Why Is My Dehumidifier Leaking Water? 14 Fixes To Stop The Leak

We may be paid a commission if you purchase through links on this page. More info.

Is your dehumidifier leaking water onto the floor? Often, the problem is a misaligned or cracked water bucket, but there are other causes to consider.

A leaking dehumidifier risks damaging your floor and creates a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the common reasons and provide straightforward solutions to get your dehumidifier back in perfect shape.

14 Reasons Why Your Dehumidifier Is Leaking Water & How to Fix it

Use this table for a summary of why your dehumidifier is leaking on the floor. Read on for more details on how to fix each cause.

Reason for Dehumidifier LeakSolution
1. Misaligned Water Collection BucketRe-align the water bucket, ensuring it is level and in the correct position. Empty it frequently.
2. Cracked Water ReservoirCheck for cracks in the water bucket. If found, contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
3. Blocked HoseClean the hose from any blockages, especially if located outside.
4. Bent Drain PipeCheck if hose is kinked or twisted, which can cause water backup. Straighten or stabilize as needed.
Consider a larger diameter hose if water output overwhelms your current one.Consider a larger diameter hose if your current one is overwhelmed by the water output.
6. Loose Hose Fitting CapCheck your dehumidifier for and tighten or replace any loose hose fitting caps. Hose connection may be loose. Check for missing rubber o-rings.
7. Drain Hose Coiled VerticallyEnsure there’s no vertical lift in your hose. Position the dehumidifier higher or consider using a drainage pump.
8. Disconnected Drain HoseEnsure the hose is securely connected to the unit and the draining area.
9. Hose Is Too LongMove the dehumidifier closer to the drainage area, or consider purchasing a dehumidifier with a built-in pump.
10. Jammed PumpClean any debris causing a pump blockage. Ensure it’s properly installed and connected.
11. Frozen CoilsAvoid operating the dehumidifier below 65°F. Check internal parts (fan motor, humidistat, thermostats) for malfunctions causing freezing.
12. Malfunctioning Overflow SwitchEnsure the float sensor / overflow switch is correctly positioned or installed. If broken, consider ordering a replacement or a new dehumidifier.
13. Blocked DrainageEnsure the end of the draining hose isn’t submerged in standing water. If the drain is blocked, you might need a plumber.

1. Misaligned Water Collection Bucket

water collection bucket ready to be fitted into in a dehumidifier

Portable dehumidifiers have a removable water collection bucket also called a condensate collection receptacle. This bucket is needed to catch water when a drainage hose is not used.

These collection buckets typically have a float sensor that turns the dehumidifier off when it is full.

If this bucket is inserted incorrectly or is knocked out of place, it can cause the unit to leak.

To fix a misaligned water collection bucket:

  1. Unplug the appliance.
  2. Open the reservoir compartment to reveal the water bucket.
  3. Remove the water bucket and empty any water inside it.
  4. Dry the inside of the dehumidifier.
  5. Carefully replace the water bucket according to the directions that came with your unit.
  6. Assure the bucket is level, locked in the correct position, and that the overflow switch (usually a floating device that sits in the bucket) is positioned correctly.

If this was causing the dehumidifier to leak, you should not see any more water pooling below the unit once you have turned it back on. 

2. Cracked Water Reservoir

dehumidifier water bucket

A cracked water collection bucket, especially in older units or those exposed to temperature changes, can cause leaks.

To check for leaks in your water reservoir:

  1. Unplug the appliance.
  2. Open the reservoir compartment to reveal the water bucket.
  3. Pull the bucket out and inspect it for cracks and blemishes. Some cracks may be too small to see, so filling the bucket in the sink and watching for leaks can be helpful.

If you find a leak in your reservoir bucket, your best option is to contact the manufacturer and order a replacement.

You could use a hot glue gun or silicone sealant as a temporary fix, but this may only be a short-term solution.

3. Blocked Hose

clogged dehumidifier drainage hose

If your dehumidifier uses a drainage hose, then the source of your leak may be a blocked hose.

Debris can enter from the draining end, which is more likely to occur when you have it hooked up outside, where rodents and bugs have access to it. 

