Question 1

condensation is leaking from the bottom of my dehumidifier, not into the bucket. it's making a puddle.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Water leaking from the casing means it's bypassing the internal drain pan. This is usually because the internal drain holes are clogged with algae or sludge, or the unit is tilted forward. FIX Step 1: Unplug it and pull it away from the wall. Step 2: Remove the water bucket. Step 3: Tilt the unit BACKWARDS (so the back is lower than the front) over a towel. You might see water drip out from the base—that's the excess you need to drain. Step 4: Using a long, flexible bottle brush or pipe cleaner, gently probe the drain hole inside the unit where the bucket sits. Clear any visible gunk. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The leak might be from a cracked internal drain pan, which is a more serious issue. If clearing the drain hole and ensuring the unit is perfectly level (or even slightly tilted back) doesn't stop the leak, it likely needs a service call. HEADS UP Using the drain hose constantly without ever removing the bucket can let slime build up in the internal pan. Every few weeks, pull the bucket, wipe out the area, and run a cup of white vinegar through the drain hose opening to keep it clear.

Question 2

the display says "cl" and won't let me do anything, even after i cleaned the filter.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS "CL" is the maintenance alert. It's not just for the filter—it's a timer-based reminder to check the filter, coil, and bucket area. It triggers after a set number of running hours. FIX To clear the alert, you need to manually reset the timer. With the unit ON, press and hold the Fan Speed button and the Humidity Select button (the up/down arrows for target %) simultaneously for about 3 seconds. You'll see the display blink or hear a beep. The "CL" should disappear and you'll regain control. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the button combo doesn't clear it, perform a full power reset. Unplug the unit, remove the water bucket, and leave it unplugged for 5 full minutes. This often clears persistent alerts when you plug it back in. HEADS UP Don't ignore this alert forever. While you can clear it, it's a nudge to actually do the maintenance. A dirty filter or clogged coil makes the unit work harder, use more energy, and freeze up more easily.

Question 3

it's running but not pulling any water out of the air, humidity isn't dropping. bucket is empty.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS If the fan is running but no water is collecting, the most common culprit is a frozen evaporator coil. This happens in cooler rooms (below about 65°F) or if the filter is clogged. FIX Step 1: Turn the unit off. Step 2: Remove and check the air filter—clean it if it's dirty. Step 3: Unplug the dehumidifier and let it sit for several hours to let the ice melt completely. Step 4: Plug it back in and set it to a higher target humidity (like 60%) and use Continuous mode. Make sure the room temperature is above 65°F. It should start collecting water within a few hours. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The humidity sensor might be out of calibration. Try running it in Continuous mode (the water drop icon) instead of a target % mode. If it collects water in Continuous but not in Smart mode, the sensor is likely the issue. HEADS UP In a cool basement, these high-capacity units can freeze up regularly. Using the "Continuous" mode instead of a very low humidity setting can help prevent it, as the compressor cycles less aggressively.

Question 4

how do you clean the filter on this thing? the manual is useless and i can't figure out how to get to it.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The PuriCare filter is behind the front grille, which doesn't just pull off—it has a specific release method people often miss. FIX Step 1: Make sure the unit is off and unplugged. Step 2: Look at the top of the front panel, right in the center. You'll see a small, recessed latch. Press firmly inward on that latch with your thumb. Step 3: While holding the latch in, grip the sides of the grille and pull the entire panel straight forward. It will hinge down from the bottom. The white filter is right behind it. Slide it out, vacuum it gently, or rinse it with cold water. Let it dry COMPLETELY before sliding it back in and snapping the grille shut. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If the latch feels stuck, don't force it. Check that the water bucket is fully removed first, as sometimes the bucket can block the panel's path. With the bucket out, try the latch again. HEADS UP Never run the dehumidifier without the filter. Not only does it mess with airflow, but it lets dust gunk up the inner coil, which is a nightmare to clean and kills efficiency.

Question 5

the wifi on my ud701kog3 keeps disconnecting from the lg thinq app, i have to keep re-adding it.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is almost always a router issue, not a dehumidifier problem. The unit's wifi module is basic and can get bumped off by signal interference or a router that's aggressively managing devices. FIX Step 1: On your phone, forget the network your dehumidifier creates during setup (usually something like LG_Dehumidifier_XXXX). Step 2: Unplug the dehumidifier for 30 seconds. Step 3: While it's off, reboot your home router. Step 4: Plug the dehumidifier back in and go through the ThinQ app setup process fresh, making sure you're on a 2.4GHz wifi band (it doesn't support 5GHz). IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The dehumidifier might be too far from your router or in a signal dead zone. Try moving it temporarily closer to the router just for the initial setup and first few days of connection to solidify the link. HEADS UP If you change your wifi password or get a new router, you will have to reset the dehumidifier's network connection from scratch using the button on the control panel or within the ThinQ app.

Question 6

why is my lg dehumidifier making a loud gurgling or bubbling noise from the back? sounds like water is stuck.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That's usually normal operation noise from the refrigerant cycling, but if it's new and very loud, it can mean the unit isn't level or there's an air bubble in the coil. FIX First, make sure the unit is on a perfectly flat, hard floor. Use a small level on top. If one corner is even slightly low, it can cause the refrigerant to drain unevenly and get noisy. Adjust the feet if you need to. Second, check that nothing is blocking the air intake or exhaust grilles on the back and sides—airflow is key. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The noise might be coming from the water drain system. Check that the drain hose, if you're using one, has a steady, downward slope with no kinks or high loops that can trap air and cause glugging sounds. HEADS UP A steady hum or fan noise is normal. A loud, intermittent gurgle that wasn't there before can indicate a developing issue with the sealed system, but it's rare. Give it a day of operation on a level surface; it often settles down.

Question 7

lg puricare dehumidifier won't turn on at all, no lights, nothing. checked the outlet and it's fine.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS It's most likely a safety lockout from a recent power surge or a full internal reservoir, not a dead unit. These have protection circuits that need a manual reset. FIX Step 1: Unplug it from the wall. Step 2: Pull out the water bucket. Step 3: Leave it completely unplugged and with the bucket out for a full two minutes—time it. This drains any residual power and resets the main board. After two minutes, plug it back in firmly, then slide the bucket all the way in until it clicks. You should hear the startup chime and see the display light up. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK There's a small chance the fuse in the plug (if your model has one) blew. Check the plug itself for a tiny fuse compartment. If you find one, replacing that 5-amp fuse might do the trick. HEADS UP Never bypass any internal fuses or try to jump-start the unit. If the full reset doesn't work, it points to a board failure that needs professional service.

Question 8

my lg ud701kog3 dehumidifier just beeps three times and the error light flashes, what's it trying to tell me?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS That's the unit's way of saying the water bucket is either full, not seated correctly, or the sensor on it is acting up. Three beeps is its bucket alert. FIX First, pull the bucket straight out. Even if it looks empty, dump any water out. Then, look inside the slot where the bucket goes. Make sure the little plastic float valve inside the unit moves up and down freely—sometimes it gets stuck. Wipe the bucket and the contacts inside the unit with a dry cloth, especially the two metal sensor pins. Slide the bucket back in until you hear and feel a solid click. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The issue might be with the bucket's own sensor or the main board. Unplug the unit for a full five minutes. This can reset the control board. After plugging it back in, listen for the startup chime and see if the error clears before you even touch the bucket. HEADS UP If you're using a drain hose, you still need to have the bucket installed correctly for the unit to run. That click is non-negotiable.

LG PuriCare UD701KOG3 70-Pint Dehumidifier

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