August 31, 2023

How to Replace the Water Filter in a Kenmore Refrigerator

Kenmore refrigerator water filter types.
Kenmore refrigerator water filter types.

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 vary 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. If you're unsure what filter goes into your Kenmore refrigerator, use the filter finder in our Kenmore refrigerator water filter collection.

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 methodLocationHow-to video
9081Eject and slide outBottom grille, inside top-rightHow to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter
9083, 9911, 9916Push button to ejectBottom grille, inside top-rightHow to replace a push-button-to-eject water filter
9490, 9690Pull downInside top-rightHow to replace a pull-down water filter
9084, 90062Open tray and twist outInside top-rightHow to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter
9002, 9014, 9085, 9890, 9990, MWFTwist to removeBottom grille, inside top-rightHow to replace a twist-to-remove water filter
9913Remove cup coverInside top-rightHow 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 methodLocationHow-to video
9915, 9890, 9990Twist to removeBottom grille, Inside top-leftHow to replace a twist-to-remove water filter
9913Remove cup coverInside top-rightHow 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 methodLocationHow-to video
9014Twist to removeInside top-rightHow 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 methodLocationHow-to video
9081, 9999Eject and slide outInside top-rightHow to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter
9690Pull downInside top-leftHow to replace a pull-down water filter
9082, 9084, 9130, 9980, 9990Open tray and twist outInside top-left, Inside top-rightHow to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter
9490, 9890, 9980, 9990Twist to removeIn door, Inside top-left, Inside top-rightHow 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 methodLocationHow-to video
9690Pull downInside top-leftHow to replace a pull-down water filter
9490Swing outIn doorHow to replace a swing-out water filter
9980Open tray and twist outInside top-leftHow 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 methodLocationHow-to video
9916Push button to ejectInside top-leftHow 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.

  1. Open the filter cover door.

  2. Pull the filter out of the housing.

  3. 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.

  4. Close the water filter cover door.

  5. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  6. 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:

  1. Push the eject button.

  2. Pull the filter out of the housing.

  3. Remove the decorative cap.

  4. Install the decorative cap on the new filter.

  5. Push the new filter into the housing until the eject button snaps out.

  6. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  7. Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

If the filter is located inside the refrigerator:

  1. Turn off the ice maker.

  2. Push the eject button.

  3. Pull the filter out of the housing.

  4. Push the new filter into the housing until it clicks.

  5. Turn on the ice maker.

  6. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  7. Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace a pull-down water filter

Pull-down Kenmore water filters are 9490 and 9690.

  1. Remove the shelf below the filter if it’s in the highest position.

  2. Place a container under the front end of the water filter cover to catch leaks.

  3. Press the filter cover release buttons and open the water filter cover.

  4. Pull the filter down until it stops and then pull the filter out. In some models, you rotate the filter to the left.

  5. Insert the new filter in the housing. If you twisted the old filter to remove it, twist the filter to the right.

  6. Lift the filter up and close the water filter cover.

  7. Pull out the container and wipe up any spills.

  8. Reinstall the shelf below the filter if you removed it.

  9. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  10. 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.

  1. Release the locking tab and lower the cover of the tray.

  2. Twist the filter to the left until it stops, then pull it out.

  3. Insert the new filter and twist it to the right until it stops.

  4. Close the tray’s cover.

  5. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  6. 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.

  1. Twist the filter to the left and pull it out of the housing.

  2. For filters in the grille, use the decorative filter cap from the old filter on the new filter.

  3. Line up the new filter, push it into the filter housing and twist the filter to the right.

  4. Wipe up any spills.

  5. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  6. 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.

  1. Twist the filter cover cup to the left and remove it from the filter housing.

  2. Pull the filter out of the housing.

  3. With the filter nozzle pointing up, insert the new filter into the housing.

  4. Reinstall the water filter cover.

  5. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  6. 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

  1. Open the cover and swing the filter out.

  2. Pull the filter straight out of the housing.

  3. Insert the new filter in the housing.

  4. Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.

How to replace a swing-out filter in the end of the door

  1. Open the cover and pull out the bottom of the filter.

  2. Pull the filter straight out of the housing.

  3. Insert the new filter in the housing.

  4. Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.

How to replace a swing-out filter behind a door bin

  1. Remove the door bin and swing the filter out.

  2. Twist the filter to the left to release it then pull the filter straight out of the housing.

  3. Insert the new filter in the housing and twist it to the right.

  4. Swing the filter into its compartment and reinstall the door bin.

How to replace a swing-out filter in the middle of the door

  1. Open the cover and swing the filter out.

  2. Twist the filter to the left to release it then pull the filter straight out of the housing.

  3. Insert the new filter in the housing and twist it to the right.

  4. Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.

Final steps

  1. Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.

  2. 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)

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