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Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the inlet valve assembly in your Whirlpool Refrigerator.

The inlet valve assembly is an electrically-controlled mechanical valve that opens to supply water to the dispenser and icemaker. If your refrigerator isn't making ice or dispensing water properly, your inlet valve assembly might be broken.

This guide will work for most Whirlpool refrigerators. This guide is written with a model WRS315SDHW refrigerator. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

Note: Some photos show the doors removed for clarity purposes. Removing them is not required and will not change the procedure.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Safety precautions: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin your repair, perform the following:

    • Turn off your main water supply

    • Unplug your device

    Edit

  2. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the screw(s) securing the rear panel.

    • Loosen the screw securing the water hose enough for the rear panel to freely move.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 3, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 3, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the rear panel off the chassis to remove it.

    Edit

  4. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the clip: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the clip: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Use needle nose pliers, or your fingers, to remove the plastic clip on the inlet valve assembly.

    Edit

  5. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Disconnect the front water hose: step 5, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Disconnect the front water hose: step 5, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Disconnect the front water hose: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Push the plastic ring above the front water hose to release its clips.

    • As you push the ring, pull the water hose downward to disconnect it.

    • Repeat the disconnection procedure for the other water hose on the inlet valve assembly.

    Edit

  7. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Unfasten the inlet valve assembly: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screw(s) securing the inlet valve assembly.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Reposition the inlet valve assembly: step 7, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Reposition the inlet valve assembly: step 7, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Reposition the inlet valve assembly: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the inlet valve assembly off its slot in the chassis and rest it on the floor.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Place a clean and dry rag under the inlet valve assembly before continuing.

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the clip: step 9, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the clip: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use needle nose pliers, or your hands, to pull the clip off the rear water hose.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Push the yellow plastic ring above the rear water hose to release its clips.

    • As you push the ring, pull the water hose away from the inlet valve assembly to disconnect it.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Disconnect the assembly wire connector: step 11, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Disconnect the assembly wire connector: step 11, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Disconnect the assembly wire connector: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Use a flathead screwdriver, or a similar tool, to disconnect any wire connectors attached to the inlet valve assembly.

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Remove the inlet valve assembly: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the inlet valve assembly from the chassis.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Replacement, Meter the inlet valve assembly: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • If you own a multimeter, you can test your inlet valve assembly's resistance.

    • A range between 500–1.5 kΩ is acceptable.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

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