To check your drainage hose for blockages:

  1. Unplug the unit.
  2. Remove the drainage hose from where it connects to the unit.
  3. Take the hose outside and insert your garden hose into one end.
  4. Turn the garden hose on full blast and let the water run through until it comes cleanly out the other end.
  5. If the blockage doesn’t dislodge, try soaking the hose in a sink filled with hot soapy water then trying again.

If water runs through the hose without issue and nothing comes out, then your leak is likely not due to a hose blockage.

If you need a new hose, check out Amazon.

4. Bent or Kinked Drain Hose

a drain with a kinked hose attached to itSource: terrahomeinspectionsllc

Kinked or bent hoses can lead to water backup and overflow. Ensure your drainage hose takes the shortest and most direct path to prevent this.

To check your drainpipe for kinks. Look for any sharp turns or areas where the hose kinks or twists around itself. If you notice any of these issues, remove your drain hose, reposition it to flat, and reconnect it.

You may need to use stabilizers or objects to hold the hose in place and widen any turns to prevent the kink from reoccurring.

5. Drain Hose Too Small

Sometimes, the problem has less to do with the hose being kinked and more to do with the fact that the drainage hose diameter is too small to handle the amount of water being discharged from your humidifier.

In very humid environments, it’s possible for the appliance to produce water faster than the drain hose can accommodate, causing the water to overflow inside the dehumidifier. You can assume this is the problem if you see a continuous, powerful stream of water coming out of the drain hose and the appliance is still leaking.

Depending on your dehumidifier, this may or may not be an easy fix.

Most large dehumidifiers have a ¾” drainage hose connection. They can fit hoses as wide as garden hoses. However, many come with smaller hoses despite having a wide connection.

If your dehumidifier has a drain hose with a small diameter, try switching it out for a wider option and see if that relieves the issue. Amazon have a good selection of dehumidifier hoses.

Some portable dehumidifiers do not have a standard-sized fitting and are not designed to have the hose upgraded. In this case, I recommend upgrading your dehumidifier to one that suits your humidity levels and the size of your area.

This EnergyStar informational article provides a useful capacity chart to help you find the right product for your needs.

6. Loose Hose Fitting Cap

A dehumidifier can leak if hose connections aren’t secure, even with an adequate hose.

If you notice a leak at the fitting cap where your hose connects to the dehumidifier, this is most likely your problem.

To fix a loose hose fitting cap:

  1. Unplug the dehumidifier.
  2. Remove the drainage hose.
  3. Clean the fittings on the unit and the hose.
  4. Many units include a rubber o-ring that fits into the female end of the connection. If this is missing, purchase a replacement.
  5. Reattach the hose and tighten it until it stops turning, being sure to keep the fitting from cross-threading.
  6. If the fitting is still leaking, you may need to apply some teflon tape and re-tighten it.

If the fitting continues to leak, then it is likely you have a faulty fitting.

You will need to order a replacement hose from the manufacturer if this is the case. You may also be able to order a replacement part from Amazon.

7. Drain Hose Has Vertical Incline

proper way of connecting hose to a dehumidifier

Personal and portable dehumidifiers use gravity for drainage. Any vertical lift or coiling in the hose can cause leaks.

If there is vertical coiling in your hose, you will need to secure the hose to the floor or at the endpoints to keep it flat and straight.

If there is a vertical incline in the hose run between the unit and the drainage point, you will need to remove it so gravity can do its work. The easiest way to do this is to raise your dehumidifier off the ground using a few stacked boards, cinderblocks, or a table. Alternatively, you could place the unit on a shelf or counter.

If you can’t put the dehumidifier above the drain, install a condensate pump. Some units are built for this option, in which case the manufacturer should sell the right pump for your setup.

For dehumidifiers that do not have the ability to have a pump installed internally, you will need to add a general-use condensate pump to the drainage system.

The video below shows how to install an external condensate pump to your dehumidifier.

8. Disconnected Drain Hose

disconnected drain hose can cause the dehumidifier to leak

It may seem like an obvious issue, but one possible source of the leak is a disconnected drainage hose. For new units, this often occurs because the drainage hose was never hooked up in the first place.

But it is also possible for a functioning hose to become disconnected or loosened over time. This is especially likely if the hose is exposed to fluctuating temperatures or sunlight.

9. Drain Hose Is Too Long 

If your dehumidifier drain hose is too long, then it can cause the unit to leak. This is a problem mainly for pumpless humidifiers.

