How To Remove and Replace a Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve

Bad water valve on your fridge? The water inlet valve (on the back lower portion of the refrigerator) supplies and controls the water flow to the refrigerator ice maker and water dispenser. If you are not getting water to your ice maker or the water dispenser, you may have a faulty water inlet valve. A bad refrigerator water inlet valve may mean the valve is stuck closed and will not open to supply the fridge with water flow. The valve may also be stuck open and water flows constantly. If the water flow is constantly running even with the refrigerator unplugged from power, the water valve is stuck in the open position and needs to be replaced.

How to remove and replace a refrigerator water inlet valve

If you have determined that the valve on your refrigerator has failed, here is how to replace the water valve on your refrigerator step by step DIY. Note: If you have any issues reading the step-by-step instructions, see the video at the bottom of the page for a full tutorial.

Tools Needed To Replace Refrigerator Water Valve: Old towels, Screwdriver, Crescent wrench, and Plumbers tape.

Parts Needed To Remove and Replace Refrigerator Water Valve: Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Assembly

New refrigerator water inlet valve

Step 1: Slide the refrigerator outward from the wall so you can access behind it.

Step 2: Remove power from the refrigerator – Unplug it from the wall outlet or flip the circuit breaker off.

Step 3: Shut off the water supply to the refrigerator – Usually there will be a water supply valve in the wall behind the fridge.

Step 4: Remove the back panel of the refrigerator to access the water inlet valve – Usually a few screws will be holding the panel in place – Remove the screws or small bolts that hold the panel on the fridge.

Step 5: Lay old towels down on the floor and remove the water supply line from the old water valve on the fridge – Loosen the nut holding the water line to the valve – Your water line may have a c-clip – Push in and at same time pull water line out to remove it.

Refrigerator water inlet valve located on the back of the refrigerator
– Remove water line
– Remove screws holding it in place

Step 6: Remove the valve assembly by unscrewing a few screws or bolts that hold it to the back of the refrigerator – Remove the wire harnesses that attach to the water valve assembly and completely remove the old valve.

Refrigerator water inlet valve has wire harnesses connected
– Disconnect the wire harnesses

Step 7: Install the brand new water valve assembly – Attach it onto the same mounting bracket where the old one was located – Secure it in place with the screws or bolts that came with the new valve.

Step 8: Attach the wire harnesses from the refrigerator onto the new water valve.

Step 9: Slide the refrigerator water line into the water valve – Wrap plumbers tape around the water supply line fitting threads on the back of the water valve to prevent water leakage – Secure the water supply line with the nut or the c-clip – Pull on the water line to be sure it is secure and will not leak – (PLEASE NOTE: You may want to put the panel on before attaching the water line to the valve – Some refrigerator back panels have a round hole cut into them rather then a complete cutout to put the panel back on WITH the water line attached).

Step 10: Put the rear panel back onto the refrigerator using the same screws you used to take it off.

Step 11: Turn the water supply valve to the fully open position and check to see if the water line connected to the water valve leaks – If there is slight leakage, tighten the nut or fitting slightly until leakage stops.

Step 12: Plug the refrigerator back into the outlet or turn electrical breaker back on – After power is restored to the refrigerator, check that the water dispenser works – Give the ice maker some time to make ice cubes – Test after a few hours to be sure water is getting to both the water dispenser and the ice maker.

How To Replace a Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve
Step-by-step instructions to replace the Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve on your refrigerator.
For Whirlpool, Sears, Samsung, LG, GE, Frigidaire, Kenmore, Roper, KitchenAid, Estate, Inglis, Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, and Admiral refrigerators.

Refrigerator water inlet valve replacement

If you have additional issues when removing and replacing a refrigerator water inlet valve assembly, please leave a question below and we will be happy to assist.