Samsung Water Filter Won’t Push In? (RESOLVED!)

It’s that time of year again to replace your Samsung refrigerator filter, and it’s usually a hassle-free process, right? So when a new filter doesn’t fit into the housing like it normally does, we know it can be quite frustrating—but it is easy to fix.

Here, we’ll delve into why your Samsung water filter won’t fit in your refrigerator and how to fix it. We’ll walk you through all the steps so you can indulge in fresh, filtered water in no time.

Reasons Why Your Samsung Water Filter Won’t Push In

If your Samsung water filter won’t fit in your refrigerator, you most likely have the wrong type or a third-party filter. Get a Samsung brand filter that matches your fridge model to ensure a perfect fit.

The new HAF-CU1 filter also won’t fit if the old filter doesn’t open the lock in the housing. 

Here are a few tips that might help.

• Authenticate the new filter. If it is a genuine Samsung filter, you will see a serial number and a rib on the filter body.

• Buy a Samsung brand filter. Make sure to get the right type of filter for your refrigerator model.

If the problem persists, read our guide below for step-by-step instructions on installing a Samsung water filter.

Causes and Solutions

These are 3 reasons why your Samsung water filter won’t push in.

• You’re using the wrong filter for your Samsung fridge model.
• The new 3-rib design can’t fit inside the housing.
• The water filter head is damaged.

Here’s an overview of our repair guide.

Causes	Solutions
Wrong Filter	• Buy a Samsung brand filter from the manufacturer’s website or any stores near you. • Get the right type of filter for your fridge model. If you’re unsure, use the filter you have as a reference or check the user manual. • To authenticate your purchase, look for a serial number and rib on the filter body.
New 3-Rib Design	• Turn off the main water supply. • Reinstall the old filter. Insert it into the housing and turn it to the right. • Push the old filter in and rotate it to the left as far as possible to fully unlock the housing. • Remove the old filter. • Get your new filter and insert it into the housing. Turn it to the right until the notch at the top of the filter aligns with the arrow on the housing. • Turn on the water supply valve. • Dispense a few gallons of water to get rid of impurities. • Reset the water filter light.
Damaged Water Filter Head	• Unplug the refrigerator and turn off the water supply.  • Remove the door bins and the crisper drawers. Press the locking tabs on the vegetable drawer cover and lift to remove it. • Unmount the top hinge cover assembly. Look for the arrows on each side of the cover and pry the clips off to lift the cover. • Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the cover on the water connector.  • Press the red collar inward and pull off the waterline. Slide the blue cover off. • Move the fridge to access the back. Unmount the waterline cover, the hoses’ retaining clips, and the tape that secures the hoses. • Depress the locking collar on the grey hose and carefully remove the hose. After, pull out the blue hose to remove it. • Disconnect the water supply line to the refrigerator. • Push the locking clip under the filter case assembly. Move the assembly to the right to access the wires and unplug them. • Remove the old water filter assembly from the fridge. Get the new assembly and insert the lines in the hole in the wall. • Plug the wire harnesses into the back wall. Align the assembly with the bottom tabs and push it in until it locks in place. • Reinsert the blue and grey waterline at the back of the fridge. Reinstall the cover and retaining clips. • Secure the hoses using tape and connect the water supply line to the fridge. • Move on to the waterline connection on top of the fridge. Slide the blue cover back into the hose and insert the hose into the fitting. • Push the cover down to secure the connection. Reinstall the hinge cover and its screws. • Reattach the vegetable drawer cover, followed by the crisper drawers and the door bins. • Restore power and turn on the water supply.

Wrong Filter

Avoid using third-party filters, even if they indicate compatibility with your refrigerator model. They might not fit at all into the housing.

Even if they do fit, they can potentially cause leaks and damage your appliance. Unfortunately, it can lead to costly repairs that won’t be covered by your warranty.

Solution: To authenticate your water filter, look for a serial number and a rib on the filter body. Only use a Samsung brand filter, which you can purchase from the manufacturer’s website. 

You must also choose the right type for your refrigerator. If it’s your first time getting a replacement and you’re unsure, check the one you have, or refer to the user manual.

There are three types of Samsung water filters: HAF-CIN, HAF-QIN, and HAF-CU1.

• An HAF-CIN filter is round.
• An HAF-QIN filter is square.
• An HAF-CU1 filter is commonly used in older Samsung fridges. 

The location of the water filter will depend on your refrigerator model. It will either be at the back of the unit, on the top right side, or between the crisper drawers.

New 3-Rib Design

Samsung revamped the design of the HAF-CU1 filter. Instead of a 2-rib lock, it now comes with a 3-rib design, which offers a better seal and fit.

Even though this new design can fit in your refrigerator, it might not go in easily because the old filter hasn’t opened the locking mechanism all the way. Once the housing is fully open, the 3-rib design should have enough room to fit.

Take note that the HAF-CU1 3-rib design is a genuine filter. It can still fit in older Samsung refrigerators, which is why its part number and model remain unchanged.

Solution: To install the new HAF-CU1 water filter on a Samsung fridge, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Turn off the main water supply.
• Step 2: Reinstall the old filter. Insert it into the housing and turn it to the right.
• Step 3: Push the old filter in and rotate it to the left as far as possible. This will fully unlock the housing.
• Step 4: Remove the old filter.
• Step 5: Get your new filter and insert it into the housing.
• Step 6: Turn it to the right until the notch at the top of the filter aligns with the arrow on the housing.
• Step 7: Turn on the water supply valve.
• Step 8: Dispense a few gallons of water to get rid of impurities.
• Step 9: Reset the water filter light.

