Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter Leaking? [Causes and Fix]

Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter Leaking [Causes and Fix]

Has your Samsung refrigerator been leaking puddles? This is fairly common due to problems with the water filter.

There are numerous reasons your water filter sprung a leak, and they can either be fairly obvious and/or pretty complex.

This article will provide you with all that you need to know about a Samsung refrigerator’s leaking water filter and what to do to fix it.

Why Your Samsung Refrigerator’s Water Filter is Leaking and How to Fix it

A Samsung refrigerator’s water filter springs a leak if the filter itself is damaged or not properly installed. 

Leaks also happen if there is an improperly fitted filter from a brand other than Samsung, or if the filter housing is cracked.

Before you jump to attempting to fix the water filter, make sure that you rule out the other causes of water leakage from the refrigerator.

Make sure that your refrigerator is leveled correctly by checking if the leveling legs are properly adjusted. If not leveled correctly, water can leak from the defrost drain of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator doors need to be properly closed as well. The condensation of an open refrigerator door causes water buildup, which results in a leak.

Check the defrost drain for any problems. It is possible that water leaks from this part of the refrigerator because it might have been clogged or frozen.

If you supply your refrigerator with your own home’s water line, check the water inlet valve. A damaged or loose water inlet valve causes water to leak behind and beneath the refrigerator.

If you were able to rule out all the above-mentioned causes for water leaking, then the problem is the water filter itself. You can find more details about the different water filter problems and how to fix each of them below.

Common Causes of a Water Filter Leaking

The simplest explanation for a leaking water filter is a problem with the filter itself.

This isn’t too difficult or complicated to fix – most of the troubleshooting can be done on your own as long as you follow proper instructions.

If you do find trouble fixing the water filter leak, don’t hesitate to look for further help. We’ve listed all the solutions you can try yourself, so feel free to start with the ones you find to be the easiest.

CauseSolution
Incorrect Filter InstallationAlways refer to the user manual on how to remove and reinstall the water filter.

A correctly installed filter snaps into place and should not feel loose.

Make sure that air doesn’t pass through the filter because this can cause leaking from the water dispenser.

After reinstalling the filter, test it by dispensing a few liters of water to ensure the air inside is pushed out and that the filter does not clog when used.
Damaged or Cracked Filter HeadCarefully remove the water filter from the refrigerator and assess it for damages.

Any sort of defect from the filter will cause it to keep leaking.

If there are any damages and/or defects, the best solution is to completely replace the old filter with a new one.
Improper Fit from a Filter Brand Other than SamsungCheck the manual for the prescribed Samsung water filter.

Assess whether or not the installed water filter matches the Samsung brand.

Using a different brand apart from the Samsung water filter is never recommended.
Cracked Filter HousingCheck for damages in the filter housing. 

If you find any, call for professional help. 
Quick Note:

Samsung refrigerators have a light indicator to inform you if the water filter needs changing. Some models light up to signal you to change the water filter, while in others, the light indicators turn red.

Incorrect Filter Installation

An incorrectly installed filter allows water to leak out and air to enter the filter, which can cause further clogging and more leakage.

There are two different sets of instructions for removing and reinstalling the water filter. This is because Samsung refrigerators use 3 different variations of water filters depending on the model of the refrigerator.

Solution: Reinstalling the water filter is simple enough if you follow these 5 steps:

HAF-CIN and HAF-QIN filter types:

  • Step 1: Turn off the water supply and then locate the water filter. You can find the filter housing somewhere around the crisper compartment of your refrigerator.
  • Step 2: Open the water filter cover, and gently rotate the old water filter counterclockwise to unlock it.
  • Step 3: Gently pull out the water filter from its housing.
  • Step 4: To install the new water filter, remove its protective cap then push it into the housing and rotate it clockwise.
  • Step 5: Make sure that the lock symbol on your new water filter matches the indicator line and that it snaps onto the filter housing.

HAFCU1 filter types:

  • Step 1: Turn off the water supply and locate the water filter. You can find its housing at the upper right-hand side of your refrigerator
  • Step 2: Twist the old water filter to the left to unlock it.
  • Step 3: Gently pull the water filter down once unlocked.
  • Step 4: Push up the new water filter into the housing and turn it to the right.
  • Step 5: Make sure that the notch on your new water filter matches the arrow on the filter housing and that it snaps on properly.

