Dehumidifier displays E4 and shuts down; compressor does not run.
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 or modify sealed refrigerant components.
Steps:
- Check airflow: Remove and clean the air filter thoroughly. Ensure front and rear grilles are not blocked and the unit is at least several inches away from walls.
- Inspect coils: With covers removed, gently vacuum dust from the condenser (warm) and evaporator (cold) coils. Use a soft brush to avoid bending fins.
- Ambient conditions: Ensure the room temperature is within the operating range specified by Sharp (typically above 5–10°C). Very low temperatures can cause coil freezing and protection errors.
- Compressor temperature: After the unit has been off for 30+ minutes, lightly touch the compressor shell; it should be warm, not extremely hot. If it was very hot previously, poor airflow or overloading may have triggered protection.
- Reset: After cleaning and ensuring proper spacing, plug the unit back in and run it. If E4 reappears quickly, stop using the unit.
- Internal sensor/overload: E4 can also be caused by a faulty discharge line temperature sensor or compressor overload protector. These require disassembly and testing with a meter and are best handled by a technician.
When to call a technician: If E4 persists after cleaning and ensuring proper operating conditions, a professional should check refrigerant charge, compressor condition, and safety sensors. Do not attempt refrigerant work yourself.