Whirlpool SBS002 water filter

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

Whirlpool side by side fridges in the S20 series, and the same platform used by Smeg, Ariston and KitchenAid fridges sold in the UK.

Specification

Manufacturer part number	SBS002
Equivalent codes	SBS200, 4396508, 484000008726
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; the manufacturer rates it 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

What does not fit

Not applicable within the Whirlpool platform; do not confuse with the US GE branded XWFE filter, which is a different company's part and does not fit a UK Whirlpool or 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 Whirlpool range

SBS002 is the only reference published for Whirlpool 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 Whirlpool official UK retail documentation and hotpoint.co.uk, which sells the same cartridge as a Wpro branded SBS002 bundle, cross checked against ransomspares.co.uk and diy.com UK listings. 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, tools and working space

Work with the fridge pulled forward only if you need better access to the water valve or the floor is not level. Most filter changes can be done from the front, with the doors closed. Keep the area dry, because a small amount of water can remain in the filter head after the old cartridge is removed.

Use a low tray or towel that can sit under the front grille. A tray height of about 20 mm to 30 mm is usually easier to slide into place than a washing up bowl.
Keep a 1 litre jug ready for the first draw from the dispenser, plus a larger container if the sink is not close to the fridge.
Use a torch if the kitchen lighting does not reach the base grille. The locking marks are often dark plastic on dark plastic.
Do not use pliers on the cartridge body. If extra grip is needed, use a dry cloth around the cartridge and turn by hand.
Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the job, including checking for leaks and clearing air from the line.

Leave at least 400 mm of clear floor space in front of the base grille so you can pull the old cartridge straight out without tilting it. If the fridge is built into a tight recess, open the nearby cupboard door first so your wrist can stay square to the filter head.

Detailed change procedure with checks

Before removing the old cartridge, dispense water for 5 to 10 seconds. This confirms that the supply is live and gives you a comparison for the flow rate after the change. If the dispenser is already very slow, note this before fitting the new cartridge, because the cause may be the supply valve or the fridge inlet, not only the filter.

If there is no separate isolation valve, stop using the dispenser and keep the doors closed while you work. Hold a towel under the filter head as you release the cartridge. A few teaspoons of water is normal. A continuous flow is not normal, and the cartridge should be pushed back in while you isolate the water supply.

When the new cartridge is locked, draw water in short runs of 10 to 20 seconds rather than one long run. Pause for the same amount of time between draws. This helps air leave the cartridge without making the dispenser spit water over the glass. Check the filter head with a dry finger after the first litre, then again after the fridge has stood for 10 minutes.

If the fridge also feeds an ice maker, discard the first full ice bin after the filter change. This is not a measure of filter capacity. It is a practical way to remove ice made while air and fine carbon particles were being cleared from the new cartridge.

Figures to use during the job

Check point	Practical figure	What it tells you
Clear working space	About 400 mm in front of the grille	Gives room to pull the cartridge straight out and avoid side load on the filter head.
Time to remove and refit	2 to 5 minutes	A much longer time usually means the old cartridge is stiff, misaligned or not being turned in the correct direction.
Leak watch after fitting	10 minutes, then one more check after the next dispenser use	Slow leaks may not show during the first glass of water.
Dispenser test run	10 to 20 seconds at a time	Short runs reduce splashing while trapped air leaves the line.
Ice maker recovery	One full ice bin discarded	Clears ice made during the purge period and after the water line has been disturbed.

These figures are workshop guides, not a change interval or a compatibility rule. For model and brand range information, use the Whirlpool filter page rather than judging by the appearance of the cartridge alone.

Problems, recovery steps and special cases

If the old cartridge will not turn, press it inward by 2 mm to 3 mm while turning. Water pressure and dried mineral deposits can load the seal against the filter head. Do not lever against the plastic grille. If it still will not move, isolate the water supply, dispense briefly to reduce pressure, then try again with both hands square to the cartridge.

If the new cartridge starts to enter but stops before the locking position, remove it and inspect the opening with a torch. A protective cap, a damaged seal from the old cartridge or grit on the face of the filter head can stop the cartridge seating. Wipe the face with a clean damp cloth only. Do not lubricate the seal unless the fridge manufacturer specifically states this for that model.

If the dispenser chatters, spits or delivers cloudy water after the change, run short draws and let the fridge stand for 5 minutes. Cloudiness that clears from the bottom upward is usually air. Grey or black specks during the first purge are normally carbon fines. If particles continue after several litres, stop and recheck that the cartridge is fully locked.

If water flow is poor with a new cartridge, compare it with the flow before the change. Poor flow that was already present can be caused by a partly closed saddle valve, a kinked supply tube behind the fridge or low mains pressure. Pulling the fridge back can crush a soft plastic tube, so leave a gentle loop with no sharp bend tighter than about 75 mm radius.

For a fridge that has been unused for more than 2 weeks, change the filter and flush the cold water line before drinking from the dispenser. For a rented property or an appliance with no readable service history, treat the fitted cartridge as expired unless there is a dated label. If the display reset does not work, check the appliance handbook and the general filter FAQ for reset patterns used on fridge controls.