How to Replace the Water Filter in a Whirlpool Refrigerator

This guide will give you step-by-step instructions on how to replace the water filter in your Whirlpool refrigerator. It’s recommended that you replace your water filter every six months. If you don’t, you risk the water starting to taste bad, odors emitting from your fridge, and leaks occurring in your fridge.

Before you can replace your water filter, make sure you purchase the correct replacement filter from a retailer that stocks them. On your existing water filter, there should be a product code that you can use when ordering replacement filters.

As soon as you have the correct replacement filter, you can follow the steps in this guide to remove and then install the new filter into your Whirlpool refrigerator.

This guide covers all major Whirlpool refrigerator models, including:

1ET25DKXGW00

2-A Y

3EAD19XMWR1

3ECKMF10

3ECKMF8

3ECKMF86

ED5FVGXWS07

WRB322DMBM00

WRF535SMBM00

WRF560SEHZ00

WRF560SEYM05

WRF736SDAM11

WRF736SDAM12

WRF736SDAM13

WRF736SDAM14

WRS322FDAM04

WRS325FDAM02

WRS325FDAM04

WRS571CIDM01

WRS571CIHZ01

WRX735SDBM00

Step 1 – Get prepared

The first task is to locate your water filter. Depending on your exact Whirlpool refrigerator model, it will either be in the grill that’s at the base of the fridge or inside the refrigerator at the back. You should be able to easily find it, but if you’re not sure, you can always check your user manual. 

Once you’ve located the water filter, it’s a good idea to place a towel down underneath the filter unit to pick up any water that leaks out when you remove the old filter. You can also turn the ice maker off as this can be another source of leaking water. 

If you have an older Whirlpool refrigerator, you may also need to turn the water supply off manually—but usually, there is an automatic water valve that ensures no water leaks out when you change the filter. If you’re not sure if you have an automatic water valve, you should check your user manual.

Step 2 – Remove the old filter

Now that you’re prepared, you can remove the old filter from your fridge. The easiest way to do this is to:

• If the water filter in your Whirlpool refrigerator is in the grill at the bottom of your fridge: press the button on the filter and pull it out. If the filter doesn’t have a button, turn the filter counterclockwise, and it should then pop out.
• If the water filter is inside your fridge: remove the cover of the filter, push the filter in, turn it counterclockwise, and it should be able to come out.
• If you’re unable to get the old filter out, you may need to push the filter in harder, or turn it with more force as they can sometimes become stuck—especially when they haven’t been changed for a while.

Step 3 – Install the new filter

Now that the old water filter has been removed from your Whirlpool refrigerator, the next step is to install the new one. You can do this by:

• If your water filter is located in the lower grill, it probably has a cap on it that can be unscrewed and placed onto the new filter. Once it has been attached, you can place the filter into the correct position and secure it in place by either screwing it in or pushing it in until you hear it click into place.
• If your water filter is in your fridge, simply place it into position and either screw it in or push it in until it clicks into place. Most filters have arrows on them that tell you which way it goes in. Once in place, make sure you put the cover back onto the filter.
• You can now remove the towel you put down earlier and turn the ice machine back on. If you had to turn the water supply off you can turn that back on too.

Step 4 – Flush the water pipe out

Now that the new water filter has been installed into your Whirlpool fridge, it’s a good idea to flush the system out before you start drinking any water or making ice with it. This is especially important if your filter hasn’t been changed for a while.

To flush the water pipe out, place a 1-gallon jug under the dispenser and dispense four jugs worth of water (4 gallons) out of the tap and pour it down the sink. Once flushed out you can start to drink water from your fridge again. Remember to change your filter every six months to avoid any problems from occurring.