So the new place came a GE Fridge. Model GSS25GMPJCES to be exact.
Went to replace the water filter with an aftermarket that I got off Amazon. It doesn't work. Throws an error code and won't dispense any water.
Google search says GE added a feature to read an RFID of their filters so only their filters work. Of course they are stupid expensive.
Does anyone know of a work around?
Conversely, does anyone know if I can bypass the filter and disperse unfiltered water.
I wasn't provided a owners manual.

You should be able to buy a filter bypass plug. That would allow you to use unfiltered water.

I don't know about the rfid work around, I went to Amazon and looked for equivalent parts. But as for the owners manual, have you tried googling for the owners manual or going to the GE site? They're usually available. That's how I got the pdf electronic version.

Go to Pure Earth and get a good filter to hook to your sink faucet.

https://www.pure-earth.com/

I have been using the DOUBLE COUNTERTOP WATER FILTER - KDF/GAC PLUS CARBON BLOCK since the early 90's and they are good for 10,000 gallons and Jeff has the best price around.

Wow, that is crazy and why I hate buying new technology as it comes with additional problems and cost. Obviously this is something you inherited.

This is what I found when I did a search and I would imagine cutting out the old RFID chip and attaching it to a filter would not work.


The RFID chip on GE water filters is located on the back of the filter, under a label. The chip is covered by the label, but you can see a raised square outline where it says "This side must face inward".

Explanation
The RFID chip uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to communicate with the refrigerator. This allows the refrigerator to: Authenticate the filter's origin, Detect potential leaks, and Ensure that the filter is a genuine GE product.
If the refrigerator detects that a non-genuine filter is installed, the dispenser may not work and the display may read "Leak Detected".

I’m in the same boat with a GE Cafe fridge and forced to buy the $50 RFID chipped filter cartridges instead of the $15 Amazon ones.

It’s a damn dirty trick and there’s really no way around it, the chip talks to the fridge and tells it it’s a genuine filter and to allow the water to dispense.

The only thing I found was one guy on Reddit cut the RFID chip off an old one and taped it to an aftermarket to fool the fridge but your red change filter light never goes off and it seems like a lot of work.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I’m in the same boat with a GE Cafe fridge and forced to buy the $50 RFID chipped filter cartridges instead of the $15 Amazon ones.

It’s a damn dirty trick and there’s really no way around it, the chip talks to the fridge and tells it it’s a genuine filter and to allow the water to dispense.

The only thing I found was one guy on Reddit cut the RFID chip off an old one and taped it to an aftermarket to fool the fridge but your red change filter light never goes off and it seems like a lot of work.

I wondered if a different filter would still work by doing what you said of cutting out the RFID and attaching it to a new filter. I would do that if all you have to deal with is a change filter light and things still work. Just setup a schedule of changing the filter.

And people wonder why I don’t want to upgrade my 2002 truck!

I just use GE brand. I considered trying to find work around or even find out if mine is RFID unit. In the end I decided $50 once or twice a year is a reasonable cost to pay for my drinking water. I'm not sure I trust Chinese knockoff for this application. Can't be sure they don't add lead, cadmium, or other toxic chemicals to save 1¢ per unit. GE doesn't have the ability to abandon their brand name and reopen two days later like Chinese crap on Amazon. They may make the filter in China, but it's going to be to a higher standard than no name Chinese fly-by-night company.

Skins is right.

I had to replace the water lines assembly because the lines developed cracks right at the fitting.

I checked with the tech who came out and asked about replacing the filter. The generic replacements screw in, but the threads aren't the same on all models and if they're not just right water will leak like crazy.

unless you absolutely have to have fridge water, I'd go for a tap filter. Me personally I just drink unfiltered tap water.

When the replace filter message starts, you can reset once or twice and get extended use safely with most incoming water sources.

^^^
This. I notice our filters have the same flow rate at 3 cycles as when they’re first installed and can detect no difference in quality. To be fair, we are on DEEP well water and the quality straight from the sink faucets is already amazing. We get it tested every couple of years and it is sterile, free of contaminants, with no discernible sediment. The only issue is hardness due to the limestone we sit on.

Somebody took the sensor off the plug and placed it on the correct spot on a regular filter. You lose some functions but that seemed to bypass the expensive filter. Read it somewhere on the net. I have an automatic ship with Amazon and always have a spare because even if you reset it the fridge will prevent you from getting more water after a couple of resets

https://www.amazon.com/Parts-M...s%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-4



Here is link to the bypass

I bypassed the filter on my GE and connected it to my RO filter system. It works well.

But my fridge is a 15 yr old GE Profile, so I dont know if that would work with newer ones.

Here's the manual.
Rather than having a stack of them for various things I own, I download and save.

https://www.searspartsdirect.c...2wsgAjQaAsWjEALw_wcB

There are devices out there that will read and burn RFID chips, this one is probably the most popular.

Of course, it isn't free, plus you'd have to have a "valid" RFID chip to read, and an unwritten one to clone, but what is defeating greedy vendor's plans for appliance parts domination worth?

Interesting. We moved into a "new" house in Oct 2022, and all kitchen appliances were furnished, including a GE refrigerator. Initially, the water dispenser wasn't very strong at all, and a few weeks later the "replace filter" light came on. I put in another GE filter, and the water dispenser flow was marginally better, then quit again after a few weeks. Most recently, I put in a generic water filter sourced from Amazon, and the water dispenser doesn't work at all. However, as far as I know, the ice maker inlet water is run through the filter, and our ice maker works great. So, it could just be a defective water dispenser. No big deal, we didn't use our last one that much anyway.