GE MSWF Water Filter Replacement: Complete Guide + Best Compatible (2025)
GE MSWF Water Filter: Complete Replacement Guide + Best Compatible (2025)
Also known as: WR17X11608, SmartWater MSWF | Type: Push-in internal | Location: Upper right interior of fridge | RFID chip: No — straightforward compatible filter use | Life: 6 months / 200 gallons | NSF: 42 and 53 | Compatible: $20.95
MSWF vs RPWFE — The GE Side-by-Side vs French Door Distinction
GE’s two most confused filters are the MSWF and the RPWFE. They are not interchangeable. The MSWF is the filter for GE side-by-side refrigerators. The RPWFE is for GE French door models. Both are push-in filters in the upper right interior, which is why buyers confuse them — but they have different dimensions, different O-ring profiles, and the RPWFE has an RFID chip that the MSWF does not.
| Feature | GE MSWF (This Article) | GE RPWFE |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Side-by-side refrigerators | French door refrigerators |
| RFID Chip | None — no chip complications | Yes — required on certain models |
| Part Number | MSWF, WR17X11608 | RPWFE, WR17X24193 |
| NSF Certifications | NSF 42 and 53 | NSF 42 and 53 |
| Compatible Price | $20.95 | $22.95 (RFID chip included) |
| Interchangeable? | No — different filter designs | |
Which GE Refrigerators Use the MSWF?
| GE Series | Model Examples | Type | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE GSS Side-by-Side | GSS25GMHES, GSS25GSHSS | Side-by-Side | 2007–2018 |
| GE GSH Side-by-Side | GSH25JGDBB, GSH25SGDSS | Side-by-Side | 2006–2016 |
| GE GSF Side-by-Side | GSF25GGDWW, GSF25JGCBB | Side-by-Side | 2008–2017 |
| GE Profile PSS Side-by-Side | PSS27NGMABB, PSS28KYHFS | Side-by-Side | 2010–2018 |
| GE Café CSS Side-by-Side | CSS25USWASS | Side-by-Side | 2012–2016 |
Confirm your specific model via the Filter Compatibility Checker. The MSWF is exclusively for GE side-by-side models — if your GE is a French door, see our Best GE Refrigerator Water Filters guide for the RPWFE or XWFE.
How to Install the GE MSWF — Step by Step
Locate the Filter
Open the GE side-by-side refrigerator. Look in the upper right interior of the fresh food compartment for the circular filter housing.
Turn Off the Ice Maker and Press Eject
Switch off the ice maker. Press the eject button on the filter housing — the filter will pop out partially. Pull it straight out the rest of the way.
Prepare and Insert New MSWF
Remove the protective cap from the O-ring end of the new MSWF. Align with the housing and push firmly straight in until you feel and hear a firm click. No wobble when correctly seated.
💡 The MSWF has no RFID chip — no special chip-compatible requirements. Any NSF-certified compatible MSWF filter installs without restriction.Pro-Tip — The O-Ring Count Test: If you are unsure whether you have an MSWF or RPWFE before ordering, count the black rubber O-rings on the insertion end of your installed filter. The MSWF has one O-ring. The RPWFE has two O-rings. This 5-second visual check eliminates the most common cause of GE filter returns — ordering the wrong filter based on model number alone when the same model series was produced with both filter types at different production dates. One ring: MSWF. Two rings: RPWFE.
Flush 2–3 Gallons and Reset
Run 4–6 minutes of dispenser water into a bucket and discard. Press and hold Filter Reset on the GE control panel for 3 seconds. Turn ice maker back on. Full flushing guide: How to Flush a New Refrigerator Water Filter.
GE MSWF reset methods vary by model. For the complete GE filter indicator reset guide: How to Reset the Water Filter Light on Any Refrigerator. According to EPA guidance on water treatment, replacing filters on schedule is the single most important maintenance step for point-of-use filter systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Order Your GE MSWF Compatible Filter Today
NSF 42 and 53 certified. No RFID required. $20.95 with same-day shipping. Save $29 vs GE OEM.
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