GE air conditioner FL error code: water tank or pan full (portable and clearview)

What the FL code means

FL on a GE portable air conditioner means the internal water tank is full, so the unit has shut off. On a GE ClearView window unit, GE says FL means the indoor pan holds too much water, usually because high humidity has outpaced the pump.

Every air conditioner pulls water out of the air as it cools. A portable collects some of it in an internal tank, and a float switch turns the unit off and lights FL before the tank overflows onto your floor. GE says the unit will not cool until the tank is emptied.

A ClearView window unit sits across the sill, so its indoor section has its own pan and a small pump that moves water to the outdoor side. When the pump cannot keep up or stops, the indoor pan fills and FL appears.

Common causes

Listed from most to least common.

1. Hot, humid weather making more condensate than the unit can get rid of
2. Running a portable in Dry mode without a continuous drain hose
3. ClearView indoor pump unable to keep up, or stopped working
4. ClearView drain pump filter clogged
5. Portable not standing level, so water pools at the sensor

How to fix the FL code

Unplug the air conditioner or switch it off at the breaker before removing any panel or filter.

1. 1

   Step 1: Turn off and unplug

   Switch the unit off and unplug it before draining. Have towels and a shallow pan ready.

2. 2

   Step 2: Drain a portable unit

   Put a pan of at least 1 to 1.5 quarts under the lower drain on the back, near the bottom. Remove the cap and the rubber plug and let the tank empty. Refit the plug and screw the cap on snugly.

3. 3

   Step 3: Drain a ClearView unit

   Hold a container under the drain cap on the right side of the indoor section. Remove the cap, then pull the filter plug straight out; water starts flowing as soon as the plug comes out. Refit the plug and cap. If FL remains, GE says to drain the outdoor side too, only if you can reach it safely.

4. 4

   Step 4: Clean the ClearView pump filter

   The filter plug behind the drain cap is also the drain pump filter. Rinse any debris off it before you push it back in.

5. 5

   Step 5: Clear the code

   Plug the unit back in. On ClearView models, hold the DELAY button for 3 seconds to clear the message if it still shows. If it will not clear, GE says to cut power for 30 seconds.

You'll need: Shallow pan, towels.

How to reset the GE air conditioner

1. Turn the air conditioner off with the remote or the control panel.
2. Unplug the unit for 5 minutes. If the power cord plug has a RESET button, press it when you plug back in. A wall unit on a dedicated circuit can be reset at the breaker instead.
3. Plug it back in and turn it on. GE builds in a protective delay of about 3 minutes before the compressor starts, so give it time before judging.
4. If the same code comes back straight away, the fault is still there. Work through the fix steps above, or call a technician.

Parts that may need replacing

Check your model number on the label inside the door or on the back before ordering.

• Garden-hose-thread drain hoseCheck prices

When to call a technician

If FL keeps returning on a ClearView unit after draining, cleaning the pump filter and resetting, GE says the drain pump may not be working and needs service. On a portable, FL that shows with an empty tank points to a stuck water level switch. Contact GE Appliances service.

Models this applies to

• GE Profile ClearView and GE ClearView saddle window units (PHNT, AHTT)
• Portable air conditioners (APCA, APCD, APSA, APWA series)
• Through-the-wall and built-in wall units (AKCQ, AJCQ series)

Codes can differ slightly between models. Your owner's manual is the final word and is available from GE support.

Frequently asked questions