How To Change Water Filter In Samsung Refrigerator

I have dabbled in home improvement projects and like giving advice to others on what not to do.

The Dreaded Dead Water Filter

Ah, the dreaded "expressionless filter" icon—a glaring ruby symbol disfiguring the elegant face of your Samsung refrigerator. You could ignore it; it won't injure the refrigerator. But who knows what could exist pond around inside that kludged filter?

Besides, the thing is like a chipped tooth; yous merely can't ignore information technology. If y'all are like me, you might feel a piddling intimidated by the prospect of irresolute the filter. Fear not. I'll bear witness you how.

These directions are for the Samsung RS265TDRS specifically. And then, if you lot have another model, the details may differ a bit. However, some things, similar the advisability of shutting off the water to the unit get-go, are universal.

How to Replace a Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter

Accept a replacement filter handy.
Shut off the water source to your fridge, most likely nether your kitchen sink.
Locate the filter compartment in the bottom correct-hand section of the door's interior.
Remove the vegetable bin if necessary for access.
To remove old filter, grasp the ridge on the outward surface. It should be vertical or locked.
Turn 1-quarter plow counter-clockwise and pull out.
Insert new filter and turn i-quarter plow clockwise to lock in place.
Run water dispenser for at least 30 seconds to purge air and impurities.
Reset the filter low-cal past holding down the water selector switch for three seconds.

Have a Replacement Filter Handy

Starting time, the replacement filter. You may discover one every bit nearby as your local home-comeback store. Only you lot won't discover the best bargain there. Information technology may take a few days to get the replacements in your hot little hands if you follow my selection, but ordering online saved me about 40%. I recollect that the accented best prices are at specialty sites, simply I went with Amazon.com, which was easy to bargain with and very nearly as inexpensive. I saved more by buying a three-pack.

You need to know the function number. It'southward in your manual, just if your refrigerator is the RS265TDRS, then you demand filter DA29-00020B.

The filter location inside the refrigerator.

You lot are looking at the lesser of the right-manus (refrigerator) section of the unit, with the door open up. The vegetable bin at the very bottom has been removed and you are looking at the top of the filter facing you lot on the lower right. That'due south where they hibernate the thing.

Find your water shut-off valve and shut the water off. — Find your h2o shut-off valve and shut the h2o off.

Shut Off the H2o Source to Your Refrigerator

Call up to shut off the h2o. That blurry, blobby matter in the middle of the photo above is a close-off valve. Await for yours. This one is under my kitchen sink, and that's a popular location. Only look for likely candidates, turn them off, and check whether the h2o dispenser is still doing its thing. If not, you are clear for take-off.

If worse comes to worst, yous can e'er turn the water off at the meter. This is easy just may crave a special tool.

Removing the old filter and installing the new one is easy.

Locate the Filter

Removing the filter is—as the kids say—crazy simple. Just grasp the ridge on the outward surface. Information technology should be vertical, which is the 'locked' position. Turn one-quarter turn counter-clockwise (and then the top moves to the left), and pull it out.

Scroll to Continue

Run the Water Earlier Use

Once you've installed the new filter (and replaced the vegetable bin), at that place's only one major step. Run the h2o dispenser for 30 seconds or more (the official video below says five minutes) to purge any air or impurities that may have gotten into the system. In my case, quite a lot of air got in there, spraying me with water when I offset ran the dispenser. Better you lot than your dinner guest!

This commodity is authentic and truthful to the best of the author'due south knowledge. Content is for informational or amusement purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business organisation, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Maro Plathe on June 11, 2020:

What if I left the cap on and at present stuck in there?

Pete in San Diego on May 24, 2020:

I have a filter that I can't budge, it won't turn or come out, tried several times with force. any tips, its on the lower correct side as indicated in your diagram. model RS25J500DSR/AA How can you let me know, I don't e'er visit this page or possibly find it once more for an answer. pls electronic mail copy coastalsdr@gmail.com cheers Pete

ANgela on February 26, 2020:

Thank you for your quick response!

We've had the refrigerator awhile and commonly change out the filter when the water starts to sense of taste funny. We have replaced the water ice machine motor at one time a few years ago because it stopped making ice.

Other than that, I'll look into testing the water.

Doc Snow (writer) from Camden, South Carolina on Feb 24, 2020:

Hi, Angela--yes, the light is supposed to stay on. Merely it should plough blue when the filter is replaced and the lines purged, from the red colour indicating the need for a filter modify.

I don't know why y'all haven't seen the indicator plow red. Have you had the refrigerator long? (I'm guessing 'yep' since y'all say that it's the same model--and that model is no longer anything shut to new.) And practise you lot change the filter regardless?

