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Frigidaire GRSS2652AF EPTWFU01 Water Filter Replacement

Quick Answer

This filter purifies your drinking water and ice by removing lead, chlorine, and pesticides, and the most common sign it has failed is a significantly slowed water flow at the dispenser. If your ice cubes are getting smaller or the water tastes like plastic, it is time for a fresh cartridge.

Look, when I show up and the homeowner says the water tastes weird or their ice cubes look like tiny pebbles, nine times out of ten it's just this filter. Ignore it long enough and that clogged carbon starts pushing debris into your ice maker solenoid, and now a $40 cartridge swap turns into a real repair bill. Don't let it get there.

FrigidaireRefrigeratorSeverity: moderateDifficulty: easy99% DIY Success
Time to Fix
5–10 min
Difficulty
easy
Parts Cost
$45 – $55
Tools Needed
Small towel or rag, Measuring cup (at least 8 oz)

What Does the EPTWFU01 Code Mean?

Frigidaire rates this filter for about 200 gallons or six months, whichever comes first. Big families hit that limit way faster, sometimes by month four. I replaced three of these last week alone. The dispenser light turns red when it's time, but honestly your water flow usually tips you off before that. It's a cheap, easy fix and probably the most ignored maintenance item on the whole fridge.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Standard carbon exhaustion75%
Heavy sediment from external water supply15%
Installation error or air lock10%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • It takes more than 10 seconds to fill an 8-ounce glass at the dispenser, when a healthy system does it in about 5.
  • Your ice cubes look like tiny pebbles or have hollow centers because the ice maker isn't getting enough water pressure to fill the molds all the way.
  • The water tastes like you're drinking from a swimming pool, or it has that flat plastic taste that new filters sometimes have before you flush them out properly.
  • The 'Replace Filter' indicator on the control panel is glowing red or amber and it's been that way for a while now.
  • You hear a loud chattering or hammering sound from behind the fridge every time you hit the water dispenser paddle.

Can you reset a Frigidaire refrigerator to clear the EPTWFU01 code?

Press and hold the 'Water Filter' button on the door panel for 3 seconds until the indicator light flips from red to green. On touchscreen models, go to Settings and look for 'Filter Reset.' After the reset goes through, the counter restarts at six months. If the light stays red no matter what, unplug the fridge for 60 seconds, plug it back in, and try the button sequence again.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Small towel or ragMeasuring cup (at least 8 oz)FlashlightBucket or bowl for catching dripsLarge pitcher or container (2-3 gallon capacity for flushing)

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name
PureSource Ultra II Water FilterEPTWFU01 · $45–$55

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the GRSS2652AF need an OEM filter or can I use a generic?
Honestly, I've tried a bunch of the off-brand ones over the years and I keep coming back to the OEM EPTWFU01. A lot of the generics don't seat properly in the Frigidaire housing, and I've seen them cause slow leaks that go unnoticed for weeks. Plus the cheap knock-offs usually aren't certified to pull out lead and cysts the way the OEM is. The price difference between OEM and a good aftermarket is maybe $10 to $15. That's not worth the risk of water damage or drinking unfiltered tap water. Get the real one.
Why is my water dispenser still slow after I just put in a new filter?
If a brand new filter doesn't fix your flow, a few things could be going on. First, make sure it clicked all the way in. Second, you might have a frozen water reservoir, which is actually pretty common in Frigidaires when the freezer temp is set too low. Third, check the water inlet valve at the back of the fridge. Those can fail and restrict flow completely regardless of what filter you use. And before anything else, pull the fridge out from the wall and make sure the supply line isn't kinked, especially if you recently moved the appliance even an inch.
Do I need to shut off the house water to change this filter?
Nope. The filter housing has a built-in bypass valve that automatically blocks water flow the moment you pull the cartridge out. You don't need to touch anything under the sink or at the main shutoff. Just be ready for a few tablespoons of residual water to drip out when the filter releases. Keep a towel right there and it's a clean job.
How do I know if my filter is the EPTWFU01 or the older EWF01?
The EPTWFU01 is a long, slender cylinder with a push-to-release mechanism, kind of like a pen click. The older EWF01 and similar styles were much chunkier and often twisted to lock in. For the GRSS2652AF specifically, the PureSource Ultra II, which is the EPTWFU01, is the factory-specified part. Check the label on your current filter or look it up by your full model number on Frigidaire's parts site if you're not sure.
What happens if I just leave the old filter in and ignore the light?
Short term, nothing catastrophic. But here's what's actually happening: once the carbon is saturated, your fridge is basically pumping unfiltered tap water into your glass and ice. All the chlorine, sediment, and whatever else is in your local water is going straight through. Longer term, the debris that accumulates can work its way into the ice maker solenoid valve and clog it. I've replaced those valves on fridges that just needed a filter swap six months earlier. The valve is about $60 in parts plus an hour of labor. A new filter is $40. Pretty easy math.
How long does the EPTWFU01 filter actually last?
Frigidaire says 200 gallons or six months, whichever you hit first. For a two-person household that's probably right around the six-month mark. Family of five? You might be hitting 200 gallons in three or four months easy. The dispenser light is your built-in reminder but watch your flow rate too. Gradual slowdown is usually the first real sign the carbon is getting saturated, sometimes a couple weeks before the light even trips.

Models Known to Experience EPTWFU01 Errors

This repair applies to most Frigidaire refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include:

GRSS2652AF0, GRSS2652AF1, GRSS2652AF2, GRSS2652AF3, FFSS2615TS0, FFSS2615TD0, FFHS2622MS0, FGSS2635TD0

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026