Damaged or Cracked Filter Head

A damaged water filter will cause a Samsung refrigerator to leak water. If there are any cracks on it or some parts of the filter are missing, then your filter is due for replacement.

Cracks in your water filter allow water to leak through. There is also a possibility that the water leakage can wear down and damage your refrigerator if not addressed immediately.

Solution: Acquire a new water filter prescribed by your user manual and make sure that it is installed properly and with care. 

You can refer to our instructions above for a quick and easy installation.

Improper Fit from a Filter Brand Other than Samsung

It is crucial that you are using a Samsung branded water filter for your Samsung refrigerator. 

Other water filter brands may not be completely compatible with Samsung refrigerators. An improper fit from a different brand will only cause more problems for you and can even damage your fridge.

Solution: Acquire a Samsung branded water filter and replace your old one with it. 

A Samsung refrigerator comes with a serial number that helps identify which filter type it uses. You can find the serial number in the user manual or at the bottom left side of your refrigerator.

Refer to our table below for each filter type and their compatible models.

Filter TypeCompatible Models
HAF-CINFrench Door Refrigerators: RF22K9381SG, RF22K9381SR, RF22K9581SG, RF22K9581SR, RF22KREDBSG, RF22KREDBSR, RF22M9581SG, RF22M9581SR, RF23HCEDBBC, RF23HCEDBSR, RF23HCEDBWW, RF23HCEDTSR, RF23HSESBSR, RF23HTEDBSR, RF23J9011SG, RF23J9011SR, RF24FSEDBSR, RF24J9960S4, RF25HMEDBBC, RF25HMEDBSG, RF25HMEDBSR, RF25HMEDBWW, RF260BEAEBC, RF260BEAESG, RF260BEAESP, RF260BEAESR, RF260BEAEWW, RF261BEAEBC, RF261BEAESG, RF261BEAESP, RF261BEAESR, RF261BEAEWW, RF263BEAEBC, RF263BEAESG, RF263BEAESP, RF263BEAESR, RF263BEAEWW, RF263TEAEBC, RF263TEAESG, RF263TEAESP, RF263TEAESR, RF263TEAEWW, RF265BEAESG, RF265BEAESR, RF26HFENDSR, RF26J7500BC, RF26J7500SR, RF26J7500WW, RF28HDEDBSR, RF28HDEDPBC, RF28HDEDPWW, RF28HDEDTSR, RF28HFEDBBC, RF28HFEDBSG, RF28HFEDBSR, RF28HFEDBWW, RF28HFEDTBC, RF28HFEDTSG, RF28HFEDTSR, RF28HMEDBBC, RF28HMEDBSR, RF28HMEDBWW, RF28HMELBSR, RF28JBEDBSG, RF28JBEDBSR, RF28K9070SG, RF28K9070SR, RF28K9380SG, RF28K9380SR, RF28K9580SG, RF28K9580SR, RF28M9580SG, RF28M9580SR, RF30HBEDBSR, RF30HDEDTSR, RF30KMEDBSG, RF30KMEDBSR, RF31FMEDBBC, RF31FMEDBSR, RF31FMEDBWW, RF31FMESBSR, RF323TEDBBC, RF323TEDBSR, RF323TEDBWW, RF32FMQDBSR, RF32FMQDBXW, RF34H9950S4, RF34H9960S4

