Where Is The Water Filter On The Whirlpool Refrigerator

ByJim Boslice Home & Kitchen

Most Whirlpool water filters are located in the upper right-hand corner of the interior ceiling or behind a small door in the bottom base grille near the floor.

To access it, either push the button on the base grille or flip open the interior compartment door and pull the filter out with a firm twist or tug.

It can be incredibly frustrating when that “change filter” light starts blinking, but you have no idea where the actual canister is hidden. Most of us don’t think about appliance maintenance until the water flow slows to a trickle or tastes a bit like the local tap.

I promise that locating the filter is a simple task once you know the three most common spots Whirlpool uses across their various models. Whether you have a French door, side-by-side, or bottom-freezer unit, I’ll help you find it in seconds.

In this guide, we will pinpoint exactly where is the water filter on the whirlpool refrigerator, explain how to remove different housing types, and provide tips for resetting your indicator light. Let’s get your water tasting fresh again without a call to an expensive repairman.

Common Locations for Interior Whirlpool Water Filters

The most common place you will find the filter in modern Whirlpool units is inside the refrigerator compartment. Manufacturers moved them here to make them more accessible for homeowners who don’t want to crawl on the floor.

Look toward the upper right-hand corner of the ceiling inside the fridge. You will usually see a plastic housing that looks like a small door or a rounded compartment.

Depending on your model, this door might flip down or slide open. If you see a small notch or a “push” label, give it a gentle press to release the latch and reveal the filter.

The Flip-Down Interior Housing

In many French door models, the filter is tucked away in a sleek, horizontal housing. When you push the door, it swings downward, presenting the filter to you at an angle.

This design usually utilizes the EveryDrop Filter 1 or 2 style. These filters are designed to be pulled straight out once the door is fully open.

Make sure you have a small shop towel handy. A few drops of water often leak out when the seal is broken, and you don’t want that dripping onto your leftovers.

The Vertical Interior Housing

Some older or specific “standard-depth” models might have a vertical housing. This is still usually in the top right, but the filter sits upright like a canister.

To remove these, you typically have to twist the filter a quarter-turn counter-clockwise. This unlocks the lugs from the manifold so you can pull it down.

If it feels stuck, don’t force it with pliers just yet. Sometimes the internal pressure makes it tight, and a firm, steady grip with a rubber jar opener works wonders.

Where is the water filter on the whirlpool refrigerator for Side-by-Side Models?

Side-by-side refrigerators often have a different layout than French door models. If you don’t see anything in the top corner, your filter is likely located at the very bottom of the unit.

Look at the base grille, which is the plastic vented piece near the floor. You will usually see a circular plastic cap or a small rectangular button on the left or right side.

This is a very common location for the EveryDrop Filter 3. It is designed to slide into the “toe kick” area to save space inside the actual food storage compartments.

Using the Push-Button Release

If your base grille has a button, simply press it firmly. The filter should pop out about an inch, allowing you to grab the cap and slide the entire canister out.

Sometimes the button gets stuck due to dust or kitchen grime. If it won’t budge, try pressing the filter inward while simultaneously pushing the button to release the tension.

Once the filter is out, you will need to unscrew the decorative cap from the old filter and slide it onto the new one. Don’t throw that cap away, as new filters usually don’t come with them!

The Quarter-Turn Base Filter

If there is no button, you likely have the twist-style base filter. You will see a plastic handle that sits flush with the grille.

Grasp the handle and turn it 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Once the handle is vertical, you can pull the filter straight out toward your body.

When installing the new one, ensure the handle is in the vertical position, push it in all the way, and then turn it clockwise until it locks horizontally.

Identifying Your Specific Whirlpool Filter Type

Knowing where is the water filter on the whirlpool refrigerator is only half the battle; you also need to know which of the five major types you have.

Whirlpool transitioned most of its manufacturing to the EveryDrop brand. These are color-coded and numbered 1 through 5 to make identification easier for the homeowner.

  • Filter 1 (Purple): Usually found in the top right interior of French door models.
  • Filter 2 (Orange): Typically used in specific bottom-freezer models in the top right.
  • Filter 3 (Blue): The most common “base grille” filter for side-by-side units.
  • Filter 4 (Green): Found in some side-by-side and bottom-freezer models, often in the top right.
  • Filter 5 (Pink): An older style usually found in the base grille or interior.

Before you head to the hardware store, take the old filter with you or snap a photo of the part number. This ensures you get the right O-ring configuration for a leak-free seal.

