How To Change Keurig Water Filter In A Few Easy Steps

Mike C
Written By Mike C

I've been writing about coffee and espresso machines for 3 years. My goal is to provide you with helpful content that you can trust based on my own personal experiences, information from manufacturers, and tips and tricks I've gathered from other coffee and espresso machine users.

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

How To Change Keurig Water Filter In A Few Easy Steps

how to change keurig water filter

Most Keurig coffee brewers have a charcoal water filter. This helps remove minerals and other impurities from the water used to brew your K-cup pods. Knowing how to replace Keurig water filter will keep your coffee tasting great. Keep reading to see answers to many frequently asked questions about filters in Keurig coffee makers, like how to change Keurig water filter and where is the water filter on a keurig .

Where Is The Water Filter On A Keurig?

where is the water filter on a keurig? in the water tank
where is the water filter on a keurig in the water tank

The Keurig water filter will be located inside the water tank. It will be right where the valve is that brings water from the tank into the brewer. If you are looking for one and don’t see it, it may be because not all Keurig models have a water filter. The models that do not are the K-Mini series, the K15, the Rivo and any small office brewer. The other models all have one of three types – the classic, the tall handle or the short handle.

Brewers With A FilterBrewers Without A Filter
K-ClassicK-Mini
K-SupremeK-Mini Plus
K-Supreme PlusK15
K-Duo PlusRivo
K-CafeSmall Office Brewers
K-Elite
K-Select
K-Slim
K425
K525
K250
K-Compact
K-Latte
K-Duo
K-Duo Essentials

Do You Need A Water Filter For Keurig?

A charcoal filter will help remove chlorine, calcium and other impurities from your water. Without one, these minerals can build up in your machine more quickly. This can impact both the brewing systems process and the taste of your cups of coffee.

Also, if you don’t use and regularly replace a filter, then your Keurig will require descaling more often than the recommended 3-6 month intervals. Since descaling can be a time-consuming process, I think you are better off buying the Keurig filter and changing it at the suggested time.

If you are adding filtered water to your machine, then a filter may not be needed. However, using one is really important if you are using tap water.

If you know your tap water is “hard” (meaning high in minerals), then a filter will be important for helping you maintain the life of your coffee machine. If you are not sure about the level of minerals in your water, then you can always get a low-cost water testing kit.

How Often To Replace Keurig Water Filter?

Water filters should be replaced every two months or 60 tank refills. It’s best to set a reminder for 60 days once you swapped yours. However, if you use your machine multiple times a day, you may want to consider a more frequent replacement schedule.

Since the it helps remove impurities, changing the filter at the suggested time or more often is the best thing you can do to keep your Keurig coffee tasting as good as it did on day one. From time to time you may also see blinking light error messages on your Keurig that could require changing the filter.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Keurig Water Filter?

Your machine will still brew coffee without one. However, over time the lack of one can lead to the buildup of minerals in your machine. As a result, you’ll need to descale your machine more often than owners who do use water filters. This process can be time intensive, but if not done regularly, the minerals left in the brewer can damage the machine. This may cause leaks and other issues with water pumping, speed of brewing and amount of coffee brewed.

Where Can You Buy Keurig Water Filter Cartridges Online?

keurig water filter change kit

Keurig-branded water filters usually only cost between $1.50 and $3.50 per cartridge. Plus, there are many starter kit options to choose from. A two pack will last you four months, a six pack will last for one year, and a 12 pack will last for two years.

Instructions On How To Change Water Filter on Keurig 2.0

Below are the steps to replace the water filter on Keurig 2.0 machines. Depending on your model, your filter location will be on the side reservoir or in the rear of the machine.

  1. Remove the water filter
  2. Soak a new cartridge in clean water for 5 minutes
  3. Rinse the new filter under the sink for 1 minute
  4. Rinse the mesh in the lower holder
  5. Insert cartridge into the upper housing and snap on the lower holder.
  6. Set the install date to the correct month so you know when to swap it.
  7. Finally, insert the filter into the bottom of the water tank and press down. Fill the tank with fresh water.

Instructions On How To Replace Keurig Water Filter For K Duo And Other Keurig Models

The video below shows general instructions for a water filter installation for Keurig coffee makers. If you have a K Duo, the main differences vs what is shown in the video is that the water reservoir is located in the machine back, not the side, and that it uses a short handle, not a tall one as shown.

  1. Remove the old filter
  2. Soak a new filter in clean water for 5 minutes
  3. Rinse the new cartridge under the sink for 1 minute
  4. Rinse the mesh in the lower holder
  5. Insert cartridge into the upper holder and snap on the lower holder.
  6. Finally, insert the filter into the empty tank above the black holder and press firmly down.
  7. Fill the tank with fresh water.

Which Water Filter Holder Does My Keurig Machine Use?

If you need to replace the water filter holder, you need to get the one that fits your machine. There are three types of holders – the K-Classic, the tall handle and the short handle.

See the below table to find which type your brewer uses. If you have a K-Classic follow the steps on the Keurig website to check your serial number to see which one your machine uses.

Brewers With A FilterType Of Filter
K-Classic (serial number starting with 44, 45 or 48)Classic
K-Classic (serial number starting with 55)Tall Handle
K-SupremeTall Handle
K-Supreme PlusTall Handle
K-Duo PlusTall Handle
K-CafeTall Handle
K-EliteTall Handle
K-SelectTall Handle
K-SlimTall Handle
K425Tall Handle
K525Tall Handle
K250Short Handle
K-CompactShort Handle
K-LatteShort Handle
K-DuoShort Handle
K-Duo EssentialsShort Handle

2 thoughts on “How To Change Keurig Water Filter In A Few Easy Steps”

  1. Mike, I am replacing my water filter in my K-Select for the first time. None of the instructions tells me how to get the base of the water filter out of the water container. Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Hi William – just pull up on the tall handle and it should come off the base. Once you’ve pulled it off, you can press in the tabs on both sides of the base and pull off the bottom piece to remove the old filter.

      Reply

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