Dehumidifier stops running and displays E1 on the control panel
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the dehumidifier before removing any panels. Do not work on the unit while it is connected to power.
Steps to check and address E1:
- Power reset: Unplug the unit for 5 minutes, then plug back in and try again. If E1 returns, continue.
- Access the control area: Remove the front or top control panel cover (usually a few Phillips screws). Carefully lift the panel to expose the control board and sensor wiring.
- Locate the room temperature sensor: On GE dehumidifiers this is typically a small thermistor probe on a 2‑wire harness clipped near the air intake grille or evaporator coil and plugged into the main control board.
- Inspect wiring: Check the sensor wires for cuts, pinches, or burn marks. Make sure the connector is fully seated on the control board and free of corrosion.
- Basic sensor test (no meter): If the sensor is loose from its clip, reattach it so it senses incoming air. If the wire is obviously damaged, replace the sensor assembly.
- With a multimeter (optional): Disconnect the sensor from the board and measure resistance across the two leads. A typical NTC thermistor should show several kΩ at room temperature and change when warmed by your fingers. If it reads open (OL) or 0 Ω, the sensor is bad.
- Replace parts as needed: If the sensor is defective, install a new GE-compatible ambient temperature sensor/thermistor and reconnect it. If the sensor tests good but E1 persists, the main control board sensor circuit may be faulty and the board should be replaced.
When to stop: If you are not comfortable removing the control panel or testing with a meter, contact a qualified appliance technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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