Refrigerator Water Filter: How Often to Change It, Off-Brand OK?

A refrigerator water filter should be replaced about every 6 months, or sooner if the water flow slows, the taste changes or the filter indicator light comes on. An off-brand filter works as well as the original when it physically fits your fridge and is certified to the same NSF/ANSI standards as the name-brand part. A filter with no certification is a gamble.

The 6-month figure is the common manufacturer recommendation, and your owner’s manual or the filter’s packaging gives the exact interval and capacity for your model.

How often should a refrigerator water filter be changed?

Most fridge makers say every 6 months. The filter is rated for a certain number of gallons of water or a certain time, whichever comes first, and the rating is printed on the box.

The calendar interval is a ceiling, not a target. A household that uses the dispenser and ice maker heavily, or has water with a lot of sediment, can use up a filter earlier. A house that is empty for weeks at a time still ages the filter, because carbon and the filter housing do not stay fresh while water sits in them.

Many refrigerators have a filter status light that counts time or, on some models, water volume. Treat it as a reminder. It cannot measure what the filter has actually removed.

What are the signs a filter is overdue?

These are the usual signs:

The dispenser fills a glass more slowly than it used to.
Water tastes or smells of chlorine, or just flat or musty.
Ice looks cloudy, small or tastes off.
The filter light is on or the indicator says “replace.”
Water sputters or the dispenser pressure drops, which can also come from a kinked supply line or a clogged nozzle.

If the flow stays weak after a new filter, check the water supply and the dispenser itself. Our guide to cleaning a fridge water dispenser covers the nozzle, tray and lines.

What does a refrigerator water filter actually remove?

Most fridge filters are activated carbon blocks. Carbon traps chlorine, which is the main cause of “tap water” taste and smell, along with some organic compounds and fine particles. Certified models can also reduce specific contaminants such as lead, depending on the product.

A fridge filter is not a sterilizer. Unless the label says it is tested to treat microbiological contamination, do not rely on it to make unsafe water safe. If your water supply is under a boil notice, follow your local water utility’s instructions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes drinking water information for households.

Do off-brand refrigerator water filters work?

Yes, many do, provided two conditions are met: the filter fits the housing and connection of your model, and it is independently certified for what it claims to do.

Look on the box or the manufacturer’s listing for these standards:

NSF/ANSI 42: reduction of chlorine taste and odor and of particles.
NSF/ANSI 53: reduction of health-related contaminants such as lead, for the specific substances listed.
NSF/ANSI 401: reduction of some emerging contaminants such as certain medications and pesticides, again only for those listed.

A claim such as “NSF compliant” or “meets NSF standards” is a weaker statement than a certification from a recognized testing body. A certified filter shows up in the certifier’s public database under its model number. A filter that is simply described as “equivalent” has no such record.

Fit matters as much as certification. Fridge filters come in push-in, twist-in, quarter-turn and drawer types, and they look alike from across the kitchen. A filter that almost fits can leak at the housing, which leads to a puddle behind the fridge. If that happens, see our guide on a refrigerator leaking water on the floor.

Will an off-brand filter void the warranty?

In the United States, a manufacturer generally cannot void a warranty only because you used a non-original part. It can deny a claim if it shows the part caused the damage. Warranty terms differ by brand and country, so check your warranty document. Some manufacturers also state that their own filters are the only ones tested for their dispensers, which is a reason to compare the certification on the replacement before you buy.

How do you change a refrigerator water filter?

Check the manual for the filter location (inside the fridge, in the grille at the bottom or on the back wall) and for whether the water supply needs to be shut off.
Remove the old filter by pushing, twisting or pulling the way your model requires. Have a towel ready, because a little water can drain out.
Remove the caps from the new filter and insert it, turning until it locks or seats fully.
Run water through the dispenser to flush the new filter. Manufacturers usually specify a few gallons, often 2 to 4 gallons (about 8 to 15 liters), which clears carbon dust and trapped air. Follow the amount in your manual.
Discard the first batch or two of ice, then reset the filter light according to the manual.

If you replace the water line or move the fridge, see how to disconnect a refrigerator water line without a mess.

Quick answers

What happens if you never change the filter?

A filter that has reached its capacity stops removing contaminants, and it slows the water flow. Water can taste worse and the ice maker may produce less. A very old filter is not dangerous in itself, but it no longer does the job you bought it for.

Can you run the fridge without a filter?

Most refrigerators let you install a bypass plug in place of the filter, and the water then flows unfiltered. Use the plug that comes with the fridge or the manufacturer’s part. Without it, the dispenser may not work or may leak.

Does the dispenser need cleaning when the filter is changed?

The filter does not clean the dispenser nozzle or tray, so those need their own cleaning from time to time. A new filter does not fix a dirty nozzle.

Is a more expensive filter always better?

Price does not show filtering performance. The certification listed for the model and the fit for your fridge are the useful checks, and the manufacturer’s support site lists the part numbers that fit your model.