How to Replace the Air Filter in an LG Refrigerator (LT120F and Other LG Air Filters)

Most LG French-door refrigerators use the LG LT120F Fresh Air Filter, which sits behind a round cover centered on the back wall of the fresh-food compartment, just above the top shelf. To replace it, turn the cover counterclockwise to remove it, swap in a new filter with the side marked FRONT facing out, turn the cover clockwise until it locks, and hold the Fresh Air Filter button for 3 seconds. LG recommends replacing the LT120F every six months.

Which Air Filter Does My LG Refrigerator Use?

The air filter your LG refrigerator uses depends on its style: French-door models in LG's help pages use the LT120F, while bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh models use their own filters. Each type has a different location, removal motion, replacement interval and reset hold time, so identify yours before you start.

The LT120F Fresh Air Filter

The LG LT120F is what LG calls a "6 Month Replacement Refrigerator Air Filter" that keeps the air in your refrigerator fresh by removing odor. LG's help pages show the LT120F in French-door models. LG lists it under part number ADQ73334008, and LG also lists ADQ73214404 for the same filter. If you need a new one, our LG replacement air filter page has the details.

Other LG air filters

LG makes three other refrigerator air-filter types besides the LT120F: a bottom-freezer Fresh Air filter, a Hygiene Fresh filter and a UV Hygiene Fresh+ system. The table below shows how to tell them apart and how each one is maintained.

Table 1. LG Refrigerator Air Filter Types

Check your model

The most reliable way to confirm your LG refrigerator's air filter is to enter your model number into LG's filter finder (the parts locator on lg.com). LG does not publish a single list of models for each air filter, and the same style of refrigerator can differ by model. LG's filter finder lists the LT120F as the air filter for the models it covers.

Where Is the Air Filter in an LG Refrigerator?

On LG French-door refrigerators, the air filter is centered on the back wall of the fresh-food compartment, just above the top shelf, behind a round cover. Bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh models place their filters differently.

French-door models: back wall, above the top shelf

LG places the LT120F air filter centered at the back of the refrigerator, just above the top shelf, inside a round cover you turn to remove. You don't need to remove any shelves or panels to reach it. The filter itself sits inside the cover, so the cover and filter come out together.

Bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh models

The LG Hygiene Fresh filter sits inside the refrigerator compartment shelf, according to LG's Hygiene Fresh help page. The bottom-freezer Fresh Air filter is covered by its own LG help page and your owner's manual, which show its exact position for your model. If you can't find the filter, check your model in LG's filter finder or manual rather than searching other parts of the fridge.

How to Replace the LT120F Air Filter

Replacing the LG LT120F air filter takes a few minutes and no tools: you twist off the round cover, swap the filter inside it, and twist the cover back on. The step most guides skip is removing the old filter from the cover itself, which you do by pressing on its side.

Before you start

Before you replace the LT120F, unwrap the new filter and find the FRONT marking on it.

• No tools are needed for this job.

• Have the new LT120F unwrapped and ready so the cover is off for only a moment.

• Note the side of the new filter marked FRONT, because that side must face outward.

Step by step

To replace the LG LT120F air filter, follow these six steps from LG's help library.

1. Remove the cover. Turn the round cover on the back wall counterclockwise (to the left) and pull it off.

2. Take out the old filter. Press the side of the old filter inward and pull its center out of the cover.

3. Insert the new filter. Place the new LT120F into the cover with the side marked FRONT facing outward.

4. Line up the tabs. Align the tabs on the cover with the hooks on the refrigerator wall.

5. Lock the cover. Turn the cover clockwise until the hooks engage and the cover locks in place.

6. Reset the indicator. Hold the Fresh Air Filter button for 3 seconds (see the reset section below).

Bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh filters

LG bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh air filters also twist out counterclockwise, but each has its own orientation rule. On bottom-freezer models, turn the air filter button OFF first, turn the filter counterclockwise and pull it out, then insert the new one with its protrusions visible and turn it clockwise about 30°. It won't fit upside down. On Hygiene Fresh models, turn the filter counterclockwise to remove it and install the new one with the black section facing outward.

