October 05, 2023

How to Replace the Water Filter in a Kenmore Elite Refrigerator

Replacing the water filter in your Kenmore Elite refrigerator is an essential maintenance task that shouldn’t be overlooked. You should replace your fridge’s water filter every 6 months to ensure the refrigerator's ice and water is contaminant and odor free; replace it more frequently if you notice the water flow slowing.

Kenmore Elite offers a wide variety of refrigerators, and the water filters used vary by model. Learning how to change the water filter in your Kenmore Elite refrigerator will depend on the refrigerator style you have, the location of the water filter in your refrigerator, and the filter part number. If you're unsure what filter goes in your Kenmore Elite refrigerator, use the filter finder in our Kenmore Elite refrigerator water filter collection.

The tables below lists the Kenmore Elite water filter part numbers by refrigerator style, with links to step-by-step instruction videos. Read on to learn how to replace the water filter in your refrigerator.

How to change the water filter in a Kenmore Elite side-by-side refrigerator

Filter number	Removal method	Location	How-to video
9081	Eject and slide out	Inside top-right	How to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter
9490	Pull down	Inside top-right	How to replace a pull-down water filter
9084	Open tray and twist out	Inside top-right	How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter
9083, 9911, 9916	Push button to eject	Bottom grille, inside top-right	How to replace a push-button-to-eject water filter
9913	Remove cup filter cover	Inside top-right	How to replace a remove-cup-filter-cover water filter
9085, 9890, 9990	Twist to remove	Bottom grille, inside top-right	How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter

How to change the water filter in a Kenmore Elite top-freezer refrigerator

Filter number	Removal method	Location	How-to video
9913	Remove cup filter cover	Inside top-right	How to replace a remove-cup-filter-cover water filter
9915	Twist to remove	Bottom grille	How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter

How to change the water filter in a Kenmore Elite bottom-freezer refrigerator

Filter number	Removal method	Location	How-to video
9084	Open tray and twist out	Inside top-right	How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter

How to change the water filter in a Kenmore Elite French 3-door refrigerator

Filter number	Removal method	Location	How-to video
9490, 9980, 9990	Twist to remove	In door, Inside top-right	How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter
9690	Pull down	Inside top-left	How to replace a pull-down water filter
9084, 9130, 9990	Open tray and twist out	Inside top-left, Inside top-right	How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter
9081	Eject and slide out	Inside top-right	How to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter

How to change the water filter in a Kenmore Elite French 4-door refrigerator

Filter number	Removal method	Location	How-to video
9490	Swing out	In door	How to replace a swing-out water filter

Step-by-step instructions by Kenmore Elite water filter part number

How to replace an eject-and-slide-out water filter

Eject-and-slide out Kenmore Elite water filters are 9081 and 9999.

Open the filter cover door.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
With the alignment arrow pointing up for filters inside top right (or pointing left for filters in the grille), slide the new filter into the housing until it stops.
Close the water filter cover door.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace push-button-to-eject water filters

Push-button-to-eject Kenmore Elite water filters are 9083, 9911, and 9916.

If the filter is located in the grille:

Push the eject button.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
Remove the decorative cap.
Install the decorative cap on the new filter.
Push the new filter into the housing until the eject button snaps out.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

If the filter is located inside the refrigerator:

Turn off the ice maker.
Push the eject button.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
Push the new filter into the housing until it clicks.
Turn on the ice maker.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace a pull-down water filter

Pull-down Kenmore Elite water filters are 9490 and 9690.

Remove the shelf below the filter if it’s in the highest position.
Place a container under the front end of the water filter cover to catch leaks.
Press the filter cover release buttons and open the water filter cover.
Pull the filter down until it stops and then pull the filter out. In some models, you rotate the filter to the left.
Insert the new filter in the housing. If you twisted the old filter to remove it, twist the filter to the right.
Lift the filter up and close the water filter cover.
Pull out the container and wipe up any spills.
Reinstall the shelf below the filter if you removed it.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace an open-tray-and-twist-out water filter

Open-tray-and-twist-out Kenmore Elite water filters are 9084, 9130, and 9990.

Release the locking tab and lower the cover of the tray.
Twist the filter to the left until it stops, then pull it out.
Insert the new filter and twist it to the right until it stops.
Close the tray’s cover.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace a twist-to-remove water filter

Twist-to-remove Kenmore Elite water filters are 9085, 9490, 9890, 9915, 9980 and 9990.

Twist the filter to the left and pull it out of the housing.
For filters in the grille, use the decorative filter cap from the old filter on the new filter.
Line up the new filter, push it into the filter housing and twist the filter to the right.
Wipe up any spills.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace a remove-cup-filter-cover water filter

The remove-cup-filter-cover Kenmore Elite water filter is 9913.

Twist the filter cover cup to the left and remove it from the filter housing.
Pull the filter out of the housing.
With the filter nozzle pointing up, insert the new filter into the housing.
Reinstall the water filter cover.
Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light.

How to replace a swing-out water filter

The swing-out Kenmore Elite water filter is 9490.

How to replace a swing-out water filter in the top left wall

Open the cover and swing the filter out.
Pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing.
Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.

How to replace a swing-out filter in the end of the door

Open the cover and pull out the bottom of the filter.
Pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing.
Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.

How to replace a swing-out filter behind a door bin

Remove the door bin and swing the filter out.
Twist the filter to the left to release it then pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing and twist it to the right.
Swing the filter into its compartment and reinstall the door bin.

How to replace a swing-out filter in the middle of the door

Open the cover and swing the filter out.
Twist the filter to the left to release it then pull the filter straight out of the housing.
Insert the new filter in the housing and twist it to the right.
Swing the filter into its compartment and close the cover.

Final steps

Run 2 gallons of water through the water dispenser to purge air and residue.
Reset the water filter replacement reminder light on the control.

Installing and replacing an external in-line water filter

If your refrigerator doesn't have a built-in water filter, you can add one in the water line behind the refrigerator. See how easy it is to install or replace an inline water filter using Kenmore part number 3844609 or 3844709.

Looking for DIY repair advice to fix a problem with your refrigerator? Check out our refrigerator repair help page for symptoms and troubleshooting tips, error codes and repair guides.

If you’re having problems removing your old filter or installing the new one, check out our video How Do You Remove a Stuck Water Filter.