Hisense Dehumidifier Troubleshooting & How-to Guide – Grid Sub (2024)

A dehumidifier is an essential household appliance, especially in America. Hot, humid summers can be difficult for people with respiratory issues. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air. Hisense is one of the major manufacturers of dehumidifiers in the world.

They offer a range of models with varying features like capacity, speed, bucket size, coverage, noise levels, and even price. Although Hisense dehumidifiers are quite dependable, they develop issues continuously.

Several problems may arise while using your Hisense dehumidifiers, such as leaking, bad odor, clogged hose, and draining issues. Unfortunately, figuring out the cause of these issues can be frustrating.

That’s why we have compiled the most commonly reported problems of the Hisense dehumidifier and come up with an easy-to-follow solution for any user.

How to install a Hisense dehumidifier

How you install a portable dehumidifier will affect how effective it will be. When setting up your Hisense dehumidifier, you must consider location, drainage, and maintenance. Although Hisense has different models, here is a general guide on how you can install and set them up to ensure your appliance draws out moisture correctly.

• Take out your Hisense dehumidifier from its packaging and ensure all parts are in good condition.
• Choose the installation location.
• Choose a place in the house where noise might not be a nuisance. For example, the fan inside dehumidifiers can be quite noisy.
• Leave at least 12-18 inches of space on the back and sides of the unit for models with back grills and above for models with top grills.
• If placing the dehumidifier on a stand, ensure it is strong enough to support the weight of the dehumidifier with a bucket full of water.
• Ensure the surface is level to avoid water from spilling when the bucket is full.
• Choose a drainage system. Hisense dehumidifiers have three options, namely

Draining dehumidifier option one: Bucket draining

The dehumidifier has a built-in water reservoir that collects moisture from the air. This is a great drainage option if you do not use your dehumidifier often. However, the downside is you have to manually empty the bucket when it’s full for your unit to continue working. When it gets full, the dehumidifier automatically shuts off, and an indicator light will turn on until you empty it.

• Unplug the dehumidifier from power.
• Hold the bucket on the sides and gently side it out.
• Pour the water into a sink or drain without touching the water level float.
• Then reinstall the bucket until it clicks closed.

Draining dehumidifier option two: Gravity draining

This method continually drains water from your dehumidifier through a pipe directing the water to a sink or drain. The pipe uses gravity to push water out of the unit. The downside to this method is your dehumidifier’s location has to be close to a floor drain. To install this hose:

• Turn off the dehumidifier and unplug it from power.
• Expose the connector cover on the side of the unit.
• Remove the water bucket from the unit.
• Have a regular garden hose with an inner diameter greater than 1/2 inch.
• Attach the garden hose to the drain hose connector onto the dehumidifier. Make sure the connection is secure to avoid leaking.
• Route the pipe downhill and place the other end of the hose into a floor drain. Ensure the garden hose lays flat, and the draining end should be on a lower level than the hose connection on the dehumidifier.
• Replace the bucket.

Draining dehumidifier option three: Pump draining

This is the most convenient draining method, especially for a place with very humid weather. These models come with a motorized pump that pushes the water out of the dehumidifier, through a hose, and into a drain. Here’s how to connect it to your dehumidifier:

• Connect the drain hose to the unit by inserting the drain hose connector into the drain port connector.
• Then route the hose to a drain or sink. Fortunately, the pump drain can pump water horizontally or vertically, unlike the gravity drain method.
• To disconnect the drain hose, push the drain port connector on the dehumidifier and pull the drain hose connector out.
• When putting your dehumidifier in storage, always remove the water plug and drain the dehumidifier completely.
• To operate the pump drain, press the Pump button.

• Connect the dehumidifier to a grounded three-prong wall socket. Ensure the power plug is not loose before turning on the dehumidifier.
• Press the power button on the dehumidifier. There will be a 3-minute delay before the unit starts to protect the compressor.
• Adjust the settings on the control panel.

Fan speed

• Press FAN to choose the fan speed.
• Choose LOW, HIGH, or AUTO.

• LOW: achieves the desired humidity setting with lower noise levels.
• HIGH: the until will achieve the desired humidity much faster
• AUTO: reaches set humidity at normal speed.

Humidity setting

Go to the unit’s control panel and set the humidity. The relative humidity appearing on display is between 30% and 90%. You can adjust it between 30% and 80% but ensure it is an achievable setting. Note that lower humidity is drier, and higher humidity is less dry.

