A large block of ice formed over the entire front where the vent is. Basement temp was apprx 64 degrees F, but this model is supposed to operate at lower temps. Discovered after it was running continuously overnight, saw condensation gathering on top cover. Humidity control is always set at 35. Unit is only 3 months old. I shut it off and unplugged it. Has been off for more than 24 hours, and assume all ice has melted.

The problem you described can be caused by 3 things:

1. The air intake filter is dirty or clogged and needs to be removed and cleaned.

2. The cooling coils are dirty and need to be cleaned. Turn the unit OFF & unplug it before attempting
to clean the coils with warm water and mild dish washing liquid. Then rinse and wipe dry. A light
coating of WD40 will help them stay clean.

3. The dehumidifier is being operated in a basement, where the air temperature at floor level is
below 65 degrees. When this happens dehumidifiers struggle at temps below 65 degrees F
unless it its a Low Temp model, designed for basement applications. Raising the unit up off
the floor onto a sturdy table or counter top, that can hold the weight of the unit, plus a full tank
of water, will generally resolve this problem.

I hope this helps you to troubleshoot & solve the problem. Thanks for choosing FixYa.

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you understand why and what you can do with a dehumidifier that ices up.

Dehumidifier is Freezing up and not working

heatman101

usually, ice build up is caused by low refrigerant levels (a dehumidifier is essentially an air conditioner). depending on the unityou may or may not be able to service it. Some of these systems are sealed at the factory and a pierce valve is needed to add refrigerant to the system.

Usually this happens for one of two reasons: 1) there is a problem with the refrigerant and/or compressor (like a little leak of refrigerant)
2) the room that the compressor is in is too cool (below the operating range of the dehumidifier)

If the unit is under warranty, call for service if you know the room is above the minimum operating temp. If it is a problem with the refrigerant, they will probably replace the unit.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(we have an LG dehumidifier and had to have it replaced when it was less than a year old - it was icing up in the summer. It still iced up in the winter (at times due to cold in the basement).)

Hi,
60 is too low for most dehumidifiers...if you warm up the room a bit to 65 it will work...

Hi,
Here is a tip that will help you with basic trouble shooting..

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3877515-dehumidifier_problems_dehumidifier

heatman101

You've developed a sealed system problem.

If the room temperature is close to 60, the coils may be frozen (completely encased in ice). If this is the case, move it where the water can drain off - about 1 gallon which may NOT run into the drain bucket.
I out mine over the floor drain.
Turn off and it will defrost over night.
Only specially made dehumidifiers work below a room temp of 60 degrees (the temp of a basement in winter).
Does it need to be running? A digital humidity sensor from Radio Shack is cheap and may tell you the humidity is OK - only 50% or less.

most likley low on freeon gets colder when it leaks out stat could be not working correctly

Most dehumidifiers need warmer air to work properly. The temperature in a basement is usually 60 - 65F; too cool for standard models. You could buy a "basement" dehumidifier. They're designed to work at lower temperatures; some as low as 40 F. Costs are about the same as a standard dehumidifier; you just have to find it.

For a cheap fix, try this; it seems to be working for me.

Since the condensate coil (the one icing up) is cold, the air entering it is too cool and the condensate frosts up the coil. Additional condensate freezes to the frost and before you know it, you've got a block of ice. Since the air coming out of the front is very warm take a large piece of cardboard around 6' x 3') and form a V. Placed it in front of the dehumidifier so it channels some of the warm air back to the rear where it warms the moist air up before it hits the cooling fins. It's helped keep the ice down.

If you want something attractive, any screen that redirects some of the air back to the rear will work. Just leave the top open so it doesn't get too hot and the some of the drier air gets out into the room.

I did a little digging around on the internet and found out that if the basement (or where ever you have your unit) is in an area where the room temp might dip below 65 degrees the coils may start to become "too efficient" in pulling the moisture/humidity out of the air and it begins to freeze on the coils before it can drip off into the reservoir. The site said to turn off the unit and let it thaw out, then restart it and see if everything works ok after that. If the temperature gets too low you might need to warm up the air in the room/basement before it will operate correctly again/not continue to freeze up. Hope this helps. Mine just did the same thing but we've had some pretty cold weather recently and the basement is fairly cold as well.