Maybe your water supply is unusually clean, or maybe the sensor/control organisation that should turn on the indicator isn't working properly in some respect. Do y'all have whatsoever other reason for business concern about the water quality, or the operation of the frig? If and so, at that place are quite a few options for having the h2o tested that you could pursue.

ANgela on February 23, 2020:

I noticed in your success photo, the filter calorie-free was still on? Is it supposed to still stay on? I have the same model fridge but my filter light has never turned carmine...(?)

Doc Snow (author) from Camden, South Carolina on October 15, 2018:

Perhaps yous don't, if it's never caused you problems. To be honest, I never checked the necessity of that step, assuming that not doing so created the danger of leakage. Just perhaps there's a check valve built in to the fixture that renders that unnecessary.

But I'm curious; if you've already done this many times, what prompted you to read an article on how to it?

Cil on October 12, 2018:

Why must I shut off the water source to the dispenser? I've inverse it many times and never knew to practise that.

Doc Snowfall (author) from Camden, S Carolina on February 01, 2018:

Well, that's a new one on me, Doris. If it is truly 'hot'--not just warmish--then you may have a actually serious problem, and I'd detect a repair shop, fast.

However, if it's just sort of warmish I would:

i) Make sure that the frig hadn't been accidentally been reset in a way that turned off refrigeration. (For instance, there is a 'exhibit mode' that does that; it may also be possible that the temperature was reset too high.) Consult your manual on settings; if you don't have a paper copy, yous should be able to download it from the Samsung website. (There's a label on the frig giving the model number; use that to make certain you have the correct manual.)

2) If all the settings seem to be right, I'd let some time for the water in the reservoir to cool, and and so recheck. Say, a one-half hr?

I don't believe there's any separate refrigeration for the water; I think information technology works off the main coils that absurd the refrigerator itself. If that's right, and then afterward a half hour, you lot'll probably notice that the main office of the frig isn't cooling, either. (That is, yous'll observe it'southward warming up.) If you can't place a problem with settings, every bit in step 1, and then you'll probable have to call a repair shop.

Doris Templeton on Feb 01, 2018:

After irresolute the filter water is hot. What exercise I do?

Medico Snow (writer) from Camden, Southward Carolina on Jan 03, 2018:

Thanks for asking, Ritzsplit!

The brusk answer is, I tin can't tell for sure. First question: is the cartridge now leaking h2o? If non, that's clearly hopeful. If it is, then obviously it's at present bad and needs to be replaced.

Second thing: either way, plough off the water, and run across if you tin remove the filter--by which I hateful 'remove it in 1 piece.' If you can, that'south another good sign.

If information technology comes out, but in two pieces, then you need a new filter, of class, but at to the lowest degree you know where you are. And hopefully, you'll have no problem with the reinstall.

On the other hand, if it doesn't want to come up out--I'm imagining a scenario hither where the exterior office of the filter just spins--and then you lot have the selection of attempting to remove the bits separately, DIY style, or calling a repair shop. I hesitate to recommend the first option, every bit at that place's considerable potential downside.

Third thing: if the filter does come out in one slice, give it a good inspection to run into if you can spot whatever damage. Wait carefully, and call up hard nigh what you see. If yous have another filter handy, you may desire to compare the ii. (Unless y'all're a lot nerdier about this than I am, you don't have a clear idea of what the business organization end of the filter is *supposed* to look similar.)

So if there'due south 1) no leakage, ii) the filter comes out OK, iii) looks all right under inspection, and 4) goes back in OK (and locks in identify every bit information technology is supposed to do), then I'd say you've dodged the bullet on this petty incident.

Skilful luck, and happy troubleshooting!

Ritzspit on Jan 03, 2018:

When irresolute the water filter I turned it clockwise by fault accept I done any damage

jimenez on September 22, 2017:

cheers

Dr. Snow (author) from Camden, Due south Carolina on September 09, 2017:

Lol--thanks, Lou! I would certainly appreciate the update.

Lou on September 06, 2017:

Thanks for the reply. He even so hasn't tried anything because he's waiting for "Dad" to come down and take care of information technology! I thought the same, some type of narrow tweezers or long nose vice grips. Perhaps a stiff wire bent in to a minnie hook on the end. I'll study the results when I do it. Thanks over again. Lou

Physician Snow (author) from Camden, South Carolina on Baronial 22, 2017:

Hi, Al. My guess would exist that the filter isn't seated correctly. I'd effort removing and then reinstalling it. Yous should be able to feel it click into place. If you lot're sure it's installed correctly and is fully seated in identify, and in that location's still no period, reinstall the erstwhile filter to come across if that restores the menstruation. If information technology does, so y'all accept good reason to believe that in that location's a problem with the new filter itself. One last caveat: permit time for any air in the filter and tubing to be expelled. Be patient testing that--information technology's worth a few extra minutes to be certain that the new filter really *is* the trouble!

