Samsung DA29-00020B water filter

If your fridge is one of the models below, the water filter you need is the DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN/EXP).

Samsung French door and side by side fridges from roughly 2011 onward with an internal filter housing in the top right of the fridge compartment, including the RF23, RF26, RF28, RF4267 and RF4287 ranges and the RS25J50 range.

Specification

Manufacturer part number	DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN/EXP)
Equivalent codes	DA29-00020A, HAF-CIN/EXP, DA97-08006A, DA97-08006B
Fitting position	Internal, twist lock cartridge in the top right corner of the fresh food compartment
Capacity	Approximately 1135 litres (300 gallons) per cartridge
Recommended change interval	Every 6 months, or sooner if the fridge's filter indicator lights up
NSF certification	NSF 42 and 53 certified per Samsung's published filter specification

What does not fit

DA29-00003G (older internal generation, different housing shape) and DA29-10105J (external in line system, no internal cartridge at all).

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 DA29-00020B (HAF-CIN/EXP) 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 Samsung range

Samsung also sells the DA29-00003G and DA29-10105J, and these are not interchangeable with the reference on this page. Compare the fitting position before you order:

Other Samsung reference	Fitting position
DA29-00003G (HAFCU1)	Internal cartridge behind a cover marked Water Filter, older housing shape than the DA29-00020B
DA29-10105J (HAFEX/EXP)	External, in line on the cold water supply pipe behind the fridge, quarter inch push fit connectors, no internal cartridge

Where this information comes from

The specification above is taken from Samsung UK official spares site (samsungspares.co.uk) product listing for the HAF-CIN/EXP cartridge, cross checked against the fitment list on waterfiltersfast.com and uk-water-filters.co.uk. 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.

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Preparation, equipment, and measurements to check

Plan the job when the dispenser can be out of use for about 15 minutes. The cartridge change itself is usually a 2 minute task, but inspection, flushing, and leak checking take longer. Work with clean hands, because the new cartridge end goes directly into the water path.

Use a 1 litre jug or bottle for flushing and measuring the first water drawn through the new cartridge.
Keep two absorbent cloths ready, one under the filter area and one on the shelf below it.
Use a small torch if the housing label is hard to see at the back of the upper right corner.
Have a marker pen and a small label ready to write the fitting date on the cartridge or on the inside wall near the housing.
Leave at least 10 cm of clear working space in front of the filter housing so your hand can grip the cartridge squarely.

Do not use pliers on the cartridge body. If the filter will not move by hand, the cause is usually water pressure, a swollen seal, or the cartridge not being fully in the release position. A tool can oval the plastic body or damage the housing lugs.

Detailed fitting sequence with checks

Open the fresh food door fully and remove items from the top right shelf area. Put a cloth directly below the housing. If your fridge has a water shut off valve that is easy to reach, close it, then press the dispenser paddle for 5 to 10 seconds to reduce pressure in the line.

Hold the old cartridge with your palm, not just your fingertips. Keep it level while releasing it, because tilting the cartridge can leave water sitting in the neck of the housing. Pull straight out and place the old cartridge in a bowl or on a cloth with the open end facing upward.

Before fitting the new cartridge, inspect the housing socket for the old seal. If a black rubber seal has stayed inside the socket, remove it with your fingers only. Do not scratch the sealing face. Wipe the flat face of the housing with a damp cloth and check that no carbon grains, label fragments, or plastic cap pieces are present.

Insert the new cartridge squarely, then lock it without stopping halfway. A correct fit normally ends with a firm stop and the label sitting in a predictable vertical or near vertical position. Restore the water supply if it was closed. Draw water in short runs of 10 to 20 seconds with short pauses between them. This reduces splashing and gives trapped air time to move out of the cartridge.

Figures to use during the job

Check	Practical figure	Why it matters
Time allowed	10 to 15 minutes	This covers removal, inspection, flushing, and the first leak check.
Pressure release	5 to 10 seconds at the dispenser	This makes a tight cartridge easier to release and limits drips.
Initial water checks	First 3 glasses, then one full jug	This helps spot air bursts, grey carbon dust, and uneven flow before normal use.
Leak check	After 1 minute, then after 30 minutes	A slow drip may not appear during the first few seconds.
Date label	Month and year	This is more reliable than memory if the fridge display is reset by a power cut.

If the flow is weak after fitting, do not assume the cartridge is faulty. Air in the new carbon block can restrict flow for the first few litres. Run the dispenser in short bursts, then wait 2 minutes and test again. If the flow remains very low, remove and refit the cartridge once, checking that it locks fully.

Frequent mistakes, recovery steps, and special cases

The cartridge will not turn out. Press the dispenser briefly to release pressure, then try again with a dry hand or a rubber glove for grip. If it still will not move, push the cartridge inward slightly while turning. Do not lever against the plastic housing.

Water drips after fitting. Remove the cartridge and inspect the two sealing areas: the cartridge neck and the housing face. Refit it in one clean movement. If the drip continues, stop using the dispenser until the reference and seal condition have been checked.

The filter indicator will not reset. Close the door, wait for the control panel to wake, then hold the correct filter reset button for a full 3 to 5 seconds. Some panels ignore a quick press. If the display has several lock modes, unlock the panel first and repeat the reset.

The old cartridge number is different. Compare the physical fitting before ordering. A similar Samsung label is not enough. If the old unit is the older internal type, check Samsung DA29-00003G. If the fridge uses an external in line tube filter behind or beside the appliance, check Samsung DA29-10105J.

The fridge has been unused for several weeks. Replace the filter if it is already near the end of its service period, then flush the dispenser until the water runs clear and steady. Empty the first batch of ice made after the change, because it may contain water that was already sitting in the line.

For symptoms that are not solved by refitting, such as no dispenser response, a frozen water line, or a control panel that will not unlock, use the general checks in the filter FAQ before ordering another cartridge.