• Press MODE and select desired humidity setting
• Select Auto Dry, Continuous, or Manual Set.
• The humidity level is only adjustable on Manual Set mode. Press the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons to set the desired humidity level, which will flash for 5 seconds on display after operation.
• Then the actual room humidity will flash on display 5 seconds after flashing the desired humidity.

Timer

• The display shows the time the dehumidifier will go on or off.
• To set the timer for a 30-minute to a 24-hour delay before the dehumidifier goes off:

• Turn on the dehumidifier.
• Press the TIMER button. The timer indicator light will turn on, and the display will flash. Then it will show how much time is left before the unit turns off.
• Press the ‘+’ or ‘-’ buttons to adjust the delay time from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
• To set the timer to switch on the dehumidifier:

• Turn off the dehumidifier
• Press TIMER and the indicator light will start flashing.
• The display will show the amount of time before the dehumidifier turns on.
• Press the ‘+’ or ‘-’ buttons to adjust the delay time from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
• To clear the timer delay program:

• The dehumidifier can be either on or off.
• Press the TIMER button.
• While the display shows the remaining time, press the TIMER button again, and the indicator light will go off.
• Press POWER to turn off the Hisense dehumidifier.

NOTE: For energy-efficient operation, always ensure the windows and other sources of moist air are closed when running your dehumidifier.

The operating temperature of any Hisense dehumidifier is between 38°F to 90°F. Therefore, any temperature lower than 38°F will cause the water for freeze inside the dehumidifier. On the other hand, temperatures above 90°F will trigger the protective device in the unit to deactivate operation until temperatures stabilize.

How do you reset a Hisense dehumidifier?

Resetting your Hisense dehumidifier will fix some technical difficulties or if the appliances fail to start. However, unlike some appliances, Hisense dehumidifiers do not have a reset button. Note that resetting your dehumidifier will delete all the saved. But the reset process is simple and generally similar across all models. Here is the guide to resetting all Hisense dehumidifier models:

• Locate the power switch on your dehumidifier.
• Turn off the power switch.
• Then unplug the unit from the power source.
• Wait at least 10 seconds and plug it back into its power source.
• The reset is successful, and all the control settings are cleared.

Reset the filter monitor

After cleaning the filter in your Hisense dehumidifier, you have to reset the filter monitor. Dehumidifiers come with filters that trap contaminants from the air and release cleaned air into the room. The filter monitor detects and alerts you when it’s time to clean the filter. Although the filter monitor resets on its own when you change it, you have to reset it after cleaning the filter manually.

• Press the ‘Clean Filter’ button for about five seconds.
• The indicator will go off.
• Wait about 5-10 seconds, then press the button to restore its normal display.

This is the same for all models except the Hisense DH3020k1W. You press the power button for 5 seconds for this model to reset the filter monitor.

What is the continuous mode of Hisense dehumidifier?

The continuous mode allows you to adjust the fan speed but cannot adjust the humidity. This means the fan speed will run indefinitely at the selected speed, regardless of the relative humidity of the ambient air. In addition, the unit will dehumidify continuously until you manually turn it off.

Check this too:

Why is my Hisense dehumidifier not draining through the hose?

You can connect the hose to a drain port at the back of your Hisense dehumidifier and direct it to a floor drain so that it will automatically empty the water the unit collects. If your dehumidifier is not draining correctly through the draining hose, the first thing is to inspect the drain setup thoroughly.

Hisense dehumidifiers have two drain options; gravity drains and pumps drain. Here’s how to troubleshoot each setup if the unit fails to drain through the hose.

Gravity drain setup(All models)

These models drain collected water via a drain hose through gravity.

