Tutorial How to hack GE refrigerator to use generic RPWF filters rather than expensive RPWFE

GE is ripping you off by installing RFID chips in their RPWFE filters thus making it impossible to use cheaper generic filters in your refrigerator. Unless of course, you learn how to defeat the RFID requirement. GE sucks but you can beat them at their own game by following the steps I show you in this video.

I use Waterdrop RPWF compatible filters and they've worked out great for me saving me lots of money. Below is a link to where you can get them on Amazon. Start saving money now.

Instead of paying nearly $50 for GE branded filters (RPWFE) how does paying about $13/filter sound. Good right?

If you'd rather buy GE filters, here is a link to do so.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate I earn a small commission from qualified purchases using my links which helps support this channel. Thank you.

[michaelerbreviews]

GE is on to this hack and has made it more difficult to remove the chip. It seems they are gluing the chip down which makes it nearly impossible to easily remove it without damaging the RFID chip. Some people have had success using a heat gun to soften the glue, enabling them to remove the chip. Other people have apparently used a dremel tool to cut the plastic closely around the chip and remove the square of plastic with the chip still on it and sticking that onto the new filter. Also important to remember is that the orientation of the chip must be the same. If it is upside down or flipped over to the wrong side, it won't work.

[qcan]

GE Aerospace employee here. GE sold the Appliance business to Haier in 2016. Haier is a Chinese owned company. Enough said.

[pam]

I am changing my water filter for the first time since I bought this new refrigerator. The thing is I bought this frig for my house that just went up for sale. I was looking for info on how to get the old filter out an came across this. I am really glad I did because the house I bought needs a new frig so now I know not to buy a GE which kind of disappoints me because I love GE profile appliances. But this is a good enough reason for me not to buy the frig. Thanks for saving me this problem down the line.

[Gyppor]

Thanks Michael, a minute in and I will definitely take GE off the list for our potential refrigerator replacement. I won't support a company that does this.
As far as glued on labels, heat helps get them off. hair dryer or heat gun is very helpful. soaking in water is good as well.

[bernarddouthit]

Michael - thank you for making this video. I just paid $49.99 for a replacement filter cartridge and saw that a plastic strip had been glued on to it which fits your description about the RFID chip on new filters. Thankfully the old one just has the sticker. I, too am very annoyed with GE for trying to force me to spend $100 per year on filters. The ones for my fridge only last 6 months regardless of water flow - and after the due date the number of days overdue is displayed. I know that this will be the last GE fridge I buy. My GE dishwasher just stopped powering on, and it isn’t that old - maybe 4-5 years. Apparently there’s a circuit board that just “wears out.”

[tcisraels]

I just had to call a repair man b/c I thought I had broken something. Come to find out I bought a filter without a chip b/c is was about 1/2 the price of a GE Filter. It did not work. After many videos and $260 later I now know that GE holds consumers hostage to their prepriatery filters. Will remember this when I shop for a new unit in the future.

[akhaqan]

Simply superb! Its heroes like you who stand up to this non-sense extortion. Great work buddy.

[jayf]

We have a 6-month-old GE fridge. We go away for the winter. When we came back, we noticed immediately that the water wasn't filtered. We used this filter for maybe 2 months. Because filtered water is important to us where we live. I went to Home Depot and purchased GE's proprietary filter for $53.98. I did some research and came across this filter issue. No one told us when we bought this fridge that it required a proprietary GE filter that shuts down water filtering. I called GE and they confirmed that the chip shuts off water filtering after 200 gallons or 6 months whichever comes first. I told them that taking away the consumers choice of when to replace their expensive proprietary GE filter was nothing but a scam and we only used our filter for two months and they shut it off. Of course, they wouldn't comment. I insisted they send me two free filters, which they said they would. I also told them I would escalate my complaint as I see this as fraud. I have filed a complaint with our state's AG this week.

[SharonMiller-dhnh]

To find out when you have to change the filter you can buy a TDS EZ water tester to make sure your readings are within ideal drinking water range. You can also take a sample to a pool or hot tub store which can also check your water. I hope this helps you out.

[backcountyrpilot]

I ‘ve been trying to outsmart my GE RPWFE filter for 2 years.
I’m spending $400k to remodel my airport house and will be
spending about $20, 000 ON NON-GE APPLIANCES.
Note- 3 days ago I ordered a FREE GE filter bypass that I will
leave in my current refrigerator when I donate it to charity.

[barbarajohnson]

Thanks Micheal for responding to my message. I will be sure not to buy the Keurig 2.0. Thanks again!

[michaelarmani]

Here's the thing .. an entry level printer is $50 = below cost. And I can pay more for an unlocked version. A fridge is $1000+ and I NEED WATER TO LIVE. Denying that and jacking up prices is a crime.

[jimd]

I purchased a GE for my renters and only now found out it requires the XWFE filter. to help them out from paying $50 plus twice a year I am going to install the bypass plug and then, an inline filter in back of the refer, which can be bought at Home Depot for under $30 (also a few more expensive too) that is supposed to filter up to 5, 000 gallons before needing to be replaced.

[raylego]

I cut and removed the glued-on RFID chip from the bypass filter (that I got from GE for FREE lol) with a Dremel tool. I then taped it to the sensor area with a piece of packing tape. I plugged in and started using an inexpensive filter that I paid $12 for that was highly rated on Amazon. Works like a champ! I get a small "water not being filtered" when running the water but what does the fridge know? At least it's not an error message or a red alert. The water IS being filtered although not by having GE hold a gun to my head. I change the filter once every year or two, or when the water flow starts to slow.

[markb.]

just remove the chip from the plug supplied with the unit. use a razor knife under one corner and it pops right off. these are proximity sensors, location is not paramount. use cellophane tape to adhere the chip to the inside of the recess behind the filter.

[therevanchist]

Thank you, I picked up one of these GE Cafe’ refrigerators from Best Buy marked way down because of a scratch (so small literally on the edge of the door) for $800 and there is no way I was going to pay $50 for a filter

[leavefreedomalone]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! Much needed!

[zachtaylor]

This is super helpful, saved me a lot of money

[turtlesister]

Please do a video on the GE XWFE frig filter, it's harder to work with. Screw GE, no more of their products.

[swrd]

Wow Thank you for sharing this !! Now I can workaround a solution with this greedy company