Dehumidifier shows EC and stops dehumidifying

Safety first: Unplug the unit before cleaning or opening any panels. Do not attempt to open the sealed refrigeration system yourself.

What EC means: On many Danby dehumidifiers, EC indicates a problem with the refrigeration system or temperature sensing, such as abnormal coil temperature or pressure.

• Step 1 – Power reset: Turn OFF, unplug for 10 minutes, then plug in and restart. Sometimes EC is triggered by a transient condition.
• Step 2 – Clean air filter and coils: Remove and wash the air filter. If accessible without disassembly, gently vacuum dust from the intake grille and visible coil fins. Restricted airflow can cause abnormal coil temperatures.
• Step 3 – Check ambient conditions: Ensure the room temperature is within the operating range (typically 5–35°C / 41–95°F). Very low or very high temperatures can trigger EC.
• Step 4 – Inspect evaporator thermistor: If you can access the evaporator coil, verify the thermistor is firmly clipped to the tubing and its wires are intact. A loose or damaged sensor can cause EC.
• Step 5 – Observe operation: If the compressor never starts, or starts briefly then shuts down with EC, the unit may have a sealed-system issue (low refrigerant, blocked capillary tube) or a control board fault.

When to call a technician: EC often indicates a sealed-system or control problem. If cleaning and sensor inspection do not resolve it, contact an authorized Danby service center. Refrigerant handling requires EPA-certified technicians.