When to replace your refrigerator water filter (and how to find the right one)

Replace your refrigerator water filter every 6 months, or sooner if the water tastes off, the dispenser slows down or the fridge's filter light comes on. Homes with hard or well water may need it every 3 to 4 months.

Signs your filter is overdue

• Water or ice tastes or smells different.
• The dispenser trickles instead of pours.
• Ice cubes are small, cloudy or hollow.
• The filter indicator light is on (though many lights simply count months, not use).

An old filter stops removing the things it's rated for, and a clogged one can strain the fridge's water valve.

Find the right filter

The model number is printed on the old filter itself, usually on the end cap or label. It's also in the fridge manual and sometimes on a sticker inside the fridge. Take a photo of it before you shop. Brand-name and certified compatible filters both work; look for NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certification for taste and contaminant reduction.

Where the filter lives

• Top right corner inside the fridge (common on French-door models): flip open the cover and twist.
• Behind the grille at the bottom: push the button to eject the filter, or twist the cap.
• In the back of the fridge on older models: an inline filter on the water line.

How to change it

1. Put a towel under the filter housing; a few drops will come out.
2. Twist the old filter a quarter turn counter-clockwise and pull it out.
3. Remove the cap from the new filter and push it in, then twist clockwise until it clicks.
4. Run about 2 to 4 gallons of water through the dispenser to flush out air and carbon dust. The first glasses may be cloudy or spurt.
5. Reset the filter light (usually by holding the filter or reset button for 3 seconds).