my 70-pint frigidaire dehumidifier is running constantly but the bucket is barely collecting any water, what gives?

— asked by Sam

Quick answer: Yeah, this one's common. The unit is likely stuck in a defrost cycle.

Diagnosis

Yeah, this one's common. The unit is likely stuck in a defrost cycle. The coils are freezing over because it's running in a cooler space (like a basement below 65°F), so it has to keep melting the ice instead of pulling moisture from the air.

How to Fix It

Check the room temperature first. If it's below 65°F (18°C), that's your culprit. The compressor can't operate efficiently in the cold. Move the unit to a warmer room if possible. If you can't move it, try raising the basement's ambient temperature slightly with a space heater near the intake.

If That Didn't Work

If the room is plenty warm and it's still not collecting, the real issue might be a low refrigerant charge. Listen for a hissing sound—that's a sign of a leak. Unfortunately, that's not a user-serviceable fix and requires a professional technician.

Heads Up

This model doesn't have a true 'pump out' continuous drain option—it uses gravity. Make sure your drain hose, if attached, doesn't have any kinks or upward loops that are creating an airlock and preventing flow.

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