• Inspect the drain hose and ensure it runs downhill to the drainage port or floor drain. If the drain hose bends or routes upwards will not work because it relies on gravity to direct water out of the dehumidifier.
• Check the length of the hose. Cut off excess drain hose to allow it to stretch with fewer curves and bends.
• Check for bends, kinks, or other damage that may prevent water from flowing through the hose.
• If the drain hose is routed into a drain such as a standard sink or standpipe, ensure the hose end is not in standing water. If the floor drain is clogged, water won’t drain out of the hose because of pressure from the standing water. Unclog the drain and then reconnect the hose.
• Ensure the drain hose adapter is installed correctly. If the hose adapter doesn’t properly, the dehumidifier will start draining into the water bucket or not drain at all.
• Check if the bucket full indicator is on. Then check if the water bucket is empty. This is because the Hisense dehumidifier will shut off if the bucket is full regardless of the drain method used.
• Also, check to ensure the bucket is properly installed into the dehumidifier. The unit has a safety switch that engages when the bucket is removed and stays active until you return the bucket correctly. If you don’t insert the bucket correctly, the dehumidifier won’t drain any water.
• Check the float switch inside the water bucket. It is a foam block attached to a rotating arm. Ensure the float switch is free from obstruction and not stuck in the up(full) position.

Pump drain setup( For model with a built-in pump)

These models have a pump that can drain water horizontally or vertically with a 16 feet hose.

• First, ensure you press the pump button labeled ‘P” to activate the pump function, and the indicator light will turn on.
• Check to see if the drain hose connects properly to the drain port at the back of the dehumidifier. Hisense dehumidifiers with pumps have a sensor at the drain port where the drain hose attaches. This sensor detects if the pump drain hose has been properly connected. If the sensor doesn’t engage properly, the unit will not turn on the pump. Instead, disconnect the drain hose and reconnect it properly; you should hear it click into place.
• Check the drain hose and ensure it is not bent or kinked.
• Ensure the hose has no blockage. You must disconnect, dislodge the blockage, and reconnect if it’s blocked.

All Hisense dehumidifier error codes, their meanings, and fixes

Hisense dehumidifiers have sensors that monitor various conditions that may affect the unit’s normal operation. If an error code appears on the display of your dehumidifier, disconnect the unit from power, wait for 30 seconds and reconnect it.

If the error code reappears, contact Hisense customer service for error codes and troubleshooting instructions for your specific model. Here are some common dehumidifier error codes and messages below:

How to deal with the Hisense dehumidifier clean filter light

The filter in your dehumidifier traps dirt, dust, link, and other particles from the air. The filter requires regular cleaning to ensure the unit works efficiently. Check the filter every two weeks or look for the clean filter indicator light to clean your filter. Here’s how to do it:

• Turn off your dehumidifier.
• Unplug it from the power source.
• Remove the air filter. This process varies depending on the model, but the filter is usually situated behind the air intake grille at the back of the dehumidifier.
• Use a shop vac to clean the air filter. If the air filter is too dirty, wash it in warm water with mild dish soap.
• Let the air filter dry completely before reinstalling it into the unit.
• Turn on the dehumidifier.
• Reset the filter monitor to ensure it works correctly.

Note that your air filter may require more frequent cleaning and replacement if you run it in a dusty area.

How to clean and maintain a Hisense dehumidifier

These Hisense dehumidifiers can serve you for many years if you maintain them properly. One of the most important maintenance steps is cleaning your dehumidifier regularly(at least once every few weeks) for optimum operation, especially when using it frequently. Follow the steps below to ensure your Hisense dehumidifier is clean.

Exterior

• Turn off and unplug your dehumidifier.
• Take a soft, lint-free cloth and clean the surface of the unit. Alternatively, you can use a shop vac to dust it.
• If the surface is too grimy, dampen the cloth slightly and wipe the surface down. Do not spray water or use any cleaning solvents as they may affect the electrical components of your unit.

Water bucket

• Clean the inside of the water bucket with a mild detergent to avoid the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. You can spray a mixture of one part water and one part white vinegar to disinfect and deodorize the inside of the water bucket.
• Repeat this process every few weeks, even if you use a drain hose to drain your dehumidifier.

Water level float or float switch

The water bucket also has a water float. This water float is a safety mechanism that prevents the dehumidifier from overflowing with water. When the water level trips the float switch, the compressor and fans motor stop working until the water bucket is emptied.

So if the water float is not sitting correctly(facing upwards), the Empty Bucket light will turn on and prevent the unit from running, resulting in leaking. Ensure to float snaps correctly in place every time you clean or drain the water bucket.

How to unclog a Hisense dehumidifier

The gravity drain is one of the more convenient ways to drain water from a Hisense dehumidifier, as you’d have to keep emptying your unit. However, the drain hose can clog over time or develop a smell if left without cleaning. A clogged dehumidifier will also start leaking water. Here’s how to clean and unclog a Hisense dehumidifier drain hose.

