This is an independent guide. DehumidifierTips.com is not affiliated with hOmeLabs. Everything below comes from the hOmeLabs owner’s manual and support pages, or from CPSC, and is linked so you can check it.
Good news on recalls
We checked the full CPSC recall database, which lists 18 dehumidifier recalls between 2001 and 2023. hOmeLabs appears in none of them. A direct brand search of the CPSC database returns nothing, and there has been no dehumidifier recall of any brand since August 2023.
That includes the two recalls people most often worry about. hOmeLabs is not among the 20 brands in the 2021 New Widetech recall, and it is not among the 51 brands in the 2016 Midea recall — those units were sold between 2003 and 2013, before hOmeLabs dehumidifiers were on the market.
So if your unit is misbehaving, it is a fault to diagnose rather than a safety notice to act on.
hOmeLabs error codes
| Code | Meaning | Try this |
|---|---|---|
P2 | Bucket is full, or not in the right position | Empty it, then reseat it fully and squarely |
AS | Humidity sensor error | Power cycle; contact support if it persists |
ES | Temperature sensor error | Power cycle; contact support if it persists |
E3 | Dehumidifier malfunction | Power cycle; contact support if it persists |
That is the complete documented set. P2 is the one you can almost always fix yourself — take the bucket right out, check nothing is caught behind it, and slide it fully home. A bucket sitting a few millimetres proud reads exactly the same as a full one.
A note on where these codes come from
hOmeLabs uses the same four code strings, with the same meanings, as Midea — along with the same 3-minute compressor delay and the same 250-hour filter counter. That overlap is verifiable from both companies’ own manuals.
It is widely claimed online that Midea therefore manufactures hOmeLabs units. We could not find a primary source confirming that, and neither company states it, so we are not going to assert it. What we can say is that the control behaviour matches, which means our Midea guide is a useful second reference if you hit something the hOmeLabs manual does not cover.
Resetting a hOmeLabs dehumidifier
Unplug it, then plug it back in. There is no documented button-combination reset — anything describing one is not from hOmeLabs.
Then wait. The manual is explicit: “To avoid any damage to the dehumidifier, the dehumidifier will not start operation following a complete cycle until after three (3) minutes.” This single line accounts for most reports of a hOmeLabs unit that appears dead after being switched off and straight back on.
The specs worth knowing
| Spec | Figure | What it explains |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor restart delay | 3 minutes | Looks dead, is not |
| Operating range | 41–95°F (5–35°C) | Below 41°F it ices and stops collecting |
| Auto-defrost | Yes — compressor cycles off, fan runs until frost clears | Frost that disappears on its own is normal |
| Filter light | 250 hours | A timer, not a dirt sensor |
To clear the filter light: clean the filter, refit it, press the Filter button. It will not clear itself no matter how clean the filter is.
Symptom to first check
| Symptom | Start here | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| Runs but collects nothing | Room already at set point, or below 41°F | 9 causes |
| Shows P2 with an empty bucket | Bucket seating and the float | Reset and repair |
| Dead after switching off and on | The 3-minute delay | Above |
| Ice on the coil | Room temperature, then airflow | Freezing up |
| Water on the floor | Bucket seal or hose fall | Leaking water |
| Musty smell | Biofilm on the coil and bucket | Getting rid of it |
Manuals and support
- Support: homelabs.com/pages/support
- Manuals: homelabs.com/pages/manuals
- Email help@homelabs.com · Phone +1-800-898-3002, Mon–Fri 6:00am–5:30pm ET
Frequently asked questions
What does P2 mean on a hOmeLabs dehumidifier?
The bucket is full or not seated correctly. If it shows with an empty bucket, take the bucket right out, check nothing is obstructing the bay, and refit it squarely — the float needs the bucket fully home to read correctly.
How do I reset a hOmeLabs dehumidifier?
Unplug it and plug it back in. There is no button-combination reset in hOmeLabs’ documentation. Give it three minutes afterwards before expecting the compressor to run.
Are hOmeLabs dehumidifiers recalled?
No. hOmeLabs does not appear in any of the 18 dehumidifier recalls in the CPSC database, and is not part of either the 2021 New Widetech recall or the 2016 Midea recall.
Why does my hOmeLabs dehumidifier show AS?
AS is a humidity sensor error. Power cycle the unit first — sensor codes sometimes clear. If it returns, the sensor needs replacing and that means contacting support rather than a home fix.
Are hOmeLabs dehumidifiers made by Midea?
Widely claimed, but we could not verify it from any primary source and neither company states it. What is verifiable is that the two share the same error codes, the same 3-minute compressor delay and the same 250-hour filter counter.