GE Refrigerator Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit Parts — Models & Compatibility

Your GE refrigerator's water dispenser suddenly stopped working, and you suspect frozen lines. The WR49X10173 dispenser water tube heater kit prevents ice buildup in the water line that runs through your freezer door, keeping water flowing year-round. This hub covers compatibility for over 100 GE, Hotpoint, RCA, and Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator models.

Is This the Right Part for Your Model?

Check your refrigerator's model number — it's usually on a sticker inside the fresh food compartment, along the upper left or right side wall. Compare it against the compatible models list below. This heater kit works across GE's GSS, GSH, DSS, BSS, HSS, SSS, PSS, GST, and ESH series refrigerators. If your model matches, you've found the right part.

About This Replacement Part

The dispenser water tube heater wraps around the water line inside your freezer door, preventing the line from freezing during cold weather or when your freezer's running extra cold. When this heater fails, water stops dispensing because ice blocks the tube — a common complaint during winter months. The WR49X10173 kit replaces original GE part numbers AP4318572, PS1766223, and 1381601. It includes the heating element and necessary mounting hardware. This isn't a complicated repair, but you'll need to remove the freezer door's inner panel to access the old heater.

Common Symptom

The primary sign you need this part: your water dispenser stops working, but ice still dispenses normally. That's because the ice maker has its own water supply line that doesn't run through the door. If you're not getting water from the dispenser, especially after a cold snap or if your freezer's been set to its coldest setting, the tube heater's likely burned out.

Compatible GE Refrigerator Models

This heater kit fits these GE refrigerator series and model numbers:

• GSS Series: GSS25JSRFSS, GSS25SGMFBS, GSS25WSTASS
• GSH Series: GSH25JSRFSS, GSH25JSDBSS, GSH22JFPW, GSH22JFRC, GSH22JFTB, GSH22KGPB, GSH22KGPC, GSH22KGPW, GSH22SGPS, GSH22SGRS
• DSS Series: DSS25KSTASS
• BSS Series: BSS25JFTAWW
• HSS Series: HSS25GFPHWW
• SSS Series: SSS25KFPHWW
• PSS Series: PSS26MSWASS
• GST Series: GST25KGMAWW
• ESH Series: ESH25JSWJSS
• GSC Series: GSC21KGRW

These models represent the most common GE side-by-side refrigerators using this heater design. If you don't see your exact model listed but it's in one of these series families, there's a strong chance this part will work.

Installation Overview

You'll need to remove the freezer door's inner panel to access the water tube and old heater. Disconnect power to your refrigerator first. The heater wraps around the water tube — carefully unwrap the old one and wrap the new heater in its place, following the routing of the original. Secure it with the included clips or fasteners, then reassemble the door panel. Test the dispenser after giving the new heater about 30 minutes to warm the line.

Why This Part Fails

The heating element experiences constant thermal cycling — warming when the compressor's running, cooling when it's not. Over years of use, the element burns out or develops breaks in the wire. Hard water deposits can also accumulate on the tube, reducing heat transfer and making the heater work harder. Most heaters last 5-8 years before needing replacement.

Order the Right Part

The WR49X10173 kit includes everything you need for a complete replacement. It's a direct fit for GE, Hotpoint, RCA, and Kenmore refrigerators built between the late 1990s and mid-2010s. Check your model number, verify compatibility with the list above, and you're set. This is one of those repairs that saves you a service call — the part's straightforward, and the installation's manageable if you're comfortable with basic appliance work.