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Water Filter for the Maytag MFT2976AEB02 (EDR2RXD2)
✓ 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:
✓
MFT2976AEB02 specifics — where the filter actually lives
The MFT2976AEB02 carries its water filter high on the fresh-food side in most French-door layouts — upper back or left wall, a spot that survives trim changes across the MFT run. Mechanically the MFT2976AEB02 uses a twist-in cartridge: look for the index lugs, offer the cartridge, and rotate until they disappear into the housing.
The recurring owner notes: keep a folded towel under the bay before you open it; the line holds a cup of water even with the valve shut. The badge reads MFT2976AEB02, but the chassis reads MFT: MFT generally indicates the French-door family, so cross-referencing cartridges by chassis rather than by door style usually keeps you out of the wrong-parts queue. That trailing 02 is the revision counter: MFT chassis revisions share one water path, so the cartridge order never changes with it.
MFT vs MSD — what the prefix tells you
MFT or MSD: the badge difference that does (and does not) change the filter order. French-door against side-by-side, respectively. Filter bays rarely care — the media family carries over more often than not. By model-code convention the MFT2976AEB02 falls around 2012 to 2016; treat the dates as a working estimate, not record.
Swap it in 5 minutes
- Twist the old cartridge a quarter turn counterclockwise and pull it straight down — keep a towel in reach for the dribble.
- Fill the new cartridge with cold tap water so the chamber is not fighting an air pocket.
- Offer the new cartridge to the bay, push up, and twist a quarter turn clockwise until the stop catches.
- 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.
MFT2976AEB02 filter questions
Maytag MFT2976AEB02: how do I clear the change-filter light?
The reset is a press-and-hold on the filter control with the cartridge in place; check the MFT2976AEB02 owner’s manual for where that control sits on your panel.
Does the Maytag MFT2976AEB02 need a bypass plug when the filter is out?
No — the EDR2RXD2 bay seals on the cartridge itself, so removing it just means unfiltered water until the next change, not a leak.
Are off-brand filters safe for a Maytag 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 EDR2RXD2 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 MFT2976AEB02?
Every six months or at the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first — the EDR2RXD2 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
This bay takes the OEM EDR2RXD2. ClearFit verified-fit alternatives for this exact slot are being staged — every compatible option for your fridge is one lookup away.
Check every filter that fits →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
Related guides
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How to change a Whirlpool refrigerator water filter
Every Filter 1–6 bay location — including the door-mounted bays on WRX models, with door-open angles and cap-release quirks. — read the guide →
POPULAR GUIDE
How to reset your Whirlpool filter light
Filter 1–6 indicator maps showing which key actually clears the light on your panel. — read the guide →
WATER PROBLEM GUIDE
Does your fridge filter remove fluoride?
What EDR1RXD1-class carbon blocks actually take out — and the systems that do remove fluoride. — read the guide →