How to Repair a Dehumidifier That Won't Stay Running

If your dehumidifier won’t stay running, the issue may be with the humidity sensor. This dehumidifier part is used on electronic control models to detect the humidity level in the air, and signal the control board to turn on the compressor when necessary. If your dehumidifier keeps shutting off, the sensor may not be reading the humidity level correctly, resulting in the unit shutting off before reaching the desired level. Some dehumidifiers also have a thermistor that works with the sensor which can also be faulty. Check the connections of the control board and thermistor before replacing the sensor.

If your dehumidifier keeps shutting off, the issue may be with the humidity control or humidistat. This dehumidifier part detects the humidity level in the air and signals the compressor circuit to cycle on when necessary. If the humidity control is not reading the humidity level properly, it will signal the compressor to shut off before the desired level is reached. In order to complete this dehumidifier repair, you would need to test the control with a hygrometer which is not a common tool to have on hand. Having to set the control to a lower setting in order to reach the desired humidity level is a sign that the humidistat is defective and needs to be replaced.

If your dehumidifier keeps shutting off, there could be a problem with the controls, and parts that relate to the bucket full light. If this light is on and the bucket is empty, the unit will turn off. Consult our repair section for this problem for more information on why your dehumidifier won’t stay running.