How To Reset Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter

To maintain fresh clean water from your Samsung refrigerator, the filter must be replaced and reset about every 6 months. When those 6 months are up, the refrigerator’s water filter light will notify you by lighting up red. Once the filer is replaced, the light must be reset before it’ll turn off. The water filter light is simply on a 6-month timer. Depending on the water quality in your area and the amount of water you use, you may need to change the filter more or less often than the light suggests. If the light comes on before you’re ready to replace the filter, you need to reset it to turn it off. This will start another 6-month timer.

Here’s how to reset the filter light on a Samsung refrigerator:

Find the “Filter Reset” button on the control panel if it’s available. It’s sometimes the secondary function of another button on the panel, and some models require you to press two buttons simultaneously. You can determine what kind of reset button you have by looking in your owner’s manual.
Touch and hold the button for three seconds until the light resets.
The filter icon will either turn off or change back to its normal color when it’s reset. This starts the six-month timer over again.

You should only use Samsung Genuine Water Filters that are designed to work with your Samsung refrigerator. Don’t use third-party water filters which can leak and damage the fridge.

To determine if you need a new filter, dispense water with the filter installed and then again with the filter removed. If the speed water dispenses at are very different, you should replace the filter and reset the light whether it’s lit or not.

How To Determine Which Samsung Water Filter You Need

Before you can replace your Samsung refrigerator’s water filter, you need to find out what type of filter you need. There are three types of Samsung water filters, HAF-CIN, HAF-QIN, and HAFCU1. The filters are not interchangeable so you need the right one for your model fridge.

To find out which filter you need, locate the filter in your fridge. The location will vary depending on your model. Then, check the model number on the filter you currently have installed. This will tell you which of the three filter types you need.

Make sure to only use Genuine Samsung Water Filters designed to work with your Samsung refrigerator. Third-party filters can leak and damage the fridge.

How To Replace Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter

How to replace a Samsung refrigerator water filter depends on the type of filter you have. Samsung makes 3 types of filters for their fridges. Determine which water filter your fridge uses before trying to replace it. The model filters they manufacture are HAF-CIN, HAF-QIN, and HAFCU1.

Replacing a Samsung refrigerator water filter is easy to do and only takes a few minutes.

Samsung recommends replacing your water filter every 6 months. But you may need to change the filter more or less often than suggested depending on the water quality in your area and the amount of water you use.

Keep in mind that the water filter indicator light on your Samsung refrigerator is on a 6-month timer. This means the light will come on after 6 months whether you need a new filter or not. If you don’t need a new filter when the light lights up red, you need to reset it. Then you need to reset it again when you change the filter.

To determine if you need a new filter, dispense water with the filter installed and then again with the filter removed. If the speed water dispenses are very different, you should replace the filter and reset the light whether it’s lit or not.

HAF-CIN & HAF-QIN Filter Types

If your Samsung refrigerator has water filter model HAF-CIN or HAF-QIN, changing the filter is very easy and only takes a few minutes.

To find out what filter your fridge needs, simply look at your existing filter. The model number will be printed on the filter. You can also look in your owner’s manual, look up your refrigerator model online, or contact Samsung.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change a HAF-CIN or HAF-QIN filter:

Turn off the water supply and locate the filter.
Open the water filter cover and rotate the old filter counterclockwise to unlock it.
Pull the filter straight out to remove it from the filter housing.
Remove the protection cap from the top of the new filter.
Push it straight into the filter housing and turn it clockwise.
Turn until the lock symbol on the water filter matches up with the indicator line on the filter housing.

Once you’re done installing the new filter, dispense a few gallons of water to flush out impurities or air in the system. Then reset the water filter light on your fridge. The water filter light will not turn off by itself when you replace the filter, it must be reset manually.

HAFCU1 Filter Types

If your Samsung refrigerator has water filter model HAFCU1, changing is easy and only takes a few minutes.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change an HAFCU1 filter:

Turn off the water supply and locate the filter.
Twist it to the left to unlock it.
Pull it down to remove it from the filter housing.
Push your new filter up into the filter housing and then turn it to the right.
Turn until the notch at the top of the filter is matched up with the arrow on the filter housing.

How To Reset Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter Light

A Samsung refrigerator’s water filter light is a timer that turns on or changes color from green to red after 6 months. To make the light turn off, or turn back to its original color, you have to manually reset it. The light doesn’t reset by itself when you change the filter.

