Question 1

how do i really clean this thing? the manual is vague. i know mold can grow inside.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Moisture and dust inside the cabinet lead to mold on the evaporator coil and in the water reservoir areas. This causes musty smells and reduces efficiency. FIX Unplug it. Remove the bucket and filter. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the rear cabinet panel. Use a soft brush and a vacuum with a crevice tool to remove dust from the coil fins and fan blade. For mold, mix warm water with a little mild dish soap. Dampen a soft cloth—do not soak it—and wipe the coil fins and plastic interior. Rinse the cloth and wipe again. Let everything air dry completely for 24 hours before reassembling. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK For stubborn smells, use a coil cleaner spray labeled safe for aluminum evaporator coils. Spray lightly, let sit per instructions, and rinse only if the product requires it. Never use bleach or abrasive cleaners. HEADS UP Never pour water into the unit or use a pressure washer. Do not bend the delicate aluminum fins on the coil. Ensure the unit is bone dry inside before plugging it back in.

Question 2

the fan on my unit runs but the compressor never turns on. no cold air from the grille. just acts like a fan.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The compressor is not receiving the signal to start. This is usually due to the humidistat setting, a failed start capacitor, or a locked compressor. FIX Set the humidistat control to its lowest setting (like 35% RH) and the fan speed to High. This gives the clearest 'on' signal. Listen closely for a click and a hum about 3 minutes after startup. If you hear a click but no hum, the start capacitor on the compressor is likely dead. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK With the unit unplugged, you can check the start capacitor. It's a black cylindrical component near the compressor. Look for bulging or leaking oil. Replacing it requires discharging it and matching the microfarad (µF) and voltage rating exactly. HEADS UP Compressor capacitors store a dangerous electrical charge even when unplugged. Do not touch the terminals unless you are trained to safely discharge them. Consider a professional repair.

Question 3

my honeywell dehumidifier turns on for a minute then shuts off. the fan stops. it does this over and over.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is a frost sensor trip. The evaporator coil is getting too cold, likely because the room temperature is low or the air filter is blocked. FIX First, check and clean the air intake filter. Remove it, rinse with water, let it dry completely, and reinstall. Second, ensure the unit is in a room above 65°F. If the room is cold, the defrost cycle can't keep up. Move it to a warmer area. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The frost sensor itself may be faulty or the evaporator coil is dirty. Unplug the unit. Remove the cabinet to access the coil (aluminum fins behind the filter). Use a soft brush to gently remove dust. Do not bend the fins. HEADS UP Running the dehumidifier in a consistently cold basement (below 60°F) will cause this short-cycling. It damages the compressor over time. Use a low-temperature model for cold spaces.

Question 4

i'm trying to use the continuous drain hose but water is still filling up the bucket instead of going out the hose.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The internal drain pump is not activating. On the TP70WKN, the pump only runs when the bucket is removed and a hose is attached to the port. The pump has a separate float switch. FIX First, ensure the bucket is completely removed. The unit will not pump with the bucket in place. Connect a standard 5/8" ID garden hose to the drain port on the back. Push it on firmly. The pump should activate automatically when the internal reservoir fills. Listen for a faint humming. Ensure the hose path is straight downhill with no kinks or loops that create an airlock. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Check the pump's intake filter. Unplug the unit. Tip it back and locate the small plastic grate near the base. Use a paperclip to clear any debris like lint or sediment blocking it. A completely blocked filter starves the pump. HEADS UP The drain pump is not designed for lift. The outlet of the hose must be lower than the drain port on the dehumidifier. Any lift will cause failure.

Question 5

there's a loud rattling or buzzing noise coming from the back of my dehumidifier, mostly when the compressor kicks on.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The noise is from loose components vibrating against the cabinet. The most common source is the rear access panel or the copper refrigerant tubing lines. FIX Unplug the unit. Remove the rear plastic cabinet panel (usually held by a few screws). Inspect where the copper tubing passes through the chassis. If it's touching metal, wedge a piece of foam or a rubber grommet between the tube and the chassis to dampen vibration. Tighten any loose screws securing the fan shroud or compressor mounting plate. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The noise could be from the compressor's internal mounting springs. This is a factory defect. If the unit is under warranty, contact Honeywell for a replacement. DIY repair is not advised. HEADS UP Before opening the cabinet, ensure the unit is unplugged. Do not kink or bend the copper refrigerant lines. They are pressurized.

Question 6

the wifi on my tp70wkn just stopped connecting. it was working before. app says offline. i already tried resetting my router.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The dehumidifier's WiFi module has likely lost its connection profile or entered a low-power state. A power cycle at the unit is required. FIX Unplug the dehumidifier from the wall outlet. Wait 60 seconds. Plug it back in. Once the display is fully on, press and hold the WiFi button on the control panel for 5 seconds until the WiFi icon blinks. Open the Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app and follow the prompts to re-add the device. You will need your 2.4GHz network name and password. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Your router may have updated and blocked the device. In your router settings, ensure it's broadcasting a 2.4GHz network (not 5GHz only) and that MAC filtering or a firewall isn't blocking the dehumidifier. HEADS UP The WiFi module only works on 2.4GHz networks. It will not connect to a 5GHz-only signal. Also, physical distance or thick walls will weaken the signal.

Question 7

just got this 70-pint honeywell, followed the setup, but it's not pulling any water out of the air after hours. fan runs fine.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is almost always a refrigerant issue from improper transport. If the unit was laid on its side, compressor oil can migrate into the refrigeration lines, blocking flow. FIX Unplug the dehumidifier. Stand it upright in its normal operating position. Leave it completely undisturbed for 24 hours. This lets the oil drain back to the compressor. Plug it back in and set to a low humidity like 45%. It should start condensing water within an hour. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The ambient room temperature might be too low. The TP70WKN's compressor won't engage below approximately 65°F (18°C). Move it to a warmer room or space heater to test. HEADS UP Never transport or store the unit on its side or upside down. Always keep it upright. Tilting can cause permanent compressor damage.

Question 8

my honeywell tp70wkn dehumidifier just shows a constant 'cL' on the display and won't run, what is that?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The 'cL' error code means the internal bucket is full or the full-bucket float switch is stuck in the up position. The machine shuts off to prevent overflow. FIX First, remove the main water collection bucket. Check for water. Empty it. Ensure the bucket is seated all the way in until it clicks. The 'cL' should clear in 10 seconds. If it doesn't, locate the float switch slot inside the bucket cavity. Use a cotton swab to gently push the float up and down a few times to free it if it's stuck. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The float switch itself might be faulty. Unplug the unit. Remove the rear cabinet screws to access the control board. Trace the two thin wires from the float switch to the board. Check the connector is secure. A failed switch requires replacement. HEADS UP Do not run the unit without the bucket properly installed. It will leak water onto your floor and can damage the internal pump or sensor.

Honeywell TP70WKN 70-Pint Dehumidifier

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