Dehumidifier shows E4 and shuts down or will not start
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 before opening. Do not attempt sealed system (refrigerant) repairs unless you are EPA-certified.
Steps to troubleshoot E4:
- Allow coil to thaw: If the evaporator is iced over, turn the unit off and let it sit unplugged for several hours until all ice melts. Place towels under the unit to catch drips.
- Clean air filter and grille: Remove the bucket and pull out the air filter. Wash with mild soap and water, dry completely, and reinstall. Vacuum dust from the intake and exhaust grilles.
- Check room conditions: Ensure the unit is used in a room within Whirlpool's specified temperature range (typically 41°F–95°F / 5°C–35°C). Very cold rooms can trigger E4.
- Inspect evaporator thermistor: Access the coil and verify the thermistor is firmly attached and wiring is intact (see E2 procedure). A loose or faulty thermistor can misread coil temperature and cause E4.
- Restart and observe: After cleaning and checking the sensor, run the unit. If the coil quickly ices over again and E4 returns, there may be a sealed system problem (low refrigerant, restriction, or weak compressor).
- Do not attempt refrigerant recharge yourself: Sealed system work requires specialized tools and certification. If airflow and sensors are good but E4 persists, contact a qualified technician to evaluate the sealed system.
Test: After cleaning and sensor checks, confirm that the unit runs for extended periods without E4 and that the coil frosts lightly and evenly, then defrosts normally.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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