How to Reset the Filter Light On Your Samsung Fridge

How to Reset the Filter Light On Your Samsung Fridge

Is the filter light on your Samsung fridge blinking, even though you just installed the fridge a few months ago? Is it a different color than the last time?

Don’t worry; that’s not an error.

That’s your fridge reminding you to change filters. This naturally happens every few months, and we get how it could confusing at first — that’s why we prepared this guide!

Through this article, you can learn more about what a blinking filter light means and how to address it, and even when to expect it.

How to Reset the Filter Light on Your Samsung Fridge

On most models, pressing and holding the Alarm or Energy Saver button down for at least 3 seconds will reset the filter light on your Samsung refrigerator.

For models with an inside control panel, simultaneously pressing the Power Cool and Fridge buttons would also work.

If neither of these seems to do the job — or if you can’t find the button — don’t panic just yet! Resetting the filter light may depend on the model of your Samsung fridge.

What you need to find is the multifunction button(s). Depending on the model, the multifunctional button(s) can be a single button (Alarm, Energy Saver) or a combination of two that you have to press at the same time (Power Cool + Fridge).

Multifunction button(s) are typically found in the control panel. Pressing this/these for at least three seconds can reset any blinking lights on your fridge.

You can find out more about how to reset the filter light in different Samsung models below, as well as the different colors of lights you might encounter and what to do when they appear.

What do filter lights mean in a Samsung fridge?

With their smart and user-friendly designs, Samsung appliances are a household must-have. The brand’s refrigerators are especially famous for the quality of water they produce, which can even rival commercial bottled ones!

This is made possible with the help of an advanced filtration system that sifts the impurities out of the regular water in your home. 

This system, however, requires regular maintenance — which is what the indicator light on your fridge is for.

A blinking filter light can indicate that your fridge’s water filter needs immediate attention, depending on the color it’s flashing. 

The colors also depend on your fridge model, but in general, these are the colors you’ll encounter:

  • Blue or Green: The water filter is in good condition.
  • Orange or Pink: The water filter is five months old or has filtered about 450 gallons (2046 liters) of water. It needs to be replaced as soon as possible.
  • Red: The water filter is six months old or has filtered about 500 gallons (2273 liters) of water. It needs to be replaced immediately.

On average, your water filter has a lifespan of six months from installation. But depending on the type of water in your area, it might be necessary to replace the water filter sooner.

For example, if hard water passes through your home’s waterline, you might find yourself needing to replace the water filter every 3 to 4 months.

While the filter light is a surefire way to gauge the condition of your water filter, sometimes you might notice a slight change in the taste and quality of the water before the light turns orange or red. There might be floating particles as well.

In cases like these, it’s wiser not to wait for the indicator light to change colors. Have your water filter replaced immediately.

That said, there are different ways to turn the indicator light off and change the filter on the fridge model you have installed. We’ve detailed some of them below, so keep on reading.

How to Reset the Filter Light in Samsung Fridge Models

As mentioned above, the multifunction button(s) on your Samsung fridge will reset the filter settings after you’ve changed the water filter. The button(s) are usually located on the dispenser controls.

Some models have a dedicated filter reset button that you can press after you’ve replaced the water filter. If your fridge doesn’t have this button, you can identify the multifunction button(s) by the label underneath the other buttons instead.

Furthermore, before replacing the filter, it’s essential to verify if your fridge uses an internal filter or an external one.

Samsung RF28K9070SR

To reset the filter on the Samsung RF28K9070SR model, push the ICE MAKER button for at least 3 seconds. When the light turns off, press and hold the same button again for the same amount of time.

This resets the filter indication on your fridge.

Samsung RF23J9011SG/AA

Press and hold the CRUSHED/HOLD button for about 3 seconds or until the indicator light transitions from red to OFF.

Samsung RF260/BEAESR/AA and Other French Door Style Samsung Refrigerators

After replacing the water filter on your fridge, press and hold the ALARM/HOLD button for at least 3 seconds or until the red indicator light disappears.