Long hoses are often a problem for dehumidifiers used in basements because the drainage point is often far away from the unit.

If your leaking dehumidifier is caused by the length of the drain hose, then there are 3 options to solve the problem:

  1. You can move the unit closer to the drainage area
  2. Add a pump as described in the vertical coiling section above
  3. Buy a new dehumidifier that has a built-in pump

10. Jammed Pump

You might have a jammed pump if your dehumidifier has a pump but is still leaking from an overflowing water reservoir or drainage hose.

These pumps most commonly fail because they get jammed with debris.

To fix a jammed dehumidifier pump

  1. Unplug your appliance and pump.
  2. Remove the pump.
  3. Clean the pump as described in the manufacturer’s directions.
  4. Replace the pump and plug everything back in.

11. Frozen Dehumidifier Coils

dehumidifier coils covered in iceSource: Reddit

Frozen dehumidifier coils can happen for many reasons and can cause leaks.

The most common cause is that the unit is operating at low temperatures. Any ambient temperature below 65 degrees can cause dehumidifier coils to ice up. Many dehumidifiers have a built-in thermometer that shuts the unit down if the temperature drops too low. If your unit doesn’t have this feature, you’ll have no choice but to turn it off manually. 

Problems with parts inside the dehumidifier can also cause the coils to freeze. If the fan motor or blower wheel goes out, there won’t be enough airflow to keep the coils from getting too cold. You will know this is the problem if you can’t hear the fan turning while the unit is working.

Excess moisture can also accumulate and cause an ice buildup on the coils, further complicating the issue.

A build-up of dust on your dehumidifier coils can also result in them freezing; use a suitable coil cleaner to keep them dust-free.

Other possible causes include a malfunctioning humidistat, thermostat, or bi-metal thermostat. Reference your owner’s manual for information on these parts and how to test if they are functioning properly.

12. Malfunctioning Overflow Switch or Float Sensor

picture of a working overflow switch

Modern dehumidifiers feature an auto-off function that will shut the unit down when the water collection bucket reaches capacity. If this feature is broken, your unit can overfill and overflow while in use.

The most common setup for dehumidifier overflow switches involves an attached float sensor that rises with the water in the collection bucket. Once the water reaches the maximum level, the rising float sensor activates and turns the unit off.

This switch can malfunction in many ways.

The problem often stems from the float switch not being correctly set after replacing the water bucket.

Reference your owner’s manual to check the proper placement and positioning of the overflow switch.

It is also possible for this float sensor to become faulty or break. If this happens, you will need to order replacement parts from the manufacturer or buy a new dehumidifier.

13. Blocked Drainage 

clogged drainage pipe

Blocked drainage hoses aren’t the only drainage blockages that can cause leaks in your dehumidifier. If the drain that your hose runs to is blocked, then it can cause water to build up, which will, in turn, cause water to collect in your dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers that use gravity need a certain pressure to push water out and into the drain. If the end of the hose is sitting in standing water, it will exert pressure on the system, preventing the water from moving out.

The solution to this is often as simple as raising the hose, so the end does not sit in standing water.b But if a blocked drain causes standing water, you will need to get a plumber out to clear the drain before fixing the leak in your dehumidifier.

14. Clean The Air Filter

A person holding a dirty air filter.Source: Reddit

A clogged air filter is a common reason for a dehumidifier to leak water.

A dirty air filter restricts air flow in the dehumidifier. This restriction can make the coils freeze.

Regularly maintaining your dehumidifier by cleaning the air filter is important and can avoid many common problems occurring in the first place.

To clean your dehumidifier’s air filter, remove it from the unit and rinse it out. LEt it dry completely before re-fitting it in the dehumidifier.

Where To Get Dehumidifier Parts

If you have traced your dehumidifier leaking water problem to a specific part, then it’s time to replace it.

First, try sourcing parts from the manufacturer of your dehumidifier. They should be able to sell you the parts, or put you in touch with someone who can.

If this fails, then try googling the part you are after, along with the model of your dehumidifier. You can also look on Amazon which has a good selection of popular parts.

Do you have any questions relating to this article? Email us at [email protected] or call us on +1 (310) 961-4908

This content may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links we may be compensated. More info.

