GE RPWFE water filter: RFID chip, fake filters, certification and reset

The short answer

• RPWFE has a chip. GE says fridges that use it rely on radio frequency identification (RFID) to detect leaks and monitor the filter's status ^[S2]. If the fridge sees a wrong or non-genuine filter, GE says the dispenser won't work and the display may read "Leak Detected" ^[S2].
• GE says the RPWFE fits select French-door fridges across the GE, GE Profile, Café and Monogram brands ^[S1], and GE's support articles describe it in bottom-freezer models ^[S2][S5].
• GE rates it for 170 gallons or six months, whichever comes first, or sooner if water flow drops ^[S1][S3].
• GE's current instruction sheet says the RPWFE system is certified by IAPMO R&T (not NSF) against NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 and P473 ^[S3]. We could not check IAPMO's directory ourselves. Unverified
• No filter on hand? GE sends a bypass plug free ^[S3][S7].

Which fridges use RPWFE?

GE's parts store calls the RPWFE "compatible with select french door GE Appliances refrigerators" and says it's "designed to fit GE, GE Profile, Café, and Monogram brands" ^[S1]. GE's Advanced Filtration article says many of GE's French-door and bottom-freezer fridges have this filter system ^[S4].

GE's current instruction sheet puts the filter in the top left-hand corner of the fresh food section, or inside the left refrigerator door ^[S3]. GE's troubleshooting article says the same for bottom-freezer models: the upper left corner of the fresh food compartment ^[S2].

GE says the RPWFE changed to a new design at the start of 2017 and that the new design is backwards compatible ^[S2]. GE also says filters made after May 2017 reduce a longer list of substances than earlier ones ^[S4].

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

The RFID chip and non-genuine filters

GE says the chip is part of a system that talks to the fridge and shuts off the water supply if a leak is detected, and that non-GE and counterfeit filters without this technology "will not perform the same way in the event of a water leak" ^[S2].

How GE says to check for the chip: look at the back of the filter where the label says "This side must face inward." The chip is under the label, but you should see a raised, black square outline there. If there's no chip under the label, GE says it isn't a genuine RPWFE and won't work in the fridge ^[S2][S5].

GE's check tells you whether a chip is present. GE doesn't say how to tell a genuine chip from a copied one, so we can't either.

More broadly, GE says testing by AHAM (the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers), done with NSF, IAPMO and WQA, found counterfeit filters "do not always meet" NSF/ANSI drinking water standards, and that many counterfeits sold online "have been known to burst and/or leak" ^[S6]. GE also says non-GE filters may filter only chlorine, taste and odor ^[S6], and that results with generic filters "can not be guaranteed" ^[S4].

Certification: claim vs. listing

• GE's current instruction sheet (49-6000027 Rev. 5, dated 09-20) says the "RPWFE system is certified by IAPMO R&T against NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, and P473 for reduction of the claims specified on the Performance Data Sheet and iapmort.org" ^[S3]. IAPMO R&T is a certifier separate from NSF. We could not load IAPMO's directory to confirm the listing. Unverified
• GE's parts store says the filter is "certified to reduce 70+ impurities including lead, chlorine, PFOA/PFOS, microplastics, and select pharmaceuticals," without naming the certifier on that line. It marks NSF 42 and NSF 53 as "Yes," and says the pharmaceutical claims were "tested/verified by independent laboratory, not certified by NSF International or state of CA" ^[S1]. GE's support article also calls its pharmaceutical claims "tested by independent laboratory" ^[S4].
• NSF's own listings don't show a GE RPWFE. A search for trade name RPWFE showed one aftermarket cartridge, Maxblue MB-RPWFE-P, listed under NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401, and no GE product ^[S8]. GE Appliances' company listing at NSF didn't include an RPWFE either ^[S9]. That fits GE's statement that IAPMO certifies it.
• An NSF listing for an aftermarket cartridge covers what the water filtering does. It says nothing about whether the cartridge has a chip GE's fridge will accept. We haven't confirmed whether the Maxblue cartridge works in an RPWFE fridge. Unverified

GE says the RPWFE doesn't remove sodium or salt taste and doesn't reduce arsenic ^[S4]. For what "certified" really means, see our guide to tested to NSF vs NSF certified.

When to replace it

GE says to replace the cartridge every six months, or earlier if 170 gallons have gone through it or the flow to the dispenser or icemaker drops ^[S3]. GE's parts store lists the same 170-gallon capacity and six-month life ^[S1].

When the filter expires, GE says the RPWFE won't shut off your water: the control shows "expired" and asks you to accept continuing with the expired filter ^[S2]. GE also warns that leaving a filter in past its interval can lead to cracks in the filter housing and leaks ^[S3].

How to replace it (GE's steps)

GE's sheet has two versions, depending on the color of the filter holder inside your fridge ^[S3]. You don't need tools or to shut off the water ^[S1].

Grey filter holder: don't twist ^[S3]

1. Open the filter door and pull the bottom of the old cartridge so it swings out. When it stops, gently pull it out of the holder. A little water may drip.
2. Center the new cartridge in the holder with the word FRONT facing out, and push it in until it's fully seated. The red indicators shouldn't be visible.
3. Gently swing the filter in until it's in place.

Black filter holder: quarter turn ^[S3]

1. Pull the bottom of the old cartridge out of the filter clips and swing it out until the holder clicks. Turn it a quarter turn counterclockwise, then pull it out.
2. Line up the new cartridge with FRONT facing the top of the fridge, push it in until it's seated, then turn it a quarter turn clockwise until FRONT faces out. The red indicators shouldn't be visible.
3. Gently swing the filter in until it's in place.

Then, for both: run about 2 gallons (about 5 minutes) through the cold water dispenser to clear the air. Expect spurting and some discolored water at first. On icemaker-only models, throw out the first bin of ice. Don't use the hot water dispenser or autofill until the air is out ^[S3].

If the filter won't go in, GE says the white and gray parts inside the holder may be out of line. GE's fix is to put something round, like the handle of a wooden spoon, into the white part and move it toward the open filter cover to line them up. GE says not to use anything sharp, like a screwdriver ^[S2].

How to reset the filter light

GE says the RFID resets the "Replace Water Filter" reminder automatically when a new RFID filter or the bypass plug is installed, and that the reminder can't be manually reset ^[S2]. Another GE article says the same is true "on most models" ^[S5]. GE's instruction sheet does list "Reset Filter status message" as a step for non-touch-screen models ^[S3], so check your fridge's manual if the reminder stays on.

If the reminder won't clear, GE says to check the filter isn't in backwards: FRONT should be showing. If BACK is showing, take it out, turn it around and put it back in ^[S2][S5]. GE also suggests unplugging the fridge for one minute before calling for service ^[S2].

Running without a filter: the bypass plug

GE says you must use the bypass plug when you don't have a replacement cartridge, and the dispenser and icemaker won't work with neither a filter nor the plug in place. It goes in the same way as a filter ^[S3]. With the plug in, the display shows "Unfiltered Water" in the top right corner of the home screen ^[S2]. If your fridge didn't come with one, GE sends it free if you call 1-800-GECARES (in Canada, 1-800-561-3344) ^[S7].

When GE says to call for service

If the fridge detects a leak, GE says the dispenser shuts off and you'll need a service call ^[S2]. GE adds that in most cases replacing the filter fixes a leak at the filter, and if it doesn't, service may be needed ^[S5].