Fan not working

If you alter the thermostat on your MYSTERY appliance, you should hear the compressor cut in.

make model (what it is)

an ALL questions please.

Capacitor
If your dehumidifier is no longer pulling water from the air and you have verified that the ambient room temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, then the unit's compressor may not be running. The compressor is the pump that circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator to extract moisture from the air. There is a capacitor in the compressor circuit to help the compressor motor to start and if the capacitor has failed then the compressor won't run. If the compressor doesn't run or if the overload device continues to trip, then you may have a defective capacitor. An accurate diagnosis can be determined by a qualified person using special test equipment.
Overload
If your dehumidifier is no longer pulling water from the air and you have verified that the ambient room temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, then the unit's compressor may not be running. The compressor is the pump that circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator to extract moisture from the air. There is a device in the compressor circuit called an overload and it is used to protect the compressor motor from damage. If the overload has failed then the compressor won't start. If you have verified that the compressor doesn't run, then you can test the overload for continuity with a multi-meter. A common cause for the overload to fail is from operating the dehumidifier on long or undersized extension cords.
Fan Motor

If your dehumidifier is not making water and you have verified that the ambient temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, then you may have a faulty fan motor. For proper operation, a dehumidifier needs to have an adequate amount of air blowing across the evaporator coils to prevent frost or ice buildup. If you feel little or no air coming through the grille area and the filter is clean, then remove the cover and check the fan area. Inspect the coils to make sure that they are not restricted with lint or dirt and clean them if necessary. Make sure that the fan motor rotates freely and that the fan blade or blower wheel is firmly attached to the motor shaft. Using caution, operate the unit in a fan only mode and observe the fan motor. If it hums but does not rotate or only rotates slowly then it is defective and will need to be replaced. If the motor does not rotate and does not appear to make any sound, it may still be defective, but will require further testing by someone who is comfortable with using a multi-meter and working with live electrical circuits.
Electronic Control Board or PCB Assembly

If your dehumidifier is no longer pulling water from the air and you have verified that the ambient room temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, then the unit's compressor or fan motor may not be operating. The compressor is the pump that circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator, and the fan motor blows air across the evaporator coils to extract the moisture. On some modern dehumidifiers an electronic control board, often called the PCB, is used to control the compressor and fan motor. The control board has sensors connected to it that monitor the relative humidity and when the level is higher than the control setting, the control board will activate relays to turn on the compressor and fan motor. If you have an electronic control model and the compressor or the fan is not operating, then the electronic control may be at fault. A voltage test, using a multi-meter at the output relays, would be required to help in the diagnosis as well as confirmation that the sensors are operating normally.

Don't run the compressor for any length of time without the fan operating. Is it possible that the fan must be replaced? Can you power the fan safely to test it?
Gary

It sounds like what you hear working is the fan. The unit also has a compressor; if the compressor is bad or the freon is gone, the fan will run but the coils wont cool to remove moisture from the air.

theres a fan/compressor relay inside the case one side operates the fan and the other the compressor,if the fan side contacts weld themselves the relay cannot cycle and the fan will not shut off,remove the wire from the relay to the fan and see if this kills the fan,but dont leave it this way as the compressor needs the fan for air circulation while operating

It is very normal for the compressor to get very hot, almost to the point of being able to fry an egg on it. So it is important to keep everything clean and dirt, dustfree. Clean the fan blades, tubing and anything that you can do to ensure good air flow.

Your unit is probably operating in defrost mode. When you use a dehumidifier in a cold room, the condensing coils can freeze water. The unit senses this and thus stops the compressor until the water frozen on the coils melts. Then it resumes its cycle. This is a problem you will have during the winter months. It makes the operation of the unit inefficient, but this is otherwise normal behavior.

When you push the power button, the blower fan comes on. In a few minutes you should hear a second "click"--that is your compressor starting. Do you hear that second click?

The compressor is located in the rear bottom on the right side looking at the machine. After you press the start button and the blower fan comes on, bend over near the back of the unit and listen for the "click".

Save the old one for parts if you get the same new one but I def. don't reccomend buying this unit again. The reviews are bad. The fan is not covered under the warranty except first year or extented warranty. I spoke with Kenmore & Sears about this to see if coverd under 5 yr. Only compressor,tubing & refrigeration system(see inside of front cover for warranty info.)

Sound more like a sensor/circuit board problem to me since fan is turning. I think the signal determins which setting fan needs via sensor assembly to run. I could be wrong. Justa thought.

Can you def. hear the compressor come on. You can look through grill to see fan spin & the compressor makes a clank/clunking noise/ The fan & compressor should turn same time. Good luck! If you got any info. on my fan problem & you have update or fixed your problem I ccould use some help. Check post for my problem.. Thanks! panfan1