(VIDEO) How Do You Remove a Stuck Refrigerator Water Filter?

In this article, we’ll provide you with some easy-to-follow tips for removing a stuck water filter from your fridge. Find and follow the advice for removing a stuck water filter from the specific brand of refrigerator that you own.

1. Samsung

2. Whirlpool

3. Frigidaire

4. Kenmore

5. GE

6. LG

7. KitchenAid

8. Maytag

9. Estate

10. Amana

11. Bosch

12. Dacor

13. Electrolux

1. Samsung

Samsung refrigerators use only 3 types of water filters—HAF-CIN, HAF-QIN, and HAF-CU1.

Each of these different filters basically use the same twist-to-remove method to pull the old filter out. Sounds simple, right? It is simple--until the filter gets stuck in its housing.

Tips for removing Samsung HAC-CIN and HAF-QIN refrigerator water filters

These two Samsung refrigerator water filters are similar. They both slide into a horizontal water filter housing and twist ¼ turn counterclockwise to remove.

Follow these tips to remove a stuck filter when your Samsung fridge uses one of these water filters:

• Wiggle the water filter back and forth slightly to help loosen water seal deposits while twisting it counterclockwise (to the left) to remove.

• Shut off the water supply going to the refrigerator and briefly run some water through the water dispenser to release water pressure at the filter head. You may then be able to easily release the water filter and remove it.

• Use channel-lock pliers to twist the filter to the left and release it if you still can’t rotate the filter after releasing water pressure from the filter head.

Advice for removing a stuck Samsung HAF-CU1 refrigerator water filter

The Samsung HAF-CU1 filter twists into a vertical housing in the top right corner in the back of the refrigerator section.

Use the first 2 tips provided above to help you remove a stuck HAF-CU1 fridge filter—wiggle the filter when twisting it left and shut off the water supply to release water pressure. If you still can’t remove the filter, use a strap wrench to grip and twist the water filter to the left.

If you still can’t remove your Samsung refrigerator water filter after following these tips, you’ll likely need to schedule a Sears Technician to remove the filter and fix the water filter housing if needed.

2. Whirlpool

Whirlpool water filters located in the toe grill under the refrigerator door are the ones that most often get stuck.

Whirlpool EveryDrop 3 EDR3RXD1

You may have trouble pushing in the eject button to remove the Whirlpool EveryDrop 3 water filter from its housing the toe grill. When this happens, use the handle of a wooden spoon to press the eject button. This usually does the trick.

Whirlpool EveryDrop 5 EDR5RXD1

The Whirlpool EveryDrop 5 water filter twists into the housing in the toe grill. When you can’t rotate this filter the ¼ left to release it from its housing, use these tips to remove the stuck filter: Use slip-joint or channel-lock pliers to rotate the filter cap ¼ turn left to release the filter. Tape the jaws of the pliers with masking tape to avoid scratching the decorative filter cap. Be careful when rotating the cap. Using too much force may crack or break the filter cap.

Remove the bottom toe grill then pull off the decorative cap if you can’t twist the filter with the cap in place. To remove the bottom toe grill, pull out on each side to release the toe grill mounting clips. Slide the decorative cap off the filter then use the pliers directly on the end of the filter to twist it left and release it from the water filter housing.

Don’t hesitate to schedule service by a Sears Technician if you can’t get the filter out yourself.

3. Frigidaire

The Frigidaire PureSource2 water filter WF2CB tends to get stuck in its housing more frequently than other Frigidaire refrigerator water filters. When this happens, you can carefully pry the filter out using a flat-tip screwdriver or putty knife. Cover the tip of the screwdriver or putty knife with masking tape to avoid scratching the refrigerator liner around the water filter housing opening.

If you have a different type of Frigidaire water filter that gets stuck, follow the tips in the video provided above to help you get the filter out.

When you have trouble removing stuck water filter that is a PureSource Ultra II EPTWFU01 located in the top right corner at the back of the refrigerator compartment in a French door fridge model, you may need to remove the shelf underneath the filter to have more room to carefully grip the filter with channel-lock pliers to get it unstuck.

4. Kenmore

Kenmore Elite 111-Series French door fridges house the water filter in the top right corner of the refrigerator compartment (see the image to the right). The cover over the water filter can get stuck. The owner’s manual tells you to pull the cover forward and down to open it. You’ll typically need to grip it securely and use significant force to snap the cover open the first few times you open it. The cover will often make a loud snap when you release the cover by pulling it forward and then down to access the water filter. Once you open the cover a few times, it should release more easily.

If you have problems removing a different type of Kenmore water filter from your Kenmore, Kenmore Elite or Kenmore Pro fridge, follow the tips in the above video to help you get the stuck filter out.