• Turn off and unplug your dehumidifier from the power source.
• Disconnect the drain hose from the drain port at the back of the dehumidifier.
• Clear the blockage out of the drain hose.
  • Connect a wet/dry vacuum hose to the drain hose mouth and seal it with tape or wet cloth. Then, start the vacuum and run it for about five minutes.
  • If you don’t have a wet/dry vacuum, use a barbed plastic cleaning tool. Run the cleaning tool through the drain hose several times to dislodge any blockage inside, thanks to its back-angled barbs.
  • You can also use air or water-powered cleaner to blow out any clogs inside the drain hose.
  • An enzymatic hose cleaner will also break down any biological clog in the drain hose. But this process requires patience. You have to leave the drain hose with the enzymatic cleaner overnight to allow the cleaner to dissolve any organic matter in the drain hose. These biological cleaners work much slower than chemical cleaners, but they maintain the integrity of your drain hose. Chemical cleaners can create micro-tears around the hose and cause leaking.
• After clearing the clogs, clean the drain hose—Mix equal parts of warm water and distilled white vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain hose and cover both ends. Allow the solution to sit for about 15 minutes, then pour a cup of hot water down the hose to flush the solution out.
• Clean the drain port on the dehumidifier and then reconnect the drain hose.

How to empty the bucket on a Hisense dehumidifier

When the Empty Bucket light turns on, the fan and compressor stop running to prevent the water bucket from overflowing and leaking. If you don’t use a floor drain, the light indicates it’s time to empty the bucket. Here’s how to do it:

• First, unplug the dehumidifier from power.
• Next, hold the water bucket sides and slide out the bucket.
• Next, lift the bucket by the handle and pull it out.
• Finally, pour out the water into a sick.
• Rinse out the bucket with clean water. If you don’t use your dehumidifier continuously, the way may sit in the bucket for too long and develop a smell.
• Fold the hand inwards and reinstall the bucket into the unit. Ensure it clicks into place.
• If the Empty Bucket light comes on after emptying the bucket, you need to reinstall it.

• Note that if you remove the water bucket immediately after turning off the unit, water in the heat exchange might drip inside the water bucket storage area. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to dry the water before reinstalling the water bucket.

What is the auto dry mode in a Hisense dehumidifier?

All Hisense dehumidifier models have a humidity mode setting, allowing you to manually choose your desired humidity setting. You can choose between Auto Dry, Continuous, or Manual Set. Here’s what all these settings mean:

• Auto Dry: The dehumidifier will run in dry mode only. The fan speed is adjustable, and the desired humidity sets automatically to 50%.
• Continuous: The dehumidifier will run continuously. The fan speed is adjustable while the humidity is not.
• Manual Set: The dehumidifier will run at the set fan speed and humidity level. The compressor will turn on if the room’s humidity level is higher than the desired humidity setting. If the humidity level drops below the desired humidity setting, the compressor and fan will turn off.

Why is my Hisense dehumidifier leaking?

There are several reasons why your Hisense dehumidifier might start leaking. Below are the most common reasons why your dehumidifier leaks and how to stop the issue.

Misaligned water bucket

When your dehumidifier is not on the hose or pump drainage use, the water collects in the water bucket. The bucket has a sensor that gets triggered when you remove the bucket. If you don’t reinstall the bucket correctly, the water may start leaking outside the bucket. To mix the misaligned water bucket:

• Unplug the dehumidifier from power.
• Disconnect the water bucket from the appliance.
• Empty the bucket and wipe down any water collecting inside the water bucket compartment.
• Ensure the water float sits correctly.
• Replace the bucket until you hear it click into place.
• Finally, turn on the dehumidifier and observe if the problem persists.

Cracked or damaged water bucket

Sometimes the water bucket can be due to extreme temperatures leading to leaks. Also, the bucket can crack from poor handling when cleaning or draining it.

• Turn off the appliance and inspect the bucket for cracks.
• Try filling the bucket with water and checking for signs of leaking.
• If you find a crack, contact your Hisense dealer for a replacement.

Clogged drain hose

Although the drain hose is a convenient way to drain your dehumidifier, it is also prone to clogging. Dirt, bugs, and rodents can enter the open end of the hose, especially if you connect your dehumidifier to an outside drain.

