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Water Filter for the Samsung RS261MDRS (DA29-00020B)
✓ 100% compatible — no bypass plug needed
🔧 5-min push-in swap
🇺🇸 Ships from Indiana
Every cartridge that fits this model — pulled live from the catalogue:
✓
RS261MDRS specifics — where the filter actually lives
The RS261MDRS carries its water filter bottom of the fresh-food column or at the grille line in most side-by-side builds — usually a kneeling-height or shoulder-height swap, not a teardown. Mechanically the RS261MDRS uses a push-in cartridge; the alignment is keyed, so it only goes in one way, and hand pressure is all the force required.
The small print owners learn the hard way: the change light ignores the new cartridge until you reset it, and the first removal always takes more muscle than the manual implies. The badge reads RS261MDRS, but the chassis reads RS: the RS run is Samsung’s side-by-side series; across the run, the filter bay is one of the constants. RS is finish coding: handles, colors, panel options — none of it reaches the filter bay.
RS vs RF — what the prefix tells you
RS versus RF is the first fork in the parts catalog: RS answers to side-by-side; RF answers to French-door multi-door; the water-filter answer is shared. the 26 cu ft figure in the code is the household size proxy; larger households breach the rated gallons before the calendar does.
Swap it in 5 minutes
- Pull the old cartridge straight out of the header — expect a small spill, not a flood.
- Align the new cartridge with the keyed slot; it only goes in one orientation.
- Push the cartridge home until the retention latch clicks.
- Run two gallons through the dispenser to flush carbon fines, then hold the filter-reset control until the status light clears.
What this filter takes out of your water
| What it targets | Standard that covers it |
|---|---|
| Chlorine taste & odor | NSF/ANSI 42 — aesthetic effects |
| Particulates, Class I | NSF/ANSI 42 — fine sediment |
| Lead | NSF/ANSI 53 — health effects |
| Cysts (cryptosporidium, giardia) | NSF/ANSI 53 — microbial |
| PFOA & PFOS | NSF/ANSI 53 (P473) — varies by cartridge |
Coverage above lists what the standard addresses, not a performance claim for any specific cartridge — removal claims vary by certificate, so check the NSF listing for the exact part number you are buying.
RS261MDRS filter questions
RS261MDRS filter light will not turn off — what is the reset step?
Hold the filter-reset control a few seconds after the swap; the status light clears only with a seated cartridge, and the RS261MDRS manual maps the control by panel type.
Will the Samsung RS261MDRS dispense water without a filter cartridge?
No bypass needed: the DA2900020B bay closes on its own, and running empty simply means the water skips filtration until you seat a new cartridge.
Are off-brand filters safe for a Samsung refrigerator?
Certified aftermarket cartridges are built to the same NSF test standards as the OEM part, and federal warranty law (Magnuson-Moss) protects your coverage when you use them.
Why is the OEM DA2900020B cartridge so much more expensive?
Part of the OEM price is the badge and the distribution chain. Certified alternatives meet the same test standards at a lower unit price, especially in multi-packs.
How often should I replace the filter in my RS261MDRS?
Every six months or at the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first — the DA2900020B class cartridges all share that service interval.
Do I need to turn off the water supply to change it?
No — the bay is designed for a live swap. Expect a small dribble, keep a towel in reach, and flush a couple of gallons through the new cartridge before the first glass.
Every filter that fits your fridge
| Cartridge | OEM DA29-00020B | RECOMMENDEDHAF-CIN Replacement Water Filter · 1-Pack – ClearFit | HAF-CIN Replacement Water Filter · 3-Pack – ClearFit | HAF-CIN Replacement Water Filter · 6-Pack – ClearFit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | OEM list | $10.49 | $26.22 | $47.16 |
| Verified fit | ✓ the bay cartridge | View & buy → | View & buy → | View & buy → |
This filter expires six months from today
Your HVAC filter is probably on a different cycle. Track them all in one place.
months until this filter should be replaced (200-gal rated life)
Free tool · tracks fridge + HVAC + whole-house · auto-refill optional
More models using this filter
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