Would need more details on which barrier items you are using. I haven’t had any issues with barriers. The one thing I can think of is the out of combat barrier gem. This one can be strange because you won’t get the full barrier if you still have a partial one. The example I have in mind is that if you have a sliver of barrier left. You will barely be able to see it, and it will seem as if the barrier outside of combat is not being applied. You have to consume the rest of the barrier first before you will get a full new one. It would be much more useful if it reapplied the barrier instead of waiting for it to be missing.
Another thing to note is that this is still a thing: Gem Gain 10% Barrier out of Combat doesn't work
But all the other barrier sources have worked fine for me.