How to Change Your Refrigerator's Water Filter
It takes 5 minutes, tops. CR's experts walk you through the steps.
Does your fridge beep at you whenever you use the water dispenser? Is the flow of water slower than usual? Is the "Change Filter" light blinking over and over again? That’s a sign it’s time to change the water filter in your refrigerator.
You should do this simple maintenance every six months. (There are a number of filters to choose from, but that’s another story, literally: Best Refrigerator Water Filters.) Not sure if your refrigerator even has a water filter? If there’s a water dispenser, it probably does.
Below, our lead test engineer for refrigerators helps you find your filter and swap it out. It takes just a few minutes.
CR test engineer Breann Chai unveils the mysteries of refrigerator water filters: where to find them in a fridge, and how choose and insert their replacements.
Step 1: Find Your Fridge's Water Filter
Look for the filter off to one side of the top fridge compartment, or behind the trim plate between the floor and the bottom of the fridge door—a favorite hiding place for Whirlpool side-by-side filters. If you have a built-in, it might also be behind the service panel at the top of the appliance. Filters are a rare feature on bottom-freezer models—only three models of that type in our ratings have water dispensers, and none have filters.
Still can’t find it? Search for the owner’s manual online using the refrigerator’s model number, then search in the PDF for "filter."
Step 2: If There's a Filter Cover, Remove It
Easy. Some twist off, some have tabs you squeeze, some have an eject button. But it should be pretty intuitive.
Step 3: Remove the Spent Filter
Depending on the make and model of refrigerator, you may need to first swing the old cartridge out from its slot. Then either pull it straight out of the housing or twist it counterclockwise. Check the packaging of the replacement cartridge so you don’t have to guess—you don’t want to risk breaking one of the plastic parts.
Need to buy a replacement filter?
See CR’s test results for the best refrigerator water filters.
Step 4: Install the New Filter
Insert the new filter into the housing; it should lock in place. If you had to twist the old one to remove it, you’ll need to twist the replacement clockwise to seat it in place.
Step 5: Flush Out the Filter
Dispense about two gallons of water to remove air and contaminants from the water line. You can use it to water your plants.
If your refrigerator has an indicator to change the filter, remember to reset it. You should be good for about six months.
