How to Replace Water Filter Head WR02X45206 on a GE Fridge

Is your GE fridge acting up with water leaks or refusing to dispense water? The culprit might just be the water filter head assembly, but don’t fret—solving this is easier than you think. Dive into our quick guide and learn how to replace the filter head, complete with a step-by-step how-to video right below to get your fridge back to perfect working order!

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If your GE fridge is leaking from the filter area or refusing to dispense water, the filter head assembly might be the sneaky culprit. Don’t stress—it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through swapping out the WR02X45206 water filter head like a pro (or at least someone who owns a screwdriver). Let’s get your fridge back to full flow!

Watch here: How to install a water filter head on a refrigerator

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Why would you need to replace this part?

There are two main reasons you may need to replace the filter head assembly in your GE refrigerator:

• No water dispensing points to a clogged filter head that is preventing water flow. Replacing it restores full water flow.
• A crack in the tubing attached to the filter head can cause leaks. The replacement assembly includes new tubing to stop leaks.

Replacing this assembly when you encounter either problem is quick and easy if you follow the proper process.

Tools and materials needed

Replacing the water filter head is a fairly straightforward job, but having the proper tools and replacement parts on hand makes the process much smoother:

• 5/16 inch nut driver
• 1/4 inch nut driver
• Two 1/2 inch open-ended wrenches
• GE water filter head and tube assembly part number WR17X22074– Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your unit.

Safety first

Before replacing any part on your appliance, there are some important safety precautions you should take:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.

Disassembly and Removal Steps

Remove the access panel

1. Place a small towel on the floor
2. Use two 1/2-inch wrenches to disconnect the water supply line to the refrigerator
3. Use a 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the screws holding the access panel located on the back of the unit.
4. Pull the access panel off and set it aside.

Remove the water line

1. Locate the water valve on the left side of the compartment. 
2. Use the 1/2-inch wrench to unscrew and remove the water line for the water filter head on the top of the water valve
3. Use the 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the water line cover in the top left corner of the back of the appliance. 
4. Push the perma gum compound up to clear the tubing.

Remove the water filter 

1. Go around to the front of the unit. 
2. Open the fresh food door all the way
3. The water filter is located in the upper right-hand corner of the fresh food section
4. Turn the filter counterclockwise to remove it. Be careful it will be full of water.

Remove the water filter head

1. Push in the left side of the filter cover and pull it out. 
2. Use the 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the screws holding the water filter head in place. 
3. Slowly remove the water filter head and tubing

Installation and Reassembly Steps

Install the water filter head

1. Remove the foam insulation from the old part. Carefully slide it off the old part. 
2. Push the insulation into the new part
3. Unscrew the bypass filter cap if you are using a water filter. Remember to put it in a safe place in case you need to bypass the filter in the future.  If you are not using a water filter, leave it in place.
4. Thread the water tubes through the opening in the rear wall. 
5. Insert the posts on the water filter head into the holes in the wall 
6. Use the 1/4-inch nut driver to secure the water filter head to the wall with the 2 screws.
7. Slide the cover on, and make sure the groove fits over the post sticking out of the wall.
8. Make sure the cover locks into place. 

Install the water filter 

1. Slide the water filter into place by matching the arrow on the filter with the arrow on the cover.
2. Turn counterclockwise until it locks into place 
3. Close the door. 

Install the water lines

1. Go to the back of the unit
2. Secure the water line with the perma gum so warm air won’t get inside the fresh food section
3. Use the 1/4-inch nut driver to secure the screws at the top of the water line cover. 
4. Use the water line with the single nut to connect to the water valve.
5. Thread it by hand and use the 1/2-inch wrench to tighten it, do not over tighten.

Finish up and verify repair

1. Connect the second water line to the water supply line
2. Use two 1/2 inch wrenches to tighten the union, be careful not to over tighten.
3. Turn on the water
4. Plug the unit back in
5. Check for any leaks
6. Make sure the three tabs on the bottom of the panel lock into the refrigerator.
7. Use the 5/16-inch nut driver to reinstall the access panel.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the water filter head in your GE refrigerator. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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