Using a generic “knock-off” filter can sometimes lead to fitment issues. I’ve seen many DIYers struggle with leaks because the generic filter didn’t quite lock into the manifold correctly.

Step-by-Step Replacement Guide for Beginners

Replacing the filter is a five-minute job that requires no tools. Most Whirlpool systems have an automatic shut-off valve, so you don’t even need to turn off the house water line.

  1. Locate the filter using the tips mentioned above.
  2. Open the housing door or press the release button.
  3. Remove the old filter (twist or pull) and keep a towel ready for drips.
  4. Remove the protective plastic wrap and the red caps from the new filter.
  5. Align the arrows on the filter with the housing and push it in until it clicks or locks.
  6. Close the housing door or the base grille cap.

After the new filter is in, you must flush the system. There is often carbon dust and trapped air inside a brand-new filter that needs to be cleared out.

Run about 3 to 4 gallons of water through the dispenser. You might hear some sputtering or “coughing” from the dispenser; this is just the air escaping and is perfectly normal.

Once the water runs clear and the sputtering stops, your water is safe to drink. This process also helps prime the filter so your ice maker gets enough pressure to fill the trays.

Troubleshooting a Stuck Water Filter

If you are struggling with where is the water filter on the whirlpool refrigerator due to a stuck cap or a canister that won’t budge, don’t panic. This is a common issue caused by mineral buildup.

Over time, calcium and magnesium from your water can “weld” the plastic components together. This is especially common in the base grille area where floor dust mixes with moisture.

If the interior filter won’t twist, try using a thick rubber band wrapped around the canister. This gives you much more leverage than your bare hands without cracking the plastic.

For base grille filters that won’t pop out, try “pulsing” the release button. Push the filter in and out rapidly while hitting the button to break the mineral seal.

If it is truly seized, you may need to temporarily turn off the water supply to the fridge. This relieves the internal line pressure, which is often the culprit behind a “frozen” filter housing.

How to Reset the “Change Filter” Light

Replacing the physical filter does not automatically reset the electronics. Your refrigerator doesn’t actually “sense” how clean the water is; it just works on a timer or gallon counter.

On most Whirlpool models, you will find a “Filter Reset” button on the control panel. You usually need to press and hold this button for 3 seconds until the light turns green or disappears.

If you don’t see a dedicated button, look for the “Light” and “Ice Type” buttons. Sometimes pressing these two simultaneously for 3 seconds will trigger the reset.

For models with a touch screen, navigate through the “Options” or “Settings” menu. There should be a sub-menu specifically for Water Filter Status where you can select “Reset.”

Don’t ignore the light! Even if your water tastes fine, an old filter can eventually clog completely. This puts unnecessary strain on your refrigerator’s water inlet valve, which is a much harder part to replace.

Frequently Asked Questions About Whirlpool Water Filters

How often should I change my Whirlpool water filter?

Whirlpool recommends changing the filter every six months or after 200 to 300 gallons of use. If you have a large family or live in an area with very hard water, you may need to change it every four months.

Can I run my refrigerator without a water filter?

Yes, most Whirlpool models have a built-in bypass valve. If you remove the filter and don’t replace it, the water will still flow to the dispenser and ice maker, but it will not be filtered.

Why is my water dispenser slow after changing the filter?

This is usually caused by trapped air. Ensure you have flushed at least 3 gallons of water through the system. If it’s still slow, the filter may not be fully seated in the manifold, preventing the valve from opening completely.

If I still can’t find where is the water filter on the whirlpool refrigerator, what should I do?

Check the back of the refrigerator. While rare for modern units, some older models or “contractor” installs use an inline filter. This is a canister located on the water tube itself, hidden behind the fridge near the wall valve.

Does the water filter affect the ice maker?

Absolutely. If the filter is clogged, the water pressure drops. This results in small, hollow ice cubes or the ice maker stopping production entirely because the mold isn’t filling fast enough.

Final Thoughts for the DIY Homeowner

Maintaining your refrigerator is one of the easiest DIY tasks you can perform. By knowing where is the water filter on the whirlpool refrigerator, you save yourself the hassle of a service call and ensure your family has clean, crisp water.

Remember to always check the model number of your fridge before buying a replacement. You can find this on a sticker inside the door frame or behind the crisper drawer.

Keep a spare filter in your workshop or utility room so you aren’t caught off guard when the light turns red. It’s a small investment that protects your appliance and your health.

Now that you’ve mastered the filter, take a look at your condenser coils. Giving them a quick vacuum while you’re down at the base grille will keep your fridge running efficiently for years to come!

Jim Boslice
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