Why Should I Change My Refrigerator Water Filter?

Generally, if you don’t have a house filtration system, you should still use the water filter, not the bypass plug. The filter is there to protect you AND your refrigerator’s health.

But, be aware – refrigerator water filters do need to be changed regularly. If you leave the filter in too long, you’ll start to notice issues like your ice tastes bad. Sometimes, the filter will get so clogged that the ice maker won’t make ice at all.

If you’re wondering how often to replace a refrigerator water filter, the answer depends. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter every six months. Heavy usage of the ice maker and water dispenser increases the frequency.

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to replace refrigerator water filters. The location and how it’s installed depend on your brand and model, but the basics are the same (use these instructions to install the bypass plug as well):

• Locate the water filter housing according to the user manual.
• Twist the filter a quarter turn counterclockwise and remove (some model have a button to release the filter).
• Install the new filter with a quarter turn clockwise (or push into place with button release models).