If your fridge has internal controls, hold down the FRIDGE and POWER COOL buttons at the same time for at least 3 seconds to reset the filter setting after you’ve turned off the indicator light.

Samsung DA29-00003G

Press and hold the ALARM/HOLD button for at least three seconds to reset the indicator light.

Samsung RF24R7201SR/AA

Replace the water filter and hold down the FILTER RESET button for three seconds to clear the filter indicator.

Samsung RF28K9070SR or RF28K9070SR/AA

Press and hold the CRUSHED ICE button for about three seconds or until the water filter notice disappears.

Samsung RF23J9011SR

Push the CRUSHED/HOLD button for three seconds to reset the water filter indicator on a Samsung fridge RF23J9011SR model.

Samsung RF263BEAESR

Samsung RF263BEAESR fridges can automatically reset their water filter settings. If your fridge doesn’t, press and hold the ICE TYPE/WATER button for three seconds.

This should reset the water filter.

Samsung RF28R7351SG and Most 4-Door Samsung Fridge Models

Press and hold the CRUSHED LIGHT INDICATOR for at least three seconds or until the warning notification disappears.

Samsung SRF719DLS

Push the CRUSHED/HOLD button for about three seconds or until the water filter light turns off.

Samsung RF28R7201SR

Push the ICE MAKER icon for at least 3 seconds. This will clear the filter reminder light.

Samsung RF22K9381SR

The Samsung fridge RF22K9381SR model has a dedicated FILTER RESET button you can press for at least 3 seconds to clear out the indicator light and refresh your fridge’s filter settings.

What do I do if the filter indicator is still red after I installed the new filter and followed the steps to reset the filter settings?

A filter warning that stays on even after you’ve done the procedures described might be a result of a water filter that wasn’t installed properly or won’t stay in place.

When the filter light persists, you can troubleshoot this by following any of the methods below.

Check if the buttons are locked.

Your Samsung fridge has special settings that, when activated, lock all other buttons or block out their functions. Moreover, your fridge goes into Automatic Control Lock after a minute of inactivity.

These locks are implemented for safety reasons to ensure that your fridge settings won’t be compromised while you perform other operations on it.

To deactivate the Automatic Control Lock, press and hold the DOOR ALARM button for at least 3 seconds or until you hear a chime. For other lock settings, refer to your refrigerator manual for a step-by-step guide.

Once the buttons are unlocked, repeat the method to reset your filter light.

Check the filter seating.

Your Samsung fridge’s filtration system has a locking mechanism that holds the water filter in place. When you remove the old water filter, you might not notice that this locking mechanism hasn’t opened all the way.

To check if the new filter is properly in place, slide it out of place before putting it back in again. If you face any difficulty inserting it, it means the lock isn’t opened all the way.

To fix this, you need to reinstall the old filter. When pressing the filter into its housing, turn it as far to the left as it will go.

Continue turning the filter to the left until you can no longer turn it while in place. Afterward, slide the old filter out and install the new filter.

If the filter can’t lock in place, call for service.

Check if the correct filter was installed.

Samsung refrigerators use a specific set of filters to ensure the quality of water they’re producing. Using a non-Samsung filter might compromise this quality.

If the filter light doesn’t go away even if you’ve installed a Samsung filter, this might indicate that the product in question isn’t legitimate or compatible with your fridge model.

To check for compatibility, refer to your manual. On the other hand, to check for legitimacy, you may consult a professional.

How To Replace the Water Filter on a Samsung Fridge

There are two ways a Samsung refrigerator’s water filter is installed: internally or externally.

The primary difference between the two — aside from their locations — is the locking mechanism they use. External filters also require turning off the fridge’s supply valve before you can change the filter.

We’ve prepared a detailed step-by-step guide for you to follow the next time you have to replace your fridge’s filter.

Internal Filters

Internal filters require less work than external ones. The filter has a compartment inside the fresh food section of the fridge, near the very bottom.

