How To Replace Your Frigidaire Water Filter | 10 Step Guide

Written by Tim Rhodes Last Updated: Dec 4, 2024

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Your refrigerator water filter can be a valuable device that will guarantee you have the best, freshest possible water based on your water filter form, as long as you know how to replace your frigidaire water filter, your filter will eliminate a remarkable amount of pollutants from your water.

It merely involves changing your water filter every six months or detecting a difference in the taste or scent of your water with most refrigerator water filters.

While most of us want our drinking water to be 100 percent healthy, the irony is that water infrastructures are aging and myriad other variables will lead to too many unwanted contaminates. 

Home filters are our last defense line against pathogens, bacteria, contaminants, and lead-like metals.

Although drinking water still exceeds minimum water quality requirements, the fact is that many experts believe that such levels are too indulgent.

Changing your fridge water filter every six months is the best way to ensure you have the purified water, with time the water system can accumulate toxins washed out which would reduce the efficacy and water quality.

Here are the steps on how to replace your frigidaire water filter.

Step 1. Switch Off The Ice Maker

You have to shut off the ice maker before replacing the frigidaire refrigerator water container.

In the frigidaire qualified refrigerator collection, you can turn off by raising the metal arm inside the freezer ice cup.

You should then uninstall the old water filter after shutting it off.

For the models with switches: aim for an ice maker button at the end, if you see one just flip it to the “off” position.

There might be an on / off toggle option for GE mechanical ice makers.

The I is for on, so there would be a bright screen, set the control button to O for off to shut it off.

If an on / off slide switch is installed, you turn it off by sliding the switch so that the paddle is under the icemaker.

For the models without a switch: gently lift the metal sensor arm on the side of the ice maker to the up position to turn off the unit when no switch is present.

For the models without a switch or metal sensor arm: when you don’t see a switch or arm on your ice maker, you will need to press multiple buttons in a particular series to shut off the gadget.

For guidelines on how to do so, refer to your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website.

Step 2. Trace The Old Filter

It will be inside a long plastic tube in the rear right corner of the refrigerator’s interior.

Most water filters are found in the grille at the refrigerator bottom or the top, upper-right corner of the refrigerator interior.

Few versions, typically older ones have the filter on the water supply line at the outside of the refrigerator back.

Find the filter at the corner of your refrigerator. 

The filter will look like a round tube, approximately 3 to 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) across.

If you do not see the filter in either of these two places, you might want to search your owner’s manual or look up the model number online and figure out the precise position before taking the device off the wall and look at the refrigerator’s back.

Step 3. Push And Pull On The Existing Filter

Quarter turn your filter-turn the water filter one quarter turn to the left to remove the filter that is usually aligned up vertically, pull out the water filter and remove the lid (on some models).

Reminder: ensure the limit is on the latest filter.

If it’s still far from getting loose, place a piece of cloth over the water filter cap (this helps protect against damage to the cap) and lock the water filter cap using standard pliers and turn the cap a quarter turn.

Unplug the fridge and remove the grill at the bottom, follow the instructions in your Installation Instructions and by cutting the grill at the bottom you will have better access to the filter cap, making it more straightforward for you to understand the device.

NOTE: Applying too much pressure or force to the water filter could cause it to break and damage the water system internally.

Pull the filter for water straight out, locate the grill button at the middle, press the button until the water filter gets disconnected from the filter assembly, and take the water filter off.

Still stack? – Click and hold the button during the ejection of the water pump and press the filter and press the button and the sensor will get disengaged from the sensor fitting.

Unplug the fridge and remove the grill at the bottom, follow the instructions in your Installation Instructions.

You would have improved access to the clogged filter by removing the rack underneath.

Click the button tightly, check and see if the valve has passed when the filter has moved, press the filter firmly back in and then press the button.

Reminder: do not forget to remove the filter cap at the filter end.

Step 4. Remove The Old Existing Filter

If your particular water filter removal method doesn’t seem instantly apparent, you might want to check your user manual or look up your model number online to figure out how to uninstall the device. 

That mentioned, there are three general methods of removal to eliminate a water filter: press in, twist in, and in-line.

You can remove push-in filters by pushing the “eject” button or by twisting the filter cap off and attach the arrows to mount the latest filter, snap it into position by rotating the screen clockwise then move it in before the eject button shows up.

You may swap twist-in filters by twisting out the old tube, cutting the lid, placing the cover on the new filter, and twisting the new one in.

