How To Replace A LG Refrigerator Water Filter | 10 Step Guide

Written by Tim Rhodes Last Updated: Dec 4, 2024

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We can say that refrigerators are one of the most ingenious home appliances we can ever have, that’s why you need to be ready and know how to replace LG refrigerator water filter.

We can store all sorts of food and produce, prolong their shelf life, and quench our thirst with ice-cold beverages using the almost staple item in every household. 

From the very first man-made refrigeration in 1784 which was then produced by the simple evaporation of ethyl ether into a partial vacuum, the technology of refrigeration has come a long way – from its design and features to all sorts of functionality, one can ever think of.

The mighty refrigerator has truly cemented itself as a necessity in all homes. 

Different variants of refrigerators from different brands are available in the market.

The global competition for the best refrigeration technology is as closest as ever.

But one of the most trusted brands that have successfully penetrated the global market, particularly, the US market, is the South Korea-hailed LG, so here is a 10 step guide on how to replace LG refrigerator water filter.

What Is a Fridge Water Filter?

Ever wonder what’s the science behind your fridge’s water filter and how it can be beneficial to you and your family? – Well, we’ll give you heaps of reasons to appreciate it more!

Using the powerful combination of sediment and carbon filtration, the refrigerator water filter is designed to remove bad taste and odor of water.

Most of the filters available on the market are created to remove three major contaminants:

• Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels.

This is especially dangerous to be ingested by children.

High exposure to lead from water can cause cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems, and reproductive issues.

• Chlorine

Chlorine is used to eliminate bad taste and odor of the water.

But with high ingestion of the element, it can increase one’s risk of cancer.

A US Council of Environmental Quality report suggested there is a 93% higher risk of cancer for people who drink chlorinated water than for those whose water does not contain chlorine.

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

These are by-products of burning fuel such as gasoline, wood, coal, or natural gas.

Long-term exposure to these harmful chemicals may result in irritations, nausea, and as worse as damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system and even cancer.

Simply said, your filters allow you to consume the cleanest and safest water you can get.

With your powerful water filter, you can be assured you’re protected from nasty and harmful chemicals.

Just like your entire refrigeration unit your water filter is equally important and something you should always take note of!

How Does The Water Filter Of Your Fridge Work?

Want to know the magic your water filter is bestowed with? – Kidding, it’s not just magic.

It’s years of research and development and numerous technological trials and advancement.

Here’s how your water filter works:

The water filter takes its water supply from your household’s plumbing system and passes it through a series of filtration methods that all happen inside your fridge.

The first water filter usually gets rid of the big particles like sand, soil, dirt, and silt.

The second filter is tasked to remove chlorine from the water thanks to a mixture of zinc and copper.

The last process of filtration eliminates all other microscopic contaminants, which results in improving the water’s taste and odor.

Amazing, isn’t it? – And yes, it sure does take more than magic to do all that! 

What Are The Advantages Of Having a Fridge With Water Filter?

Out of all the vast collections of refrigerator types available in the market, you chose to buy one with a water filter.

Is it because of the style?

The feel?

The functionality?

Or simply the joy of having an expensive fridge?

Whatever your reason is, there’s more to realize why you made a good choice in owning one!

Five Most Outstanding Pros:

• It makes your water tastes better

This is surely one of the most obvious reasons why it’s a plus to have a water filter in your fridge – it makes your water and ice tastier!

It’s not because of some artificial flavoring or a similar taste enhancement mechanism.

The reason behind it is the ability of your filter to remove fluoride and chlorine from your water, which results in improving its taste and getting rid of unwanted smell.

With water that tastes oh, so great, you’re now more encouraged to drink more!

Happy taste buds and a hydrated body – you can’t ask for more.

• It saves you from health risks from drinking tap water

I’m sure you’ve already heard of the tale of the creepy little monsters lurking in tap water.

Tap water can contain harmful chemicals such as fluoride, arsenic, lead, copper, chromium, and mercury.

These chemicals can get into your tap water from industrial processes and plumbing systems.

And as previously discussed, ingesting these toxic elements can result in illnesses and serious complications.

By having your water filter in your fridge at home, you’re spared from all the risks while enjoying your tasty cold thirst-quencher.

• It’s efficient and saves you tons of money

Yup, you’re right – having your water filter in your fridge can save you some coins.

