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To change the filter that supplies your Samsung refrigerator’s drinking water and ice, verify the cartridge for your exact model, shut off the water and relieve pressure, unlock and replace the cartridge, flush the specified amount of water, check for leaks, and reset the filter reminder. Samsung refrigerator designs differ, so the filter location, cartridge motion, flush volume, and reset control are model-specific.
What Samsung calls the “ice maker filter”
Samsung generally labels this part the refrigerator water filter. It filters the water used by the dispenser and, on models connected to the ice maker, the water used to make ice. Replacing it therefore services both functions; there is not a separate universal “ice maker filter” that fits every Samsung refrigerator.
The filter is a consumable cartridge in a housing inside the refrigerator or, on some models, in another specified compartment. Samsung recommends replacing it about every six months and using the built-in indicator as a reminder, not as a measurement of remaining capacity. The six-month interval is Samsung’s current guidance in its Canada and US support materials, rather than an independently measured performance limit.
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Confirm the correct cartridge before you start
Filter families and compatible refrigerators vary. Do not order by the refrigerator’s appearance or by the phrase “Samsung ice maker filter” alone.
#1 Best Overall
- FRESH FILTERED WATER: Samsung water filters reduce contaminants, giving your family fresh tasting water; Use with your Samsung French Door or Side by Side Refrigerator
- REDUCES CONTAMINANTS: Samsung’s ultra-high-grade carbon block reduces 99% of potentially harmful contaminants
- GENUINE SAMSUNG FILTERS: Samsung filters are designed to work with your refrigerator to avoid the risk of flooding while giving you clean, filtered water; Use our Authentication Tag to make sure your filter is a genuine Samsung filter
- LONG LASTING USE: Samsung refrigerator water filters offer long-lasting use and easy installation; It is recommended to replace your water filter every 6 months
- AVOID WATER DAMAGE: Only Samsung filters are guaranteed to perform correctly with your refrigerator, avoiding the risk of water damage to your fridge and your home
Find your refrigerator model
- Read the model and serial label on the refrigerator frame, inside wall, or another location shown in your owner’s manual.
- Check the part number printed on the cartridge currently installed. This is useful when the label is readable, but still verify the replacement against the appliance model.
- Enter the model in Samsung’s Fridge Water Filter Finder, or use the filter chart and instructions in the manual.
Samsung’s US support page identifies HAF-CIN, HAF-QIN, and HAFCU1 families. Samsung Canada describes HAF-CIN, HAF-QIN, and HAF-CU1. The regional names and the refrigerator models associated with them are not interchangeable assumptions, so use the country-specific compatibility result for your appliance.
| Cartridge family named by Samsung | Removal and installation motion described in support instructions | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| HAF-CIN | Rotate the old filter counterclockwise to unlock, pull it straight out; insert the replacement and rotate clockwise until locked and aligned. | Exact compatible refrigerator model and whether a cover must be opened first. |
| HAF-QIN | Rotate counterclockwise to unlock and pull out; insert the replacement and turn clockwise until locked and aligned. | Exact model, housing markings, and the manual’s alignment instruction. |
| HAFCU1 / HAF-CU1 regional naming | Twist left to unlock and pull downward; insert the new cartridge and twist right until secure, aligning its notch with the housing arrow. | Regional part-number spelling and the notch/arrow alignment on your housing. |
The table summarizes Samsung’s published procedures; it is not a compatibility list. If the cartridge does not begin to turn or the lock mark does not align, stop rather than forcing it and consult the model manual.
Prepare the refrigerator safely
- Get the matching cartridge first. Keep its protective cap on until installation. Have a clean towel or shallow container ready for residual water.
- Turn off the refrigerator’s water supply. The shutoff may be under the sink, behind the appliance, or in the line serving the refrigerator; follow the plumbing arrangement for your home.
- Relieve pressure. Dispense water until the flow stops. This makes the old cartridge easier to remove and limits spray when the housing is opened. Samsung Canada specifically advises shutting off the supply and dispensing until flow stops.
- Keep doors and shelves clear of the work area. The filter housing location differs by model. Look for the cartridge cover or use the owner’s manual rather than pulling on unrelated fittings.
Remove the old filter and install the replacement
For HAF-CIN and HAF-QIN housings
- Open the filter cover if your refrigerator has one.
- Grip the cartridge and rotate it counterclockwise until the unlock position is reached.
- Pull the cartridge straight out. Keep the towel below the housing for drips.
- Remove the protective cap from the new cartridge where one is supplied. Leaving that cap in place can prevent the cartridge from seating.
- Push the cartridge straight into the housing. Rotate it clockwise until the lock mark or other alignment indication shows that it is secure.
- Close the cover, if present, without forcing it. A cover that will not close can indicate that the cartridge is not fully seated.
For HAFCU1 or HAF-CU1 housings
- Twist the installed cartridge to the left to unlock it.
- Pull the cartridge downward and remove it.
- Take off the replacement’s protective cap if the cartridge has one.
- Insert the new cartridge into the housing and twist it to the right until it is secure.
