How to Replace the Air Filter in a Frigidaire Refrigerator (PureAir Ultra II and PureAir RAF-2)

Frigidaire refrigerators use a PureAir air filter: Professional models such as PRSC2222AF take the PureAir Ultra II (PAULTRA2), and Gallery models such as GRFC2353AF take the PureAir RAF-2, also called AF-2 (FRGPAAF2). The filter sits in a housing at the top of the fresh-food compartment, goes in with the carbon side facing out, and should be replaced every six months.

Which Air Filter Does My Frigidaire Refrigerator Use?

Your Frigidaire's air filter depends on the specific model, not the series name alone, and Frigidaire currently sells two main current types plus several older ones. The two current types use different housings entirely, so confirming which one your exact model lists, rather than assuming based on whether your fridge is a Professional or Gallery unit, is what actually determines which filter and which replacement steps apply to you.

PureAir Ultra II (PAULTRA2)

PureAir Ultra II absorbs undesirable smells with carbon technology, per Frigidaire's own product description, and is confirmed for the Professional PRSC2222AF and PRMC2285AF. It requires no tools to install: remove the plastic wrap, install the filter, and reset the reminder.

PureAir RAF-2 / AF-2 (FRGPAAF2)

Frigidaire uses two names for the same filter, PureAir RAF-2 and AF-2, both referring to part number FRGPAAF2, confirmed for the Gallery GRFC2353AF and GRMC2273CF. It's a smaller cartridge, measuring 7 4/5" × 1 4/5" × 2/5", that installs by removing a housing cover rather than pulling out the whole housing.

Older and other Frigidaire air filters

PureAir Ultra (PAULTRA) is an older generation, separate from Ultra II, also sold as part numbers 241754002 and 242047804. PAULTRA2PK is a 2-pack of the older PureAir Ultra, not a 2-pack of Ultra II, despite the similar-looking name. Other Frigidaire air filters include FRGPAAF1 (RAF-1), AFCB, and FRPFUAF1 (PureFresh Universal). Frigidaire doesn't state that PAULTRA2 replaces PAULTRA, so don't assume one supersedes the other.

Table 1. Frigidaire Air Filters

Not seeing your exact model above? Check your model's accessories page on frigidaire.com, or the fits list printed on the filter packaging itself, rather than assuming based on the general "Gallery" or "Professional" series name alone.

Where Is the Air Filter in a Frigidaire Refrigerator?

On the Frigidaire Professional PRSC2222AF, the PureAir Ultra II air filter sits in a pull-out housing at the top of the fresh-food compartment, next to the water filter.

At the top of the fresh-food compartment

The PRSC2222AF's own Use & Care Guide places the air filter housing at the top of the fresh-food compartment, and its Quick Start guide narrows that to the top left side of the compartment. For other models, check that specific model's guide rather than assuming the exact same position applies.

Not behind the bottom grille

The air filter is not behind the bottom grille on the models this guide covers, despite what some other sources claim. That bottom-grille, twist-out description actually matches how some Frigidaire water filters install, not the air filter, so conflating the two leads directly to looking in the wrong place.

Table 2. Air Filter vs. Water Filter

For full water filter replacement steps, see our guide on replacing the Frigidaire water filter.

How to Replace a Frigidaire Air Filter

Replacement needs no tools for either housing type, and the single detail that matters most across both is installing the new filter with the carbon side facing out. Installing a filter backward is the most common mistake, and it can prevent the housing cover or door from closing fully even when every other step was done correctly.

Before you start, and on a new fridge

No tools are needed to replace a Frigidaire air filter. Remove all plastic wrap from the new filter before installing it. On a brand-new refrigerator, the air filter isn't pre-installed; it ships in the literature pack inside the crisper drawer, and the owner installs it at setup.

