Autoflower trouble

I have been trying some autoflowers in my tent and have been having no luck
I never had trouble with reg seeds and plants but have had trouble with germinating feminized seeds and now have been having zero luck with autoflowers
Any tips appreciated as i am wasting cash on seeds that are not producing

How are you germinating and what are the conditions?

I dropped four fem/auto seeds in damp soil back in July and they're at about 100 days now. I germinate in the dark and with a heating pad (with controller) set to 78f degrees. I very loosely cover the tops of my container so there's some air flow/exchange. No glass of water, no paper towel.