In-line filters are those found on the refrigerator’s back, hooked up to the water supply line coming in.

Any systems will be easy to uninstall and will easily twist out like the twist-in filters and others will be more challenging repairing because they allow a section of the tubing to be removable.

As a consequence, you may want to substitute these filters with a professional.

Whatever type of filter you have, it’s a good idea to write down your old filter’s make and model number before you throw it away so you can get the right replacement if you haven’t already bought one.

Step 5. Reach To Your New Filter And Unpack It Carefully

Before moving, you took the time to pack up your water filter carefully. 

To protect the products you might have used bubble wrap, padding, or other such materials as you may have even opted to get help from your moving and storage company to make sure they were correctly packed.

You will want to get unpacked and settled as quickly as possible now that you have a new water filter but you had taken the time to mark all the boxes or have used unique tape to tag sensitive products with such.

Put the package on a dense mattress pad or blanket: whether you have hardwood or laminate flooring, you want some type of padding across the box in case you spill something unintentionally when unpacking.

Carefully open the box: bear in mind that the water filter may have moved during the transfer and could be in slightly different places than when you initially packed it.

You may use scissors to help open the box, only take particular caution to cut the middle seam off.

Remove packaging materials slowly.

Remove them slowly if you used foam peanuts, air pads, or other such things on the top layer before sealing the box and take your water filter out, individually remove it from the box.

Unwrap the bubble wrap or other materials in which you wrap it.

Inspect the item for damages, carefully check for possible damages that may have occurred during the move.

If you discover any damage that moving insurance covers, take a picture of it.

Place the item where it belongs by putting the issue on a rack, showcase, or other position to go.

Step 6. Clear The Air On The Water Filter Line

Removing air from a water line requires priming water through the device to enable the pump to force out the air.

The device cannot pull water into the air purification system when there is air between the intake line and the pump room.

You need to turn off the water supply system before you can deal with air bubbles.

In so doing, you can clear the rest of the water in the order when there’s no more water.

From the very bottom point of the house and upward work from there starts the process of clearing the water from your primary system.

Starting with whichever faucet is at the lowest point in the house, open the taps to run the water out.

Set up the route vertically and run every sharp turn so that all the water runs.

After all the water runs through the system it is necessary to disable the robin at the lowest point in the building.

However, that’s all, leave the remaining roughs open.

The remaining faucets near the refrigerator intake must be left running, the water will start gurgling at first through them.

Do not be alarmed, as gurgling is normal because of what you did with the system the water will start flowing smoothly from all the receptacles after a short time.

This failure to push your water system is an indication that it is now free of bubbles, all remaining taps can now get turned off in the building.

While this solution is undoubtedly easy it can be very costly to run so much water through your system if you live in a dry region.

You are using these same steps, place containers under each hose if you still want to clear any air bubble in your water filter to save any escaping water.

The water collected from the yard can be used to irrigate the car.

Push the water distributor for one or two minutes to flush the air out of your water pipe.

To clear air (bubble) inside the waterline, you must flush the water system and due to a weak water link air will reach the waterline.

Step 7. Clean The Water Filter Before Installing

It may seem unnecessary to change the refrigerator filter but it is essential to keep your most important kitchen appliance longevity.

There is a slender filter on the back and top of the refrigerator with modern refrigerators. 

This filter tends to sustain the broader filters and lines seen on the refrigerator rim, see the filter as well.

A release button should be available, to pull the filter out of the fridge, turn it left.

Flush the whole crude from the tank and wash it in alcohol, vinegar, or soap.

Let it out and dry for about an hour after only 15 minutes.

Replace the filter in its cell and ensure that the threaded openings and lines are secured.

Step 8. Install The New Water Filter

Changing a push in the filter, elect the old filter, and remove the filter lid by pressing the button next door (you’re going to use the old filter again).

Put a filter lid on the new filter so that the lid is correctly aligned to the screen.

Slide the new filter into the position from which the old filter was removed, if the eject button pops up you will know it’s in place.

Changing a quarter-turn filter, give the turn off in counter-clock direction for a quarter.

 If it bends too hard, using the wrench when the filter cap has been placed vertically, pull, and reserve the cap.

On the new filter, position the lid.

Switch the cap in the clockwise direction until the filter is returned to its position.

When changing an in-line filter make sure that the cutters, steel wool or file, and a bucket, have copper or plastic tubing. 

The process of change can be more complicated because of the location of an in-line filter and its links to the waterline.

