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Water Filter for the Maytag MSD2656KES (EDR4RXD1)
✓ 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:
✓
MSD2656KES specifics — where the filter actually lives
On the MSD2656KES, the cartridge at the base of the fresh-food compartment in most side-by-side builds — grille or lower rear, so expect to clear one shelf edge before you have working room. Mechanically it is a quarter-turn twist-in seat: offer the cartridge, feel the base o-ring register, and lock it by geometry rather than by force.
Practical notes from the install forums: a stubborn first twist when the old o-ring has set, and a change-filter light that will not clear itself until you hold the reset. Read the prefix and the maintenance writes itself: it usually marks a side-by-side layout, which means shared cartridge economics — one media family, dozens of cabinet variants, all drinking from the same parts line. That ES suffix is trim-level shorthand. Maytag kept the EDR4RXD1 bay common to every finish in the line.
MSD vs MFI — what the prefix tells you
MSD versus MFI is the first fork in the parts catalog: side-by-side builds carry MSD; French-door builds carry MFI. Filter-wise the two lines converge on one cartridge family. By model-code convention the MSD2656KES falls around 2001-2005; 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.
MSD2656KES filter questions
How do I reset the filter light on the Maytag MSD2656KES?
Press and hold the reset control until the light clears (a few seconds), with the new cartridge already seated — the MSD2656KES owner’s manual lists the button location for your control panel.
Does the Maytag MSD2656KES need a bypass plug when the filter is out?
No bypass needed: the EDR4RXD1 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 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 EDR4RXD1 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 MSD2656KES?
Every six months or at the rated gallon capacity, whichever comes first — the EDR4RXD1 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 EDR4RXD1 | RECOMMENDEDUKF8001 Replacement Water Filter · 1-Pack – ClearFit | EDR4RXD1 EveryDrop Filter 4 Replacement · 1-Pack – ClearFit | UKF8001 Replacement Water Filter · 3-Pack – ClearFit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | OEM list | $17.99 | $17.99 | $44.97 |
| 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
Related guides
POPULAR GUIDE
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 →