Photo of author
Author
Aaron is the founder of and Essential Home and Garden. With over 15 years of hands-on experience in home ownership, lawn care, and gardening, Aaron is a seasoned expert in areas like lawn care, DIY, HVAC, and pest control.

20 thoughts on “Why Is My Dehumidifier Leaking Water? 14 Fixes To Stop The Leak”

  1. Avatar photo

    We have a Toshiba dehumidifier unit. It started draining water on the basement floor. Did everything suggested in the blog and tonight I set the unit in an old plastic tray 18×22 to see how much water drains out. This unit is at least 1-2 years old. This is the first problem we have had with it.

    • Aaron Green

      Hi James, have you looked for any damage to the units tank or pipe work?

  2. Avatar photo

    I have a HomeLabs dehumidifier similar to the one in several of your photos. I empty the bucket every day, have the plug tight and clean the bucket. I run it at 40-45 percent about 12 hours/day in the fall-winter-spring and full time in the summer. It is in my furnished basement. Recently it leaked from the base, wetting a wall board and draining into a utility room drain. I dried it all out and found after emptying the bucket (it had not over flowed), that a hand sized puddle of water would collect on the right side of the unit towards the middle or back after running the unit for 5-10 minutes.

    I had one day left on my 1-year HomeLabs warranty and they graciously will replace the unit.

    I noticed a bit of soft gunk when I opened the plug – that I could not easily reach to clean. No gunk inside the bucket or the walls of the unit – pristine clean. The visible inside seems (in several days of testing) to mostly stay dry. So, I don’t think it is any of the things you have mentioned: bucket fit, overflow, plug issue, coils icing….

    My theory is that gunk collects internally in the unit, it shifted and clogged some small pipe associated with the drain process and the leak is internal in the part of the dehumidifier that cannot be accessed without taking apart the unit. Either that or something had to develop a crack internally in the unit. Water drains out the floor of the unit as that is the side where it drains into the bucket. Any thoughts on this?

    • Aaron Green

      Hi Bill, It’s hard to work out what is going on from here. But I would suggest getting a flexible pipe cleaner type brush to clean out the pipe as much as possible – if its an internal crack then it’s going to be hard to fix without dismantling. Have you tried contacting Homelabs? They are quite helpful.

      • Avatar photo

        They suggested a dehumidifer descaler, but you know that is for the bucket or for the plug-hose scheme not for the innards of the dehumidifer unit.

        The reason I made the post – after reading the blog – is that I have had a different dehumidifier by a different manufacturer develop the same type of issue after a year or so of use with the same symptoms: no issue with drain plug or bucket but suddenly it leaks on the floor. I can’t be the only user that this happens to.

        • Avatar photo

          Experiencing the same thing. Did all the steps you mentioned but still leaks. I was going to disassemble the unit but thought to check here before I got in too deep.

        • Avatar photo

          Nope. Has happened to 2 of mine – 2 different manufacturers. Took it apart, no cracks. Water runs behind the bucket but no idea why.

          • Avatar photo

            Just cleaned my clogged drain on my lg dehumidifier. Works perfect

        • Avatar photo

          No you are not the only person this has happened to. I bought a brand new dehumidifier 3 years ago. It started leaking from the base near the wheels. Thought maybe it was a balance issue, because our basement floor is not level.
          My mom gave me hers after she sold her house worked great for a couple years then all of a sudden did the same thing! Very frustrating! I have tried everything! Cleaned it out and checked the bucket for cracks and for some reason it still continues to leak right at the bottom where the wheels are. Do they make any dehumidifiers that Will last longer than 3 years!

          • Avatar photo

            I have the same issue with a dehumidifier that’s not even a year and a half old get. Worked perfectly fine then suddenly it seems to be leaking from the bottom. Checked everything and it’s all fine. Not sure why it’s doing it. Frustrating as it’s leaking onto carpet.

  3. Avatar photo

    My husband, who spent 60+ years in HVAC, has always had to deal with drains plugging. I do the maintenance on my dehumidifier, which I use in my workshop.
    I build, repair, and restore guitars, so it’s extremely important for my shop to maintain 50% rH. The “gunk” you see in your hoses and drains, is normal and can be dealt with easily. You can’t prevent this growth, so you have to be vigilant about cleaning it before you have a leak.

