Hi guys I bought a brand new GE dehumidifier for my basement 2 yrs ago. its worked well. temps are around 60-65 degees down there year round. it works on off all day and keeps humid around 50%. recently it has started making all sorts of cracking noise and does not appear to be condensing as much water and humidity is a little higher. is it dead?
I doubt it.
I have one that is a decades old and just keep buying parts for it when needed.
Assuming it is a stand alone and not connected to your HVAC system, do you direct drain it via a hose or use the bucket system?
The "bucket full" contact switch can short out or the humididy probe sensor can sometimes go bad.
If overused the compressor can fail but I see that only when the intake fins are not cleaned regualary of dust and debris.
May be a bad humidity dial if you turn up and down a lot but "cracking" is not a noise I hear a lot out of a de-humidifier. Even a bad one.
If not mechanical in the bucket catching system or it's overflow switch, it sounds electrical. Which means a short or bad component.
Also keep in mind de-humids can freeze up/ice up just like your car's a/c system if too cold or in strange conditions. BTDT. Gotta let it thaw and then good to go.
Sounds like you need to dig further.
Got a model no. for your dehumidifer so we know what you are talking about?