Did you know your water filter can filtrate hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water before you can replace it?

Talking about efficiency!

Furthermore, while buying a refrigerator with water filtration can cost you a hefty price at the onset, it will surely save you a lot in the long run.

You save money from buying distilled bottled water and ultimately, it saves you from GP fees and medical bills!

• It saves you a whole lot of room in your fridge

This may be simple but when you think about it, it is very practical and helpful!

This is especially again for bigger families where in most cases, they run to some storage issues inside their fridges.

With having a fridge with a water filter you don’t need to store big pitchers or ice trays.

There you go, worry no more and just store some more!

• You save the environment

This is probably one of the most significant and timely advantages of having a refrigerator with a water filter.

Because you have the easiest access to cold and clean drinking water, you’re not left with the option of buying bottled waters.

And I’m pretty sure you know how bad bottled waters, like any other plastic-based products, are for the environment.

You’re not just doing yourself some favor but you’re also contributing to lessening waste and helping the Earth!

See, it’s more than just making your water cold and more refreshing.

Having your fridge’s water filter can do you a lot of good, from saving you some coins and from scary doctor’s appointments to being eco-friendly and helping save the environment, at large.

After realizing all the listed advantages you might look at your fridge differently now.

You surely made a great choice of purchasing one for your home.

Why Do You Need To Replace Your Fridge Water Filter?

Like any other things at your home, you need to check and replace your water filter when needed.

As they say, change is inevitable so as much as you want to just get water from your fridge’s dispenser forever, you need to do some work and replace your trusted filter.

Ultimately, water filters need to be replaced for sanitary purposes.

Since they act as the ‘purifier’ of the water and ice you dispense from your refrigerator, it is paramount that we make sure they are always clean and properly functioning.

Like any other thing in our households, when left untouched and not cleaned, it may lead to you and your loved ones ingesting harmful chemicals, which might eventually lead to contracting diseases.

Water is one of the basic utilities we consume every day, thus, it is only right we make sure we drink clean and potable water.

With that said, it is dangerous to leave the water filters of our refrigerators unchecked.

There are risks associated with drinking water filtered by a refrigerator including exposure to microorganisms such as coliform and salmonella that can affect your health and the quality of water.

Your fridge’s water filter is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungus due to water and moisture.

According to an article from The New York Times published in 2009, about 19.5 million illnesses occur each year in the United States due to bacteria, parasites, and viruses in drinking water.

Diseases people can get from drinking unsafe water vary from allergic sensitivities or bacterial infections to diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems.

Convinced now why you need to replace your water filter all the time? – That’s kind of scary but fret not so long as you keep this in mind and always check your beloved filter.

Tips To Know When Your Water Filter Needs Replacement

As the infamous Marie Kondo always reminds us when deciding whether to keep or dispose of belonging, we should always ask ourselves if it sparks joy.

Like any other things at home, your fridge’s water filter has its lifespan and soon needs to be replaced.

Most importantly, our health is at risk when we leave our filters not replaced.

I’m sure you don’t want your filter getting old and gross with all sorts of nasty bacteria and other organisms. 

Here are some easy indications that your filter does not spark joy anymore and needs to bid goodbye:

• When you see the ‘Replace Water Filter’ message appears on the LCD of your control panel
• When you notice that your fridge’s water dispenser output decreases
• When the ice cubes being dispensed are smaller than usual
• When your water filter has been used for six (6) months already – this is an LG-approved recommendation

When you see any of these signs your fridge is telling you, it only means it’s time to give it some TLC and you should start your replacement action!

Don’t panic because, in the next parts of this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about finding your replacement filter and how to properly do it.

Things To Take Note When Looking For Replacement

Before you make your way to your nearest Home Depot and buy a new water filter for your refrigerator, like any other task, having a checklist is a must.

This will make sure you will purchase the right filter for your fridge to avoid having issues in the future – or simply put, this would save you from having a mental breakdown and some serious self-doubts while you’re scanning through a whole rack of water filters in your local store.

So, before getting started, here are a few things to remember before tucking your sleeves and doing the work:

• Buy the water filter that is compatible with the model of your LG refrigerator model

From the filter itself from the replacement cartridges, it is vital to identify your fridge’s model first before storming to the nearest store.

