Hotpoint SBS002 water filter

If your fridge is one of the models below, the water filter you need is the SBS002.

Hotpoint UK American style side by side fridges sold since the Whirlpool takeover of the Hotpoint Europe brand.

Specification

Manufacturer part number	SBS002
Equivalent codes	SBS200, 4396508
Fitting position	Internal cartridge fitted in the base grille at the front bottom of the fridge, quarter turn fitting
Capacity	Not stated in litres by Whirlpool, which owns the Hotpoint brand in the UK and specifies this filter by NSF standard and change interval instead
Recommended change interval	Every 6 months
NSF certification	NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified, per Whirlpool's published filter specification for this cartridge

What does not fit

The GE branded XWFE filter used by the separate US Hotpoint brand, owned by Haier, which is a different company and a different part that does not fit a UK Hotpoint fridge.

How to replace it

Locate the filter compartment described above and turn off the fridge's water supply if your model has a shut off valve.
Turn the old cartridge a quarter turn in the direction marked on the housing, or press the release catch, then pull it straight out.
Check the reference printed on the old cartridge against SBS002 before fitting the replacement, since two cartridges from the same brand can look alike but not seal the same way.
Remove the protective cap from the new cartridge, then push it into the housing and turn it a quarter turn until it locks.
Run 2 to 3 litres of water through the dispenser before drinking it, since new cartridges release carbon dust on their first use.
Reset the fridge's filter indicator, usually a button held for a few seconds, so it counts down correctly to the next change.

Common mistakes

Buying by fridge brand alone instead of checking the exact part number, which on a brand with more than one system leads to a cartridge that does not fit.
Leaving the filter well past its change interval, which reduces flow rate and can let the carbon block become a place for bacteria to grow rather than filter them out.
Forcing a cartridge that does not turn or push in without resistance; if it does not seat cleanly, it is very likely the wrong reference.

How this reference sits in the Hotpoint range

SBS002 is the only reference published for Hotpoint on this site, because it is the only one confirmed against a manufacturer or distributor source. If your fridge does not match the fitment described above, see our guide for an unlisted model rather than guessing.

Where this information comes from

The specification above is taken from hotpoint.co.uk, the official UK Hotpoint site, which sells this cartridge directly as a Wpro branded SBS002 bundle under the Hotpoint name. References are re-checked when a manufacturer renumbers a pack; if you find a discrepancy with your own fridge, tell us and the page is corrected.

Check current price on Amazon UK

Tools, space and checks before you remove the cartridge

Plan the job as a 10 to 15 minute task, plus flushing time at the dispenser. You do not normally need a spanner, because the cartridge is handled by hand, but you do need enough floor space to kneel in front of the base grille and pull the old filter out in a straight line.

Use a shallow tray or bowl of about 1 litre capacity under the front edge of the fridge to catch drips.
Keep two absorbent cloths ready, one for the floor and one for the filter socket.
Leave at least 300 mm of clear space in front of the grille, so the cartridge can come out without being angled.
Have a torch available if the kitchen lighting does not clearly show the lock and unlock marks.
Do not use pliers on the new cartridge. Hand pressure is the correct level of force for this type of fitting.

Before fitting the new filter, inspect the old one while it is still in your hand. Check that the printed reference is readable and that the end shape matches the new cartridge. If the old cartridge has a damaged O ring, loose end cap or broken lug, check the filter head inside the fridge with a torch before inserting the replacement. A small plastic fragment left in the head can stop the new filter sealing.

Detailed fitting sequence and what to watch during flushing

Open the dispenser for 5 to 10 seconds before removal if the water supply has been turned off. This reduces line pressure and makes the old filter easier to release. Put the tray in place, hold the cartridge body level, then turn or release it as required by the housing. Pull it straight out. A few teaspoons of water may drain from the filter and socket.

Wipe the socket face with a clean damp cloth. Do not push cloth fibres into the inlet holes. If you see scale around the socket, remove only the loose deposit that can be wiped away by hand. Do not scrape the sealing face with a knife or screwdriver.

When inserting the new cartridge, align it first, then push until the end is fully home. Only then turn it to the lock position. If the cartridge starts to turn before it is seated, pull it out and start again. A correct fit feels smooth and firm, not tight and grinding.

After fitting, dispense water in short runs rather than one continuous run. A practical method is six cycles of about 30 seconds, with 20 to 30 seconds between cycles. This reduces splashing, allows trapped air to move through the line and makes it easier to spot leaks at the filter head. Stop flushing when the flow is steady and the water is clear. The page already states the normal flushing volume, but if the dispenser spits air for longer, continue with short cycles until it stops.

Figures to use during the job

Item to check	Practical figure	Why it matters
Clear floor space	About 300 mm in front of the grille	Prevents the cartridge being pulled out at an angle.
Drip tray size	About 1 litre capacity	More than enough for normal drips and brief pressure release.
Initial pressure release	5 to 10 seconds at the dispenser	Reduces resistance when removing the old filter.
Flush pattern	About 6 short runs of 30 seconds	Clears air and carbon dust without overfilling glasses or jugs.
Leak check	First check immediately, second check after 30 minutes	Some slow leaks appear only after pressure has rebuilt.
Indicator reset check	Confirm before leaving the appliance	A missed reset can cause an early or late reminder.

If you are comparing this job with another Hotpoint filter task, use the appliance design rather than the badge on the door as the starting point. The Hotpoint filter range page is the safer place to start when the old cartridge is missing or unreadable.

Frequent faults, recovery steps and special cases

If the new cartridge will not lock, remove it and compare the two ends again. Do not force a half turn with extra leverage. Forcing can damage the filter head, which is a fridge repair rather than a filter change. If the cartridge looks correct but stops short, look for an old seal, broken tab or packaging cap still in the socket area.

If there is no water after fitting, first check that the water supply was turned back on. Then dispense for several short bursts, because air can hold the line closed for a short period after a filter change. If the dispenser still does not run, refit the old cartridge briefly if it was not leaking and is still intact. If water returns with the old cartridge, the new cartridge is not seating correctly or is not the correct reference.

If water leaks from the base grille area, turn off the water supply and remove the cartridge. Dry the socket, then refit it carefully while keeping it level. A leak that continues after a careful refit usually means the cartridge is not sealing in the head, or the head has been damaged by a previous forced installation.

Special cases need extra caution. If the fridge has been unused for more than 2 weeks, flush the dispenser for longer before drinking. If building work has disturbed the mains supply, flush until the water runs clear before judging the filter flow. If the fridge model label cannot be found, take a clear photo of the old cartridge and the housing before ordering. For general reset and troubleshooting questions, use the filter FAQ.