GE MWF water filter: MWFP vs MWFA, which fridges, certification and reset

The short answer

• MWFP is the filter to buy today. GE says the MWF "has been replaced by the MWFP, which is the improved, replacement version of MWF," and that the MWFP's label "will read 'MWF'" ^[S1]. GE's parts store shows "Part MWF has been superseded to Part MWFP" ^[S2].
• GE groups MWFP, MWFA, MWF, GWF and HWF together as its SmartWater filters ^[S1]. GE also sells the MWFA next to the MWFP as a second MWF-style option; GE markets the MWFP as the one that also reduces five trace pharmaceuticals ^[S5].
• MWF is not the same as the cylinder-shaped GSWF or MSWF used in some top-freezer and bottom-freezer models. GE says those are "not interchangeable with the MWF/GWF filter" ^[S1].
• MWF is also not the same as the newer chipped XWFE. See our GE XWFE vs XWF page if your fridge was built after mid-2018 ^[S1].

Which fridges use MWF?

GE says the MWFP is "compatible with select GE side-by-side and bottom-freezer refrigerators" ^[S2]. GE's cartridge instructions say the filter sits in the back upper right corner of the refrigerator compartment ^[S3]. GE's support page adds that fridges with SmartWater Plus have a filter-change light, while fridges with plain SmartWater use the same filter but have no reminder ^[S1].

We haven't published a model-by-model list yet, because we only list models a GE source names. Until then, the safest check is the part number printed on the filter that's already in your fridge, or GE's parts lookup with your full model number.

Certification: claim vs. listing

• GE's current MWF instruction sheet and Performance Data Sheet (revision dated 04-24) says the cartridge is "Certified by IAPMO R&T against NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, and P473" for the claims on the sheet, and the 170-gallon version also lists CSA B483.1 and NSF/ANSI 372 (low lead) ^[S3]. IAPMO R&T is a certifier separate from NSF.
• The same sheet has two different performance tables, one for cartridges rated at 300 gallons and one for cartridges rated at 170 gallons. GE says to "match your filter capacity, found on the filter label, with the appropriate performance table" ^[S3]. GE also notes that the 170-gallon sheet's VOC claims are "only valid on filters made in Taiwan" ^[S3].
• GE's parts store page still says the pharmaceutical claims were "tested/verified by independent laboratory, not certified by NSF International or state of CA," and marks NSF 42 and NSF 53 as "Yes" ^[S2]. That wording is older than the IAPMO statement in the data sheet, so read the label and sheet in your box. [UNVERIFIED: we could not confirm which version a given store is shipping.]
• We did not find GE's MWF in NSF's own listings: a search for trade name MWF returned only other companies' filters, and MWFP returned "No Matching Products Found" ^[S6][S7]. That fits GE's statement that IAPMO, not NSF, certifies it. We could not load IAPMO's online directory to confirm the listing ourselves. Unverified

Off-brand MWF filters on NSF's list

NSF's listing for trade name MWF (checked October 21, 2026) reports 53 matching products from 6 manufacturers, none of them GE ^[S6]. They are not all certified to the same standards. For example:

• Waterdrop WD-MWF appears under NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine, taste and odor) only, while WDS-MWF also appears under NSF/ANSI 53, and WDP-MWF appears under 42, 53 and 401 ^[S6].
• Amazon Basics AMZN-MWF-S appears under 42 only, while AMZN-MWF-P appears under 42, 53 and 401 ^[S6].

So "NSF certified" on an off-brand box can mean taste-and-odor only. Look up the exact model on NSF's MWF listing before you buy. GE itself says it "has not qualified non-GE-branded filters" for its refrigerators ^[S3]. More on this in our guide to tested to NSF vs NSF certified.

When to replace it

• On fridges with an indicator light, GE says the light turns orange when a change is coming and you should replace the filter when it turns red or water flow drops ^[S3].
• On fridges without a light, GE says to replace it every six months, sooner if flow drops, or when the rated capacity is used up, which "may be 170 gallons or 300 gallons depending on filter" ^[S3].

How to replace it (GE's steps)

From GE's MWF cartridge sheet ^[S3] and GE's support article ^[S4]:

1. Put a cloth under the filter. Turn the old filter slowly to the left to remove it. GE's sheet says not to pull down on it ^[S3]. If it's stuck, GE says trapped air may be the cause and pressing the water dispenser can release it ^[S4].
2. Fill the new cartridge with tap water ^[S3].
3. Line up the arrow on the cartridge with the holder, place it up inside the holder and slowly turn it to the right until it stops. Don't overtighten; it moves about half a turn ^[S3].
4. Run water from the dispenser to clear the air. GE's cartridge sheet says about 3 gallons (about 6 minutes) ^[S3]; GE's support article says about 1–2 gallons ^[S4]. Some sputtering is normal ^[S4].

You don't need to shut off the house water to change it ^[S4].

How to reset the filter light

GE's sheet says to press and hold the RESET WATER FILTER pad for three seconds, on models that have one ^[S3]. Fridges with plain SmartWater have no filter reminder, so there's nothing to reset ^[S1].

Running without a filter

GE says you must use the filter bypass plug when you don't have a replacement filter: the dispenser and icemaker won't work with neither a filter nor the plug installed ^[S3]. On Water by Culligan models, you first remove the filter adaptor by turning it to the left ^[S3]. The plug doesn't filter water.