Dehumidifier runs but does not collect water even in humid conditions; room still feels damp.
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: Unplug the unit. Do not attempt to open sealed refrigerant components.
Diagnostic steps:
- Check basic operation: Ensure the humidity setting is below room humidity and the fan and compressor both run (you should hear the compressor and feel warm air from the exhaust).
- Coil temperature: After 10–15 minutes of operation, carefully feel the evaporator coil (cold coil) and condenser coil (warm coil). If both are only slightly above room temperature and no condensation forms, suspect low refrigerant or compressor issues.
- Frost pattern: If only a small section of the evaporator frosts while the rest stays warm, this also indicates low charge or restriction.
- Visual leak signs: Look for oily residue on tubing joints or coils.
Repair: Sealed system repairs (leak detection, brazing, evacuation, recharging, compressor replacement) must be performed by a licensed refrigeration technician. In many portable Sharp dehumidifiers, replacement of the entire unit may be more economical than sealed system repair.