just got my dh70w, it's running but no water is collecting in the bucket after hours

Diagnosis

The Honeywell DH70W is a compressor-based dehumidifier, meaning it relies on a refrigeration cycle to cool internal coils below the dew point of the ambient air. If the fan is blowing but the bucket remains empty, the unit is failing to achieve "condensation." This usually happens because the compressor—the heart of the cooling system—is not engaging, or the environment is not conducive to moisture extraction. If the room temperature is below 60°F (15°C), the coils can frost over rapidly, triggering a safety shut-off or simply preventing water from dripping into the reservoir. Another common cause is a "false reading" by the internal hygrometer. If the unit believes the room is already at 30% humidity when it is actually 60%, the control board will keep the compressor off to save energy. You can confirm if the compressor is working by placing your hand over the air exhaust; the air should feel noticeably warmer than the air being sucked into the intake. If the air is room temperature, the compressor is idle. If the air is warm but no water is collecting, you likely have a blockage in the internal drain tray or a refrigerant leak.

How to Fix It

To force the unit to operate and verify the mechanical integrity of the system, follow these exact steps:

1. Power down the unit and unplug it from the wall outlet for at least 10 minutes to reset the internal control board.
2. Plug the unit back in and immediately set the Humidity Control dial to the "CO" (Continuous) setting. This overrides the humidistat and forces the compressor to run regardless of the room's current moisture level.
3. Ensure the unit is placed at least 20 inches away from walls or furniture. If the intake is blocked, the coil temperature will fluctuate, preventing steady condensation.
4. Check the water bucket for a proper seal. Ensure the bucket is pushed completely into the chassis until you hear a click; if the bucket sensor is not engaged, the compressor will be disabled as a safety precaution to prevent overflows.
5. Run the unit in "Continuous" mode for 6 to 12 hours. If the room is above 65°F and the humidity is above 50%, you should see at least 2-4 inches of water in the bucket within this timeframe.

If That Didn't Work

• Inspect the Evaporator Coils for Frost: Remove the filter and look at the metal fins. If you see a thick layer of ice or white frost, the unit is operating in an environment that is too cold. Move the DH70W to a warmer room or use a space heater to raise the ambient temperature to 70°F. Once the ice melts, the water will begin flowing into the bucket again.
• Test the Capacitor: If the fan is running but you hear a periodic "click" every few minutes without the compressor starting, the start capacitor (the cylindrical component on the control board) may have failed. This prevents the compressor from kicking over. A technician can test this with a multimeter to check for the rated microfarads (uF).
• Clear the Internal Drain Path: Sometimes dust and lint create a "slime" or a plug in the small channel that leads from the evaporator coils to the bucket. Use a pipe cleaner or a flexible wire to gently probe the drain hole located at the bottom of the coil assembly to ensure water isn't pooling and overflowing internally.
• Verify Refrigerant Levels: If the compressor is humming and the air is only slightly warm, but no water collects and no frost forms on the coils, the unit may have a refrigerant leak. Because the DH70W uses a sealed system, a loss of R-134a or R-410A gas means the coils cannot get cold enough to condense water. This requires a professional recharge or unit replacement.

Heads Up

• Filter Maintenance: Wash the washable filter every two weeks with lukewarm water. A clogged filter restricts airflow, which causes the coils to freeze and stops water collection.
• Avoid Low-Temp Basements: Do not run this unit in a garage or basement below 60°F without a heater; the DH70W is not a "low-temperature" rated model and will likely freeze up.
• Bucket Alignment: Always ensure the bucket is slid in straight. If the bucket is slightly skewed, the float switch may not trigger correctly, leading to either a "Bucket Full" error when empty or a failure to start.
• Power Surge Protection: Use a dedicated outlet. Plugging a high-draw compressor unit like the DH70W into a thin extension cord can cause voltage drops that prevent the compressor from starting.