How to Replace the Water Filter in a Kenmore Refrigerator
Replacing the water filter in your Kenmore refrigerator is an essential maintenance task that shouldn’t be overlooked. You should replace your fridge’s water filter every 6 months to ensure the refrigerator's ice and water is contaminant and odor free; replace it more frequently if you notice the water flow slowing.
Kenmore offers a wide variety of refrigerators, and the water filters used varies by model. Learning how to change the water filter in your Kenmore refrigerator will depend on the refrigerator style you have, the location of the water filter in your refrigerator, and the filter part number.
The tables below list the Kenmore water filter part numbers by refrigerator style, with links to step-by-step instruction videos. Read on to learn how to replace the water filter in your refrigerator.
How to change the water filter in a Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator
| Filter part number(s) | Removal method | Location | How-to video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9081 | Eject and slide out | Bottom grille, inside top-right | How to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter |
| 9083, 9911, 9916 | Push button to eject | Bottom grille, inside top-right | How to replace a push-button-to-eject water filter |
| 9490, 9690 | Pull down | Inside top-right | How to replace a pull-down water filter |
| 9084, 90062 | Open tray and twist out | Inside top-right | How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter |
| 9002, 9014, 9085, 9890, 9990, MWF | Twist to remove | Bottom grille, inside top-right | How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter |
| 9913 | Remove cup cover | Inside top-right | How to replace a remove-cup-filter-cover water filter |
How to change the water filter in a Kenmore top-freezer refrigerator
| Filter part number(s) | Removal method | Location | How-to video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9915, 9890, 9990 | Twist to remove | Bottom grille, Inside top-left | How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter |
| 9913 | Remove cup cover | Inside top-right | How to replace a remove-cup-filter-cover water filter |
How to change the water filter in a Kenmore bottom-freezer refrigerator
| Filter part number(s) | Removal method | Location | How-to video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9014 | Twist to remove | Inside top-right | How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter |
How to change the water filter in a Kenmore French 3-door refrigerator
| Filter part number(s) | Removal method | Location | How-to video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9081, 9999 | Eject and slide out | Inside top-right | How to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter |
| 9690 | Pull down | Inside top-left | How to replace a pull-down water filter |
| 9082, 9084, 9130, 9980, 9990 | Open tray and twist out | Inside top-left, Inside top-right | How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter |
| 9490, 9890, 9980, 9990 | Twist to remove | In door, Inside top-left, Inside top-right | How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter |
How to change the water filter in a Kenmore French 4-door refrigerator
| Filter part number(s) | Removal method | Location | How-to video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9690 | Pull down | Inside top-left | How to replace a pull-down water filter |
| 9490 | Swing out | In door | How to replace a swing-out water filter |
| 9980 | Open tray and twist out | Inside top-left | How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter |
How to change the water filter in a Kenmore no-freezer refrigerator
| Filter part number(s) | Removal method | Location | How-to video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9916 | Push button to eject | Inside top-left | How to replace a push-button-to-eject water filter |
Step-by-step instructions by Kenmore water filter part number
How to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter
Eject-and-slide out Kenmore water filters are 9081 and 9999.
Open the filter cover door.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
With the alignment arrow pointing up for filters inside top right (or pointing left for filters in the grille), slide the new filter into the housing until it stops.
Close the water filter cover door.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
How to replace a push-button-to-eject water filter
Push-button-to-eject Kenmore water filters are 9083, 9911, and 9916.
If the filter is located in the grille:
Push the eject button.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
Remove the decorative cap.
Install the decorative cap on the new filter.
Push the new filter into the housing until the eject button snaps out.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
If the filter is located inside the refrigerator:
Turn off the ice maker.
Push the eject button.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
Push the new filter into the housing until it clicks.
Turn on the ice maker.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
How to replace a pull-down water filter
Pull-down Kenmore water filters are 9490 and 9690.
Remove the shelf below the filter if it’s in the highest position.
Place a container under the front end of the water filter cover to catch leaks.
Press the filter cover release buttons and open the water filter cover.
Pull the filter down until it stops and then pull the filter out. In some models, you rotate the filter to the left.
Insert the new filter in the housing. If you twisted the old filter to remove it, twist the filter to the right.
Lift the filter up and close the water filter cover.
Pull out the container and wipe up any spills.
Reinstall the shelf below the filter if you removed it.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter
Open-tray-and-twist-out Kenmore water filters are 9082, 9084, 90062, 9130, 9980 and 9990.
Release the locking tab and lower the cover of the tray.
Twist the filter to the left until it stops, then pull it out.
Insert the new filter and twist it to the right until it stops.
Close the tray’s cover.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter
Twist-to-remove Kenmore water filters are 9002, 9014, 9085, 9890 and 9990. Some older Kenmore side-by-side models can only use GE twist-to-remove water filter MWF.
Twist the filter to the left and pull it out of the housing.
For filters in the grille, use the decorative filter cap from the old filter on the new filter.
Line up the new filter, push it into the filter housing and twist the filter to the right.
Wipe up any spills.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
How to replace a remove-cup-filter-cover water filter
The remove-cup-filter-cover Kenmore water filter is 9913.
Twist the filter cover cup to the left and remove it from the filter housing.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
With the filter nozzle pointing up, insert the new filter into the housing.
Reinstall the water filter cover.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.
How to replace a swing-out water filter
The swing-out Kenmore water filter is 9490.
How to replace a swing-out water filter in the top left wall
Open the cover and swing the filter out.
Pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing.
Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.
How to replace a swing-out filter in the end of the door
Open the cover and pull out the bottom of the filter.
Pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing.
Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.
How to replace a swing-out filter behind a door bin
Remove the door bin and swing the filter out.
Twist the filter to the left to release it then pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing and twist it to the right.
Swing the filter into its compartment and reinstall the door bin.
How to replace a swing-out filter in the middle of the door
Open the cover and swing the filter out.
Twist the filter to the left to release it then pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing and twist it to the right.
Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.
Final steps
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light on the control.
Installing and replacing an external in-line water filter
If your refrigerator doesn't have a built-in water filter, you can add one in the water line behind the refrigerator. See how easy it is to install or replace an inline water filter using Kenmore part number 3844609 or 3844709.
Looking for DIY repair advice to fix a problem with your refrigerator? Check out our refrigerator repair help page for symptoms and troubleshooting tips, error codes and repair guides.
If you’re having problems removing your old filter or installing the new one, check out our video How Do You Remove a Stuck Water Filter. (https://www.searspartsdirect.com/diy/article/stuck-water-filter-tips)
Symptoms common to all refrigerators
Repair guides common to all refrigerators
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Replace the water valve that feeds water to the ice maker and water dispenser if it no longer controls the flow of water.
If the temperature in your refrigerator doesn't match the temperature you set, the problem could be the temperature control board—a service technician can give you a definite diagnosis. If the board is at fault, follow these steps to replace it yourself.
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