Is EDR5RXD1 the Same as 4396508?

The numbers describe two generations of the part

Whirlpool 4396508 is a legacy service-part reference. EveryDrop uses EDR5RXD1 as the current retail code for Refrigerator Ice & Water Filter 5. A manufacturer can update packaging and product nomenclature while maintaining a current successor for an older filter system.

The relationship is narrower than many marketplace titles suggest. EDR5RXD1 does not fit all Whirlpool refrigerators, and the words “replaces 4396508” do not automatically make an aftermarket cartridge identical to genuine EveryDrop in certification, capacity, materials, or quality control.

Model-fit warning: Use an EDR5RXD1 offer only after the full refrigerator model returns Filter 5 through EveryDrop or Whirlpool. Do not buy from color, shape, or the old number alone when the label or appliance history is uncertain.

Confirm EDR5RXD1 for your appliance

Find the model tag on an interior wall or ceiling, behind a drawer, on the door opening, behind the kickplate, or on the rear cabinet. Record the model—not the serial number—with all suffixes.

Enter that model in EveryDrop’s official Filter Finder. A valid result should identify Filter 5 and EDR5RXD1. Check the owner’s manual accessories section as a second source and read its replacement steps, because compatible housings do not all use the same access arrangement.

Photograph the complete old 4396508 label. Do not let a used refrigerator’s installed cartridge overrule an official model result; previous owners can make mistakes. The current package should clearly display EveryDrop Filter 5 and EDR5RXD1.

When the broader filter family is unclear, use Which EveryDrop filter fits my Whirlpool refrigerator?.

Should the cartridge look exactly like 4396508?

The connector and housing interface must function correctly in an approved model, but label graphics, printed claims, and package design may change. A correct EDR5RXD1 should seat and lock by hand using the model’s normal mechanism. It should not require modification.

Some refrigerator designs have a visible reusable cap or handle. If the model manual identifies that cap as part of the appliance, move it from 4396508 to EDR5RXD1 at the documented alignment marks. Do not move old O-rings, connector seals, or any component that appears broken.

If the new filter only fits after trimming keys, adding tape, coating a seal, or forcing the cover, it is not properly installed. Stop before pressurizing the system.

Genuine EveryDrop claims versus “4396508 compatible”

Use the current EDR5RXD1 performance data sheet to evaluate contaminant reductions, rated capacity, flow, pressure, and temperature limits. A compatibility claim concerns physical fit; it does not prove identical filtration.

When comparing another brand, check the exact NSF/ANSI standards, named contaminants, certifying organization, and filter system number. A general certification logo can refer to material safety or one limited claim rather than the full EveryDrop reduction list.

Whirlpool also advises consumers to watch for counterfeit filters that imitate labels and logos. Product title, manufacturer code, seller, packaging, and current documentation should tell a consistent story.

Install the verified EDR5RXD1

Follow the EveryDrop Filter 5 EDR5RXD1 replacement guide and the refrigerator manual. Prepare towels, open the compartment or expose the grille, and use the intended quarter-turn, button, or door release. Pull 4396508 straight out without leveraging the receiver.

Transfer only a documented reusable cap. Remove EDR5RXD1’s shipping cover, align its keyed end, and insert it squarely. Complete the clockwise turn, latch, or cover closure by hand. The filter should sit at its designed depth and not spring outward.

If water was shut off, restore it slowly. Dry the housing and inspect it while dispensing. Recheck after the next ice-maker fill. Persistent moisture requires shutting off the water and diagnosing fit or housing damage.

Flush the system after changing generations

The move from 4396508 to EDR5RXD1 still requires the ordinary new-filter flush. Whirlpool says flushing purges air, prepares the media, and removes loose carbon. Trapped air can cause sputtering, cloudy-looking water, temporary dispenser drips, and small or hollow ice.

Use the exact EDR5RXD1 sheet or refrigerator manual. Whirlpool notes that system volumes can differ—some require one, two, or four gallons. Dispense the full amount into a stable container rather than relying on a timer or stopping at the first clear glass.

Fine carbon particles should clear during the procedure. Persistent debris, odor, or discoloration deserves investigation of the product and source water.

Reset the status at the correct time

Whirlpool control panels use several reset methods: a dedicated key hold, combined buttons, or a menu confirmation. Use the model manual only after EDR5RXD1 is installed and flushed.

Resetting clears a maintenance reminder. It does not read the cartridge code, authenticate EveryDrop, verify a seal, or prove filtration. See How to reset a Whirlpool refrigerator filter light if the documented sequence does not clear the status.

If the successor cartridge gets stuck

Ensure the compartment is fully open and the filter begins at the proper alignment mark. For a grille push-button housing, Whirlpool suggests pushing the cartridge inward before pressing and holding the button again. For a quarter-turn filter, move it left only to its release mark before pulling straight out.

Do not pry or grip the cartridge destructively. If correct EDR5RXD1 cannot seat or release in a model assigned to Filter 5, the cap, latch, or receiver may need Whirlpool-authorized service.

Troubleshoot slow water or leaks

Complete the full flush for air-related sputtering. Then confirm the cartridge is locked, the household valve is open, the line is not kinked, and pressure is adequate. Reverse-osmosis systems can lower delivery.

For active leakage, close the supply. Reinstall EDR5RXD1 straight once with all marks aligned. Whirlpool warns against overtightening. Tape, sealant, and extra gaskets can prevent proper seating. A leak that returns or comes from behind the receiver needs service.

Save the old-to-new relationship

Record the appliance model, a photo of 4396508, the current EDR5RXD1 code, and installation date. Whirlpool generally recommends replacement about every six months, when the indicator requests it, or sooner based on use and water quality.

That record prevents future confusion with another numbered EveryDrop cartridge and helps identify unusually short filter life caused by sediment or supply restrictions.

Final Verdict

EDR5RXD1 is the current Filter 5 successor commonly used for 4396508, but full-model confirmation protects against a bad cross-reference. Preserve only a documented reusable cap, install without tools or modification, complete the prescribed flush, inspect under pressure, and reset the reminder afterward.