Image of the front of a fridge with a maintenance light on
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Refrigerator Filter Change Light Still On?

One of the most common questions we get is, “I just changed my water filter, but the filter change light is still on in my fridge. Are these defective filters?” The chances of getting a defective water filter are very slim, but it can happen. (If you think your filters are bad, give us a call and we’ll make it right!) If that pesky light reminder remains and your filters aren’t faulty, all it takes are a few simple steps to reset your Filter Change light. Let’s check them out!

Refrigerator 'filter change' light is on!

Step 1 – Changing Your Refrigerator Filter

First, locate and change your water filter. Make sure the filter makes a good seal as you screw or push it into the receiver. Check for any leaks or cracks that could be present on your filter or your filter receiver. If it feels like the filter is catching on anything, then pull it out and start over. Be careful not to strip the threads on the filter! Very little force should be applied when replacing the filter. If the threads become stripped, future filters will not make a good connection to the receiver.

Tip: A small amount of plumbers grease can help with troublesome filters, but be sure not to get it in the filter or waterline as it can cause foul taste and clogged filters!

Step 2 – Resetting the Indicator Light

Now that you’ve inserted your new filter, you’ll need to change your indicator light. Some refrigerators are equipped with timers that change the color of the light based on time (usually 3-6 months), while others will measure the flow of water over time. These lights typically correspond with how the filter is doing.

  • GREEN – meaning the filter is new and does not need to be changed
  • YELLOW – meaning the filter is in the middle of its life expectancy
  • RED – meaning the filter needs to be changed immediately

Most of the time, you can get a full six months of use with one filter without any problems. Just because your light turns red doesn’t mean your water is not being filtered. It merely means you should change your filter soon.

Below is a list of common refrigerator brands and how to reset the indicator lights:

  • Amana – Press and hold the “Auto” and “Dispenser Lock” buttons, which may look like a padlock, until the water filter status indicator light flashes
  • Frigidaire – Press and hold the “Reset” button, which causes the indicator light to flash
  • GE (General Electric) – Press and hold the “Reset” button for around 8-10 seconds
  • HotPoint – Press and hold the “Reset” button for approximately 8-10 seconds
  • Jenn-Air – Press and hold the “Light” and “Lock” buttons until the filter light flashes (usually 5-10 seconds)
  • Kitchen Aid – Press and release the “Light” button five times in quick succession
  • Maytag – Press and hold the “Light” and “Lock” buttons until the filter light flashes (usually 5-10 seconds)
  • Samsung – Press and hold the “Ice Type (Cubed or Crushed)” and “Child Lock” buttons at the same time for 3-5 seconds
  • Whirlpool – Press and release the “Light” button, which looks like a small plunger, 5-6 times quickly. The button is typically at the top or bottom of the door where the door closes

Step 3 – Flushing Your Water Filter

Once your new filter is inserted, you should flush about 3-5 gallons of water through it. This removes stray particles of carbon that may have settled inside the filter. Sometimes after a new filter change, you can see black specks floating in the water or the ice cubes. These are not harmful but can cause a bitter taste. Flushing the filter will ensure all loose carbon will end up down the drain and not floating in your water.

Congratulations! Now that you’ve taken these simple steps, you can enjoy crisp, clean, great-tasting water and ice! You’ll also know precisely when and how to change your fridge filter and get rid of that irksome light.

Are you looking for new refrigerator filters? Discount Filters offers free shipping on orders over $50! Plus, save an extra $5 on your order when you combine air and water filters. Shop today for our most popular filters, such as the UKF8001MWFADQ36006101W102953704396508, WFCB, and more!

29 thoughts on “Refrigerator Filter Change Light Still On?”

  1. I have kitchen aid model KSCS25FVWHO3. I followed all the steps and water filter light is still on. What next? Thanks

  2. pressed my GE fridge water filter light reset after replacing water filter for more than 10 secs still doesn’t reset to green?

      • The light will have to manually be reset by holding down on a particular button depending on your fridge make and model. As for the ice, I would take the new filter out and put it back in to make sure water is flowing through it properly. Hope this helps!

  3. Hi My wife tells me that a discount filter is not as good as a brand name one. I beg to differ,
    Who is correct?

  4. My Samsung wouldn’t turn off the red indicator until I pressed the WATER button 3 to 5 seconds. Pressing the ICE either crushed or not did not work for me.

  5. I received my filters for my LG fridge and it seems like it is loose when I locked it in. I do not get a light on my fridge even when holding it in to reset it. I am not quite sure if it is working. I will call in the morning for some help. Thank you Lucy Hennessey

  6. I changed my water filter 2 days ago but the purple filter sinn does not go away. What is wrong

  7. GE manual said press and hold 3 seconds which did not work, but your suggestion of 8-10 seconds did the trick! Thanks

  8. If they are this good at resetting the indicator lights on a product that is not theirs, just think how good their filters are!!!

  9. Does the status light ever show green? I changed the filter when the I pressed the button and it showed a red light. I did all the steps and held the button in for 10 seconds until it went out. But, alas, it still shows red when I pressed it again to check the status after all that. This is the first time we have changed the filter, and I don’t think I ever tried the status light when we first purchased it. I wrote the date I changed it on the new filter, but wondered about an actual green light status or if there ever was one..

  10. LG Model LSXS22423 W/01 and replaced the factory filter with a new one. I held and reset the filter light and it went out. But every time I open the door and shut it comes back on. And what model # replacement filter do you sell?

    • Depending on your fridge make and model, you’ll have to hold down a particular button to reset the light.

  11. everywhere I look it says on a Samsung… Change the ice type I don’t have one of those I have a bottom freezer with the two open doors on top and on top inside are all the little lights that light up. I replaced it with a new filter and it keeps blinking… Help ?

  12. Just changed filter, ran 2 gallons through it but my Replace light is still on, on my Frigidaire. There is no reset button.

  13. Chris just keep pressing where it says “water filter”; the red light will start flickering then will turn to green. I just did that for my Frigidaire and it worked; it won’t say “filter reset button”

  14. I changed my water filter and I can’t get the red light to go if I have ran about 5 gallons of water and push my reset buttons several times for 3 seconds and the red lift still won’t go off . I am really feelingly frustrated nor. Help!

  15. I can’t get my replace filter light to go out .I held light and hold and won’t flash and go out

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