Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter: Cost & When to Change It
$150–320 total (shop) · $21–36 DIY part
Part prices $21–36 on eBay (checked 2026-11-04) · shop total from published rates ($70–130 service call, $50–125/hr) · estimates, not quotes
It’s a routine swap. The cartridge is the only part involved, it turns in one quarter twist, and living with a stale-tasting filter is the only alternative that costs anything.
⚠️Put a towel under the filter head. A few ounces of water sit in the cartridge whenever you twist it out: press and turn the cartridge a quarter turn, seat the new one fully, and flush a few gallons before the first glass. The head is plastic, so hand-tight is enough; the o-ring does the sealing.
Your model number decides which part you need.
It’s printed on a sticker inside the door rim or on the back panel, then match it against the parts listed below.
It’s printed on a sticker inside the door rim or on the back panel, then match it against the parts listed below.
Triage, most likely first
| Cause | DIY | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Slow dispenser flow or ice that tastes stale | 2/5 · 5–10 min | $21–36 DIY · $150–320 shop |
| “Change filter” indicator still on after a fresh cartridge | 2/5 · 5–10 min | $21–36 DIY · $150–320 shop |
| Water weeping from the filter head after a swap | 3/5 | the housing is the part here (W10121138 or W10862461), not the cartridge |
Walkthrough
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Parts
Whirlpool water filter cartridge, Filter 4 UKF8001 · Filter 1 EDR1RXD1 (go by the number printed on your old cartridge and your model plate).