How to Fix Whirlpool Dishwasher Door Latch WPW10275768

Is your Whirlpool dishwasher giving you trouble by refusing to start or stay shut? The culprit might be a faulty door latch, but don’t worry—replacing it is a straightforward task you can tackle yourself. Read on for our step-by-step guide, complete with a handy how-to video just below, to help your dishwasher run smoothly once again.

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If your Whirlpool dishwasher won’t start or the door won’t stay shut, there’s a good chance the door latch is bad. The WPW10275768 latch keeps the door securely closed during wash cycles—and when it fails, your dishwasher won’t run at all. Luckily, swapping it out is easier than you might think. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to replace the door latch and get your dishwasher locking and cleaning like it should. Let’s dive in!

Watch here: How to replace a dishwasher door latch

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Tools and materials needed

To replace the door latch, you’ll need a few basic tools:

• Door latch WPW10275768– Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your appliance.
• Torque 15 driver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small piece of wood

Safety first

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• If your appliance has any parts that hold water, turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

Replacement steps

Access the door latch

1. Open the door all the way
2. Use the Torque 15 driver, unscrew all the screws around the inner door panel. Keep these screws in a safe place as you’ll need them for reassembly.

Remove the old latch

1. Place a small piece of wood between the inner door and the outer door panel to keep it propped open so you can access the parts.
2. Locate the door latch at the top of the dishwasher door.
3. Detach the wire harnesses attached to the latch. Make a note of the location of the wires, or take a picture for easy reassembly.

Prepare the new latch

1. If the new latch doesn’t come with a handle, use the flathead screwdriver to gently pry the handle off the old latch and attach it to the new one.

Install the new latch

1. Carefully position the new latch in place, and make sure it sits correctly.
2. Connect the wire harness. Refer to the picture if needed to install the wires properly.
3. Make sure the latch is firmly in place and the wires are securely attached.

Reassemble the door

1. Remove the piece of wood holding the inner and outer door apart.
2. Line up the panel and screw it back into place using the screws you removed earlier.

Verify the repair

Once everything is back together, it’s time to put your work to the test! Plug in your dishwasher, turn on the water supply, and let the magic happen. Run a quick cycle to make sure the door latch is doing its job and the dishwasher is running smoothly. 

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the door latch in your Whirlpool dishwasher. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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