Water won't flow from GE Smart Water under-sink RO water filter

If the RO is not shutting off and there is no water from tank there are several things to check.
1. The product water tank is probably low on air. The tank may be full but no water will come out. Put enough air in tank to force out all the water then reset air pre-charge to 7psi for 3 gallon tank.
2. The capillary tube / check valve of RO system is bad. This puts back pressure on membrane to help create water.
3. The Automatic shutoff is not working, causing the unit to run constantly.
I would have to know what model RO it is to narrow down the problem further.
Depending on the Membrane production 10, 25 gpd, etc. and the TDS of water it may take 24 hrs to fill the tank.
RJ

Check the capillary tube to make sure it is not plugged. This will restrict the flow from membrane. Also make sure the seal for membrane is not damaged. It takes several hours to refill the RO tank if it is empty.
RJ

It is quite common to loose air pressure in the RO over time. At times the tank will be full of water but will not have enough air pressure to push water out. Take the tank of drain as much water as possible, for 3 gallon tank bring pressure in tank to 7psi, for 10 gallon tank pressure should be 10psi.
RJ

Is this an RO system or just filtration? If so, does the membrane need replacing and/or is the GPD capacity on the membrane compatible with the system?
Another thing to look at...is your flow rate this low at a constant rate (perhaps taking 3 hours to accumulate 30 secs worth of water)? What are the micron ratings of the filters you are using? If they are too low or at the submicron level, this could massively reduce flow.
One more thing...you're only using one tank right? Because throwing a couple inline with each other with different pressures and capacities will also do this...

I would pull out all the filters changed and check them. If a GAC filter is used as the post filter, before the RO tank, carbon fines can come out of the filter and can plug up the head on the RO system. Make sure the sediment pre-filter is not plugged and there is plenty of water supply. You may have lost pressure in the RO tank. A 3 gallon tank should have 7psi pressure when totally empty.
RJ

The RO tank will still fill up even without any pressure it just won't push any water out. If the RO tank lost pressure and it is a sealed tank, it should be replaced. The bladder is bad.
A 3 gallon tank should have 7psi pre-charge pressure, 10 gallon 10psi. There must not be any water in tank to set the pre-charge pressure.
If the RO tank is not filling up then there is another problem.
RJ

The water storage has probably lost its charge. A 3 gallon tank should have 7 psi pre-charge pressure. Tank has to be totally empty to set pre-charge. Turn water off to RO, pump air into tank to force all the water out at faucet, turn tank valve off and relieve pressure until 7psi charge.
RJ

There may be several causes for this. Here is a list of things to look for.
1. If an activated carbon filter was installed many times carbon fines will plug up the head of the RO housing. Pull the filters out and flush the whole assembly with NO filters in it.
2. The capillary tube (which puts back pressure on the membrane to create water) may be worn out and all the water will run to the drain. Replace capillary tube
3. The automatic shutoff may not be opening to allow for water flow.
4. Shut the water off at RO tank and take the line off from RO filters to see if any water is flowing from housings.
5. The RO tank may also need air. If the air charge is low in tank (7 psi for 3 gal tank) no water can be forced from the tank.
6. If the RO is fed by a piercing valve make sure their is water coming from it.
7. Depending on what type of RO it is their may be a flow restrictor in head of membrane housing that can get plugged also.
I hope these tips may help you,
RJ

I am assuming based on your description that the system you have is a reverse osmosis system. If this is true, you most likely need to recharge the air pressure in your RO storage tank. I have included step-by-step instructions below. If you find that your tank is not holding air or the tank will not empty completely, the bladder inside the tank may be broken and the tank will need to be replaced. I have included a link to our selection of RO tanks as well. To recharge the tank you will need a bicycle tire pump and a tire gauge that will be capable of reading below 10 psi. If you don’t have one that reads in single psi increments, then a meter that starts at 5 psi will work.
http://www.freshwatersystems.com/c-32-reverse-osmosis-storage-tanks.aspx

1) Close the cold water feed valve (if you can’t locate this on your system, you may be able to turn off the cold water to your sink)
2) With the RO tank valve on, locate the valve stem on the bottom or side of the tank. (this will look like the air stem on a bicycle or car tire)
3) Remove the stem cap.
4) Drain all water out of tank through open RO faucet into sink. (Continue to leave the RO
faucet open throughout the entire procedure)
5) If the current tank pressure doesn’t empty the tank, apply tire pump to valve stem
and pump a few times. Flow will increase and then gradually decrease as
pressure equalizes. Do not overcharge the bladder during this procedure.
6) Repeat step #4 and #5 until tank is completely empty. (Tank is empty when additional
pumping produces no more water)
7) At this point, adjust EMPTY tank to exactly 7psi. (Gauge reading midway between 5
& 10psi is sufficient)
8) Turn off RO faucet.
9) Replace cap on valve stem
10) Open cold water feed valve.
11) The water is useable immediately; however, tank will take a few hours to completely fill.


Geoff D., CWS-I - WQA Certified Water Specialist
Fresh Water Systems, Inc - http://www.freshwatersystems.com 1.877.335.3339

No on the air bleed out, probably so on the water line reversed suspicion