How to Replace a Refrigerator Water Filter (With Video!)

Is your refrigerator’s water starting to taste off, or has the water flow become sluggish? These are clear indicators that it’s time to replace your refrigerator’s water filter—a simple fix that can be done in minutes! Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide that will have your filter replaced and your water back to tasting great in no time.

Most water filters use carbon filtration to make your water taste and smell better. In these sorts of filters, the water passes through granules of carbon, which will remove impurities like chlorine, lead, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as herbicides and pesticides. Over time, you may find that water or ice from your fridge is tasting or smelling a little strange or that the flow of water is weaker. These are some pretty surefire signs that it’s time to replace a refrigerator’s water filter, typically you will want to replace your water filter every six months to keep your water fresh. Read on to see why it’s important to replace your water filter, and how to get the job done quickly yourself.

Search below using your specific refrigerator model number to identify the exact water filter needed:

Do I Really Need To Replace My Refrigerator Water Filter?

It might seem like a pain, but you really should replace your refrigerator’s water filter regularly, and not just because you might wind up with water that tastes funky if you don’t. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the filter in your fridge every 6 months or so, and never letting it go longer than a year. Leaving a filter in too long could lead to a number of issues, including:

1. It just stops filtering. When the carbon inside the filter reaches max capacity, the water will keep flowing through the filter, carrying along what should’ve been filtered out, and possibly picking up more debris along the way.
2. Clogging from an overly packed filter will impact the flow of water both into the ice maker and from the dispenser. If it gets too bad, they might stop working all together.
3. Scaling or other buildup which could cause damage to the rest of the refrigerator, particularly the water dispenser or ice maker’s other components.
4. Bacterial or mold growth. If your refrigerator’s water filter is left for too long, bacteria or mold could begin to grow in it. Not only will this seriously make your water taste weird, it could make you sick!

How to Find The Right Water Filter For Your Refrigerator

While the process for filtering water may be largely the same from filter to filter, the filters themselves come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and hookups. It’s important to ensure that you’re getting a compatible filter for your fridge before you make any purchases. For the best results, you should get an OEM product — that’s original equipment manufacturer — to ensure an NSF certified, quality product.

Figuring out what filter you need is simple enough. Just remove the filter currently in your fridge and check the label. It should have a part number of some sort, making it easy to identify. Whirlpool refrigerator water filters, for instance, are sorted by a single digit, 1 through 6. If your refrigerator’s water filter is missing, or if the label is too damaged or worn to read, you can search your refrigerator’s model number online to find a compatible part.

Once you know what you need, check out water filters at AppliancePartsPros.com to pick up the right part at a great price by searching with your exact fridge model number.

How To Replace A Refrigerator Water Filter

Where to find your fridge’s filter and how to install a new one will depend on the brand and model of your fridge, but there are a few common styles of filter that are removed and installed in roughly the same way. Let’s start with the basics, steps you’ll want to take with every filter, and then we’ll review how to install several different types of water filter.

Across the board, regardless of which model of refrigerator you have, you should start by shutting off the water to your refrigerator. You can do this from the back of the refrigerator. Look for a valve connected to a (usually white) hose. Just turn that to the right to shut the water off. After, press a glass to the dispenser and drain the remaining water from the fridge.

It won’t hurt to have a dish towel on hand. Place it beneath the filter before removing it to ensure any leaking water is caught! Once you’ve done that, you can move on to the next step…

How to Replace A Twist-On Refrigerator Water Filter

As the name implies, twist-on refrigerator water filters are locked into place by turning. Twist-on water filters can be found on many refrigerators from Kenmore, Samsung, and Whirlpool, among others.

1. Locate the filter housing. It’s probably inside the refrigerator, in one of the upper corners, but may also be in a drawer or in the front base grille.
2. Place a dish towel beneath it to catch any water.
3. Twist the filter to the left to unlock it. A quarter turn should do.
4. Pull firmly to remove it. Be mindful of how much resistance there is. If it seems stuck, you may have to turn it slightly more.
5. If needed, remove the filter cap from the old filter and set it aside. If your filter has a filter cap on it (common in filters that are installed in the base grille), you can slide it off. Keep this part, as it will go on the new filter.
6. Check the new water filter and remove any caps or safety seals before installing. Then, if needed, put the filter cap on the new filter.
7. Line the new filter up with the holder and insert it.
8. Turn the new filter to the right, you should feel it lock into place!
9. Finally, if you have a smart refrigerator, press and hold the filter change button to reset the indicator light.

How to Replace A Push-In Refrigerator Water Filter

Push-in filters are held in place by a spring, and are usually released by a button of some sort. Some LG french door refrigerators use filters like this.

1. Locate the filter housing. It’s probably inside the refrigerator in an upper corner in the back. Place a dish towel beneath it to catch any leaks!
2. Open the filter housing. There are likely buttons or tabs on one or both sides of the housing keeping it closed.
3. Gently pivot the filter down, and then firmly pull to remove it.
4. Remove the cap from the old water filter if it has one. You will likely need to install this on the new filter.
5. Check the new filter for any safety seals and remove those. Put the cap from the old filter on the new filter, if needed.
6. Insert the new filter and push into the housing until you feel it lock into place.
7. Close the housing.
8. Finally, press and hold the filter change button to turn the indicator light off. Three seconds should do it!

How to Replace A Water Filter Installed In The Refrigerator’s Water Line

Sometimes, a water filter is installed directly in the refrigerator’s water line, accessed from the back of the fridge. Replacing these sorts of filters is a little more involved, but still doable! You may need a pair of pliers and possibly a screwdriver to replace this type of filter.

1. Pull the refrigerator out and away from the wall. Give yourself plenty of space to work.
2. Unplug the refrigerator. For safety, you should ensure that the refrigerator is not receiving power before going any further.
3. Place a bucket or towel beneath the water filter to catch any leaks.
4. Disconnect the filter from the water line and remove any supply lines or fittings from the old filter. You may need pliers for this part.
5. Connect the new filter to these fittings and reconnect the water supply line.
6. Plug the refrigerator back in and push it back into place! 

Final Steps

Regardless of your refrigerator model, you should do the following:

1. Turn the water back on! You can do this from the valve on the back of the fridge.
2. Flush the filter. How long you need to flush the filter will vary. The filter’s manual should say for sure, but you’ll want to run water through the dispenser for upward of five minutes to remove air bubbles or carbon fines.
3. Double check for leaks. Take a look and make sure that no water is pooling beneath the filter.

Where To Find Us 

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to locate and order them quickly. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have tons of great information in our repair help section and YouTube videos to help you troubleshoot.

Stay connected with the latest DIY tips, tutorial videos, and repair guides by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We love hearing about your repair stories and successes. If you need more help or want personalized guidance, feel free to contact or call us at 877-477-7278. We’re ready to help you take on your next project with confidence!

Since 1999, AppliancePartsPros.com has helped millions of people repair their broken appliances by providing high-quality original parts at well below retail prices, free support and troubleshooting, and award-winning customer service from an expert, friendly, US-based customer support team!