Looking online there are numerous instances where people were having the same problem. I think it's the pin. Hopefully leaving it open and turning it upside down will drain any liquid that might be preventing the pin from popping up all the way.
If these are spring loaded contact pins it may not be due to liquids. I'm sure liquids may have been one vector, or at least not a helpful thing. Still, my thinking would be that it sounds like a spring has gone foul, come unsprung.
I've a Smok M22 that I'm thinking that's the issue. I've taken it apart too look at, observation without getting into a fit with it. Everything seems to be dry, in place and looks to be functional. Slap an RDA on it and yes swap to a standard drip pin, does not see the coil. "Chk Atmzr" error comes up. So, I tighten, loosen the RDA still hits that error.
I do believe the Smok 22s had a spring loaded contact pin iirc. So, that's what I'm figuring, spring gone bad. I'm sure I likely could find a spring for it, then put a it in. I'm also sure I don't think it's worth the hassle of that. Thing is a few years old.