Kenmore Refrigerator Water Filter

The right water filter for your Kenmore refrigerator depends on which company built it. Kenmore is a Sears brand made by several manufacturers, so a Whirlpool-built Kenmore takes an everydrop filter, while an LG-built Kenmore Elite takes an LG LT-series filter. Find your model or filter number first, match it to the correct filter family, and the swap takes about a minute. Plan to change it every six months.

This guide shows you why there is no single “Kenmore filter,” how to identify the exact one your fridge needs, and how to change it.

Why isn’t there one Kenmore water filter?

Because Kenmore refrigerators are built by different manufacturers, and each uses its own filter. Kenmore does not make appliances; Sears contracted the manufacturing to companies like Whirlpool, LG, Frigidaire, and Samsung, and each builder designed its refrigerators with its own filter cartridge. That is why two Kenmore fridges can need completely different filters. (For the full breakdown of who builds which Kenmore, see our guide on who builds Kenmore refrigerators.)

The good news: once you know the maker, the correct filter is easy to pin down.

Which water filter fits my Kenmore refrigerator?

Match the model-number prefix to the filter family. The leading three digits of your Kenmore model number identify the manufacturer, which points you to the right filter line.

The two most common Kenmore filters are the everydrop (for the huge population of Whirlpool-built Kenmore fridges) and the LG LT700P style (for LG-built Kenmore Elite units). Always confirm for your exact model number, because filter designs changed across model years.

How do I find my Kenmore filter number?

You have four easy ways, in order of speed:

1. Read the old filter. The part number is usually printed right on the cartridge you are replacing.
2. Check the filter housing. Many fridges print the filter number on a sticker inside the housing door or nearby.
3. Look in the owner’s manual, which lists the compatible filter.
4. Use your model number. Find it on the label inside the fresh-food compartment, then enter it in the parts catalog to see the exact filter that fits.

Any one of these gets you the precise cartridge, which beats guessing by sight.

How do I change a Kenmore refrigerator water filter?

Most Kenmore filters are a quick push-in or quarter-turn swap, no tools needed. The exact motion depends on where the filter lives.

1. Locate the filter. It is usually in the upper-right rear of the fresh-food compartment, in the base grille at the bottom front, or behind a flip-down door.
2. Release the old filter. For twist types, turn about a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull out. For push types, press the release button and the filter pops forward.
3. Remove the new filter’s caps and note the alignment arrow or notch.
4. Insert and lock the new filter. Push it in and twist clockwise until it clicks, or push straight in until it latches.
5. Flush the system. Run about two to four quarts of water through the dispenser to clear air and carbon fines, until the water runs clear.
6. Reset the filter indicator. Press and hold the filter-reset button until the light changes.

Should I buy a genuine filter or an aftermarket one?

For water you drink, a genuine OEM filter is the safe choice. Aftermarket filters are cheaper and physically fit, but they vary widely in what they actually remove and how well they seal. A genuine everydrop or LG cartridge is built and certified to the specification your refrigerator was designed around, so you get the contaminant reduction the manufacturer promises and a proper fit that will not leak or bypass. Cheaper universal filters sometimes flow poorly, reduce ice output, or fail to remove what their packaging claims. If budget is the concern, the better saving is to run each genuine filter its full six months rather than to downgrade the cartridge. When in doubt, match the OEM number for your Kenmore’s maker and buy that.

How often should I change a Kenmore water filter?

Every six months, or sooner if flow drops or the water tastes off. Most Kenmore refrigerators track filter life and light a “replace filter” indicator around the six-month mark. Do not wait past it: a clogged filter slows water flow, starves the ice maker, and stops removing contaminants effectively. If your household uses a lot of water or you have poor incoming water quality, change it more often.

Watch: replacing an everydrop water filter in a Kenmore or Whirlpool refrigerator

Browse genuine Kenmore refrigerator parts and check it against your model number to order the exact filter.

The bottom line

There is no universal Kenmore water filter, because different makers build Kenmore fridges. Read your model prefix or old filter number, match it to the everydrop or LG LT-series family, and swap it in a minute. Flush the new filter, reset the indicator, and repeat every six months for clean water and reliable ice.

Written by: AppliancePartsPros Team Reviewed by: William M, appliance technician, an appliance technician since 2016 and an electronics specialist since 2009