But it's also possible that something else has coincidentally gone wrong at the same time--information technology does happen sometimes, and when information technology does it tin can be pretty crazy-making. A couple of previous commenters have had related problems; you may desire to whorl down a fleck, see if their difficulties sound like yours, and perhaps endeavor my suggestions to them. (Every bit of this writing, the outset one is time-lined '2 years ago.' It's not that far.)

Al Phillips on Baronial 20, 2017:

I changed the filter, turned the water back on, reset the filter but no water. Question, Why no water?

Doc Snowfall (author) from Camden, Due south Carolina on Baronial 07, 2017:

...and I can come across that yesterday'southward response occurred with a connectivity trouble, likewise, as clearly my sign-in didn't 'have'. Oh, well, joys of living in the state!

Doc Snow on August 06, 2017:

Hi, Lou, sad about the filibuster in responding--connectivity bug. Especially sorry because I don't have too much to offer on this question. As mentioned below, we've moved and no longer own this frig. I'd try gripping tools, like vise grips, especially needle nose ones.

Lou on July xxx, 2017:

Son'due south water filter summit remained in the cylinder when he turned counter clock-wise and removed. What can yous apply to get that piece out of the cylinder. The new filter already has this piece. Thanks. Lou

Doc Snow (author) from Camden, Southward Carolina on March 05, 2017:

Quite possibly, Kevin. I no longer ain the model--we moved in Dec--but this is something manufacturers do seem to do. I'chiliad sure they will all the same demand to back up existing models, though, and then I wouldn't be too worried.

Kevin on March 04, 2017:

Has Samsung changed this filter? I had no bug getting these filters in for five years but at present I cannot get the new one in. I noticed that the middle connection is larger now with an O-ring. The concluding one I removed did not have this.

Doc Snow (author) from Camden, South Carolina on March 03, 2017:

Bob, that's a good question, and give thanks you for request it. The curt reply, unfortunately, is "I don't know."

My first concern would be decreased water flow through the filter. I don't remember y'all'd burn out whatever pumps, since the water pressure level from the feed line is what feeds the organisation, but could decreased menses lead to any problems 'downstream' in the arrangement? I dubiousness it, simply can't be certain.

Secondly, is it possible that a kludged filter could go a hosting spot for bacteria or other nasties? Again, I don't really know.

Whatever pros out in that location with more concrete knowledge to accost Bob's question?

Bob on February 26, 2017:

What is the upshot if I don't supplant the water filter? Tap water in my municipality is odorless and ever tastes fresh.

Doc Snowfall (author) from Camden, South Carolina on December 16, 2016:

Rose, did you catch that terminal little point?

"Note that your filter icon will notwithstanding exist crimson later on yous have finished, equally shown in the photograph in a higher place. To reset information technology, printing and hold the water selector switch for three seconds."

If that doesn't do it, either the filter installed must be bad (unlikely but possible, I suppose), or there is a problem with the sensor, in which case yous need a repairman.

Rose on December 15, 2016:

My red low-cal not going off

CoachJenReid on Nov 16, 2016:

Thank you. Super helpful! Appreciate the post!

Md Snowfall (writer) from Camden, Southward Carolina on November 06, 2016:

Thank you for writing, gg, and sorry you're having troubles. I accept heard of this earlier. The cure is basically strength, co-ordinate to the manufacturer. A previous commenter complained of a filter that was 'too glace' to pull out, and I suggested trying vice grips, padded with a towel or rag--but I never heard back whether that worked or non.

One thing in your comment gave me a chip of intermission, though; you wrote "I can't pull the h2o filter out of the door." The trouble existence, that with this model the filter isn't in the door--every bit shown in photo #3, it's in the lesser right of the main compartment, where the bottom crisper drawer fits around it. Maybe you didn't hateful literally 'the door of the fridge,' just the phrasing raised a doubt in my mind as to whether we are talking about the same model or not. If not, of grade, there is no telling whether any of the residue of the stuff in this Hub (like the flake nearly the one-quarter counterclockwise turn) applies or not. And then you lot may want to double-check the model number to brand sure most that.

Sorry for the delay in replying to your comment--I've been on the road for several days, and didn't see the find. Good luck!

