Dehumidifier trips the household circuit breaker or GFCI outlet
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: Do not repeatedly reset a breaker that trips immediately. Risk of fire or shock. Unplug the unit.
Steps to diagnose tripping:
- Inspect cord and plug: Look for cuts, burns, or melted areas. Replace the power cord if damaged.
- Dry the unit: If the unit was exposed to water, allow it to dry completely for at least 24 hours in a warm, dry area.
- Try a different circuit: Plug into another properly grounded outlet on a different circuit (not GFCI) to see if the breaker still trips. If it does, the fault is in the unit.
- Internal inspection: With the unit unplugged, inspect wiring for chafing or contact with sharp metal edges. Repair or reroute as needed.
- Component isolation (advanced): A technician can disconnect the compressor and fan separately to identify which component is causing the trip.
Test: After any cord or wiring repairs, plug the unit in and monitor. If breakers continue to trip, discontinue use and have a professional evaluate the compressor and internal wiring.