GE Profile washer-dryer combo code 353 and code 18
If you searched for “GE Profile washer dryer combo code 353”, GE says 353 usually points to a clogged lint filter. Code 18 is the other filter: the drain pump filter. Both are documented by GE for the Profile UltraFast combo only.
What the codes mean
| Code | Meaning per GE | What to clean |
|---|---|---|
353 (also written F353) | Lint filter clogged. GE links it to fabric softener residue. The SmartHQ app shows a lint filter notification. | The lint filter assembly |
18 | The drain pump filter needs cleaning. Soaked loads after washing and longer dry times are related symptoms. | The pump filter, behind an access door |
GE’s pump filter page also lists heavy vibration, pauses, a door that stays locked, odors and not draining as signs of a clogged pump. We could not confirm from GE how the code is shown on every panel, so you may see 353 or F353.
Which products this covers
GE’s pages cover the Profile UltraFast washer-dryer combo, the ventless heat pump unit. GE does not list model numbers on these pages. GE’s product page lists PFQ97HSPVDS as an UltraFast combo (we could not verify GE’s full model list), but we could not verify a full model list, so check your owner’s manual through GE’s literature page.
If you have a standalone dryer, these two codes do not apply. Read our GE dryer error codes guide or browse all GE dryer codes.
Safety first
Our general advice, not GE’s: GE’s cleaning pages do not mention unplugging, but we suggest unplugging the unit from the wall before you reach into either filter. Keep towels and a shallow pan ready, because the pump filter releases water. If a step needs parts or tools you do not have, or the code returns, have a qualified technician service the unit.
Fix code 353: clean the lint filter
- Find the lint filter assembly between the display and the dispenser drawers. Press the release tab and pull it straight out.
- Separate the foam filter from the plastic mesh screen.
- Rinse the foam in warm water.
- Scrub the mesh screen with a soft brush.
- Put it back together, reinstall it, then run a wash and dry cycle as GE directs.
Never run the machine without its filters. GE’s routine care is to wipe the mesh after about every fifth dry cycle, and about every 50 cycles to wash the mesh and frame, rinse the foam and vacuum the filter compartment. Go gently around the evaporator fins so you do not bend them.
Fix code 18: clean the pump filter
- Open the pump filter access door with a flathead screwdriver or a coin.
- Put a shallow pan and towels down. About a pint of water coming out is normal, per GE.
- Pull the pour spout down.
- Turn the filter counterclockwise and remove it slowly.
- Clear out debris. GE says loose items are a common blockage.
- Refit the filter clockwise and tighten it.
- Flip the spout back up and close the door, hooking the bottom tabs in first.
Also check that the drain hose is not pushed too far into the standpipe. GE recommends this cleaning about every 50 cycles or when prompted.
What GE does not say
- How to clear the code. GE’s pages describe cleaning, then a wash and dry cycle. They give no reset procedure.
- Whether the cycle resumes. We could not verify whether an interrupted cycle restarts by itself.
- Why 353 keeps returning. GE mentions only softener residue. We found no official guidance on dosing or other causes.
- A full list of covered models. See above.
If the code persists after both filters are clean, GE links to its repair scheduling page from the codes page.
Beyond the fix
Tips and tricks
- Clean the mesh filter at least after every fifth dry cycle, wiping lint with a finger.manufacturer manual
- Separate foam from mesh and rinse the foam in warm water. GE says to do this about every 50 cycles for waxy build-up.manufacturer manual
- For code 18, clean the pump filter about every 50 cycles. Put a shallow pan and towels down because about a pint of water is normal.manufacturer manual
- A video notes fine lint can bypass the filter over many loads, which is why GE's cleaning schedule matters.owner video
Common mistakes
- Using fabric softener sheets or too much softener, which GE links to the 353 residue.
- Running the combo without its filters.
Easily confused with
- Code 18 is the pump filter, not the lint filter.
Further reading
Questions
What does error code 353 on a GE washer dryer combo mean?
GE says 353 usually points to a clogged lint filter, and ties it to fabric softener residue. GE’s filter page writes it as F353, and the SmartHQ app shows it as a lint filter notification. The fix GE gives is to clean the lint filter.
Does code 353 apply to a standalone GE dryer?
No. GE documents 353 and 18 for the Profile UltraFast washer-dryer combo only. See our GE dryer codes guide for what we could confirm.
How do I clear code 353 or code 18 after cleaning?
We could not verify this. GE’s pages say to clean the filter and run a wash and dry cycle, but they do not describe a reset, and they do not say whether an interrupted cycle resumes. If the code returns after a clean filter, use GE’s repair scheduling.
How often should I clean these filters?
GE’s routine schedule is to wipe lint off the mesh after about every fifth dry cycle, and to wash the mesh and frame and rinse the foam about every 50 cycles. It also suggests cleaning the pump filter about every 50 cycles or when prompted.
Sources
GE Appliances support pages: Profile combo fault codes, lint filter cleaning and pump filter cleaning. Steps are paraphrased, so follow your owner’s manual for exact wording. CodeFix is independent and not affiliated with GE.