Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter | Which One Do You Need & How to Replace It 

A Whirlpool refrigerator water filter removes up to 24 certified contaminants including lead, chlorine, cysts, and pharmaceuticals  using NSF-certified activated carbon block technology. Whirlpool makes five filter types (Filter 1-5), each for a specific fridge model range. The right whirlpool water filter depends on your fridge model number. Replace every 6 months or 200 gallons.

Not sure which whirlpool fridge water filter your refrigerator uses or why it matters? This guide covers all five EveryDrop filter types, how to find the right one for your fridge, step-by-step replacement instructions, and an honest take on OEM vs generic options.

What Is a Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter?

A whirlpool refrigerator water filter is a built-in activated carbon block cartridge that cleans water and ice at the point of dispensing inside your fridge. Every Whirlpool-family refrigerator with a water dispenser or ice maker requires one.

The filter sits inside a housing  either in the upper interior of the fridge, along the base grille, or behind a push-button panel and forces water through compressed carbon that traps contaminants through adsorption.

What Does it Remove?

The genuine EveryDrop whirlpool filter is NSF 42, NSF 53, and NSF 401 certified to reduce 24 contaminants, including:

• Lead, mercury, and asbestos
• Chlorine taste and odor
• Cysts Cryptosporidium and Giardia
• Pharmaceuticals  atenolol, carbamazepine, and others
• Emerging contaminants  BPA, estrone, MTBE
• Turbidity and sediment

Generic filters are often only NSF 42 certified  they reduce chlorine but not lead, cysts, or pharmaceuticals.

Which Whirlpool Water Filter Do You Need?

Whirlpool makes five EveryDrop filter types. The wrong water filter for whirlpool refrigerator models will not fit  always confirm your filter number before ordering.

How to Find Your Filter Number

• Check the filter label inside your fridge — it will say Filter 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5
• Check your fridge owner’s manual
• Look up your fridge model number (inside the door frame) on Whirlpool’s website
• The filter housing door may also have the number printed on it

Most common: Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1) and Filter 3 (EDR3RXD1) cover the majority of Whirlpool side-by-side models sold in North America.

Whirlpool Fridge Filter Compatibility by Brand

The EveryDrop line covers more than just Whirlpool. These whirlpool filters also fit refrigerators from brands under the same parent company:

Whirlpool side by side refrigerator water filter

If you own a Whirlpool side by side refrigerator, you almost certainly need Filter 1 (EDR1RXD1) or Filter 3 (EDR3RXD1). Filter 1 sits in the upper-right interior; Filter 3 is in the base grille. Check your current installed filter to confirm.

Whirlpool Gold refrigerator filter

The Whirlpool Gold refrigerator filter is most commonly Filter 3 (EDR3RXD1), located in the base grille. Some Gold French door models use Filter 2 (EDR2RXD1). Always verify with your model number.

How to Replace Your Whirlpool Fridge Water Filter

A whirlpool water filter replacement takes 2-3 minutes and requires no tools. The process is the same across all five filter types.

Step 1  Locate the filter: Find the housing — upper-right interior (Filter 1, 2, 4, 5) or base grille (Filter 3).

Step 2  Open the housing: Press the eject button or open the filter door — the old filter will push out slightly.

Step 3  Remove old filter: Pull straight out or twist counterclockwise. Keep a cloth nearby for drips.

Step 4  Insert new filter: Remove the cap, align the arrow, push in firmly and twist clockwise until it clicks.

Step 5  Reset the indicator: Hold the filter reset button for 3 seconds until the light turns green or blue.

Step 6 Flush the system: Run 2-3 gallons of water through the dispenser and discard before drinking.

Always flush 2-3 gallons after installing. Skipping this causes black specks in water — loose carbon from the new cartridge.

How Often Should You Replace Your Whirlpool Filter?

Replace every 6 months or 200 gallons whichever comes first. Replace sooner if you notice:

• Slow water flow from the dispenser
• Off taste or smell in water or ice
• Filter indicator light is red or orange
• Household of 4+ people using dispenser daily

Never delay a whirlpool fridge filter replacement. An overdue filter stops removing contaminants and can release trapped particles back into your water.

OEM EveryDrop vs Generic Whirlpool Water Filter Replacement

Third-party brands like Waterdrop offer compatible whirlpool refrigerator filter replacement options at a lower cost. Here is an honest side-by-side:

If budget is the priority, a Waterdrop NSF-certified filter handles chlorine and basic contaminants well. But for full 24-contaminant protection, guaranteed fit, and Whirlpool warranty coverage, the genuine EveryDrop whirlpool refrigerator filter is the better investment.

Ready to Order?

Find the right water filters for whirlpool refrigerators at UnifiedFilter.com — all five EveryDrop filter types in stock, genuine OEM, fast USA shipping.

Always verify your filter number before ordering. Check the label on your current installed filter or your fridge owner’s manual.