5. GE

Many GE refrigerators use the MWF water filter that tends to get stuck in its housing. Turn off the water supply and release water pressure in the refrigerator's internal water system by dispensing some water through the water dispenser and try wiggling the filter slightly to free it from its housing and remove it. If shutting off the water supply and wiggling the filter doesn't free it from the filter head, we recommend that you carefully use a strap wrench to better grip the filter and twist it out of its housing.

6. LG

The LG refrigerator water filters that tend to get stuck most often are the ones that you rotate down out of the housing and then pull out. Be sure that you remove the top shelf under the water filter housing if necessary so that you can fully rotate the filter downward when its housing in the top corner of the refrigerator section. When the filter is housed in the door, be sure to swing the filter all of the way out until it stops. The filter won’t release from the housing until it’s rotated fully out of the housing. Once it’s fully rotated out of the housing, carefully wiggle the filter back and forth to release the filter from the filter head while removing the filter. You’ll need to twist some LG filters counterclockwise while removing, while some LG filters will just pull straight out of the housing to remove.

7. KitchenAid

The KitchenAid water filter that often gets stuck is the one that mounts in the bottom toe grille below the freezer door. You’ll typically see an ejection button beside the filter that is hard to push (besides the fact that the button is down there just above the floor and awkward to get at). You’ll often need to use significant force to push that ejection button in and release the KitchenAid water filter. Try using a wooden spoon handle to forcefully press that button and eject the water filter.

8. Maytag

Maytag refrigerators often house the water filter in the top, right corner of the refrigerator section. It’s sometimes difficult to rotate the filter to remove it from its housing. As shown in the video, try wiggling the filter while twisting it out of the housing. If you’re still having trouble, try using slip resistant gloves to get a better grip on the filter to twist it out of the filter head.

9. Estate

You’ll often find the water filter down in the bottom toe grill of Estate refrigerators. Twisting that filter a ¼ turn left and removing it can sometimes be difficult. Try covering the plastic cover on the filter with a cloth and using a channel lock plier to grip and twist the filter to the left to release it. If you still can’t remove the filter, take off the refrigerator toe grill and slide the plastic cover off the front of the water filter. Use the channel lock plier to twist and remove the filter from its housing.

10. Amana

The twist-to-remove water filter can sometimes get stuck in an Amana refrigerator. Shut off the water supply and release water pressure by briefly dispensing some water to release pressure in the refrigerator’s internal water system. Try rotating and removing the water filter. If it still won’t come out, use a strap wrench to grip and rotate the filter out of its housing.

11. Bosch

The O-rings in the filter head of some Bosch refrigerators can sometimes develop deposits that prevent you from removing the water filter. When this happens, carefully wiggle the water filter as you removing it. Wiggling the filter will often release the O-ring deposits and allow you to twist and pull the filter out of the housing.

12. Dacor

High-end Dacor refrigerators aren't immune from problems with stuck water filters. When you can't rotate the filter in your Dacor refrigerator, shut off the water supply going the fridge and dispense some water to release internal water pressure in the refrigerator. Don some slip resistance gloves and wiggle the filter while twisting it out of the housing. If you can't remove the filter after following these tips, you'll likely need to have a service technician remove the filter.

13. Electrolux

Push-button water filters in Electrolux refrigerators can sometime fail to eject. Carefully try to pry the filter out of the housing while keeping the ejection button fully pushed in. Tape the tip of the screwdriver that you use for prying to prevent scratching the filter housing. If you're unable to remove the filter, you may need to have a service technician visit your home and remove the filter.

Only use the genuine OEM refrigerator water filter

After-market water filters can get stuck in the housing because they're not manufactured to the same design specifications as the original OEM (orignal equipment manufacturer) water filter designed for your refrigerator.

All refrigerator manufacturers insist that you use their genuine OEM water filters.

Order your OEM water filter from Sears PartsDirect

You can make sure that you're getting the genuine OEM water filter for your refrigerator by ordering replacement filters from Sears PartsDirect. We only sell the guenuine OEM filters required by refrigerator manufacturers.

Subscribe to get your OEM filter shipped automatically and get free shipping with a subscription

Instead of having to remember to order a new water filter every 6 months, use our subscription plan to have your replacement OEM water filter automatically shipped each month.

You get free shipping with a subscription plan.

It's easy to sign up. The next time order your refrigerator water filter, enroll at checkout by giving your shipping and payment information. Specify how often you’d like us to send your water filter (every 6 months), and we'll take it from there. These troubleshooting tips and the video should help you remove a stuck water filter in your fridge no matter what type of filter it uses.

If you can’t remove the water filter in your refrigerator no matter what you do, don’t hesitate to schedule a Sears Technician to visit your home and take out the stuck filter.

In year 2023 and beyond, it’s important to keep the water filter in your fridge fresh so you get clean and safe ice and water.