Weekly cleaning cycle
GE recommends running the Opal's self-cleaning cycle weekly or when the SmartHQ app sends a cleaning reminder. The cleaning cycle circulates water through the ice-making components and flushes the water pathway. During the cleaning cycle, ice production stops -- plan cleaning for low-usage periods. The cycle takes approximately 25-30 minutes.
Monthly descaling
In hard water areas (over 150 PPM calcium), run a descaling cycle monthly using the GE Opal descaling solution (XWFPDS) or a citric acid solution (1 tablespoon citric acid per gallon water). Follow the descaling procedure in the user manual -- it's a separate cycle from the weekly cleaning that targets mineral scale in the evaporator coils. Scale buildup in the evaporator degrades ice production capacity and, if severe, can damage the compressor.
SmartHQ error codes
Error code "E1": water is not flowing into the reservoir -- check water level in the reservoir and the side tank connection. Error code "E2": ice is not dropping from the evaporator -- descale the unit; ice bridging on the evaporator is the most common E2 cause. Error code "E3": ambient temperature is outside the operating range (65 degF-90 degF) -- the Opal does not produce ice effectively in very cold or very hot environments. GE Appliances customer support: 1-800-626-2000.