Samsung suggests replacing your water filter every 6 months on average, but that could be too soon or too late depending on how much water you disperse and the quality of your water. You may have to change the filter more or less frequently than the light suggests.

To determine if you should change the filter, dispense water with the filter installed and then again with the filter removed. If the speed the water dispenses is significantly different, you should replace the filter whether the filter light is lit or not.

Here’s how to reset the water filter light on your Samsung refrigerator:

Find the Filter Reset button on the control panel. It’s sometimes the secondary function of another button or you may have to press two buttons simultaneously. To find out check your owner’s manual or look up your refrigerator’s model online.
Touch and hold the correct button for three seconds until the light resets.
The filter icon will turn off or change back to its normal color when reset.

Note: Resetting your water filter resets the 6-month timer. However, your filter may need a change sooner, or later, depending on water quality and usage. Check the filter often to make sure it stays clean and reset your indicator light after every filter change whether it’s lit or not.

Some Samsung refrigerators have panels that automatically lock from inactivity. If your model fridge has one, you must unlock it before resetting the filter light.

How To Reset Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator Water Filter Light

Samsung family hub refrigerator is a smart home device that lets you control other smart devices throughout your home from your fridge. If you have one, the process of resetting your water filter indicator light is a little different than a standard fridge with a control panel. But it’s still easy to do and only takes a minute or two.

Here’s how to reset the water filter light on your Samsung Family Hub fridge:

From the Home screen > tap Apps > tap Fridge Manager.
Tap Fridge Settings.
Tap Water Filter > tap Reset > tap Proceed. This will reset the filter light and timer.

You can buy a replacement water filter right from your Samsung family hub refrigerator. After tapping the water filter icon, tap Buy Filter to purchase a Samsung water filter.

How To Unlock A Samsung Refrigerator Control Panel

Samsung refrigerators have a few different lock functions to prevent people or kids from accidentally changing the settings. These include Control Lock, Child Lock, and Dispenser Lock.

Control Lock prevents changes from being made on the control panel.
Child Lock and Dispenser Lock prevent changes being made on the panel but also prevent you from dispensing water or ice.

If you try to reset your water filter light but see the lock icon is lit, or if the panel only responds with a chime, it means the panel is locked. You need to first unlock the panel before you can reset the water filter light.

Automatic Control Lock: This feature locks control panels located inside the refrigerator or on the top of a door. The control panel will automatically lock after 1 minute of inactivity to avoid accidental contact. To unlock it, touch and hold the Door Alarm button until you hear a chime. This usually takes about 3 seconds.

Dispenser Lock: This feature only appears on select models. It only disables the water and ice dispenser, but other parts of the control panel will still function normally.

Child Lock: Some refrigerators have a child lock function that locks the control panel and the dispenser at the same time. This appears on panels that are located outside of the refrigerator. It can be locked or unlocked by holding Ice Maker Off until you hear a chime for 3 seconds.

If you have a Family Hub fridge, you can adjust the Dispenser Lock settings from the panel. Tap Apps > tap Fridge Manager > tap Fridge Settings > tap Lock next to Dispenser Lock to unlock the dispenser. If it says Unlock next to Dispenser Lock, it means the dispenser is currently unlocked.

How To Purge A New Samsung Water Filter

You should always purge a few gallons of water through a new water filter immediately after you’ve installed it. This washes out small carbon particles inside the filter, gets rid of impurities, and purges air from the system.

Before purging the filter, check for leaks around the filter. I start by filling up a small 8 oz. glass of water. Inspect inside the fridge and specifically around the filter itself. If you don’t see leaks, go ahead and start purging a few gallons.

Whenever I purge a new water filter I do it with a large pitcher. Fill the pitcher with water and dump it in the sink. Depending on the size of your pitcher, you may have to do this 3 or 4 times. If there’s water in the line, the water will sputter out instead of being a steady stream.

Once the water is coming out in a steady stream, I usually purge about a gallon of water to flush out impurities.

How Often To Change Water Filter On Samsung Refrigerator

Samsung recommends changing the water filter in their fridges once every 6 months. The water filter indicator light is actually just a timer that goes off every 6 months. But you may need to change your filter and reset the light sooner, or later, depending on how often you dispense water and your water quality.

