Whirlpool fridge water filters
Whirlpool's side by side fridges take the SBS002 cartridge, fitted in the base grille at the front rather than inside the fresh food compartment. The same part is sold under the Whirlpool name and, in the UK, under the Hotpoint name.
How to identify your Whirlpool fridge
The rating plate with the full model number sits inside the fridge, usually on the side wall or behind the salad drawer.
The SBS002 cartridge is fitted in the base grille at the front bottom of the fridge, not inside the fresh food compartment, which is the main visual difference from the Samsung and LG systems on this site.
Water filters for Whirlpool fridges
Each reference below has its own page on this site with the full list of fridges it fits, the fitting steps and the mistakes that send people back to buy a second cartridge.
| Filter reference | Fitting position | Change interval |
|---|---|---|
| SBS002 | Internal cartridge fitted in the base grille at the front bottom of the fridge, quarter turn fitting | Every 6 months |
Where Whirlpool owners go wrong
- Confusing the SBS002 with the US GE branded XWFE filter, which is a completely different company's part and does not fit a Whirlpool or Hotpoint fridge sold in the UK.
- Forcing the cartridge into the base grille without checking the quarter turn direction, which can crack the plastic housing.
When to change the filter
Whirlpool recommends a change every six months. The same interval applies to the Hotpoint UK fridges that use the identical cartridge, since Hotpoint's UK fridges are made by Whirlpool.
Whirlpool water filters: common questions
Is the Whirlpool filter the same as the one Hotpoint sells in the UK?
Yes, for current UK models. Hotpoint's UK fridge business belongs to Whirlpool, and hotpoint.co.uk sells the identical SBS002 cartridge directly. This does not apply to the separate US Hotpoint brand, which is owned by Haier and uses a different part.
Detailed replacement procedure at the base grille
Before starting, open the freezer door fully enough to reach the cartridge squarely. You normally need no tool. Keep a shallow tray or a folded towel in front of the grille, because a small amount of water can drain from the old cartridge when it is removed.
- Turn off the ice maker if it has a visible on and off control. This prevents an ice harvest while the filter is out.
- Place a towel on the floor below the base grille. A towel about 50 cm wide is usually enough to catch drips from the filter and from your hands.
- Grip the exposed end of the cartridge. Do not grip the grille itself, because the plastic lugs are not designed to take twisting force.
- Turn the cartridge slowly through its quarter turn until it stops. If it does not move, stop and check that you are turning the cartridge body, not bending the grille opening.
- Pull the cartridge straight out. Keep it level for the first 10 cm, then tilt it upward slightly over the towel to avoid dripping on the floor.
- Insert the new cartridge in the same orientation as the old one came out. Push it in until it seats, then make the quarter turn to lock it.
- Run water through the dispenser into a jug. Use several short draws rather than one long draw, because this lets trapped air move through the line without splashing.
If the water dispenser spurts after fitting, that is usually air in the line rather than a fault. Dispense into a large jug for 2 to 3 minutes in total, pausing every 20 to 30 seconds. If your fridge has not dispensed water for several weeks, allow extra flushing time before drinking the water.
Equipment, working space and figures to check
The job is easiest when the fridge is not tight against a plinth, mat or raised floor trim. You need clear access to the lower front edge, not access to the rear of the appliance. If the cartridge is very close to the floor, sit or kneel directly in front of it so that the cartridge is pulled in line with its socket.
| Item or check | Practical figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Clear floor space in front of grille | About 60 cm | Gives room to pull the cartridge out straight without levering it sideways. |
| Towel or tray width | About 50 cm | Catches drips from the old cartridge and protects laminate or wood flooring. |
| Initial flush time | 2 to 3 minutes of total dispensing | Clears air and fine loose carbon dust that can appear after fitting. |
| Pause between dispensing runs | 20 to 30 seconds | Reduces splashing when the water line contains air. |
| Change interval to write on a label | 6 months from fitting | Prevents guessing when taste or flow changes later. |
A permanent marker and a small adhesive label are useful. Write the fitting date before the cartridge goes in, or write it on a calendar straight after the flush. If the fridge is used heavily, a 6 month date is still the normal reference point, but reduced flow can appear earlier in homes with high sediment in the mains supply.
Frequent fitting faults and recovery steps
If the old cartridge will not turn, do not use pliers on the plastic body. Wrap it with a dry cloth for grip, press it gently inward, then try the turn again. Pressing inward can release pressure on the locking faces. If it still does not move, dispense a glass of water to reduce line pressure, then try again.
If the new cartridge starts but will not lock, remove it and inspect the socket with a torch. Look for an old seal stuck in the opening, grit on the sealing face, or a cartridge fitted at a slight angle. Wipe only with a clean damp cloth. Do not apply oil, washing up liquid or grease to make it slide in, because residue can enter the drinking water path.
If water drips from the grille after fitting, remove the cartridge and refit it once. A small drip immediately after removal is normal, but a continuing drip after several minutes means the cartridge may not be seated fully. If refitting does not stop it, leave the ice maker off and do not keep forcing the quarter turn, because the housing can be damaged.
If water flow is weak after a correct fit, check the household stop tap has not been partly closed, then flush again in short bursts. Air can make the first litre irregular. If the dispenser makes noise but no water comes through after fitting, the cartridge may not have opened the internal valve, so remove it and insert it again in a straight line.
Special cases before ordering or refitting
Use the full model number from the fridge rating plate when there is any doubt. Whirlpool and Hotpoint naming can be confusing, especially where a kitchen has inherited an appliance from a previous owner. The safest check is the physical filter position and the full appliance model, then the cartridge page for the listed fitment. See the specific cartridge notes at Whirlpool SBS002.
If the fridge has been unused with water connected, discard the first several litres after the filter change. Stale water in the internal pipework is separate from the condition of the filter. If the appliance has been moved, also check the water feed pipe behind the fridge for kinks before blaming the cartridge.
If a cartridge has been fitted but the ice tastes stale, allow one or two full ice bin batches to be thrown away. Ice already made before the filter change will not improve. For general replacement timing and troubleshooting questions, use the site FAQ.
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