GG on Nov 06, 2016:

I can't pull the water filter out of the door. We turned off the water supply, we turned the filter a quarter turn counterclockwise, and tried to pull it out, but it will non budge. We've tried many, many times. I tell you, I'm disgusted with this refrigerator. We take an ongoing issue with the water ice maker. Information technology regularly crushes the ice into powdery chips instead of the cube choice my wife and I set up information technology for. (Nosotros're a cube family; no crushed ice for u.s..) At least 90% of the time I have to have out the entire ice compartment from the freezer and take out the cubes past hand. Anyhow, has anyone else constitute the h2o filter incommunicable to remove? The thing volition not budge at all.

Doctor Snow (author) from Camden, S Carolina on October 01, 2016:

It's the the water catamenia--there's a menses sensor in the dispenser section.

Ross on Oct 01, 2016:

Hi dose any one know if the indicator light is activated by water period or fourth dimension Cheers

Physician Snow (author) from Camden, South Carolina on September 02, 2016:

Anna, sounds like you lot are the ane who should be giving the advice hither. What practise you do to rinse the filter? And does the filter icon stay blue?

Anna on September 02, 2016:

My original water filter (Samsung DA-00020B) is working fine since twenty months now, no smell in water, I just take information technology out & rince it every iii months. Nobody who drinks the water from my fridge believes it or gustatory modality whatever smell in water, merely It's working great, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Md Snow (writer) from Camden, Southward Carolina on May 01, 2016:

Hi, Roxanne. I oasis't had this experience. Simply I'd try wiping the filter off to meet if I can remove whatever is making it glace, then retry.

Make certain you are articulate on the management to plow the filter: 1/4 plow counterclockwise (top moving left--"lefty, loosie" as they say.)

If the wipe-down doesn't do it, I'd use a gripper such as sideslip-lock pliers or vice grips to improve my 'grab' on the filter. Probably all-time to pad the jaws with a dish towel or rag to help keep the filter from slap-up, which will just brand information technology even tougher to go out.

The tool should aid, both with the quarter turn to unlock, then with the straight pull to remove.

Good luck!

Roxanne on May 01, 2016:

the old filter is too slippery to pull out. ???

Doc Snowfall (author) from Camden, South Carolina on March 06, 2015:

Not much idea, I'chiliad afraid. But logically, there has to be a blockage. And if, equally you imply, it appeared right after you made the change, and so chances are that information technology is something to do with the installation of the filter.

(Actually, in that location is some other possibility, besides, which is that for some reason the valve operating the h2o dispenser isn't working.)

But I'm not sure where either of those two ideas takes us in terms of troubleshooting. That's where in depth knowledge of the routing of the water through the unit, and of the various characteristics of the unit of measurement and its controls would be useful.

Things to try:

--Recheck the filter 1 more fourth dimension. Sounds like there's non much chance that you missed something, but I'd recheck anyhow.

--If that'south OK, you could disconnect the feed at the dorsum of the unit to make sure that water is at least reaching that point. That would isolate the problem to the fridge itself.

--Annihilation expect iffy on the control panel? You could try resetting it. I doubt that'due south information technology, either, since I don't think it controls the water dispensing mechanism, merely I don't know that for a fact.

--Closely audit the area where the filter seats. (You'll probably need a powerful lite to do information technology.) Is there anything that looks broken, or whatever sign of an obstacle?

After that, I'grand pretty much out of ideas--other than calling a service pro.

John on March 06, 2015:

Thanks for the commodity an I like the joking in it. Always helps to take sense of humour. I changed mine out equally I have washed one time before and now no h2o comes out. I changed the filter back to the one that came out and withal no h2o. Aye the water is on to the refrigerator also. Whatsoever other idea what may be wrong?

Doc Snow (author) from Camden, South Carolina on Feb 23, 2015:

Hmm. Have you tried putting the quondam filter back in place? If the water starts working again, you will know that there is something incorrect either with the new filter, or with its installation.

And--did you recollect to plow the shut-off valve back on after you finished replacing the filter? (I know, I know!--just it's something I know I could forget.)

Brandon on February 22, 2015:

Replaced but now water dose non piece of work.

Doc Snow (author) from Camden, Southward Carolina on June 17, 2014:

Glad it helped, Ben. Thank you!

Ben on June 15, 2014:

Good article, helped me change mine out quickly and easily. Thanks for taking the time to postal service this.

Doctor Snow (author) from Camden, South Carolina on Apr 10, 2014:

Noted.

y'all are on April 10, 2014:

soooooooooooooooo long winded

Doc Snowfall (author) from Camden, South Carolina on July 21, 2012:

So--what do y'all think? Got a meliorate slant on this task? A correction maybe? Too jokey, perhaps?

Let me know--and cheers for checking out this Hub!