How to Replace a Water Filter on a GE Profile Refrigerator

GE manufactures a wide selection of side-by-side Profile refrigerators, and there's a wide selection of filters to go with them. The filters, identified by acronyms such as MSWF, XWF and GSWF, are all cylinders, and there's even one — the RPWFE — that includes a radio transmitter that detects leaks in the water system. Before you change the filter, check your owner's manual to determine which of the many available filters your refrigerator takes.

If your refrigerator has a control panel, it will include an LED or screen feature that tells you when the filter needs to be changed. You can also sign up with GE to get a text reminder when your filter is due for changing. If your refrigerator doesn't have an automatic warning system, GE Appliances recommends changing the filter every six months or when water flow is noticeably reduced.

Depending on the model, the water filter in a GE Profile side-by-side refrigerator is either inside the refrigerator compartment, at or near the top, or in the left-hand door. You might see it hanging down from its perch when you look inside the refrigerator, but some are concealed behind a small door set into the side of the compartment or the edge of the door. You shouldn't have any trouble finding the filter, but if you do, consult the Use & Care manual for your model, which you can find on GE's website.

With the exception of the RPWFE filter, installation is basically the same for all GE water filters, even though filters vary in size. You don't have to turn off the water, but if the filter is inside the refrigerator compartment, you should place a rag under it before removing the old one to catch residual water that spills out.

If the filter isn't hidden by a door, you simply grasp it and turn it to the left to release it from the mounting. Don't pull on it; when it's free, it will drop into your hand. Before installing the replacement, it's a good idea to fill it with tap water to purge air and guarantee instant water flow. Align the filter arrows or markings with the markings on the mount, push it into place and turn it to the right until it stops. It will lift a bit as it clamps into place.

The procedure is slightly different if the filter is located behind a door. After opening the door, you need to pull the bottom of the filter toward you as far as it will go or the filter won't release. After replacing the new filter, push the bottom into the enclosure and close the door.

Refrigerators with control panels have an LED in the water filter button that glows when the filter needs to be replaced. After replacing the filter, push this button and hold it for three seconds to reset the filter sensor. If the refrigerator has a touch screen, select Filter from the main menu and press Reset.

If your GE refrigerator water dispenser isn't working after replacing the filter, it's probably because the filter isn't properly seated. This is particularly likely to happen on models that take a GE water filter RPWFE, which you simply push into place without turning it. You probably didn't push it far enough.

After replacing the filter, you should run one or two gallons of water through the system to purge impurities. At first, the water may be slightly discolored or contain small black particles, but this isn't a problem. Just keep running the water until it clears up.