How to replace the refrigerator water filter
Most refrigerator water filters need changing every 6 months or at their gallon rating, whichever comes first. Find the model number, swap the cartridge, flush water through the dispenser as your manual directs, then reset the filter light. With an unknown filter from the seller, change it now.
Which refrigerator water filter to buy
Get the exact filter for your fridge. The part number is in the manual and printed on the old cartridge. Filter fit varies, and some models lock out others. Tap Water Data reports that GE's XWFE uses an RFID chip that blocks aftermarket filters.
Next, read the certification on the box. These standards cover different things:
| Standard | What it covers | What it doesn't |
|---|---|---|
| NSF/ANSI 42 | Taste and odor, mainly chlorine, and some particles | Health contaminants such as lead |
| NSF/ANSI 53 | Health effects, such as lead, cysts and some pesticides | Anything not named on the listing |
| NSF/ANSI 401 | Emerging contaminants, such as some pharmaceuticals and BPA | PFAS, according to Tap Water Data |
If lead is your concern, a filter certified only to 42 won't help. Look for the specific contaminant on the listing. To check a filter, search the NSF, WQA or IAPMO directories by brand and model number. A vague "NSF certified" on a listing isn't enough. Certificates can sit under a factory's name, so ask the seller for the file number if the brand doesn't show up.
Watch out for fakes. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers warns that counterfeit filters copy brand names and logos, and that poor filters can leak or damage a fridge. It's a trade group with a stake in maker-branded filters, but its advice to buy from trusted sellers stands.
Where to find your fridge water filter
Location depends on the model. Common spots are inside the fridge at the top right, in the back corner, or behind a grille at the base. Your manual will show you, and many makers post the steps online. If the seller left no manual, search your model number, which is usually on a sticker inside the door.
Write the install date on the filter or in your phone. A filter light that's off doesn't prove the filter is fresh, because the seller may have reset it.
How to replace a refrigerator water filter, step by step
- Find the model number
Check the manual or the old filter for the part number, and buy that exact match.
- Remove the old filter
Most twist or push out. Keep a towel handy for drips. If it's stuck, check the manual rather than forcing it.
- Install the new one
Take off any cap and push or twist it until it locks.
- Flush it
Follow your manual, since the amount differs by model. Frizzlife suggests 3 to 5 gallons in 30- to 60-second bursts. Expect sputtering and cloudy water at first.
- Reset the indicator
Use the steps in your manual. Each model has its own button or menu.
- Log the date
Set a 6-month reminder, and order a spare.
What a refrigerator water filter costs
| Filter type | About what it costs | Per year (two changes) |
|---|---|---|
| Maker's (OEM) filter | $40 to $60 | $80 to $120 |
| Aftermarket filter | $8 to $20 | $16 to $40 |
These are Tap Water Data's figures. It says certified aftermarket filters are held to the same standard for the contaminants they list, but 401 coverage varies, so check each one. Check your warranty terms before you switch, too.
Mistakes when you replace a fridge water filter
- Going by the calendar alone in a big household. Tap Water Data's rating examples run from about 170 to 300 gallons, and heavy use can get there well before 6 months.
- Stretching a filter past 6 months. A wet, old filter can harbor bacteria, says filter seller Frizzlife.
- Drinking the first water and ice. Flush it, and throw out the first two batches of ice.
- Assuming a filter fixes unsafe water. If your water is under a local advisory, follow the utility's instructions.
Questions on how to replace a refrigerator water filter
How often should I change my refrigerator water filter?
Every 6 months, or at its gallon rating if you reach that first. Change it sooner if you notice slower flow or an off taste or smell.
What happens if I don't change my fridge filter?
It stops filtering well, so off tastes can return and flow can slow. A spent filter can also harbor bacteria and make the fridge work harder.
Are aftermarket refrigerator filters safe?
A certified one can perform as well for the contaminants it lists. Verify the certification in a directory, since counterfeits copy brand names and logos.
Sources: tapwaterdata.com, frizzlife.com, filteritout.org
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.