    Clean it with a wet/dry vacuum. Disconnect the hose and suction the gunk out of the outlet. If stuff clings, use a tube cleaner brush to loosen the stuff. You can clean the hose by either suctioning, blowing out, or flushing with fresh water, but DO make sure you clean the hose, especially on units using smaller diameter hoses. Frequently you’ll find a gelatinous plug. You might want to buy a vacuum hose reducer, especially if you have a larger shop vacuum that uses larger diameter hoses. You can buy micro tools for the average 1.25 inch vacuum hose.

    You want to do this at least once per month. I’ve put it on my phone scheduler app.

    At the same time, clean the dust filter. Some are in the bucket area; you pull out the water bucket, they’ll pull down. Others are on the back; just pop off the cover and pull out. If you don’t keep the filter clean, the coils will clog, causing them to freeze up.

  4. Avatar photo

    I’ve have a Honeywell TP70AWKN, without a drain line connected (we empty the bucket), which has been leaking onto the floor. It runs constantly during our humid Gulf Coast summers. After much frustration I determined that the interior collection/drain area had become clogged with a jellylike growth and wasn’t draining properly. I attached some small tubing to a shopvac and vacuumed through the interior drain spout in the front and the drain connection on the back. Had to use a toothpick as well to break up larger pieces, but removed a good 2 tablespoons of gunk and it is working properly again. If you open the drain plug in the back and look inside with a flashlight, you should be able to see if you have a buildup. I hope that this helps someone!

    • Avatar photo

      I have a Frigidaire gallery dehumidifier that was leaking out of bottom and was relatively new . Turns out you are right . It’s a clogged water drain line inside the unit above the catch bucket you’ll need a couple of straw and test tube brushes to clean the gunk out. There are two drain holes inside the unit, and the hose drain in back. All will need to be cleaned with brushes monthly, especially in humid climate areas. Turn off unit , pull bucket out lay unit on some towels to catch water in the unit then look for two holes in the upper carriage on either side. Clean these with a brush used for cleaning drink straws. Then turn the unit over on the towel and open the hose connection and clean this with the test tube brush.
      Unit should collect water just fine after setting up and inserting bucket

  5. Avatar photo

    I’m the same as y’all are stating above. I really hope we purchased an extended warranty on this bugger…

  6. Avatar photo

    As mentioned in reply to the above comment, I was hoping someone had replied to give me insight. Ours is just like the one pictured in this post. We don’t have it set up to drain. We just empty the bucket when full. There aren’t any cracks. The floor is level. It isn’t a faulty overflow switch. It just leaks on the floor instead of filling the bucket now. We have TWO of these units and they failed within 2 weeks of each other. We just got the in June 2021 and it’s now April 2, 2022.

    Hoping someone can give me an idea how to fix these as I can’t afford replacing them every 9 1/2 months.

    • Aaron Green

      Hi Nikki, are they both the same brand? If so, I would suggest contacting the manufacturer.

      • Avatar photo

        Same problem here. We had some renovation done in our basement. I suspect that something inside the dehumidifier might be clogged with drywall or cement debris. Totally unsure as to how to open and clean the inside mechanisms. Otherwise it was working great.

    • Avatar photo

      Same situation here. I’m starting to think it’s just too much water for the machine to handle. We have ours always on turbo mode and do 2 buckets a day and I noticed the water even in the back by the hose connection and when I remove the bucket the water is dripping from the top and flowing along the back wall avoiding the bucket thus ending up on the floor. It’s possible the small metal filter at the end is somewhat clogged and all that water can’t get trough in time and it overflows elsewhere. Try turning off the turbo mode if you use that and see if that makes a difference.

      • Avatar photo

        I just brought my dehumidifier and noticed the same issue . The port that drips the water into the container I noticed the plastic wasn’t fully removed so I opened it up and the issue is gone not sure if that is the correct way but it works

  7. Avatar photo

    Our 30 pint Toshiba dehumidifier just started leaking water. It is not connected to a hose draining to a pipe, as we don’t have sewer in our basement. It’s a cistern. The unit shuts off when full and we dump it twice daily. What could be causing this to happen? We purchased it in 2019.

Leave a Reply to JAMES Cancel reply