Dehumidifier emits a burning or electrical smell
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: Immediately unplug the unit. Do not continue to operate it until the cause is identified. Risk of fire.
Steps:
- Visual inspection: After the unit cools, remove the rear or side panel and inspect for burnt wires, melted plastic, or scorched PCB areas.
- Check fan motor: Smell near the fan motor. If the odor is strongest there and the motor housing is discolored, the motor may be failing and should be replaced.
- Inspect compressor area: Look for burnt insulation or oil leaks. A failing compressor often requires full unit replacement.
- Wiring check: Tighten any loose spade connectors and replace any burnt wiring harness sections with Insignia-compatible parts.
Important: If you cannot clearly identify and correct a minor issue (like a slightly overheated fan motor), have a qualified technician inspect the unit before using it again.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.