EC
Frigidaire
Refrigerant System / Sensor Communication Error
Dehumidifier displays EC and stops removing moisture; fan may still run but compressor does not start.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Defective humidity sensor, Loose or damaged sensor harness, Faulty main control board, Low refrigerant charge or sealed system issue
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the dehumidifier before removing any panels. Do not attempt sealed-system (refrigerant) work yourself; that requires EPA-certified service.
Step-by-step checks:
- Power reset: Unplug the unit for 5 minutes, then plug back in and try again. Sometimes EC is a transient sensor communication error.
- Check room conditions: Ensure the room temperature is within the operating range (typically 41–95°F / 5–35°C). Extremely low temperatures can cause sensor and coil issues that trigger EC.
- Inspect the humidity sensor: Remove the front grille and filter. Locate the humidity sensor near the air intake or evaporator coil (small plastic-encased sensor with two wires). Check for corrosion, broken wires, or a loose connector on Frigidaire’s main control board.
- Clean the sensor area: If the sensor is covered in dust or lint, gently clean around it with a soft brush and compressed air. Do not soak the sensor.
- Check wiring harness: Follow the sensor wires to the control board. Reseat the connector firmly. Look for pinched or cut wires along the harness.
- Test operation: Reassemble, plug in, and set the unit to continuous or a low humidity setting (e.g., 35%). If EC returns immediately, the sensor or control board is likely defective.
- When to call a technician: If the sensor and wiring look intact but EC persists, or if the compressor never starts and the coils never get cold, the issue may be a sealed-system or control board failure. Contact an authorized Frigidaire service provider.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Humidity Sensor
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