Whirlpool FreshFlow Air Filter: What It Does and How to Replace It
The Whirlpool FreshFlow air filter is a small carbon cartridge that soaks up food odors inside the fresh food section of your fridge. On most models it clips into a housing on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment, it should be replaced about every six months, and the swap takes a couple of minutes with no tools. It has nothing to do with your drinking water, which is handled by a separate water filter.
If your air filter light has turned yellow or red, or the butter is starting to taste like last night’s curry, the guide below covers what the filter does, where to find it, how to change it and how to make sure you order the right replacement.
What the FreshFlow Air Filter Does
Inside the cartridge is activated carbon. Carbon has an enormous surface area for its size, and odor molecules in the air stick to it as the fridge’s fans push air through the housing.
That airflow is the advantage over an open box of baking soda sitting on a shelf. Instead of waiting for smells to drift past, the filter sits in the air path, so a steady stream of air passes through it.
You’ll notice the benefit most with strong-smelling foods: onions, garlic, fish, aged cheese and leftovers. A working filter helps keep those smells from spreading to milder foods and to the ice.
How It Differs From Your Water Filter
The two filters do completely different jobs:
- The air filter treats the air inside the fresh food compartment. It isn’t connected to any water line.
- The water filter sits on the water line and treats the water going to your dispenser and ice maker. If you’re curious how that side works, here’s how refrigerator water filters work to purify water.
They have different part numbers, different locations and, on models with an electronic display, separate indicator lights. Changing one never counts as changing the other.
Where to Find the Air Filter
Not every Whirlpool refrigerator has a FreshFlow air filter, so it’s worth confirming yours does before you shop. On most models that do, the housing is on the rear wall of the fresh food compartment in one of two places:
- Behind a vent cover near the middle of the back wall. On some models this cover has a blue LED light.
- Behind a small vented door near the top of the back wall. Many side-by-side models use this spot.
If you can’t find either one, look up your use and care guide using the model number on the label inside the fresh food compartment, usually on a side wall. The guide will show whether your model has an air filter and exactly where it goes. Some new refrigerators ship with the air filter packed separately in the accessory bag, so check there if the housing is empty.
Finding the Right Replacement
The safest way to match a replacement is to read the part number printed on your current cartridge, or the air filter part number listed in your use and care guide, and compare it with the replacement’s listing.
We carry the Kenmore 9918 air filter 2-pack, a Kenmore Elite Clean Flow refrigerator air filter. A two-pack covers a full year of changes and keeps the cost per filter down, and shipping is free. Air filter housings vary between brands and models, so before you order, check your part number with our team and we’ll confirm whether it’s the right fit for your fridge.
How to Replace the Air Filter
Wash and dry your hands first. Carbon picks up oils and smells from your fingers.
Swap the Cartridge
- Unwrap the new cartridge.
- Remove the vent cover or open the vented door, depending on your housing.
- Pull out the old cartridge. On some models you squeeze small tabs on the sides to release it.
- Press the new cartridge into place until it sits flat and secure.
- Replace the cover or close the door.
On some models, a foam block is attached to the inside of the cover. Leave it where it is. It helps direct air through the filter, so if it has come loose, press it back into position before you close the cover.
Reset the Indicator
How you restart the countdown depends on your fridge.
Models with an electronic display usually show the air filter status as a colored icon. On many of them, you press and hold the Air Filter button for about 3 seconds after installing the new cartridge, until the icon resets. Button names vary, so check your use and care guide if your panel looks different.
Models without a display often use a small status indicator that comes in the box with the filter:
- Place the indicator face down on a firm, flat surface.
- Press the bubble on the back until it pops. This starts its timer.
- If your vented door has notches, slide the indicator in with the screen facing out so it shows through the window.
- If there are no notches, put the indicator somewhere you’ll see it, inside the fridge or nearby in the kitchen.
When to Replace It
Replace the air filter about every six months, or when your indicator says it’s time. The carbon fills up gradually, so an old filter stops absorbing odors well before it looks dirty.
A handy habit is to change the air filter on the same day as your water filter, since most water filters run on a similar schedule. Our guide on how often you should replace your refrigerator water filter covers what can shorten the water filter’s lifespan.
Smells That Won’t Go Away
A fresh air filter reduces everyday food odors, but it can’t keep up with something spoiled. If a smell hangs around after a new filter goes in, check:
- Forgotten leftovers or produce at the back of the crisper drawers
- Spills under drawers and shelves
- Old ice in the bin, which absorbs freezer odors
- The door gaskets
Clean the problem area with warm, soapy water, throw out old ice, and give the new filter a day or two to catch up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Whirlpool refrigerator have an air filter?
No. Only some models include an air filter housing. Look for a vent cover or vented door on the back wall of the fresh food section, or check your use and care guide.
Can I wash and reuse the air filter?
No. The cartridge is disposable. Washing soaks the carbon and won’t restore its ability to absorb odors.
Do I need to replace the air filter if my fridge smells fine?
Yes, stick to the schedule. The carbon loses capacity gradually, so by the time you notice smells, the filter has usually been worn out for a while.
Will resetting the air filter light reset the water filter light too?
No. The two indicators are separate. Reset the water filter light using your model’s water filter steps whenever you change that cartridge.
Get the Right Air and Water Filters
Changing the air filter is a good moment to check your water filter too. Look up your water filter in our Cross Reference Filter Tool, browse our Whirlpool and EveryDrop water filters, or send us your fridge’s model number to confirm which air and water filters fit. Every order ships free.
