Whirlpool Water Filter: Find It, Clear the Light

The refrigerator water filter is one of the most-replaced components in Whirlpool refrigerator appliances — here is why it fails and how to swap it. Yet it is also the most frequently neglected, leading to reduced water flow, bad-tasting ice, and eventually a "Replace Filter" light that many people simply ignore.

Whirlpool uses the EveryDrop brand for all their OEM water filters. The same filter fits Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Amana refrigerators with the same filter housing.

Where it sits, how it comes out, how its light resets#

Do not order from a model number you found online — open the refrigerator and look. The position and the way the old filter releases identify it exactly, and that same row tells you which reset your panel wants once the new one is in.

Denominator: the three filters named above — EDR1RXD1, EDR2RXD1 and EDR3RXD1, with the W10295370A and W10413645A numbers that accompany the first two — are the three this guide documents, in the housings Whirlpool shares with Maytag, KitchenAid and Amana. Three filters and one housing family, not the whole Whirlpool catalogue: a model outside that housing takes a filter this page does not list, and the 6-month / 200-gallon interval is the manufacturer's stated schedule rather than a measurement of your own water.

How Do You Identify Your Filter Type?#

Whirlpool refrigerators use two filter locations:

Internal filter (inside the refrigerator): Located in the upper right corner of the fresh food compartment or in the base grille. This is the most common type on current models.

• Filter 1 (W10295370A / EDR1RXD1) — cap on the right end, push button to release
• Filter 2 (W10413645A / EDR2RXD1) — bottom of the fresh food compartment, push button
• Filter 3 (EDR3RXD1) — base grille mount, twist quarter turn to release

Base grille filter: Located behind the base grille at the bottom of the refrigerator. Turn the old filter a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull out. Insert the new filter and turn clockwise to lock.

How Do You Replace It?#

Internal push-button filters (Filter 1 and 2):#

1. Locate the filter housing inside the refrigerator
2. Push the button or tab on the filter cap — the filter drops down slightly
3. Pull the filter straight out
4. Remove the cap from the old filter and transfer it to the new filter (if your model uses a reusable cap)
5. Push the new filter into the housing until it clicks
6. Run 4 gallons of water through the dispenser to flush (this clears carbon fines from the new filter — the water may be gray initially)
7. Reset the filter indicator light (press and hold the filter reset button for 3 seconds)

Base grille filters (Filter 3):#

1. Open the base grille — it snaps off or has 2 screws
2. Turn the old filter counterclockwise a quarter turn and pull out
3. Insert the new filter and turn clockwise until it stops
4. Replace the base grille
5. Flush 4 gallons and reset the indicator

How Much Does It Cost?#

OEM EveryDrop filters are the reference price, and aftermarket equivalents run 50-70% less. Which of the three filters your model takes barely moves the number — the position and release action differ, but Filter 1, Filter 2 and Filter 3 sit close to each other on price. What moves it is OEM against aftermarket, and that is a filtration decision rather than a fit decision, covered in the next section.

OEM vs Aftermarket Filters#

Aftermarket water filters cost 50-70% less than EveryDrop OEM filters. The key differences:

• OEM filters are NSF 42 and 53 certified (removes specific contaminants at tested rates). Quality is guaranteed.
• Aftermarket filters vary widely. Some are NSF certified (good), others are not (uncertain filtration quality). The physical fit is usually identical — the filtering media quality is what varies.
• Recommendation: If your water source is municipal (already treated), aftermarket filters are generally fine for taste and odor improvement. If you rely on the filter for contaminant removal (well water, lead concerns), stick with NSF 53 certified filters (OEM or certified aftermarket).

Change Schedule#

Whirlpool recommends every 6 months or 200 gallons, whichever comes first. Signs you need to change sooner:

• Water flow from the dispenser has slowed noticeably
• Ice has an off-taste or odor
• The Replace Filter indicator light is on (it triggers at 6 months regardless of actual usage)
• Visible sediment in the water

Heavy water usage (family of 4+, frequent ice, cooking with filtered water) may require 3-4 month changes.

What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid?#

• Not flushing the new filter — the first 4 gallons contain activated carbon fines that make the water appear gray or taste gritty
• Not resetting the indicator light — the light runs on a timer, not actual filter status. Without resetting, it stays on permanently
• Using a filter intended for the wrong model — Filter 1, 2, and 3 are not interchangeable. Verify your model's filter type before ordering.
• Ignoring reduced water flow — a clogged filter restricts flow to the ice maker, producing smaller or hollow ice cubes. The ice maker itself may be fine.

FAQ#

How do I reset the water filter light on my Whirlpool refrigerator?#

Press and hold the filter reset button for 3 seconds. On models without a dedicated button, press and hold the Max Cool and Max Ice buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. The light should turn off or change from red to green.

Do I need the water filter to use the ice maker?#

Yes — the water line runs through the filter before reaching the ice maker. You can install a bypass plug (available for each filter type) to run without a filter, but the water will be unfiltered.

Is it safe to use aftermarket refrigerator filters?#

General use is fine. For contaminant removal (lead, cysts), choose aftermarket filters that are specifically NSF 53 certified. The physical fit is identical to OEM — the filtration quality is what varies.

Our repair data shows refrigerator failures on Whirlpool units follow a predictable pattern, most occurring between year 3 and year 7 of ownership.

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