There’s a wide array of filters and cartridges LG offers depending on your need.

• Avoid using a non-LG brand water filter

Buying new parts from the brand of your appliance surely makes sense – they know best what suits your needs.

Also, it protects your warranty coverage!

Ultimately, this protects you from the risk of buying substandard water filters.

Remember – your water filter acts as the ‘purifier’ of the water you and your family consume so we have to make sure we only get the best for everyone.

Let’s Get To Work And Replace Your Filter

One quick thing to be mindful of before getting all giddy and excited is identifying the placement of your water filter.

The type of your fridge’s water filter will determine the steps that you will follow to successfully replace it.

LG produces three common water filters and here’s where to find them inside your fridge:

• LG 5231JA2002A Water Filter LT500P

This is placed inside at the upper right rear corner.

• LG 5231JA2006 Water FilterLT600P

This is located horizontally at the ceiling.

• LG ADQ36006101 Water Filter LT700P

You can see this placed at the ceiling in a flip-down tray.

For LG 5231JA2002A Water Filter LT500P

1. First, you need to find your filter – you will see it behind the light cover above the top shelf on the right side
2. Remove the top shelf to give you more room to move around for the installation, you can remove the shelf by either tilting up the front of the shelf and lifting it or pulling the shelf out
3. Press the release clip on the bottom of the cover to remove the light cover
4. Turn your filter counterclockwise to remove it
5. Carefully remove the packaging and sanitary end cap of your new filter, make sure the black O-rings are both on and not damaged
6. Find the ‘Start’ arrow located at the top of the instruction label on the backside of the filter and align the arrow on the fridge filter head
7. Rotate the filter clockwise until the ‘Stop’ arrow on the front of the filter label is aligned with the arrow on the fridge filter head
8. Make sure the filter is fully installed in the filter head in a full ¼ turn, this is important to activate the internal valve inside the refrigerator, unless it may result in slow water flow or even a chattering noise from the valve during use
9. Reinstall your light cover and top shelf and dispense about two gallons of water sure that air and water are completely flushed from the system
10.  Reset your ‘Change Filter’ light (if your fridge has one)

For LG 5231JA2006 Water Filter LT600P 

1. Locate your existing filter and turn it counterclockwise until you hear a clicking sound
2. Carefully remove the packaging and sanitary end cap of your new filter make sure the black O-rings are both on and not damaged
3. Insert your new filter into the fridge’s filter receptacle
4. With the handle in the vertical position, push the new filter into the housing until it stops when inserting the new filter, twist the handle slightly left to right while pushing in
5. Rotate the filter clockwise in a ¼ turn to activate the valve inside the fridge
6. Run about two and a half (2 ½) gallons of water from the dispenser to clear the system and prevent sputtering, this is important to get rid of trapped air and contaminants in the system
7. It is recommended to release the dispenser pad for cycles of 30 seconds on and 60 seconds off rather than dispensing continuously
8. Reset your ‘Change Filter’ light (if your fridge has one)

For LG ADQ36006101 Water Filter LT700P

1. Locate your filter and push-button to open the filter cover
2. Pull the cartridge down and pull out your old filter
3. Note: If you find your filter is hard to remove, turn off the water supply and relieve pressure at the refrigerator door dispenser before installing your new filter
4. Carefully remove the packaging and sanitary end cap of your new filter, make sure the black O-rings are both on and not damaged
5. Insert the new filter into the manifold hole until it stops
6. Push the back cover up until you hear a clicking sound
7. Run about two and a half (2 ½) gallons of water from the dispenser to clear the system and prevent sputtering
8. Don’t forget to dispense water in intervals – 30 seconds on and 60 seconds off
9. Reset your ‘Change Filter’ light (if your fridge has one)

 Final Thoughts

Here you go – your step-by-step process on how to replace LG refrigerator water filter.

It feels good to finally throw away your dirty old filter and replace it with a clean fresh one, doesn’t it?

I’m sure you’re now relieved you and your loved ones can now drink clean and tasty water from your fridge again.

Doing the task is not as difficult as you first thought it would be.

Knowing how to do it on your own also saves you time and money.

All you need is a cheat sheet of the do’s and don’ts as well as the how to’s and voilà! You just did it yourself.