How to Replace and Reset the Water Filter on a Whirlpool Refrigerator

All current Whirlpool refrigerator water filters now fall under the EveryDrop platform, which covers Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Amana, and Jenn-Air models made on the same appliance platform. Knowing which EveryDrop filter number your specific refrigerator uses -- and which installation style it has -- makes the replacement process fast and straightforward. This guide covers both the replacement steps and the reset methods for every common Whirlpool control panel configuration.

Step 1 -- Identify the Right Whirlpool Filter

The table below maps the current EveryDrop filter lineup to the older Whirlpool part numbers they replaced, filter location, and rated capacity.

The most reliable way to confirm which filter your Whirlpool uses is to remove the existing cartridge and read the part number on the label -- either the older Whirlpool number or the current EDR designation. The DFS Fridge Filter Finder confirms the correct replacement by refrigerator brand and configuration if the existing filter is unavailable or unreadable.

Step 2 -- Remove the Old Filter

Have a small towel ready before starting -- a few drops of water release when any Whirlpool filter is removed. No tools are required for any current EveryDrop configuration.

For interior push-in or twist-in filters (EDR1RXD1, EDR2RXD1, EDR4RXD1): open the filter housing cover if present, rotate the filter counterclockwise a quarter-turn, and pull it straight out.

For base grille push-button filters (EDR3RXD1): open the grille cover at the bottom front of the refrigerator, press the release button, and pull the cartridge straight out.

For base grille quarter-turn filters (EDR5RXD1, EDR6D1): open the grille cover, rotate the filter a quarter-turn, and pull it out.

Step 3 -- Install the New Filter

Remove the new filter from its packaging and peel off all protective caps. Inspect the O-rings and confirm they are evenly seated before installation. A misaligned O-ring is the most common cause of post-change drips.

For interior twist-in models: push the new filter firmly into the housing and rotate clockwise a quarter-turn until it locks. The filter must be fully rotated to the locked position -- a partially rotated filter leaves the water valve closed, resulting in no water flow from the dispenser or ice maker.

For base grille push-button models: push the new filter firmly into the manifold slot until it bottoms out, then push up firmly once more to confirm the spring-loaded blades click into the open position. Close the grille cover until it snaps.

For base grille quarter-turn models: insert the filter and rotate a quarter-turn clockwise until it stops. Close the grille cover.

Step 4 -- Flush the New Filter

Dispense 3 to 4 gallons through the water dispenser and discard it before drinking. Whirlpool EveryDrop filter installation instructions note that noise and sputtering during the first flush are normal as air is purged from the system. If the refrigerator sits unused for more than a few days after the change, flush an additional quart before drinking. Discard the first two ice batches as well.

Step 5 -- Reset the Filter Indicator

Whirlpool refrigerators require a manual reset after every filter change. The indicator is a timer -- it does not detect whether a new filter is installed. The reset method varies by control panel type. The table below covers the most common configurations.

A successful reset changes the indicator from red or orange to green or blue, or turns it off entirely. If the indicator does not respond after the first attempt, confirm the filter is fully locked in its housing -- a partially installed filter can prevent the reset from registering on some Whirlpool models.

If the light remains on after confirming correct installation and trying the reset again, try pressing the button combination slightly longer. Some models require closer to 5 seconds rather than 3. For unusual panel configurations, the refrigerator model number and owner's manual provide the model-specific sequence.

Finding Whirlpool Filters at DFS

DFS carries the full range of OEM EveryDrop filters and certified compatible replacements for every current Whirlpool filter model.

The EveryDrop EDR1RXD1 Filter 1 is certified to NSF 42 and 53 and reduces 24 contaminants including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, waterborne parasites, metals, minerals, and chlorine taste and odor. The EveryDrop EDR3RXD1 Filter 3 -- the base grille push-button filter for Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Amana, Maytag, and Jenn-Air side-by-side models -- is certified to reduce 66 contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, metals, and industrial chemicals. The EveryDrop EDR4RXD1 Filter 4 covers ceiling-mounted applications across the Whirlpool family of brands.

For households that want NSF 53 lead and health-contaminant reduction alongside the baseline NSF 42 performance, the Tier1 Plus EDR4RXD1 adds certified lead, mercury, cyst, and VOC reduction in the same housing. The full Whirlpool refrigerator filters collection and EveryDrop filters collection cover all six current filter models in both OEM and compatible options. For a comparison of NSF certification tiers and what each level of filtration covers, the fridge filter buying guide is the most complete reference.

Questions about which Whirlpool filter is right for your model? Call the DFS team at 1-800-277-3458.

What EveryDrop filter does my Whirlpool refrigerator use? It depends on the model and configuration. The EDR1RXD1 (Filter 1) fits many Whirlpool models with an interior push-in filter. The EDR3RXD1 (Filter 3) fits Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and related side-by-side models with a base grille push-button filter. The EDR5RXD1 (Filter 5) fits models with a base grille quarter-turn filter. The part number is printed on the existing cartridge and is the most reliable identification method.

How do I reset the water filter light on a Whirlpool refrigerator? On most Whirlpool models, press and hold the Water Filter or Filter Reset button for 3 seconds. On models with Lock and Auto-Light or Lock and Water buttons on the dispenser, press and hold both simultaneously for 4 seconds. On models without a dedicated reset button, press the door light switch 5 times within 10 seconds. The indicator should change from red or orange to green or turn off after a successful reset.

Why is my Whirlpool refrigerator not dispensing water after a filter change? The most common cause is an incompletely locked filter. For twist-in models the filter must be pushed firmly into the housing and rotated fully to the locked position -- partial rotation leaves the water valve closed. Remove the filter and reinstall with deliberate firm pressure, rotating until you feel it lock into place, before trying the dispenser again.

Do I need to turn off the water supply to change a Whirlpool filter? No. Whirlpool EveryDrop filter housings seal the water supply automatically when the cartridge is removed. A small amount of water may drip during removal -- keeping a towel nearby is sufficient.

How often should I replace the Whirlpool refrigerator water filter? Every 6 months or at the filter's rated gallon capacity -- 200 gallons for most EveryDrop models and 400 gallons for the EDR5RXD1 -- whichever comes first. Reduced dispenser flow, a change in water taste or odor, and cloudy or off-tasting ice are reliable signals to replace regardless of the schedule.

What contaminants do EveryDrop Whirlpool filters remove? It depends on the specific filter model and NSF certifications. The EDR3RXD1 Filter 3 is certified to reduce 66 contaminants including chlorine taste and odor, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, waterborne parasites (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), heavy metals, minerals, and industrial chemicals. Other EveryDrop filters carry NSF 42, 53, and 401 certifications across varying contaminant lists. Check the specific product page for the full contaminant reduction list for your filter model.

Can I use a compatible replacement filter in my Whirlpool refrigerator? Yes. Compatible filters from Tier1 and Tier1 Plus are engineered to fit the same housings as EveryDrop OEM filters and carry equivalent NSF certifications. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, manufacturers generally cannot void a warranty solely because a certified compatible replacement part was used. Using an NSF-certified compatible filter is the appropriate standard.

What happens if I skip the flush after installing a new Whirlpool filter? The first water drawn through an unflushed filter will contain harmless carbon fines and trapped air -- resulting in cloudy, gray, or sputtering water. These clear quickly with flushing, but drinking unflushed water is not recommended. The flush also confirms the filter is fully seated, since a properly installed filter flows freely from the first gallon dispensed.