Damaged Water Filter Head

Installing a third-party filter can damage the water filter head or housing. If there are cracks and other signs of damage in the assembly, your new filter might no longer fit or lock in place. 

Water might also leak out of the filter assembly and flood your refrigerator. This can lead to all sorts of problems, including mold growth, bacterial build-up, foul smells, and more.

Once the water filter head is damaged, there’s nothing you can do to repair it. Instead, you will have to replace the entire assembly to continue getting filtered water.

Quick Note: This repair was performed on a Samsung RF263BEAESG/AA refrigerator. The steps may vary depending on the fridge model, as well as the filter type.

What you’ll need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrenches
• New water filter assembly

Solution: To replace a Samsung fridge water filter assembly, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Unplug the refrigerator and turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Remove the door bins. 
• Step 3: Remove the vegetable/crisper drawers.
• Step 4: Simultaneously press the two locking tabs on the vegetable drawer cover. Then, lift it to remove and set it aside.
• Step 5: Unthread the three Phillips screws on the top hinge cover assembly.
• Step 6: Look for the arrows on each side of the cover. Gently pry the clips off to lift the cover.
• Step 7: Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the cover on the water connector. 
• Step 8: Press the red collar inward using a screwdriver and pull off the waterline. Then, slide the blue cover off the waterline.
• Step 9: Move the refrigerator to access the back panel.
• Step 10: Unmount the waterline cover and the hoses’ retaining clips.
• Step 11: Peel back the tape that secures the hoses.
• Step 12: Depress the locking collar on the grey hose and carefully remove the hose. After, pull out the blue hose to remove it.
• Step 13: Disconnect the water supply line to the refrigerator.
• Step 14: Use a flathead screwdriver to depress the locking clip under the filter case assembly.
• Step 15: Turn the assembly to access the wires on the back wall. Then, disconnect the wires.
• Step 16: Remove the old water filter assembly from the fridge.
• Step 17: Get the new assembly and insert the waterlines into the hole in the wall.
• Step 18: Plug the wire harnesses into the back wall.
• Step 19: Line up the assembly with the bottom tabs. Push it back to lock it into place.
• Step 20: Reinsert the blue and grey waterlines at the back of the fridge.
• Step 21: Reinstall the waterline cover and retaining clips.
• Step 22: Reapply the tape to secure the hoses.
• Step 23: Reconnect the water supply line to the fridge.
• Step 24: Move on to the waterline connection on top of the fridge. Slide the blue cover back into the hose and insert the hose into the fitting.
• Step 25: Push the cover down to secure the connection.
• Step 26: Reinstall the hinge cover and its screws.
• Step 27: Reattach the vegetable drawer cover, followed by the crisper drawers and the door bins.
• Step 28: Install the new filter.
• Step 29: Restore power and turn on the water supply.

Tip: If none of these repairs have fixed your issue, we recommend requesting service. A professional can diagnose the problem and suggest an appropriate fix.

How to Install a Samsung Water Filter

Always authenticate the new Samsung water filter you purchase before installing it in your refrigerator. The installation process is quite simple and quick, but it may vary depending on its location and type. 

Behind the Refrigerator

Some water filters are external. They can be mounted at the back of the fridge or anywhere near it.

Here’s how to replace an external filter.

• Step 1: Turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Press the tube collar and pull out the hose on the old filter.
• Step 3: Remove the red clip on the new filter and take out the protective cap.
• Step 4: Connect the water supply line to the inlet side of the new filter.
• Step 5: Connect the dispenser line to the outlet side.
• Step 6: Mount the new filter and secure the line with the clips.
• Step 7: Push the filter reset button for 3 seconds.
• Step 8: Dispense about 1L of water to remove impurities in the water supply.

Top Right Side

If you have a Samsung side-by-side refrigerator, you’ll most likely find the water filter mounted on the top right corner.

Here’s how to install the filter.

• Step 1: Turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Take the new filter out of its box and add the supplied month indicator sticker to the filter body. It will remind you when it needs to be replaced.
• Step 3: Remove the protective cap on the new filter.
• Step 4: Turn the old filter counterclockwise and pull it out of the housing.
• Step 5: Insert the new filter. Turn it clockwise until the mark on the filter aligns with the mark on the housing.
• Step 6: Reset the water filter alarm.
• Step 7: Turn on the water supply and dispense about 3L of water. Stop when the water comes out clear from your dispenser.

Between the Crisper Drawers

On Samsung French door refrigerators, the water filter will probably be between the crisper drawers.

Here’s how to remove your old water filter and install a new one.

• Step 1: Turn off the water supply.
• Step 2: Open the water filter cover.
• Step 3: Hold the knob on the filter. Rotate it counterclockwise and pull the filter out of the fridge.

If it doesn’t rotate, dispense some water into a container until it completely runs out. Then, try to rotate it again and pull it out.

• Step 4: Remove the protection cap from the new filter. 
• Step 5: Insert the new filter in the housing and turn the knob clockwise until the lock symbol aligns with the indicator line.

Quick Note: • With a newly installed filter, you might notice water spurting out of your fridge’s dispenser due to air trapped in the waterline. Dispensing a few gallons of water after installing a new filter can help clear impurities and air. • If your dispenser keeps on dripping, it is temporary. Just wipe the water off the fridge and the floor with a dry towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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