Where is the Keurig Water Filter? Find & Replace Yours

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Removing the old water filter & installing a new one easily

Co-authored by James Sears and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Removing the Old Filter
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• Installing the New Filter
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• Video
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• Q&A

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You probably love brewing a fresh cup of joe in the morning with your Keurig coffee machine. But if your water is tasting a little stale lately, it might be time to replace that water filter. Keurig recommends swapping out your filter every 2 months (or after 60 tank refills), and we’re here to teach you how. Keep reading to learn how to change a Keurig water filter by removing the old one and installing the new one, with help from house cleaning professional James Sears.

How to Replace the Filter on a Keurig

1. Remove the old filter by taking it out of the water reservoir.
2. Open the filter holder to throw away the old filter.
3. Soak the new filter in water for 5 minutes and rinse it under running water for 1 minute.
4. Replace the new filter in the filter holder.
5. Click the filter holder into the water reservoir.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

How to Remove the Old Filter

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1. 
   1
   Remove the top of the Keurig water reservoir. In most Keurig models, the water reservoir is located on the left-hand side of the machine. Fully remove the reservoir's top to give you access to the water filter inside.

   • If you do not have a water filter in your Keurig yet, purchase one to install. Visit the Keurig Support Page to make sure you’re buying the right one for your model, or check out our Keurig troubleshooting tips if you’re not sure of an ongoing issue.
   • Models that support water filters include Keurig Duo, Keurig Duo Plus, K-Supreme, K-Slim, K-Cafe, K-Elite, K-Select, K-Classic, K-Express, and K145.
   • Some smaller models, like Keurig Mini or K-Mini Plus, do not have water filters.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   James Sears is a house cleaning professional with 9 years of experience specializing in green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general cleaning services.
2. 
   2
   Pull out the filter unit. The handle portion of the upper filter holder will stick up in the water reservoir. Grasp the handle firmly, and pull it out of the reservoir.

   • The bottom of the filter-holder unit will be locked into plastic grooves on the bottom of the water reservoir. You may need to rock the filter-holder unit back in place or give it a sharp tug to remove it.
   • Keurig classic series: A black filter with a circular timer on the end
   • Keurig K200 Plus: The filter is clear and shorter.
   • Keurig K300 and higher models: Filters are all thin and clear.
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3. 
   3
   Open the filter holder and discard the used filter. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch in the tabs at the bottom of the filter unit. Pull down to release the lower filter holder, then pull out the old filter.

   • Throw the old filter into the trash.
   • It’s also a good idea to wash the water reservoir, especially if you need to unclog your Keurig at the same time.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   James Sears

   House Cleaning Professional

   James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

   

   James Sears
   House Cleaning Professional

   Replacing your Keurig water filter can help your coffee machine run more smoothly. Change your Keurig filter every 2 months, even if using spring or distilled water in the machine.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

How to Install the New Filter

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1. 
   1
   Purchase a new Keurig filter package. Keurig water filters are not sold individually, so you'll need to buy a set. They're commonly sold in pairs on Keurig’s website.

   • Filter sets are relatively inexpensive. Depending on the number of individual filters in a package, the cost can range between $5 and $10.
2. 
   2
   Soak the new Keurig water filter in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes. Fill a cup or bowl partway with cold water, and drop the filter in. Make sure that the filter is completely submerged while it's soaking.

   • The filter will float initially, but will absorb water and sink to the bottom of the cup or bowl after about 10 minutes.
3. 
   3
   Rinse the filter for 60 seconds. Head to the sink and dump your cup or bowl out, then rinse the filter for about 1 minute. This will remove any leftover charcoal that may have gotten into your water.
4. 
   4
   Rinse the lower filter holder. The lower filter holder will have a thin mesh layer on its bottom side. Rinse this off with tap water to remove any dirt or impurities that may have built up during normal use.

   • Give the sides of the lower filter holder a quick rinse, too.
5. 
   5
   Replace the filter in the filter-housing unit. Slide the new filter into the filter holder, with its rounded top side facing up. Set the lower filter holder in place below it. The mesh bottom of the lower filter holder should cover the flat bottom of the fabric filter. Snap the 2 sides of the filter holder in place around the filter.

   • Older filter models may have a reminder dial on the top of the filter. If yours does, set the dial ahead 2 months so it counts down to remind you to change your filter.
6. 
   6
   Insert the water filter unit into the Keurig reservoir. Once you've reassembled the filter unit, put the unit back into the Keurig's water filter. The external side of the lower filter holder will snap into place when pressed down firmly into the bottom of the reservoir.

   • If the filter doesn't click into place, check to see that you've properly aligned the grooves on the bottom of the lower filter holder with the raised plastic on the floor of the Keurig's water reservoir.
   • In addition to regularly changing the filter on a Keurig, cleaning your Keurig may be made easier by “using distilled water or bottled water with low mineral content for your coffee water reservoir," notes Sears.
   • To use your Keurig for longer, consider descaling it. Sears recommends “descaling your Keurig with white vinegar” every 3 months to keep it running smoothly.
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• Question

  How often do you change the filter in a Keurig?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  The Keurig company advises that the filters should be changed every two (2) months if the Keurig is being used every day. If you don’t use it daily, then change the filter after 60 tank refills.

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• Question

  Do Keurigs have filters?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  Keurigs have filter starter kits that can be purchased as separate accessories and added to your model of Keurig. Just be sure to get a Keurig filter kit that matches your model of Keurig. Once the filters in the starter kit have been used up, you'll need to purchase new ones.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Does the Keurig 2.0 come with a water filter?

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor
  Staff Answer

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  You will need to purchase the Keurig 2.0 water filter starter kit as an accessory that’s compatible with the Keurig 2.0. It will come with filter cartridges but after these have been used, you’ll need to continue to purchase these separately.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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