Side by Side Refrigerators: RH22H9010SG, RH22H9010SR, RH25H5611BC, RH25H5611SG, RH25H5611SR, RH25H5611WW, RH29H8000SR, RH29H9000SR, RH30H9500SR, RS25H5000BC, RS25H5000SR, RS25H5000WW, RS25H5111BC, RS25H5111SG, RS25H5111SR, RS25H5111WW, RS25H5121BC, RS25H5121SR, RS25H5121WW, RS25J500DBC, RS25J500DSG, RS25J500DSR, RS25J500DWW
HAF-QINRF23M8070SG, RF23M8070SR, RF23M8090SG, RF23M8090SR, RF23M8570SG, RF23M8570SR, RF23M8590SG, RF23M8590SR, BRF365200AP, BRF425200AP, RF23M8960S4, RF23M8960MT
HAF-CU1RS22HDHPNBC, RS22HDHPNSR, RS22HDHPNWW, RS27FDBTNSR, RB195BSSB, RF263AEBP, RF263AEPN, RF263AERS, RF263AEWP, RF263AFBP, RF263AFRS, RF263AFWP, RF265AABP, RF265AARS, RF265AASH, RF265AAWP, RF265ABBP, RF265ABPN, RF265ABRS, RF265ABWP, RF266AABP, RF266AARS, RF266AASH, RF266AAWP, RF266ABBP, RF266ABPN, RF266ABRS, RF266ABWP, RF266AEBP, RF266AEPN, RF266AERS, RF266AEWP, RF266AFRS, RF267AABP, RF267AARS, RF267AASH, RF267AAWP, RF267ABBP, RF267ABPN, RF267ABRS, RF267ABWP, RF267AEBP, RF267AEPN, RF267AERS, RF267AEWP, RF267AFBP, RF267AFRS, RF267AFWP, RF267HERS, RF268ABBP, RF268ABPN, RF268ABRS, RF268ABWP, RF26DEPN, RF26VABBP, RF26VABPN, RF26VABWP, RF26XAEBP, RF26XAEPN, RF26XAERS, RF26XAEWP, RF28HDEDPBC, RFG237AABP, RFG237AAPN, RFG237AARS, RFG237AAWP, RFG237ACRS, RFG238AABP, RFG238AAPN, RFG238AARS, RFG238AAWP, RFG295AABP, RFG295AAPN, RFG295AARS, RFG295AAWP, RFG297AABP, RFG297AAPN, RFG297AARS, RFG297AAWP, RFG297ACBP, RFG297ACRS, RFG297ACWP, RFG298AABP, RFG298AAPN, RFG298AARS, RFG298AAWP, RFG299AARS, RH269LBSH, RM257ABBP, RM257ABRS, RM257ACPN, RM257ACRS, RS21HKLBG, RS21HKLMR, RS22HDHPNBC, RS22HDHPNSR, RS22HDHPNWW, RS2520SW, RS2530BBP, RS2530BSH, RS2530BWP, RS2531SW, RS2533SW, RS2533VQ, RS2534BB, RS2534VQ, RS2534WW, RS253BABB, RS253BASB, RS253BAVQ, RS253BAWW, RS2542SH, RS2544SL, RS2545SH, RS2555BB, RS2555SL, RS2555SW, RS2556BB, RS2556SH, RS2556WW, RS255BABB, RS255BASB, RS2577BB, RS2577SL, RS2577SW, RS2578BB, RS2578SH, RS2578WW, RS257BARB, RS2622SW, RS2623SL, RS2623VQ, RS2623WW, RS2630ASH, RS2630AWW, RS2630SH, RS2630WW, RS263BBSH, RS263BBWP, RS2644SL, RS264ABBP, RS264ABRS, RS264ABSH, RS264ABWP, RS265BBWP, RS265LABP, RS265LBBP, RS265LBWP, RS2666SW, RS267BBBB, RS267BBRS, RS267BBSH, RS267BBWP, RS267LABB, RS267LABP, RS267LARS, RS267LASH, RS267LAWP, RS267LAWW, RS267LBBP, RS267LBRS, RS267LBSH, RS269LARS, RS26XUSW, RS275ACBP, RS275ACPN, RS275ACRS, RS275ACWP, RS2777SL, RS277ACBP, RS277ACPN, RS277ACRS, RS277ACWP, RS27FDBTNSR, RS27KGRS, RSC6FWRS, RSC6FWSH, RSC6JWSH, RSC6JWWP, RSC6KWRS, RSG257AABP, RSG257AAPN, RSG257AARS, RSG257AAWP, RSG5FURS, SRT768VFHW, TS48WLUS

Cracked Filter Housing

If your water filter is installed correctly, has no damages or cracks, and is a proper Samsung fit, then the water filter housing may be the cause of the water filter leak.

Solution: Check for damages and cracks on your Samsung refrigerator’s water filter housing. 

You can find the housing somewhere around the crisper compartment for HAF-CIN and HAF-QIN filter types, and on the upper right-hand side for the HAFCU1 filter types. Refer to our provided list of refrigerators and their matching filter types above. 

Seek professional help if you happen to find any sort of damage to the water filter housing. 


That wasn’t too bad now, was it? 

You may panic at first, but dealing with your Samsung refrigerator’s water filter leakage is easy enough. You can do most of the troubleshooting yourself and only really need professional help if it calls for it.

Besides, Samsung refrigerators are very much user-friendly and always come with a helpful user manual for when you start to try and troubleshoot problems on your own.

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