PureAir Ultra II (pull-out housing)

1. Pull the housing straight out.

2. Remove the old filter.

3. Place the new filter in the housing with the black side facing out, away from the housing wall.

4. Slide the housing back into place.

5. Activate or reset the AIR FILTER indicator.

PureAir RAF-2 / AF-2 (housing cover)

1. Remove the filter housing cover.

2. Discard the old filter.

3. Snap in the new filter with the carbon side facing out.

4. Replace the cover.

5. Reset the reminder.

Table 3. Replacement Quick Reference

After Replacing: Reset and a Humidity Tip

On the Professional side-by-side (PRSC2222AF), press and hold AIR FILTER for 3 seconds to reset the indicator, which then displays GOOD, ORDER or REPLACE.

Reset the air filter light

For control panels beyond the PRSC2222AF, including French-door and multi-door models, see our full guide to resetting the Frigidaire air filter light, which covers every panel type and what to do if the light won't reset.

Keep food away from the housing

Frigidaire's own manual warns that in humid regions, food stored too close to the damper or air-filter housing may freeze. Leaving a small gap around the housing avoids this, particularly for items stored on the shelf closest to it.

How Often to Replace It, and Troubleshooting

Replace a Frigidaire air filter about every six months, and the status light will prompt you on most models before you need to track the date yourself. Odor control, unlike a clogged water filter's obvious flow problems, doesn't always announce itself clearly, which is exactly why relying on the status light or the calendar matters more here than waiting for a noticeable symptom.

Every six months

Frigidaire's general guidance is about every six months, with the status light prompting replacement on most models. Some specific product listings vary slightly: FRGPAAF2's own spec sheet lists a 3-to-6-month range, while the PAULTRAII2PK two-pack is described as a year of filters. Order the same filter type your refrigerator already uses rather than switching types between replacements.

Filter doesn't fit, housing won't close, or odors persist

Most fit and odor problems after a replacement trace back to the wrong filter type or an inverted filter.

Table 4. Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PAULTRA2 the same as FRGPAAF2?

No. They're different filters with different housings. PAULTRA2 (PureAir Ultra II) fits a pull-out housing on Professional models like the PRSC2222AF, while FRGPAAF2 (RAF-2/AF-2) fits a housing with a removable cover on Gallery models like the GRFC2353AF. Use the one your specific model lists.

Where is the air filter on a new Frigidaire refrigerator?

It ships in the literature pack inside the crisper drawer, ready to install. New refrigerators don't come with the air filter pre-installed; the owner installs it as part of initial setup, following the same steps as a routine replacement.

What does a Frigidaire refrigerator air filter do?

It absorbs undesirable smells inside the refrigerator compartment using carbon technology, per Frigidaire's own product description. This is separate from the water filter, which filters water for the dispenser and ice maker rather than addressing odors inside the compartment.

Can I use the older PureAir Ultra (PAULTRA) instead of Ultra II?

Use the specific filter type your model lists, since Frigidaire doesn't state that one replaces the other. PAULTRA and PAULTRA2 are different generations, and substituting one for the other isn't confirmed to work correctly in a housing designed for the other type.

How long does a Frigidaire air filter last?

About six months, per Frigidaire's general guidance, though specific listings vary slightly. FRGPAAF2's own spec sheet lists 3 to 6 months, while a PAULTRAII2PK two-pack is described as a year of filters. The status light prompts replacement on most models before you need to track the date yourself.

Sources

• frigidaire.com: PAULTRA2 (PureAir Ultra II) product page

• frigidaire.com: PAULTRAII2PK product page

• frigidaire.com: FRGPAAF2 (PureAir RAF-2 / AF-2) product page

• frigidaire.com: PAULTRA (PureAir Ultra) product page

• frigidaire.com: air filter listing page (FRGPAAF1, AFCB, FRPFUAF1)

• frigidaire.com: PRSC2222AF, PRMC2285AF, GRFC2353AF, GRMC2273CF model accessories pages

• Frigidaire PRSC2222AF Use & Care Guide (A23655704)

• Frigidaire PRSC2222AF Quick Start Guide (A23662302)

• Frigidaire Gallery Quick Start Guide (A29346402)

• owner.frigidaire.com support article 1847720

• owner.frigidaire.com support article 1853089 (title reference only)