Here are some reasons to change the water filter:

The water tastes different
Water is dispensing at a different speed than usual
You see particles in the water
Water sputters when coming out of the dispenser

Samsung’s recommendation to change the water filter every 6 months is an average time frame. If you live in an area with lots of minerals in your water, you use well water, or you dispense a lot of water per day, you may need to replace your filter more frequently.

In my area, I have to change the filter on my Samsung fridge every 3-4 months. If I wait any longer you can start to taste minerals in the water.

If you see any signs that your filter isn’t filtering water properly, change it right away no matter what the indicator light says. Then remember to reset the light after you’ve changed the filter.

Where To Buy Samsung Genuine Refrigerator Water Filters

You can buy Samsung Genuine Refrigerator Water Filters directly from Samsung, most appliance stores that carry Samsung refrigerators, and Amazon. I buy mine on Amazon because I’m always ordering from them anyway and the prices are good.

Make sure when you buy a replacement filter that it’s a Genuine Samsung Filter and not a third-party filter which is more likely to leak and damage the fridge. Also, make sure to buy the correct filter model for your fridge. Samsung makes different types of filters and they’re not interchangeable.

Why Does A Samsung Refrigerator Need A Clean Water Filter?

A Samsung refrigerator needs a clean water filter for a few reasons:

Purified Water: A refrigerator’s filter purifies the water that’s used in the refrigerator’s water dispenser and ice maker. It removes impurities and contaminants such as chlorine, lead, mercury, and microbes, providing you with cleaner, healthier, and better-tasting water and ice.
Appliance Efficiency: A clean filter allows water to flow efficiently through the system. Over time, a dirty or clogged filter can slow the water flow, which means your water dispenser and ice maker will take longer to fill.
Prevent Damage: Besides reducing water flow, a dirty filter can potentially allow harmful substances into your fridge’s water system, leading to damage or poor performance. In extreme cases, a clogged filter might even cause a leak, which could lead to significant damage.
Compliance With Warranty Requirements: Many manufacturers, including Samsung, require regular filter changes as part of their warranty conditions. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it could void your warranty.

Most refrigerator manufacturers recommend replacing your water filter approximately every 6 months. But this could vary based on your water conditions and how often you dispense water or make ice.

Why Is My Filter Light Still On After Changing The Filter?

The filter light is still red after changing the filter because it must be reset manually. The filter light on a refrigerator doesn’t turn off or change color automatically when you change the filter. To reset the filter light, press and hold the Reset button on the control pad until the red light goes off or changes color. The light will either disappear or turn green.

Depending on your model fridge, the reset button may be in different places or could require pressing two buttons simultaneously. Consult your owner’s manual to find out which buttons you need to press.

Can Your Drink Water When The Filter Light Is Red?

The filter light on a Samsung fridge is a 6-month timer which is the time frame Samsung recommends you change the filter. It does not necessarily mean the filter has gone bad. Depending on your water conditions, and how much water you dispense, your filter could still be working fine when the light is on.

Whether or not it’s safe to drink water when the filter light is on depends on the quality of the water. In some areas, the water is fine to drink right out of the tap. In others, I wouldn’t drink tap water without filtering it first.

Do You Have To Turn Water Off Before Changing Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter?

Yes, before changing the water filter in a Samsung refrigerator you must turn the water off. Then you can open the water filter cover and rotate the old filter counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the filter straight out to remove it from the filter housing. Remove the protection cap from the top of the new filter and push it straight into the filter housing. Then turn it clockwise until the lock symbol on the water filter matches up with the indicator line on the filter housing.

Summary: How To Reset Samsung Refrigerator Water Filter

Here’s how to reset the filter light on a Samsung refrigerator:

Find the “Filter Reset” button on the control panel if it’s available. It’s sometimes the secondary function of another button on the panel, and some models require you to press two buttons simultaneously. You can determine what kind of reset button you have by looking in your owner’s manual.
Touch and hold the button for three seconds until the light resets.
The filter icon will either turn off or change back to its normal color when it’s reset. This starts the six-month timer over again.

You should only use Samsung Genuine Water Filters designed to work with your Samsung refrigerator. Third-party water filters can leak and damage the fridge.

If you have any questions or comments about how to reset a Samsung refrigerator water filter light, email any time.