GE
Ineffective Softening / Resin Capacity Loss
Water remains hard even though the GE water softener appears to run regenerations normally.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Exhausted or fouled resin bed, Incorrect hardness or capacity settings, Bypass valve left in bypass, Insufficient salt in brine tank
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: No electrical work is required for basic checks. If you remove covers, unplug the unit first.
- Step 1 – Confirm bypass position: Check the GE bypass valve. Ensure it is in the Service or Soft position, not Bypass.
- Step 2 – Test water hardness: Use a hardness test kit on water before and after the softener. If both are similar, the softener is not exchanging hardness.
- Step 3 – Check salt and brine: Verify adequate salt in the tank and that the brine level drops during regeneration (indicating brine draw).
- Step 4 – Adjust settings: Confirm the programmed hardness matches your actual water hardness. Increase slightly if you have iron or if hardness breakthrough occurs early.
- Step 5 – Clean or replace resin: If the unit is older or exposed to iron, treat with a resin cleaner. If performance does not improve, replace the GE compatible cation resin bed.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
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