Most people are not aware that after you change your refrigerator water filter, there are two additional steps that should be taken to properly complete the water filter change.
Step 1: Reset your refrigerator water filter change light
Most new refrigerators now come equipped with an indicator light that notifies you when it is time to change your water filter. This light does not automatically reset when you change your water filter and the light must be manually reset.
Here is a list of refrigerator manufacturers and how to reset the filter change indicator light:
Amana– Press and hold the Auto and Dispenser Lock buttons until the water filter status indicator light flashes.
Frigidaire– Press options button until they all show, then scroll to water filter and hold set button to reset do the same for the air filter. (Edited May 2019. One of our readers, John, pointed out that the information we had was incorrect.)
GE General Electric– Press and Hold the Reset Button for around 8 Seconds.
HotPoint– Press and Hold the Reset Button for around 8 Seconds.
Jenn-Air– Press and Hold The Water and Lock Buttons until the Water Filter light flashes.
Kitchen Aid– Press and Release the Light Button 5 times Quickly.
Maytag– Press and Hold The Light and Lock Buttons until the Water Filter light flashes.
Samsung– Press and Hold the Ice Type and Child Lock Buttons at the same time for 3 seconds.
Whirlpool– Press and Release the Light Button 5 times Quickly.
Step 2: Flush a couple of gallons of water through your new filter
Since refrigerator water filters are made of carbon, some carbon residue is present in the first gallon or two of water. This will not harm you but may leave a bitter taste and residue in your water. If you continue to have these problems after flushing a couple of gallons through the filter, it is possible that you have a defective water filter.
Once these two steps are completed, you are all set to enjoy great tasting ice and water through your refrigerator. If you don’t see your manufacturer listed or the instructions don’t work for your model please post a comment with your make and model number so that we can provide exact instructions for your model.
Katie says
Kat,
Thank you for reaching out to us. The reference information we see for that model seems to be generic. It shows there is a Reset button available for select models. If you do see a Reset button please press and hold for three seconds. The Order and Replace lights should turn off as a result. If this does not work for your application please reach out to the manufacturer for troubleshooting information.
Kat says
maytag msd 2651 kgw
I followed the steps online but it did not reset my filter light
Katie says
Kim,
Thank you for reaching out to us. We recommend reviewing the owner’s manual for your refrigerator model. Each model has it’s own reset instructions. Many times there is a single reset button. Some units require pressing a combination of keys to reset. The reset button(s) is normally labeled as such.
Kim says
We’re are the reset buttons
Liz says
Thanks Tom You are spot on with the Frigidaire instructions.
Katie says
Hi Tom,
Thanks for pointing that out to us! This blog was written back in 2006, so we’ll be coming out with a more updated blog soon and will use your note. Thank you!
tom says
Your directions for Frigidaire are wrong. You press options button till they all show, then scroll to water filter and hold set button to reset do the same for air filter.
Katie says
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for reaching out to us. We would recommend removing the filter and confirming there aren’t any plastic seals or caps on the filter. The filter is usually wet indicating water is flowing through it. For additional support, we would recommend reaching out the manufacturer of your refrigerator.
Katie says
Hi Erma,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Yes, it seems the light has been successfully reset. The light is usually on a timer and should turn on in 6 months. If you would like to make sure please refer to the reset instructions in your owner’s manual. If you do not have that available we can research it using the model number to your refrigerator.