• Disconnect the drain hose from the unit and inspect it for clogging.
• Take your drain hose outside, and insert a garden hose into one end.
• Open the garden hose on full blast and allow the water to run through it. Pressure from the water should be able to release the clog.
• Alternatively, you can use a drain clog remover tool to clear out hard blockages.
• Rinse the inside of the hose and reconnect it to your dehumidifier.

Kinked drain pipe

If your drain hose is not clogged, a kink or bend could cause water to back up into the dehumidifier and leak out.

• Follow the route of the drain pipe and look for bends and kinks.
• If it has sharp bends and curves, disconnect the hose from the unit and reposition it correctly. Then reconnect it.
• You can use stabilizers to hold the hose in place and widen the curves to prevent kinks from developing.

Small drain hose

When using the gravity drain setup, the Hisense dehumidifier doesn’t come with the garden hose. However, they recommend using a drain hose with an inner diameter greater than 1/2 inch, and the connector is for North American garden hoses only. North American garden hose connectors have a 3/4 inch diameter, straight thread with a pitch of 11.5 threads per inch, while the male has an outer diameter of 11/16 inches. So if you’re using small-diameter hoses, replace them with a wider option.

Weather

If you’re in a humid environment, the dehumidifier may produce water faster than the drain hose can handle, causing the water to back into the unit. This may be the problem if you notice a continuous stream of water coming out of the drain and the appliance leaks.

Hisense warns against using their dehumidifiers in a room below 38°F, or the water freezes inside the unit. Unfortunately, this issue may not be an easy fix unless to wait for the room temperatures to increase. Also, ensure the dehumidifier is in a closed space with no open windows or other sources of humid air to avoid overworking your unit beyond its capacity.

You can also buy a 50-pint Hisense dehumidifier that has a larger capacity and is well-suited for humid areas. It’s important to choose the right size dehumidifier considering the pint capacity and dampness of your space to remove moisture from the room effectively.

Loose hose fitting cup

If your drain hose is the correct size for your dehumidifier, it can still leak if it doesn’t connect securely to the drain port. However, this is likely the issue if the leak is the fitting cap, where your hose connects to the dehumidifier’s drain port.

• Unplug the dehumidifier.
• Disconnect the drain hose.
• Clean the fittings on the dehumidifier and hose with a clean damp cloth. Sometimes dirt particles and debris from the floor can get into the fitting and cause a loose connection.
• If the o-ring that fits into the female end of the connection is missing, replace it.
• Reattach the drain hose and tighten the fitting securely into the drain port.
• If the connection is still leaking, you can use some plumber’s tape and retighten it.
• If it continues leaking, you need to replace the fitting from your nearest Hisense dealer.

The hose is too long

Horizontal gain is a problem for the gravity drain dehumidifiers. If the drainage hose is too long, water can collect in the hose and back pool into the unit, resulting in leaks. If the hose is too long, try moving the unit closer to the drainage and shortening the drain hose. Also, you can buy a pump for your dehumidifier.

The drain hose has coiled vertically

Another problem with the gravity drain dehumidifiers is the vertical lift. Vertical coiling will also cause water to back into the unit, causing a leak. If this is the issue, you need to secure the drain hose to the floor or at endpoints to keep it flat and straight. If the vertical gain is between the unit and the drainage, raise the dehumidifier off the ground using a stack of stable boards. You could also place it on a counter or shelf. You must install a drainage pump if you can’t raise the unit.

Faulty pump

The pump in dehumidifiers can pump water horizontally or vertically. But dirt and debris can enter the pump, causing it to jam. To fix this issue, you can contact customer support to learn how to clean the pump or call in an HVAC expert for servicing.

Faulty water float

The water float triggers the unit to shut off when the water in the bucket is full. If the water float is defective, the unit will continue running, and the bucket will overflow and leak. Try to readjust the position of the water float; it should face downwards. If this doesn’t fix the issue, the float has either burned out or is broken. If this happens, you’ll need to get a replacement from your Hisense dealer.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped you set up your Hisense dehumidifier and troubleshoot some of its common problems. By following the tips provided, you should be able to fix some of the issues yourself or find the part causing the issue to get your dehumidifier running again. Although Hisense may be a relatively new brand, its products are easy-to-use, low maintenance, affordable and high-quality.