- Align the cartridge notch with the arrow on the housing. The notch and arrow should agree before you proceed.
These motions are model-family guidance, not a promise that every refrigerator uses the same housing. Samsung’s US instructions are available at How to replace the water filter in a Samsung refrigerator. Samsung’s Canada guide includes diagrams and model-specific variations at Guide to replacing the water filter in your Samsung refrigerator.
Rank #2
- Note: This product is square, not round. Replacement for DA97-17376B (HAF-QIN), not compatible with DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN). The Waterspecialist refrigerator water filter features filtration performance is comparable to the original brand. It is also certified by authority NSF 42 and 372. Far different from generic brand, Waterspecialist only adopts superior coconut shell carbon block to improve taste and odor.
- Great filtration: Waterspecialist refrigerator filters can reduce many harmful substances in water including heavy metals, mercury, chlorine, odor, THM, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), particles, copper, cadmium, chromium, and all other major impurities. This has been tested and proven by an independent third-party laboratory. While the impurities are reduced, every beneficial mineral in your water is kept, ensuring that your body functions properly.
- Premium filter material: Waterspecialist selected BPA-free and food-grade filter housing that passed NSF 372 certification for lead-free filtration. We also adopt natural coconut shell carbon block that contains larger surface area and more micropores. Thus, the filter cartridge can efficiently reduce chlorine, bad taste and odor.
- Perfect fit: Waterspecialist combines precision measurement technology to produce refrigerator filters with exquisite engineering designs, unlike inferior replacement filters that can cause water leakage issues. Also, Waterspecialist saves you time and hassle by offering tool-free refrigerator filter replacements.
- Fresh-tasting water: The natural coconut shell carbon block absorbs more impurities. The Waterspecialist refrigerator filter provides you a unique filtration experience.
Restore the supply, flush the cartridge, and inspect for leaks
- Turn the refrigerator water supply back on slowly.
- Look and feel around the housing and connections for active dripping. Do not continue normal use while a leak is present.
- Flush water through the dispenser and discard the initial output. New cartridges can contain manufacturing residue and trapped air; the quantity and time are model-specific.
| Instruction source | Published flushing guidance | How to apply it |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Canada, updated May 16, 2026 | About seven minutes or 10–12 large glasses for the described internal-cartridge procedures. | Use the glasses count or elapsed time specified for the exact refrigerator instructions, then discard that water. |
| Samsung US | About seven minutes or 10–12 large glasses in the cited support guidance. | Follow the appliance’s manual if it gives a different volume or sequence. |
| Samsung UK, updated December 31, 2024 | 10 litres or six to seven minutes for some filter types. | This is a regional/model instruction, not a universal amount for every Samsung refrigerator. |
Never treat one region’s flush quantity as a guarantee for another model. The UK directions are documented at How to change the water filter on your Samsung refrigerator?. Samsung Ireland also publishes regional replacement instructions at How to replace the water purifier filter for my refrigerator?.
Reset the filter reminder
Installing a cartridge does not necessarily clear the reminder automatically. Samsung uses different controls across refrigerator families, so identify the control that appears on your display or panel.
- Many models reset when you press and hold Alarm for about three seconds.
- Other models use a Water Filter button held for about three seconds.
- Some use an Ice/Water control held for about three seconds.
- Models with a display menu may require opening the refrigerator settings and selecting the filter-reset command instead of holding a physical button.
Use the reset method in the owner’s manual when your panel does not show one of these controls. A reminder that remains lit after the correct procedure can mean the button sequence belongs to a different control layout, not that the new cartridge is defective.
Rank #3
- Note: This product is round, not square. Replacement for DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN), not compatible with DA97-17376B (HAF-QIN).
- Replacement for models: Samsung DA29-00020B, DA29-00020A, HAF-CIN, HAF-CIN-EXP, HAF-CINEXP, HAFCIN, 04609101000, 09101, 46-9101, DA-97-08006A, DA97-08006A/B, DA29-00019A, DA2900020A, RF28HMEDBSR, RFG298HDRS, RS25J50, RF263TEAES, RF4287HARS, RS25J500DSR, RS25J500DWW, RF28HFEDTWW, RF26HFENDWW.
- Compatible with Refrigerator Models: RF265BEAESG, RF265BEAESR, RF26HFENDSR, RF26J7500BC, RF26J7500SR, RF26J7500WW, RF28HDEDBSR, RF28HDEDPWW, RF28HDEDTSR, RF28HFEDBBC, RF28HFEDBSG, RF28HFEDBSR, RF28HFEDBWW, RF28HFEDTBC, RF26HFENDBC, RS265TDRS, RS261MDWP, RS261MDBP, RS263TDBP, RS265TDBP.
- The Waterspecialist refrigerator water filter features filtration performance. It is also certified by authority NSF 42 and 372. Waterspecialist only adopts coconut shell carbon block to improve taste and odor.
- Great filtration: Waterspecialist refrigerator filters can reduce many harmful substances in water including chlorine, taste and odor. This has been tested and proven by an independent third-party laboratory.
