently.
- Wipe the pins and the base of the pod with a dry cotton bud or tissue. E-liquid or condensation on the contacts is the most common cause.
- Let everything dry completely before refitting the pod.
- Try a new pod. A worn or leaking pod can cause the same symptoms as a stuck pin. You'll find replacements in our vape pods.
If a contact pin stays pushed down after cleaning, don't try to pull it out. The pins are tiny and easily damaged, so contact the retailer or manufacturer about a repair or replacement.
Stuck pin FAQs
Why is my vape pin stuck?
Usually because the tank has been screwed on too tightly, pressing the centre pin down, or because e-liquid or dirt has dried around the pin and stopped it springing back.
How do I fix the pin on an OXVA Xlim?
Remove the pod, wipe the contact pins and the base of the pod with a dry cotton bud, let them dry, and refit the pod. If the pins still don't move freely, try a new pod. If that doesn't help, contact the retailer, as the device may need replacing.
Is it safe to use a metal tool on a stuck 510 pin?
Only with the device switched off and, where possible, the battery removed. A plastic or wooden pick is the safest option. Work gently around the edge of the pin, and never pry hard or damage the rubber collar.
How do I stop my 510 pin getting stuck?
Screw tanks on until they're just snug, not tight, and keep the connection clean and dry. A quick wipe whenever you change a coil or refill is enough.
Vape still not firing? Get in touch!
A little gentle work around the edges is normally enough to ‘pull the pin’. If, after a few attempts, the pin still isn't springing up, don’t force it. Something may have gone wrong with the spring, or something may have fused inside the connection. Don’t try grabbing and tugging the pin from both sides, as this can warp the pin plate, and don’t do anything that could damage the rubber collar, as that could make your vape battery dangerous. Damaging the 510 connection during a repair can also void your device's warranty.
Instead, contact us (or whoever you bought the device from) and we’ll guide you through what to do next.