90% of American-style fridge freezers use an internal water filter. Here’s how to replace it:

  • Step 1: Unplug the fridge and access the water filter at the bottom of the fridge compartment.
  • Step 2: Twist the knob 45° to the left until the water filter unlocks.
  • Step 3: Slide the old water filter out of its housing. When the water filter is removed, the fridge’s water supply will shut off automatically.
  • Step 4: Install the new water filter in place then turn it 45° to the right. The padlock symbol should line up with the symbol on the filter.
  • Step 5: After locking in the new water filter, reset the filter via the filter reset button for your fridge as described above.

External Filters

External filters require more work than internal filters, so if the steps get complicated, don’t hesitate to ask a professional for assistance. 

To replace an external filter, do the following:

  • Step 1: Locate your fridge’s water supply valve and shut it off.
  • Step 2: Disconnect the old filter from the system.
  • Step 3: Align the water filter with the arrow mark pointing toward the fridge body.
  • Step 4: Connect the inlet and outlet tubing to their respective ends. Push the tubing firmly until it’s tightly sealed.
  • Step 5: Check the tubing for any surplus. Trim it if necessary.
  • Step 6: Refer to the installation manual for instructions on how to insert the filter clip.
  • Step 7: Turn on the water supply and inspect for leaks. If there are any, repeat the installation.

If this doesn’t fix the leak, remove the filter and call for service.

  • Step 8: Once you’ve ensured that the water supply isn’t leaking, let the water flow through the filter for five minutes to clean the system.
  • Step 9: If the filter light doesn’t automatically disappear, do the reset method for your fridge as described above.

Tips on Resetting the Filter Light on Your Samsung Fridge

Regular maintenance is the key to a long-lasting and high-functioning Samsung fridge. To ensure that your fridge can always function in its optimized condition, we’ve prepared a couple of tips for you!

Replace the water filter every 3 to 5 months.

We’ve already established that water filters have an average lifespan of 6 months and that your Samsung fridge will alert you when it needs the filter replaced.

However, it’s still the best course of action to plan ahead. Don’t wait for the filter to wear down the last of its efficiency.

Check the state of your filter as early as 3 months in, and be sure to replace it by the time it hits the 5-month mark. 

The longer you wait this out, the more the quality of your water noticeably declines.

Clean the water dispenser.

Regularly changing your water filter is only half of what you should do to ensure the quality of your drinking water. The other half that completes this effort is to clean out the dispenser.

Over time, you might notice particles floating around your water. Those are likely limescale, which can attract dust and dirt and contaminate your water.

When you change your fridge’s water filter, clean the dispenser out as well to ensure that no particles get caught in it. 

Limescale easily forms inside kettles, boilers, and pipework in particular.

If you suspect the presence of limescale in your pipes, have a professional check and clean it out.

Meanwhile, you can do preventive measures by cleaning out the dispenser in your fridge. Here’s a quick guide on how to do that:

  • Step 1: Ensure that your refrigerator is unplugged.
  • Step 2: With a soft, damp cloth with mild soap, gently wipe the exterior of the water dispenser clean. Do not use bleaching products as they pose a fire hazard.
  • Step 3: To clean the interior of the water dispenser, disconnect the water supply.
  • Step 4: Clean the tube out by pouring three to four cups of distilled vinegar into it. Keep holding it upright to make sure the vinegar flows.
  • Step 5: If your water dispenser has an ice dispenser function, turn it on so that the vinegar can also clean this system.
  • Step 6: Flush all the vinegar out using water from your tap.
  • Step 7: Reconnect the water supply, and let the dispenser make 10 to 12 glasses of water or until the smell and taste of vinegar are completely flushed out.

Note: Instead of vinegar, you can also use baking soda or mild soap. When using mild soap, make sure to air dry the dispenser before reconnecting it to the water supply.


A blinking filter light is one of the few alerts in your Samsung fridge that you’ll likely get over and over, so it’s better to familiarize yourself with it early on.

It’s a small reminder from your fridge on how you can continue experiencing the quality features Samsung appliances are best known for.

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