Whirlpool
Stalled Motor or Low Voltage
Dehumidifier hums loudly but fan and compressor do not start
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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.
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Possible Causes
Fan motor seized, Compressor locked rotor, Low line voltage, Defective start components
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Unplug immediately if you hear loud humming without rotation to avoid overheating.
Steps to diagnose humming:
- Check fan first: Try spinning the fan blade by hand (with power off). If it is stiff or stuck, replace the fan motor.
- Verify voltage: Use a multimeter or have an electrician confirm that the outlet provides correct voltage under load.
- Inspect compressor start components: If the fan is free but the compressor hums and stops, test and replace the start relay and overload as needed.
- Professional evaluation: A locked compressor or persistent humming after start component replacement requires a technician's diagnosis.
Test: After repairs, run the unit and confirm that both fan and compressor start smoothly without loud humming.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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