Troubleshoot a filter that will not work correctly
The cartridge will not lock or the cover will not close
- Confirm that you bought the cartridge matched to the refrigerator model, not merely one with a similar-looking name.
- Remove any protective cap that the installation instructions say to remove.
- Pull the cartridge out and reinsert it straight, then rotate in the indicated direction until the lock mark or notch aligns.
- Check that no packaging material is caught in the housing.
- If it still will not seat, stop forcing it and compare the housing and cartridge with the manual.
Water leaks after replacement
- Turn off the water supply again and dry the housing so the source of a new drip is visible.
- Recheck that the cartridge is fully inserted, locked, and aligned.
- Verify that the protective cap was removed where required.
- If leakage continues, the cartridge or its seal may need replacement. Samsung Canada gives these checks in its support guide; they are manufacturer troubleshooting advice, not an independently measured failure-rate finding.
Flow is weak after installation
- Confirm that the water supply valve was reopened fully.
- Flush for the time or volume specified for the model; trapped air can make initial flow irregular.
- Check that the cartridge is locked and that the refrigerator’s water line was not kinked while the appliance was moved.
- If flow remains low, reinstall the cartridge once using the manual’s alignment marks. Persistent restriction warrants model-specific Samsung service guidance.
The reminder will not reset
Try only the control named for your model. Samsung’s common three-second methods use Alarm, Water Filter, or Ice/Water, but not every panel includes all three. If none matches, use the display-menu path in the manual rather than repeatedly holding unrelated buttons.
How often should you replace it?
Plan on approximately every six months, following Samsung’s current Canada and US recommendation and the refrigerator’s indicator. Replace sooner if the model’s manual specifies a different interval or if Samsung service guidance directs you to do so. The indicator is a reminder; it does not independently test the cartridge’s water capacity.
Record the installation date on a calendar or in a maintenance note. That is especially useful when the reminder has been reset or when several people use the refrigerator.
Rank #4
- [Replacement for models] Samsung DA97-17376B, DA97-08006C, HAF-QIN, HAF-QIN/EXP, GF-841, CF-17, AQF-FF45, WS645A, FL-RF45, MB-F45, RWF4200A, PP-RWF4200A-S. Please note it fits DA97-17376B (HAF-QIN), not DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN).
- [Replacement for models] RF28R7351SG, RF28R7201SR, RS27T5200SR, RF23M8070SR, RF27T5201SR, RF28T5001SR, RF28R7201SG, RF28R7351SR, RF23R6201SR, RF28R6201SR, RF27T5241SR, RF22R7351SG, RF22R7351SR, RF24R7201SR, RS27T5200SG, RF28R6301SR, RF23M8090SG, RF28R6241SR, RF27T5201SG, RF29A9671SR, RF28R7201SR/AA, RF28R7351SG/AA, RF28R7351SR/AA, RF23M8070SR/AA, RF27T5201SR/AA, RF28R7201SG/AA, RF28R6201SR/AA, RF24R7201SR/AA, RF23R6201SR/AA, RF28R6241SR/AA, RF28R6301SR/AA, RF22R7351SR/AA, RF22R7351SG/AA.
- NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 Certified: Our fridge filter replacement for the Samsung fridge is NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 certified, ensuring that it is lead-free and safe. Water is purified and that the amount of harmful contaminants while retaining beneficial minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Because these naturally occurring minerals contribute to TDS levels, the reading may not decrease significantly. This is normal and helps maintain fresh-tasting water for everyday drinking.
- Engineered for Reliability: Rigorously tested to withstand high pressure and 100,000 cycles, this leak-free refrigerator water filter guarantees dependable operation and peace of mind against drips or bursts.
- Superior Filtration: Our refrigerator water filter uses activated carbon from Sri Lankan coconuts to effectively reduce chlorine, sand, sediment, rust, and more, delivering clean, better-tasting water, giving you confidence. *Tested by a third-party laboratory.
Should you use a non-Samsung cartridge?
Samsung advises using a cartridge designed for the refrigerator. Its Canada support page states: “For best results, only use Samsung Genuine Filters designed to work with your refrigerator.” Samsung also warns that non-Samsung filters may not fit correctly and could leak or damage the appliance. These are the manufacturer’s compatibility and risk statements; the cited support pages do not provide an independent comparison of water-quality improvement or filter failure rates.
Whatever brand you consider, verify the exact model compatibility, physical locking mechanism, seal, and regional part number before installation. A cartridge that looks similar but cannot lock and align correctly should not be used.
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Quick completion checklist
- Model number or installed-cartridge part number checked.
- Replacement cartridge confirmed with Samsung’s finder or the owner’s manual.
- Water supply shut off and dispenser run until pressure was relieved.
- Old cartridge removed using the correct turn-and-pull motion.
- Protective cap removed where applicable.
- New cartridge fully inserted, locked, and aligned.
- Water restored and housing inspected for leaks.
- Model-specific flush completed and initial water discarded.
- Filter reminder reset with the correct control.
Following those checks addresses the two errors most likely to create trouble: installing a cartridge that is not compatible with the refrigerator and treating a model-specific reset or flush instruction as universal.
Quick Recap
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