I thought the freezing up issue was resolved post cleaning of filter (didn't know there was one). Now, it will begin to run but shut off...the compressor doesn't seem to engage. How may I re

Hi,

The most common cause of frost and ice buildup on a dehumidifier is because the unit is operating in temperatures that are too cold. Many dehumidifiers are not equipped to run at temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
To fix this problem, Position the dehumidifier in an area where there is at least one foot of clearance around the unit in order to allow for proper air circulation during its operation. Close all windows, doors and other outside openings to make sure your unit isn't attempting to remove moisture from areas outside of the immediate room. Determine the temperature of the room by checking a nearby thermostat or by using a hand-held thermometer.

Check the filter for dirt and buildup. Unplug the unit from the electrical source and check the filter by opening the filter compartment. If the filter is dirty, it will restrict airflow through the unit and lead to freezing. Soleus recommends lightly vacuuming the surface of the filter to remove dirt. The filter also can be washed in warm water if it is extremely dirty. Once clean, place the filter back in its compartment. Allow for the ice to melt and then restart your dehumidifier.

Check the air filter. Freeze ups are often caused by low airflow across the cold coil. A dirty air filter can severely restrict air flow. Replace or wash (if a washable type) the filter and allow the dehumidifier coils to defrost completely. Reinstall the filter and be sure to locate the appliance so that air flow in and out of it is not restricted in any way (not up against a wall, behind a door, curtains, etc.) and restart.

If the unit has been run without an air filter, the cooling coil fins are probably choked with dust and dirt. They should be cleaned with a product designed expressly for this purpose such as:



Evaporator coil cleaner is available from many hardware and "big box home supply stores" such as Lowe's or Home Depot.

Use only as directed, and buy filters! it's much easier to replace filters than cleaning coils.

I hope this helps and good luck! Please rate my reply "4 thumbs up" if it was helpful. Thanks!

After the unit is totally thawed and dried, turn the unit Off if you haven't already and unplug it. Remove the filter and clean it. If it's really dirty wash it with warm water and dish washing liquid, thoroughly rinse it and allow it to completely dry, before reinstalling. DO NOT operate the unit without the filter in place.

Because the air temperature in a basement is colder at floor level, than at shoulder level, this caused the coils to freeze. Dehumidifiers do not work well at temperatures at or below 60 degrees F. That is, unless, it's a Low Temperature model, designed especially for basement applications. Obviously, yours isn't a Low Temp model.

To overcome this, place the unit up on a sturdy table, counter top, etc, that can handle the weight of the unit, as well as a full bucket of water. The higher off the floor the better. This way, the ambient operational temperature will be higher and the coils will have less of chance to freeze again.

I would suggest that continue to monitor the unit and if you notice that it's doing more than a little frosting on the coils, turn the unit OFF immediately. A little frosting is normal and the deforst mode should kick in and thaw the coils. When this happens, the compressor should automatically shut OFF, but the fan will continue to run. Once it's defrosted, the compressor will start again, if necessary.

I hope this helped you to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know.

It's not unusual for a dehumidifier to blow warm air. As it may be in defrost mode. Even so, they still blow warm air.

The model number you furnished is slightly helpful. Knowing what brand it is, would be even better.

Never-the-less, the filter should be located behind the front louvers of the unit. Turn the Master ON/OFF Switch to OFF and unplug the unit. Remove the water collection bucket and look up inside the bucket holder, just behind the front louvers. You may see a plastic pull tab handle. If so, that's the filter frame. Pull it straight down and out.

If you didn't find it there, look on the right hand side of the unit, just behind the louvers for what looks like a a flip open door. If you see that, flip the door open and remove the filter.

The filter can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or if it's really dirty, wash it in warm water and dish washing liquid. Thoroughly rinse and allow to completely dry, before reinstalling it. NEVER operate the unit without the filter in place.

Hope this helped you. Please let me know. Thanks.

Yes, there is a filter in it or it should be. Since you didn't say which model you have, it is in one of two places. Before attempting the filter removal turn the unit OFF and unplug it.

1. It can be accessed by removing the bucket and just inside the bucket holder at the top, behind the louvers on the front, you will see a tab type handle. This is the frame for the filter. Pull it down to remove the filter.

2. There will be what looks like a pull door on the right hand side of the unit, behind the louvers. Pulling straight out on that will remove the filter.

The filter can either be vacuumed to clean it or if it's really dirty, wash it in warm water & dish washing liquid. Rinse thoroughly and allow to completely dry, before reinstalling it. NEVER operate the unit without the filter installed, as it could cause damage to the unit.

Hope this helped you. Please let me know. Thanks.

There are a several reasons this freezing occurs. In most cases it is solvable. But, first, turn OFF the Master On/OFF Switch and unplug the unit and allow it to completely thaw, before doing any troubleshooting or repair.

1. The air intake filter is dirty or clogged. Remove and clean the filter.

2. Obstructed air flow. Maintain a minimum of 12" to 18" around the entire unit.

3. Cooling coils on the unit are dirty and need to be cleaned. Warm water & mild dish washing
liquid will work. Then rinse, dry and apply a light coat of WD40 to the coils.

4. The ambient air temperature at floor level is between 40 & 60 degrees F. This usually occurs in
basement applications. As the air at floor level is colder than at chest level. Raising the unit up
onto a sturdy table, counter top, etc, that can handle the weight of the unit, plus a full bucket of
water, will usually resolve this problem.

In more serious case, the refrigerant gas in the compressor is low and needs to be recharged. Or the unit's defrost sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. However, the aforementioned is usually seen in units that are at least 5 years old. But, if your hasn't been properly maintained, it could occur sooner.

Hope this helped you troubleshoot and solve the problem. Please let me know. Thanks.

derkfarm - It may simply be a case of the humidity extraction level being set to high and/or the air intake filter needs to be removed and cleaned.

Solution: Lower the humidity extraction level to 32 - 35% and clean the air filter.

If the unit is in a basement, the ambient air temperature at floor level is colder than at chest level. Dehumidifiers don't work well at temperatures between 40 - 60 degrees F.

Solution: Set the unit up off the floor on a sturdy table, cabinet, counter top, etc. It must be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the unit, plus a full tank of water and the vibration, while in operation.

Any or all the simple solutions above may solve the problem. But, we won't know, until you try them.

Please let me know if it helped or didn't solve the problem. Thanks.

My first thought is that there's not enough moisture/humidity in the air, for the setting you have the humidifier set on. The higher the setting or percentage (i.e. 60%) means that the level you want to maintain. Which may be find in the cod winter months. In the Hot summer months, you want as low a level of humidity as possible (i.e. 45%).

My second thought is that the air intake filter and the coolant coils need cleaning, since it has been used in 2 years. It's just sat around gathering dust and spiders.

And finally, the collection bucket, may not be inserted properly and when the unit starts up the vibration dislodges the bucket just enough, so that it's not making contact with the safety switch. Sometimes when this happens, the Full light indicator will come ON, even if the bucket is empty.

Hope this helps you to start troubleshooting the problem. Please let me know.

Hi,
There are many reasons why a dehumidifier willnot work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrongwith their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket

heatman101

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I have the same problem. I believe it is because it has a refrigerent leak. When there is little refrigerent, the begining of the coil will freeze up. I would really suggest calling the manufacturer. It is defintely something to do with this specific model