Warning: Disconnect power before servicing.
ErrBase

Replacement Water Filters for Frigidaire

Quick Answer

Slow water flow on a Frigidaire refrigerator is almost always a clogged filter. Remove the filter and test the flow; if it speeds up, you need a replacement water filter for your Frigidaire. Ensure you purge the air by running two gallons of water through the new filter after installation.

Nine times out of ten when I show up for a 'my fridge is broken' call and the owner thinks their pump's dying, it's just a clogged filter. The pressure drop once that carbon block is saturated is massive and it happens fast. Ignore it long enough and you're looking at calcified inlet valves, a stressed ice maker motor, and a repair bill that's way bigger than a $15 filter swap.

FrigidaireRefrigeratorSeverity: lowDifficulty: easy95% DIY Success
Time to Fix
5–15 min
Difficulty
easy
Parts Cost
$38 – $55
Tools Needed
Large pitcher (2+ quart, for purging air after filter swap), Flashlight

What Does the WATER-FILTER-ISSUES Code Mean?

OK so here's the deal. Your water filter is basically the lungs of your dispenser system, and when it gets congested, everything else works harder to push water through. Good news is diagnosing this takes about 30 seconds. Pull the filter, bypass it, and see if the pressure jumps back up. If it does, you just saved yourself a service call fee over something you can fix in five minutes flat.

Most Likely Causes

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

Carbon block saturation from sediment or heavy usage65%
Air pockets trapped in the filter head15%
Faulty or cracked filter manifold10%
Low house water pressure10%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • Water trickles out of the dispenser like someone's barely cracking a garden hose open, even when you hold the paddle all the way down.
  • Ice cubes come out hollow in the middle or noticeably smaller than they used to be.
  • Your water has that flat, slightly metallic taste or a faint chlorine smell that definitely wasn't there six months ago.
  • The 'Replace Filter' indicator on your display has gone from green to orange or solid red.
  • High-pitched chattering or vibrating sound right when you start dispensing, especially right after installing a brand new filter.

Can you reset a Frigidaire refrigerator to clear the WATER-FILTER-ISSUES code?

Locate the 'Filter Reset' button on your display panel and hold it for three seconds. You'll hear a beep and the light goes from red back to green. On some older Frigidaire side-by-side models, hold the 'Water' and 'Ice Type' buttons simultaneously for five seconds instead. If neither works, unplug the fridge for 60 seconds. That hard reset clears the filter timer on older control boards that don't respond to button combos.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Large pitcher (2+ quart, for purging air after filter swap)FlashlightSmall towel or rag to catch drips during the swapReplacement bypass plug if you don't have a new filter on handFood-grade silicone grease or vegetable oil for O-ring lubrication

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
PureSource 3 Water FilterWF3CB · $38–$48

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I actually change my Frigidaire water filter?
The standard is every six months, but honestly that's just a baseline. I swapped out four Frigidaire filters last Tuesday alone in one apartment complex with hard well water. Heavy usage or a large family can push you to every three to four months. And here's the thing: your first real warning sign isn't the indicator light, it's when the ice cubes start coming out smaller or hollow in the middle. That's your filter telling you it's struggling before the light even catches up.
Can I use a generic replacement filter for my Frigidaire?
Technically yeah, generics usually work fine. But I've had enough weird callback calls from generic filters to have an opinion on it. The O-ring tolerances are often just slightly off, which leads to a slow drip behind the housing you won't notice until there's actual water damage. Some cheaper ones also don't filter as well as the NSF-certified OEM PureSource Ultra II filters. The OEM usually runs maybe $10-15 more. For a part you're swapping twice a year, that's not really worth gambling on.
Why is my water cloudy after changing the filter?
Totally normal and safe, don't worry about it. What you're seeing is millions of tiny air bubbles trapped inside the fresh carbon block from manufacturing. Just let the glass sit on the counter for 30 to 60 seconds and watch it clear from the bottom up, like a snow globe settling. Running about two gallons through the dispenser right after installation clears most of it out fast. If the water's still cloudy after two gallons though, that might actually be sediment from your supply lines and that's a different problem worth investigating.
How do I reset the Replace Filter light on my Frigidaire?
On most Frigidaire Gallery and Professional series, find the 'Filter Reset' button on your display and hold it for three seconds. You'll hear a beep and the light goes back to green. On some older side-by-side models, hold 'Water' and 'Reset' at the same time for about five seconds. Nothing working? Unplug the fridge for a full minute. That hard reset clears the filter timer on some older control boards that just don't respond to the button combos anymore.
What's the right replacement filter part number for my Frigidaire?
Most current Frigidaire French door and side-by-side models take the WF3CB (PureSource3) or the ULTRAWF (PureSource Ultra). Older models often need the WF2CB. If you've got a Gallery series from the last few years, check the model number sticker inside your fridge door and cross-reference it on Frigidaire's site before you buy. Don't just go by what the box at the hardware store says. I've seen mislabeled filters on store shelves more times than I can count. Wrong filter, wrong fit, and you're starting this whole process over.

Related Frigidaire Refrigerator Error Codes

Code: SY-EFFrigidaire SY EF Error: Evaporator Fan Failure

Same Fix on Other Brands

Electrolux refrigeratorFILTER-LIGHT: Electrolux Refrigerator Filter Status Troubleshooting

Models Known to Experience WATER-FILTER-ISSUES Errors

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

GRSC2352AF, FRSS2623AS, FFHD2250TS, FGHB2868TF, FG7033AF, FGHD2368TF, FRSB2333AF, FPBM189KFA

MS

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on May 10, 2025