How to Replace Frigidaire Water Filter EPTWFU01

Has your fridge water started tasting a little off lately? Has it lost its refreshing taste, or maybe developed an odor? There is a good chance that the water filter in your refrigerator needs to be changed.

Not only does changing your water filter improve taste, but it also guarantees that your family will have safe, clean water to cook and drink. By avoiding obstructions and ensuring a constant water flow, a new filter also helps safeguard your refrigerator and ultimately prolongs its lifespan.

Why Replacing Your Refrigerator Water Filter Is Essential

The water filter in a refrigerator, like the Frigidaire EPTWFU01, serves as the first line of defense for the water from the household plumbing system. Activated carbon and other filtration media are used to capture impurities, sediments, and other chemicals in the tap water, such as chlorine, even before the water gets to the dispenser or the ice maker. The result? Cleaner, fresher water right from your fridge.

Benefits of a Fresh Filter

Better Taste and Odor: Chlorine and other impurities that might cause water to taste bland or smell bad are eliminated with a new filter.
Healthier Water: The EPTWFU01 is NSF-certified to lower dangerous chemicals like lead, pesticides, and medications, protecting the health of your family.
Improved Ice Quality: New filters guarantee that your ice cubes are odorless, transparent, and won’t change the taste of your beverages.

What Happens If You Don’t Replace It?

Neglecting filter changes can quickly lead to issues:

Clogged Filter Media: Water flow is minimized, and the filter takes a long time to fill due to saturation from trapped particles and dust.
Slow Water Dispensing: The Dispenser will take too long to fill a glass.
Dirty or Cloudy Ice: Water filters make ice taste old and cloudy with a lingering taste.
Strain on Your Appliance: Your refrigerator’s water system has to work harder when the filter is blocked, which can reduce its lifespan and require expensive repairs.

To put it briefly, changing your refrigerator’s water filter regularly is crucial to maintaining clean water, fresh ice, and a functioning appliance.

Getting to Know the Frigidaire EPTWFU01 Filter

Despite their seemingly straightforward appearance, refrigerator water filters are expertly developed. One of the most popular filters in contemporary Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerators is the Frigidaire EPTWFU01 (sometimes called PureSource Ultra II). Because of its NSF certification, it has undergone independent testing to lower particular pollutants. This filter can process up to 200 gallons of water on average before needing to be replaced, which most households do every six months.

What Is the EPTWFU01 Filter?

Every filter has a core characteristic, and for the EPTWFU01, it’s in the form of a compact carbon block. Unlike filters with carbon in granule form, a block of carbon has a more compact structure, which leads to:

More effective contaminant removal: Reduces and removes chlorine taste and odor, sediments, and even microplastics.
Improved taste and clarity: Crisp water and transparent ice cubes.
Health protection: NSF and ANSI Standard 42 and 53 certified, which means reduced chlorine, lead, and some other harmful substances.

As noted in Frigidaire, this filter is able to filter out 99% of lead and 97% of chlorine, and trace pharmaceuticals like Ibuprofen and certain pesticides.

Compatible Models and Variants

EPTWFU01 Refrigerator Water Filter is compatible with Electrolux and Frigidaire refrigerators, especially the French door and side-by-side refrigerators incorporating the PureSource Ultra II filter system. Some cross-reference names and variants include:

EWF02: Electrolux filter version of the same filter.
PureSource Ultra II: Common name under Frigidaire branding.
Aftermarket equivalents: Numerous aftermarket companies manufacture substitute filters and typically label them as compatible with EPTWFU01 or EWF02.

If your refrigerator requires the Replacement EPTWFU01 Water Filter (also marketed as PureSource Ultra II and EWF02), you should replace it after 6 months or 200 gallons of water, whichever comes first, in order to keep the water and the appliance in good working order.

Signs It’s Time to Replace the EPTWFU01 Filter

Even the best refrigerator water filters, like the Frigidaire EPTWFU01, eventually reach their limit. Knowing the signs helps ensure your water and ice stay fresh, safe, and great-tasting. Here’s what to watch for:

Unusual Taste or Odor in Water

If your drinking water changes to a metallic color, has a weird odor, or tastes like chlorine, it’s a strong indicator that the filter’s activated carbon is filled, and can no longer capture any more unwanted, harmful particles.

Slower Water Flow

A noticeable decrease in your dispenser’s speed typically indicates that sediments and other particles have accumulated, obstructing the filter’s capacity to allow water to flow through. This can put stress on your refrigerator’s water system in addition to affecting convenience.

Cloudy or Bad-Tasting Ice

The state of your ice cubes is a good indicator of how well your filter is functioning. If the ice is cloudy and has any weird smells, it is often an indicator that the filter is no longer able to purify the water that is used in the ice maker.

Filter Indicator Light Turns Red

Several new Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerator models have a filter status light. If the light turns red or orange, it means the filter can no longer function and should be replaced.

More Than Six Months Have Passed

Replace your EPTWFU01 about every six months or after 200 gallons of water, whichever occurs first. Filters lose their effectiveness with time and should be changed frequently for best results, even if you don’t notice any noticeable changes in flow or flavor.

