Water Filter for the GE ZISW420DRE (MWF)

Your GE refrigerator takes the MWF slot. Below is every filter that fits — OEM and certified alternatives — with real prices.

✓ 100% compatible — no bypass plug needed

🔧 5-min push-in swap

🇺🇸 Ships from Indiana

ZISW420DRE · Quick Facts

TYPE

refrigerator

YEARS MADE

—

FILTER LOCATION

bottom of the fresh-food column or at the grille line in most side-by-side builds

FILTER SLOT

MWF bay

REPLACE EVERY

Every 6 months

ALSO BRANDED AS

—

ZISW420DRE · Quick Facts

Filter locationbottom of the fresh-food column or at the grille line in most side-by-side builds

Filter slotMWF bay

Replace everyEvery 6 months

Typical installTwist or push — 5 minutes, no tools

Every cartridge that fits this model — pulled live from the catalogue:

✓

Verified fit for ZISW420DRE. Cross-checked against GE service documentation — this model family uses the MWF bay with no chip or bypass restrictions.

Not your model? Check the finder →

ZISW420DRE specifics — where the filter actually lives

Where the filter actually lives: bottom of the fresh-food column or at the grille line in most side-by-side builds, a deliberate placement that keeps the swap away from the door seals and drawer rails. Mechanically the ZISW420DRE uses a twist-in cartridge: the cartridge drops into the keyed seat and locks with a short quarter turn.

Owners of the ZISW420DRE report the same friction points: a first removal that fights a set o-ring, and a status light that needs a manual hold-to-reset before it acknowledges the new cartridge. Read the prefix and the maintenance writes itself: ZIS machines come from the Monogram built-in side-by-side program, and GE’s parts system rewards you for knowing it: one cartridge family covers the run. The RE tail marks finish variants of one chassis; the filter bay is shared across the entire finish range.

ZIS vs PSS — what the prefix tells you

ZIS or PSS: the badge difference that does (and does not) change the filter order. ZIS machines are Monogram built-in side-by-side; PSS machines are Profile side-by-side. Both draw from the same cartridge line, which is why fit charts list them together. Cabinet decode: 42 cu ft — the number that tells you whether this cartridge feeds a family-size dispenser or a compact one.

Swap it in 5 minutes

Twist the old cartridge a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it straight down — keep a towel in reach for the dribble.
Fill the new cartridge with cold tap water so the chamber is not fighting an air pocket.
Offer the new cartridge to the bay, push up, and twist a quarter turn clockwise until the stop catches.
Run two gallons through the dispenser to flush carbon fines, then hold the filter-reset control until the status light clears.

What this filter takes out of your water

What it targets	Standard that covers it
Chlorine taste & odor	NSF/ANSI 42 — aesthetic effects
Particulates, Class I	NSF/ANSI 42 — fine sediment
Lead	NSF/ANSI 53 — health effects
Cysts (cryptosporidium, giardia)	NSF/ANSI 53 — microbial
PFOA & PFOS	NSF/ANSI 53 (P473) — varies by cartridge

Coverage above lists what the standard addresses, not a performance claim for any specific cartridge — removal claims vary by certificate, so check the NSF listing for the exact part number you are buying.

ZISW420DRE filter questions

How do I reset the filter light on the GE ZISW420DRE?

The reset is a press-and-hold on the filter control with the cartridge in place; check the ZISW420DRE owner’s manual for where that control sits on your panel.

Running the ZISW420DRE with an empty filter bay — does it need a cap?

The bay self-seals: with no cartridge the ZISW420DRE still dispenses, just unfiltered. No bypass plug exists for this line.

Are off-brand filters safe for a GE refrigerator?

Certified aftermarket cartridges are built to the same NSF test standards as the OEM part, and federal warranty law (Magnuson-Moss) protects your coverage when you use them.

Why is the OEM MWF cartridge so much more expensive?

Part of the OEM price is the badge and the distribution chain. Certified alternatives meet the same test standards at a lower unit price, especially in multi-packs.

How often should I replace the filter in my ZISW420DRE?

Every six months or at the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first — the MWF class cartridges all share that service interval.

Do I need to turn off the water supply to change it?

No — the bay is designed for a live swap. Expect a small dribble, keep a towel in reach, and flush a couple of gallons through the new cartridge before the first glass.

Every filter that fits your fridge

OEM MWF cartridge

This bay takes the OEM MWF. ClearFit verified-fit alternatives for this exact slot are being staged — every compatible option for your fridge is one lookup away.

Check every filter that fits →