Filters Fast recommends the following steps to modify this type of filter:

1. Turn off your supply of cold water and locate an easily accessible portion of the tube between the shut-off valve and refrigerator
2. Cut tubing with copper / plastic tube cutters
3. Do not tilt the square to prevent leaks
4. Where appropriate, cut smooth corners of steel wool or paper
5. Remove the end cap and mount the tube on your new pipe
6. Close in by holding the end cap, turning the water supply on, and keeping the filter over a bucket
7. Make sure that you search for leaks at both ends of the pipe

Step 9. Flush The Whole System

Take up a large container in the refrigerator’s water distributor (this could be a large measuring cup, a large drinking cup, or anything big enough to fit into the distributor).

Place the container in the container and press to start the water supply and fill it.

The number of times the container needs to be filled depends on the type of container that you use.

 For example, if a 4-cup measuring cup is used, you must fill it up to 1 gallon (3.79 l) four times.

Remember: the fifth equal four cups with one gallon equals four thirds.

Remove the water from the sink, this water can be used for watering any plant (small bits of carbon won’t hurt the plants).

Repeat stage 1-3 until 3-5 gallons (ca. 19 l) of water have been flushed.

Check the owner’s manual for specific directions to flush your water filter.

Instructions can vary slightly in the function of the type of filters you have so the manual of the owner is the safest way to guarantee proper compliance with all installation and setup processes. 

Step 10. Restart The Filter Timer

We often wonder why someone’s more cooling filter is still on after the replacement filter is installed and often a client wants to know whether the filter is faulty. 

The water filter likelihood to be defective is very slim but the main reason is that the light of change should be reset.

This light is usually a timer to remind you every 3 or 6 months to change your filter but some filter lights measure water flow and recommend a substitute filter.

Make sure your filter is mounted correctly and a secure seal exists while checking your filter or filter receiver always for leaks or cracks.

If the filter doesn’t feel closed, remove the filter and start over. 

When replacing the filter, very little power should be used but don’t cut the threads, please as all other filters do not bind directly with the receiver when you strip threads installing the filter.

You must say to your refrigerator that there is a new filter once you have installed your filter. 

Note when the time to replace a filter has come it’s a light recall (similar to a 6-month timer) as some coolers change brightness on a time basis while others turn based on the water flow rate.

Hold down the reset button, the light indicator flashes and resets again.

Color guide:

• Green – this shows that the filter is new and needs no change
• Yellow – this shows that the filter is approximately halfway through its expected life
• Red – shows you have to change the filter

Why Do You Filter Water?

Firstly, let’s try to explain where we find filters.

Your frigidaire water filter will be in the grill, in the upper corner at the refrigerator bottom, and also within the latter compartment.

Some are mounted externally in refrigerators (in-line filters) that do not have filters installed in.

But most Frigidaire refrigerators have only filters located in the grill at the refrigerator base or in the refrigerator top right corner.

Usually, a grille water filter is slender and installed by sliding it right at the bottom of the fridge into a compartment near the grille.

The button helps it to fit in with the refrigerator.

As part of the refrigerator architecture, no matter where you are there is a knob or button that helps you to remove the filter quickly and you might have realized by now that the water running into your waterline isn’t always safe.

This is why direct drinking of tap water is not advisable.

However, since tap water typically includes microorganisms that may endanger the consumer’s safety, it may be dangerous to run tap water directly to the ice maker or water dispenser throughout your refrigerator.

But that’s where the filter to water comes in.

Refrigerators with water and ice dispensers come with water filters to prevent infections and poisoning due to chemical substances and harmful microbes.

Such water filters are responsible for eliminating pollutants from the water running from the sink to the dispensers of the refrigerator.

That said, the thickness of refrigerator water filters differs too and there are others with low micron scores equipped to withstand microscopic bacteria and pollutants.

So, you may want to talk about having water filters with smaller micron scores for refrigerators.

Final Thoughts

To sum up, improvements to the water filter at the right time are essential for well-being.

Refrigerator water filters are the first line of protection against toxic bacteria in the drinking water.

The good news is that installing water filters is simple, and they are a cheaper option for bottled water as they provide much superior quality of water.

If properly treated, your family will comfortably relax and enjoy the freshest and purest accessible water – everything from your home’s comfort.

Knowing how to replace your frigidaire water filter, as already described, is not a complicated operation. 

You should have your new water filter installed in just a few minutes.

In the meantime, correctly lock in the filter before closing the compartment to prevent failure and try to disinfect the freshwater filter with gallons of water before first using it.