Tools and Preparation Before You Start

To prevent needless complications, the EPTWFU01 filter should be replaced after it has been prepared. Preparation reduces potential harm to the fridge and ensures that the new filter works efficiently.

What You’ll Need

Verify that the new EPTWFU01 filter is the right model, sometimes referred to as PureSource Ultra II or EWF02. Verify that it hasn’t been used by looking at the packaging seal.
When removing the old filter, a fresh towel or cloth can be useful for capturing a few water droplets.
Having the fridge’s water supply is helpful because some installations may drop a little when the filter is removed.
To test the new filter and flush out any trapped air or loose carbon particles, use a drinking glass.

Safety & Setup Tips

Deactivate the ice maker to avoid spills or the movement of air bubbles during the swap.
A lot of Frigidaire models place the filter in the top right corner of the fridge. Make sure to clear the area around the filter.
After installation, it is necessary to run water through the filter for a couple of minutes to remove dust and ensure smooth flow.
Although the steps for each model are the same, it is important to note that some models incorporate a push-release or twist-lock mechanism for the filter.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Replace Frigidaire Water Filter EPTWFU01

Swapping out your Frigidaire EPTWFU01 water filter is a quick process that most people can complete in just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to ensure your water stays clean and your fridge runs efficiently.

Step 1 – Locate the Filter

Most Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerator models have their filter housing located in the fresh food section’s upper right corner, and it is marked for easy identification and access.

Step 2 – Remove the Old Filter

Depending on your fridge model, the filter may use a twist-lock or push-release design.

Twist-lock: Turn the filter counterclockwise until it releases.
Push-release: With both thumbs, firmly pinch both sides of the filter, and it should dislodge.

Keep a towel handy, for some water may drip during removal.

Step 3 – Insert the New Filter

Remove the caps that are on the new EPTWFU01 (EWF02/PureSource Ultra II) filter.

Assemble and fix the filter to the filter housing
Insert the filter and rotate to the right until the click is heard.

Step 4 – Reset the Filter Indicator

Every filter has a status indicator. Most Frigidaire fridges show filter status lights. To reset the filter status light, follow the steps below

First, find the reset button, which you can usually find on the control panels.
Next, you press and hold down the reset button for 3 seconds, then you should be able to see the lights change from red/orange to green, signifying a successful reset.

Step 5 – Flush the Filter

Before turning the ice maker back on, run 2-3 gallons of water for about 2-3 minutes. This step is essential as it helps to clear air bubbles and removes the harmless carbon particles.

After flushing, turn your ice maker back on, and your fridge is ready to provide fresh, clean water and clear ice once again.

OEM vs Compatible Replacement Options

Genuine OEM filters and Compatible filters are your two primary alternatives when it comes to changing your Frigidaire EPTWFU01 filter. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and knowing the differences can help you select the one that best suits your requirements.

OEM Filters

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) filters are made by franchised manufacturers such as Frigidaire/Electrolux specifically for your refrigerator. These are branded as PureSource Ultra II (EPTWFU01) and come with full NSF/ANSI certifications (usually Standards 42, 53, and 401). This means they have been tested and certified to reduce:

Up to 99% of lead
97% of chlorine taste and odor
Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals (in trace amounts)

This is why OEM filters are regarded as the best, and also the most expensive, choice for quality assurance on water filtered with your refrigerator. They are priced at almost $45 to $60 each, and replacing the filters every 6 months adds up to approximately $90 to $120 each year.

Compatible Filters

Compatible filters are produced by third-party companies, but they are made to the same specifications and use the same technology as the OEM EPTWFU01. Many of these also employ activated carbon block technology and are NSF certified, which strengthens their filtration capacity, and these filters are strong enough to be considered certified filters.

This means you save money as compatible filters are priced at 30 to 50% lower than OEM filters, usually costing $20 to $30 each. This translates to almost half the annual replacement cost of filters while still giving clean and fresh water.

Pro Tips for Extending the Life of Your Filter

Although the Frigidaire EPTWFU01 filter should be changed approximately every six months, you can prolong its life with a few wise practices.

Track Your Replacement Schedule

Strange tastes in the water indicate it is time to change the filter, but it shouldn’t be the first time you realize change is necessary. Use marking systems like a phone calendar, a cellphone alarm, or even old-school sticky notes on the refrigerator door in order to stay on track.

Buy in Multipacks

Most sellers provide filters in 2 or 3 sets, and in most cases, you would save anywhere between 10-20% if you choose this option. In addition to the cost benefits , you would not have to deal with the inconvenience of changing/leaving out the system due to a shortage of filters.

Flush Regularly After Replacement

After installing a new filter, always run 2–3 gallons of water through it to flush out trapped air and carbon dust. This step keeps water flow steady, improves taste from day one, and helps the filter perform at peak efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Although it may seem an insignificant task, replacing your refrigerator water filter protects your water quality, the refrigerator itself, and your peace of mind. By monitoring the indicators of an exhausted filter, such as strange taste, cloudy ice, and decreased water flow, it is possible to avoid problems by replacing the filter.

The good news? The replacement procedure is short, easy, and takes only a few minutes to complete. One of the easiest ways to get cleaner, fresher water every day is to timely replace your Frigidaire EPTWFU01 filter.