Tips  to learn Replace Your Water Filter Yourself

When you buy replacement fridge water filter or refrigerator filters from home depot or lowesor from filterswell.com online.Make sure you have the correct replacement filter and have a towel handy to collect any water that drips or spills during the exchange. Your refrigerator manual should include replacement instructions for your specific model, so follow your instructions. You may need to unplug the refrigerator or turn off the breaker for the unit. You may also need to turn off the water supply line that runs to the refrigerator. General replacement steps are below.

Step 1
Locate the water filter. On some models, the filter is in the grille at the base of the unit. It might also be inside the refrigerator at the front of the compartment or in the back, upper-right corner. You may see a knob or a button that releases the filter or an enclosure that surrounds the filter.

Step 2
Remove the old water filter from your refrigerator. The filter might drip water, so place a towel under the filter assembly.

You release some filter styles by turning the attached knob or cap a quarter turn counterclockwise. When the cap is in a vertical position, pull to remove the filter. Slide the cap off the filter cartridge and put it in a safe place. You'll reuse it on your new filter.
If you have a push-button filter release, push the button while pulling on the water filter to remove it. To release the cap, turn it counterclockwise until it detaches from the filter. Set the cap aside in a safe place until you're ready to reuse it.
Some filters are enclosed in a cup or cover. Unscrew the cap or lower the cover and remove the filter.
To prevent spills, hold the filter in an upright position and use a towel to absorb any water.



Step 3
Remove the new refrigerator water filter from its packaging and install the cap from the previous filter if applicable. If there are dust caps on the new filter, remove them. Depending on the filter, you may need to fill it with water.

Step 4
Install the new filter.

For a quarter-turn cap, make sure the cap is in the vertical position. Slide it into the filter hole. Don't over-tighten the water filter. Turn the cap clockwise until it clicks into place.

For a push-button system, align the filter cap and insert it into the assembly. Once you insert the filter properly, the eject button will pop up.

For filters enclosed in a cup or cover, insert the filter into the filter assembly and replace the cup or cover.

Step 5
Restore power and water to the refrigerator if applicable.

Step 6
Run two to four gallons of water through the new filter. This helps prevent your water dispenser from sputtering and clears impurities left over from manufacturing. Check for leaks around the filter.

Step 7
Many filters come with a label to let you keep track of when they need to be replaced. Some refrigerators have an indicator light to tell you when a replacement is needed. If you don't have a label or indicator light, place a small piece of masking tape on the outside of the water filter labeled with the date you replaced the filter.

Step 8
If your refrigerator has a filter replacement light, reset it. Your manual should include instructions. On most models, simply push the reset button several times or press it down for a few seconds.