Do Dehumidifiers Have Reset Buttons?

Hot, humid summer days can be difficult to manage for those with respiratory problems, like asthma. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, collecting it in a small, plastic tank to be emptied down the sink. You might want to reset your dehumidifier appliance if you experience technical difficulties or are unable to start the appliance. Resetting helps restore the electronics to working order in the event of a minor fault; it is often the first step suggested by troubleshooting guides.

Reset buttons help recover small and large home appliances or electronics in the event of a minor fault or computer problem. The reset button is often located on the underside of the appliance and is sometimes recessed inside a small hole to prevent accidental activation. You may need a thin-tipped object, like a pen or pencil, to push the reset button.

Broadly speaking, dehumidifiers from major manufacturers do not have reset buttons, though your particular brand may have one. A lack of a designated reset button does not mean the appliance cannot be rebooted; the procedure often involves simply disconnecting the power to force your dehumidifier machine to reset.

1. Turn off the dehumidifier and unplug it.
2. Open the water bucket used to collect moisture removed from the air.
3. Empty the contents of the water bucket down the sink and return the bucket to the appliance.
4. Wait five minutes before plugging the dehumidifier back in.

The appliance should reset, clearing any settings programmed into the controls.

5. After plugging the unit back in, set the controls and start the dehumidifier like normal to see if it's working properly. Keep in mind that most dehumidifiers let you set the desired humidity level and will shut off when the room reaches that level
6. Check the humidity level setting to make sure it didn't get changed to a higher setting, which might prevent the machine from running.

Some dehumidifiers have a "Filter Reset" LED that glows when the air filter needs to be cleaned. Remove the filter from the appliance as described in the instructions, clean away any dirt, and return it to the dehumidifier. The light goes off when the air filter is clean and air can adequately enter and exit the appliance.

If the dehumidifier still isn't operating correctly, refer to the owner's manual for additional troubleshooting methods. If the machine won't turn on at all, unplug it, then plug in a lamp or radio into the same outlet to make sure the outlet is getting power; if not, check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. A dehumidifier can also stop working if the collection tank is full or if the drain line is clogged.