The water filter on most refrigerators removes contaminants from the water and ice it dispenses. Most refrigerator water filters simply remove chlorine as required by their NSF 42 certification and aren’t strong enough to strain out the more dangerous contaminants.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control & Prevention) estimates that as many as 30 million Americans become sick from ingesting contaminated water every year.
LG refrigerator water filters are far more sophisticated and can remove:
- Pesticides
- BPA
- Asbestos
- Pharmaceuticals
- Atrazine
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Mercury
Many of these chemicals were part of the process used to clean your water in the first place and mainly just don’t taste good. Others, such as metals, can be extremely harmful if they are allowed to build up in your body.
Removing contaminants from your water will impact your water’s flavor and be better for your health, giving you good, clean water that still has all the healthy minerals that should be there and contribute to nutrition.
Depending on the model of your LG refrigerator, the water filter is in different parts of the appliance. The following instructions apply to the most popular LG refrigerators.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Replacing Your LG Refrigerator’s Water Filter

1. Remove The Top Shelf Of Your Refrigerator
The water filter is above the top shelf of your refrigerator. Remove the top shelf to access the water filter.
- Tilt the front of the shelf up, and lift it.
- Remove it from the refrigerator
2. Remove The Old Water Filter
Locate the water filter housing and open it.
Pull the old filter downwards while turning it counter-clockwise. Rotate the filter as far as it will go, and remove it from the manifold hole.
You may now responsibly dispose of the old filter following the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Install The New Filter
Remove the new filter from its packaging, including the protective covering on the o-rings.
Make sure the filter tabs face horizontally, then push the new filter into the manifold hole.
Rotate the filter into place, then close the filter housing cover.
4. Flush Trapped Contaminants And Air
You’ve replaced the filter, but there are now trapped contaminants and air in the system.
Flush 2.5 gallons of water through the system to fully clear this. Press and release the dispenser for 30 seconds on and 60 seconds off until the water has been dispensed.
5. Reset The Water Filter Indicator
Your refrigerator display will show a ‘Replace Filter’ icon when the water filter needs to be changed. You must manually reset this once you have replaced the filter.
Press and hold the ‘Water Filter’ button for three seconds, and the icon will disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will My Unused Filters Expire?
No, they will not. Filters that you have in storage for the next time your refrigerator’s water filter needs replacing will not expire – so long as they are kept dry. You can buy multiple filters at once to take advantage of sales and bulk pricing.
How Often Does My Water Filter Need To Be Replaced?
How often you need to replace your LG refrigerator water filters depends on how much you use the water dispensing features of your refrigerator, but at least every six months. Your refrigerator’s display will show a ‘Replace Filter’ button when it is time to be replaced.
LG says you should replace water filters at least every six months. Waiting longer to replace the water filter may void your appliance’s warranty.
Can I Use Other Brands’ Filters In My LG Refrigerator?
LG actively condemns the use of third-party products with their appliances and warns against purchasing counterfeit water filters.
Water filters that are not LG products may not function to filter water in your refrigerator, and if they cause damage to your appliance, then it shall no longer be covered under LG’s warranty.
Always use genuine LG water filters with your LG products to avoid difficulties.
What Happens If I Don’t Change My Whirlpool Water Filter?
Failure to change your water filter when the ‘Replace Filter’ indicator shows or before the maximum recommended usage of six months has elapsed may lead to problems with the function of your water filtration system. These include issues with the water itself, including:
- Poor-tasting water
- Slow-pouring water
- No water dispensing (blockages)
- Measured fill not correctly functioning
- Misshapen or hollow ice cubes
- Lower ice cube production
- Cloudy or sediment-containing water
Conclusion
The biggest concern about your water filter not functioning in your refrigerator is that the harmful contaminants you paid to remove from your water will once again re-enter your water supply. The water that you and your family consume will once again be tainted.
Failure to heed LG’s advice in maintaining your refrigerator’s water filtration system will void your warranty. You will have to pay out of pocket for repairs if your refrigerator becomes damaged due to your failure to replace your water filter.
Non-functioning water filters can lead to a buildup of scale in your refrigerator’s water lines, especially if you live in an area with hard water.
Minerals from your water source will gradually accumulate within your system, leading to blockages and damage. It can also cause low pressure in your system and may even break your refrigerator completely.
- Does Low Or High pH Affect My Water? - August 15, 2022
- The WaterMill Review - June 9, 2022
- Chlorine In Drinking Water: What Are The Effects? - May 26, 2022