Refrigerator water filter — remove the bypass plug before the new cartridge

Some fridges ship a bypass plug in the refrigerator water filter socket for shipping or service. If that plug stays in while you “install” a cartridge beside it — or you confuse plug with filter — taste and flow stay wrong even with the correct fridge filter model.

Bypass plug left in confuses a new refrigerator water filter

1. Open the filter housing and look for a short plastic bypass plug versus the taller filter cartridge.
2. Remove the bypass plug completely before seating the new filter; store the plug labeled in a drawer for future service.
3. Lock the exact fridge filter model from the door sticker until it clicks, then purge air and discard initial ice as usual.
4. If flow is still dead after a correct install, re-open and confirm no plug half-seated under the cartridge.

Do not force two parts into one socket. If the housing will not accept the cartridge after the plug is out, stop and match the model number again.

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