Dehumidifier Keeps Tripping the Breaker or GFCI? Causes and Fixes

A dehumidifier trips a breaker because it draws too much current on a shared circuit, has a short, or has an internal wiring fault. It trips a GFCI when current leaks to ground, often through moisture in the cord, plug or outlet. Unplug it, check the cord, try another circuit, and call an electrician if it still trips.

Basements are damp, so the problem and the cause tend to meet in the same room. Work through the checks below in order.

Common causes

• Overloaded circuit. A dehumidifier plus a freezer, a sump pump or a space heater on one circuit can pass the limit.
• Damaged cord or plug. Cuts, kinks or a hot plug can cause a short or ground fault.
• Moisture at the plug or outlet. Damp basements make this common.
• Internal fault. A failing compressor or fan motor can draw too much current or leak to ground.
• A worn GFCI or breaker. Old devices can trip too easily.

How to fix it

1. Unplug the unit and reset the breaker or GFCI. If it will not reset with nothing plugged in, the breaker, GFCI or wiring is the problem. Call an electrician.
2. Dry the plug, cord and outlet with a cloth. Check for damage.
3. Move other loads off the circuit and plug the dehumidifier in alone.
4. Plug straight into the wall. Avoid thin extension cords.
5. Try another circuit or a different outlet. If it runs fine, the first circuit was overloaded or the outlet is at fault.
6. Let it rest. If it trips only after running for a while, the motor may be overheating. Clean the filter and coils and make sure the air can flow.

For running cost, see the running cost of a dehumidifier. If the whole house feels damp, humidity with the AC on may be the bigger issue.

Check the label and do the math

The nameplate on the back of the dehumidifier lists its electrical rating, including the amps it draws. Add that number to anything else on the same circuit, such as a freezer, a sump pump, a workshop tool or a space heater, and compare the total with the breaker rating. Most household circuits are 15 or 20 amps, and a common guideline is to keep steady loads to about 80 percent of the breaker rating. A dehumidifier that runs for many hours is a steady load, so it needs that margin.

Why compressors can trip a breaker

Most dehumidifiers use a compressor, and motors and compressors draw a burst of extra current for a moment when they start. If the unit shuts off and restarts right away, the compressor has to start against pressure that has not equalized, which is harder on it. Many manufacturers advise waiting a few minutes before restarting a compressor appliance. If the unit trips only when it starts, a weak start capacitor or a failing compressor are possible causes, and a repair technician can test them.

Damp basements and GFCI outlets

Basement outlets are commonly protected by a GFCI, and a GFCI trips when current leaks to ground. A wet floor, a damp wall behind the outlet or condensation on the plug can all provide that path. Keep the plug and outlet dry, and make sure the cord is not lying in water. If a sump pump shares the same GFCI, a trip can leave the pump off, so read why a sump pump keeps tripping its GFCI.

Placement and airflow

A dehumidifier that cannot move air has to work harder and can overheat. Leave space around the unit as the manual directs, keep the air filter clean and do not block the intake or exhaust. If the coils ice up in a cool room, the unit may also shut itself off, so check the manual for the minimum room temperature it supports.

When to call a professional

• It trips the moment you plug it in on any circuit: the unit has a fault, so stop using it.
• The GFCI trips with nothing plugged in.
• The outlet is wet, warm or discolored.
• The cord is damaged.

A shared GFCI can trip from combined small leaks, as explained in our GFCI fridge guide.

What not to do

• Do not bypass a GFCI in a damp basement.
• Do not use a damaged cord.
• Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips immediately.
• Do not stand in water to unplug or reset anything.

Bottom line

Check the cord, dry the outlet, run the unit alone on a circuit and test another circuit. If it still trips, the dehumidifier or the wiring has a fault and needs a professional.