Table 2. LG Air Filter Removal and Installation

How to Reset the LG Air Filter Light

To reset the LG air filter light on a French-door refrigerator, press and hold the Fresh Air Filter button for 3 seconds. Bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh models need a longer hold of about 5 seconds.

French-door models (LT120F)

On LG French-door refrigerators with the LT120F, hold the Fresh Air Filter button for 3 seconds to reset the filter indicator. Some control panels label this button "Air Filter" instead. The air filter then runs in Auto mode, or in Power mode, which runs for 4 hours before returning to Auto, according to LG's video tutorial.

Bottom-freezer and Hygiene Fresh models

On LG bottom-freezer models, hold the air filter button for at least 5 seconds, then press it to cycle through OFF, AUTO and POWER. On Hygiene Fresh models, hold the button for about 5 seconds. If the light you're trying to clear is for the water filter instead, see our guide to reset the LG water filter light.

Table 3. LG Air Filter Reset by Refrigerator Type

How Often to Replace It, and Troubleshooting

Replace the LG LT120F air filter every six months or when the FILTER light comes on, whichever comes first. Other LG air filters last longer, and most problems after a replacement come from orientation or a too-short button hold.

Replacement interval

LG's replacement intervals differ by air filter type.

• LT120F: every six months, or when the FILTER light turns on.

• Bottom-freezer Fresh Air filter: every 1–2 years.

• Hygiene Fresh: about once a year.

• UV Hygiene Fresh+: semi-permanent, with no replacement needed.

Light won't reset, cover won't lock or filter won't seat

Most LG air filter problems after a replacement come from a short button hold, misaligned cover tabs or a filter installed upside down. On models such as the LFXS28968, the SmartThinQ app can also turn the Fresh Air Filter on or off, so check the app if the filter seems inactive.

Table 4. LG Air Filter Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the LG refrigerator air filter do?

The LG refrigerator air filter keeps the air inside the fresh-food compartment fresh by removing odor. LG describes the LT120F as a six-month replacement filter for this purpose. The bottom-freezer Fresh Air filter is described by LG as both sterilizing and deodorizing. None of LG's air filters treat the water from your dispenser.

Is the LG air filter the same as the water filter?

No, the LG air filter and the LG water filter are separate parts that do different jobs. The air filter, such as the LT120F, reduces odors inside the refrigerator, while a water filter such as the LT1000P filters dispenser and ice maker water. To change the water filter, see how to replace the LG water filter.

Can I turn the LG air filter off with the ThinQ app?

Yes, on supported models the LG SmartThinQ app can turn the Fresh Air Filter on or off. LG's spec sheet for the LFXS28968 lists this control. Availability depends on your model and app setup. Replacing the filter itself is still done by hand at the refrigerator.

Does every LG refrigerator have an air filter?

Not every LG refrigerator may have a replaceable air filter, so check your model number in LG's filter finder. LG uses several air-filter types across its lineup, and its UV Hygiene Fresh+ system is semi-permanent with no replacement. The filter finder on lg.com shows which filter, if any, your model uses.

Which way does the LG air filter face?

The LG LT120F air filter goes into its cover with the side marked FRONT facing outward. On bottom-freezer models, install the filter with its protrusions visible; on Hygiene Fresh models, the black section faces outward. A filter that won't seat or a cover that won't lock is usually installed the wrong way.

Sources

• lg.com: LT120F product page (description, interval, part numbers ADQ73334008 and ADQ73214404)

• lg.com US help library: CT00023125-1397853642229 and 20152285515947 (location, steps, reset)

• lg.com video tutorial: CT10000021-1367249193244 (Auto and Power modes)

• lg.com help: 20154714969439 (bottom-freezer Fresh Air filter)

• lg.com help: 20154720602288 (Hygiene Fresh and UV Hygiene Fresh+)

• lg.com: LFXS28968 spec sheet (SmartThinQ Fresh Air Filter control)

• lg.com/us/support/parts-locator (LG filter finder)