Where Is the Water Filter on a Whirlpool Refrigerator? (Photos!)

It seems like just about every year Whirlpool comes out with a new refrigerator, they decide to place the water filter in a different spot.

If you’re having a hard time finding your Whirlpool water filter, you’re not alone. It can be quite the mystery!

Where Is the Water Filter on a Whirlpool Refrigerator?

Whirlpool water filters can be found in one of three places: 1) inside the refrigerator, in the upper right-hand corner 2) inside the refrigerator, at the bottom left-hand corner 3) outside the refrigerator, at the bottom, in the base grille. But keep in mind, not all Whirlpool refrigerators have water filters.

1) Inside, upper right-hand corner

The most common location for your Whirlpool water filter is inside the refrigerator, in the upper right-hand corner, on the ceiling.

Depending on which model you have, the actual water filter casing may look slightly different, but regardless you’ll find it here.

If your water filter looks like the one directly below, pull up on the front door to expose the water filter.

whirlpool water filter location 1

If your water filter looks like the on below instead, pull down on the door to expose the water filter.

whirlpool water filter location 2

2) Inside, bottom left-hand corner

This Whirlpool water filter placement is especially terrible because it takes up valuable refrigerator real-estate!

Just open up your refrigerator doors and look towards the bottom left-hand corner.

Here you’ll see a small door. Push on it gently to pop it open and behind it you’ll see the water filter.

whirlpool water filter location 5

3) Outside, bottom in the base grille

A lot of older Whirlpool models have the water filter located at the bottom base of the refrigerator.

To get to it, you’ll likely need the refrigerator/freezer doors open. Then simply press on the water filter to pop it out.

If your Whirlpool refrigerator water filter looks like this instead, you’ll want to pull open the door to remove the old water filter.

whirlpool water filter location 4

When to change your Whirlpool water filter

The reality is the water that comes directly out of your kitchen sick isn’t as clean as you might think. Whether from the source itself, or from the pipes it travels through, water quality can be impacted at several points.

Thus, tap water has the potential to carry contaminants such as chlorine, lead, pesticides, etc. Over time these can negatively impact the health of you and your family.

That’s where water filters come in.

Refrigerator water filters are made primarily of carbon. As the water flows through the water filter, the carbon filtration helps remove those contaminants that impact the taste and odor of your water.

how a refrigerator water filter works

But over time the pores of the carbon filter get blocked and filled up with dirt and debris. As all these pores get filled, water simply flows into your water filter and back out again, without really getting filtered.

To avoid this, you’ll want to change your refrigerator water filter every six months (or every 200 gallons).

HINT: Remember to change your water filter every time you turn your clocks back or forward an hour. That means it’s been 6 months!

How to identify your water filter replacement model

Whirlpool makes identifying which water filter replacement model you need particularly easy.

Just look for the number and color printed on the water filter you’re trying to replace. There are four different Whirlpool water filter types in total:

  • #1 – purple – model: WHR1RXD1
  • #2 – orange – model: WHR2RXD1
  • #3 – blue – model: WHR3RXD1
  • #4 – green – model: WHR4RXD1
identify your whirlpool water filter replacement model

Once you have the correct number/color filter, go to Amazon (see links below) and order a replacement. You can even have your water filter replacement sent to your house automatically, every 6 months!

How to replace your Whirlpool water filter

Depending on which model Whirlpool refrigerator you own, the water filter replacement process will vary slightly.

Steps to replace water filter #1 (purple – model: WHR1RXD1)- Buy HERE

  1. Find filter in upper right-hand corner inside your refrigerator or in the base grille (use photos above!)
  2. Lift the filter door up to open it.
  3. Pull out the filter out and throw it away.
  4. If your new filter has protective coverings on the O-rings, remove the coverings.
  5. Make sure the arrow on the new filter is pointing upward. Don’t force the water filter at any point.
  6. Push the filter door closed until it snaps back into place.
  7. Once the filter is replaced, run four gallons of water through the line to flush the new filter.

Steps to replace water filter #2 (orange – model: WHR2RXD1)- Buy Here

  1. Find filter inside the refrigerator in the upper right-hand corner (use photos above!)
  2. Pull open the filter door.
  3. Angle the filter down and then turn it to the left and pull it out. Throw away the old filter.
  4. If your new filter has protective coverings on the O-rings, remove the coverings.
  5. Make sure the arrow on the new filter is pointing upward. As you push it in, the filter will start to rotate.
  6. Turn the filter clockwise until it locks in.
  7. Push the filter door closed.
  8. Once the filter is replaced, run four gallons of water through the line to flush the new filter.

Steps to replace water filter #3 (blue – model: WHR3RXD1)- Buy Here

  1. Find filter cover on the left-hand side of the refrigerator’s base grille.
  2. Push the eject button and release the filter.
  3. Pull out the old filter out and throw it away.
  4. If your new filter has protective coverings on the O-rings, remove the coverings.
  5. Place the filter cap on the new cartridge, carefully aligning the ridges. Turn the cap clockwise and lock into place.
  6. Make sure the arrow on the new filter is pointing to the left.
  7. Push the filter in until the eject button pops back out.
  8. Once the filter is replaced, run four gallons of water through the line to flush the new filter.

Steps to replace water filter #4 (green – model: WHR4RXD1)- Buy Here

  1. Find filter cover inside the upper right-hand corner of your refrigerator.
  2. If the filter tab in your refrigerator is facing outward, push on it and pull the cover down. If the tab is on the bottom of the cover, pull forward and down on the small lever to open the cover.
  3. Turn the filter to the left and pull it out. Throw away the old filter.
  4. To insert the new filter in the slot, line it up with the grooves, push in and turn it to the right.
  5. Push up on the filter to lock in into place.
  6. Push the filter door closed.
  7. Once the filter is replaced, run four gallons of water through the line to flush the new filter.

Don’t get lazy on the final step!

Filling up a several glasses of water from the water dispenser, after you’ve changed the water filter, helps purge any excess air built up in the lines.

If you don’t do this, you might end up having issues with ice production and water pressure.

Whirlpool refrigerator user manual

If you’re having issues locating your Whirlpool water filter, or replacing it, you should refer to your refrigerator user manual.

Start by opening up your refrigerator and/or freezer door and looking on the side wall. You should see a sticker with all the details regarding your appliance.

whirlpool freezer model number

You’ll want to take down the exact model number of your refrigerator.

Now that you have your Whirlpool refrigerator model number, you can type it into the search bar of Whirlpool.com and pull up the user manual.

The user manual will likely have a full parts diagram, detailing exactly where the water filter is on your Whirlpool refrigerator model and how to replace it.

NOTE: many Whirlpool refrigerators also have a physical copy of the user manual on the top right hand side of the refrigerator. If you simply take off the door hinge cover, a manual will be underneath!

whirpool refrigerator user manual on top

Conclusion

It seems as if Whirlpool loves to hide the water filter in their refrigerators – the location changes nearly every year!

If you’re having a hard time locating it, don’t give up. Most Whirlpool refrigerators come equipped with a water filter (although not all). You just have to find it!

The main places to look for your Whirlpool refrigerator’s water filter are:

  1. Inside the refrigerator, in the upper right-hand corner
  2. Inside the refrigerator, at the bottom left-hand corner
  3. Outside the refrigerator, at the bottom, in the base grille

If you still can’t locate the water filter, try finding the manual for your refrigerator online. It will have a diagram detailing all the major parts of your fridge.

Photo of author
Author
Michael Donovan
Photo of author
Author
Michael Donovan

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