Dehumidifier displays E3 and will not start dehumidifying

Safety: Unplug the dehumidifier before inspection. Avoid touching the power input area on the PCB.

Procedure:

• Power cycle: Unplug for 5–10 minutes, then reconnect. If E3 reappears, continue.
• Locate the humidity sensor: On TaoTronics dehumidifiers, the humidity sensor is typically a small plastic module with vent holes, mounted near the air intake grille or behind the front panel, connected to the main PCB by a small harness.
• Check for blockage: Make sure the sensor vents are not clogged with dust or lint. Use a soft brush or compressed air (short bursts) to gently clean the sensor housing.
• Inspect wiring: Ensure the humidity sensor plug is firmly seated on the control board. Look for broken or frayed wires.
• Functional test: If you have another identical TaoTronics unit, you can temporarily swap humidity sensors to confirm the fault. If the error follows the sensor, the sensor is bad; if it stays with the unit, the PCB is suspect.
• Replace the sensor: Install a new TaoTronics humidity sensor module compatible with your model. Mount it in the same location so it measures room air, not internal cabinet air.
• If error persists with new sensor: The main control PCB likely has a failed humidity sensing circuit and should be replaced.