A method of operating a fuel cell stack is described. The fuel cell stack includes a cathode, an anode, and a temporarily disabled bleed valve that is otherwise configured to transition from a first position to a second position and thereby modulate nitrogen drained from the anode. The method includes increasing a first pressure in the anode via a controller and, concurrent to increasing, decreasing a second pressure in the cathode via the controller. A system and a device including the fuel cell stack are also described.