This is an independent guide. DehumidifierTips.com is not affiliated with Frigidaire or Electrolux. Everything below comes from Frigidaire’s own support articles and Use & Care guides, or from CPSC, and is linked so you can check it.
Frigidaire is one of the few dehumidifier brands that publishes a proper fault code table, so unlike most troubleshooting you can start from what the display is actually telling you.
First: is your model recalled?
Thirteen Frigidaire dehumidifier models are subject to a fire-hazard recall. Check before you troubleshoot anything.
Recalled models: FDB30R1, FDB50R1, FDB70R1, FDD25S1, FDF50S1, FDF70S1, FDL30R1, FDL50R1, FDL50S1, FDL70R1, FDL70S1, FDM30R1, FDR30S1 — specifically those with date codes 01/07 through 09/08.
The brand, model number and date code are on the nameplate sticker on the back of the unit. If it matches, unplug it and contact Gree — the manufacturer — on (866) 853-2802 or at greedehumidifierrecall.com for a full refund.
This recall was first issued in September 2013 covering 12 brands and 2.2 million units, then re-announced in November 2016 after more than 450 fires and over $19 million in property damage. In August 2023 the CPSC warned that four deaths may be tied to recalled Gree dehumidifiers. It is not a formality.
One point of confusion worth clearing up: Frigidaire is not in the separate 2021 New Widetech recall, and it is not in the 2023 Gree recall of 1.56 million units (that one covers Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze). Readers searching “dehumidifier recall” land on those constantly and draw the wrong conclusion.
Sources: CPSC 13-283, CPSC 17-039, CPSC warning, Aug 2023.
Frigidaire dehumidifier error codes
| Code | Meaning | Fixable at home? |
|---|---|---|
AS ES F1 F2 L1 F5 | A temperature or humidity sensor has failed | No — contact Frigidaire |
EC F0 | Sealed system failure | No — contact Frigidaire |
H3 E5 | Compressor overload protection has tripped | Yes — see below |
E4 C5 | Electronic control failure. One manual specifies a communication failure between the display and main control boards | No — contact Frigidaire |
PU | Failed to pump the bucket out in the allotted time | Yes — see below |
Two codes you may see quoted elsewhere — 8.8 and A5 — do not appear anywhere in Frigidaire’s official guide. 8.8 is most likely a display segment self-test on power-up, since GE documents its own 88 that way, but we could not trace that to a Frigidaire source, so treat it as unconfirmed rather than fact.
H3 or E5 — compressor overload
This is the code you can actually clear yourself. Frigidaire’s documented remedy: check the unit has clearance on all sides, clean the filter, keep the room between 41°F and 89°F, then unplug it and let it cool.
In practice it usually means the unit is jammed against a wall or in a corner, or the filter is choked. Both starve the condenser of air and the compressor overheats. Our guide on settings and placement covers the clearances.
PU — pump failure
Frigidaire’s documented sequence: check the pump hose connection, check for blockages, kinks or freezing along its length, empty the bucket, inspect the pickup for debris, restart the unit, and if it persists, unplug and reconnect.
Resetting a Frigidaire dehumidifier
Being straight about this: Frigidaire does not publish a universal reset procedure for its dehumidifiers. The only power-cycle instruction in its documentation sits inside the PU remedy — restart, then unplug and reconnect if that fails. No wait time is specified and no button combination exists.
What matters more in practice is the 3-minute compressor delay below. Most people who think a reset failed simply did not wait long enough.
Frigidaire units also keep their settings: “After a power outage, the unit will memorize the last setting and return the unit to the same setting once power is restored.”
The specs that explain most complaints
| Spec | Frigidaire’s figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor restart delay | 3 minutes if switched off and on quickly | Fan runs, compressor does not. Normal |
| Operating range | 41°F to 89°F (5–32°C) | Outside it, expect icing or an overload code |
| Auto-defrost | Yes — a coil sensor detects frost and shuts the compressor off to melt it | Frost clearing itself is the unit working, not failing |
| Frost clear time | Usually within 60 minutes | Longer than that and the room is too cold |
| Filter reset light | 250 hours | A timer, not a dirt sensor |
Frigidaire is unusually explicit about defrost: “The unit has a sensor on the coil to detect frost and will shut off the compressor to warm the coil and melt the frost,” and adds that “under certain normal operating conditions light frost can form on the coils.” A little frost is not a fault.
To clear the filter light, press the Filter reset button after cleaning. Frigidaire recommends cleaning the filter every two weeks in normal use.
Symptom to first check
| Symptom | Start here | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| Runs, collects nothing | Room already at set point, or below 41°F | 9 causes |
| Shows H3 or E5 | Clearance and filter | Above |
| Ice on the coil | Room temperature, then airflow | Freezing up |
| Water on the floor | Bucket seal or hose fall | Leaking water |
| Will not start | Bucket seating, then the 3-minute delay | Reset and repair |
| Sensor code (AS, ES, F1, F2) | Not a home repair | Call 1-800-944-9044 |
Manuals and support
- Support articles: owner.frigidaire.com
- Manual by model: frigidaire.com Owner Center, Product Support
- Phone: 1-800-944-9044 (USA)
Frequently asked questions
What does EC mean on a Frigidaire dehumidifier?
A sealed system failure — a problem in the refrigerant circuit. It is not a home repair. One Frigidaire manual also directs you to check that the outlet is supplying 115V (±10%) and that the room is between 41°F and 89°F before calling, since both can trigger it.
How do I fix H3 on a Frigidaire dehumidifier?
H3 means compressor overload protection has tripped. Give the unit clearance on all sides, clean the filter, make sure the room is between 41°F and 89°F, then unplug it and let it cool before restarting. It is almost always airflow.
How do I reset a Frigidaire dehumidifier?
Frigidaire does not publish a universal reset. Unplugging and reconnecting is the documented step, and there is no button combination. After restarting, allow the 3-minute compressor delay before deciding it has not worked.
Is my Frigidaire dehumidifier part of the recall?
Thirteen models are recalled — FDB30R1, FDB50R1, FDB70R1, FDD25S1, FDF50S1, FDF70S1, FDL30R1, FDL50R1, FDL50S1, FDL70R1, FDL70S1, FDM30R1 and FDR30S1 — with date codes 01/07 to 09/08. Check the nameplate on the back. Frigidaire units are not part of the separate 2021 New Widetech or 2023 Gree recalls.
Why does my Frigidaire dehumidifier have frost on the coils?
Light frost is normal and the unit will clear it itself — a coil sensor shuts the compressor off until it melts, usually within 60 minutes. Persistent ice means the room is below 41°F or airflow is blocked.