How to replace a Whirlpool dishwasher water inlet valve

Is your dishwasher leaving you high and dry with water issues, either not filling up or flooding your kitchen? The culprit might be a faulty water inlet valve—a common problem that homeowners can easily tackle. Dive into our step-by-step video guide below and turn your dishwasher dilemma into a DIY success story!

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Have trouble with your dishwasher not filling or overfilling with water? The issue may be with the water inlet valve, an important part that controls the flow of water into the dishwasher. Replacing this part is an easy do-it-yourself project that you can knock out in just a few minutes.

Watch the full repair here

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What is the water inlet valve?

The water inlet valve is a solenoid-controlled valve that opens to allow water to enter the dishwasher. When energized, the solenoid pulls up a plunger which allows water to flow through. When de-energized, a spring pushes the plunger back down to stop the water flow.

Problems with the water inlet valve are common and can include:

• Failure to open, preventing water from entering the dishwasher
• Failure to close properly, resulting in overfilling
• Leaking water due to cracks in the valve body

Materials needed

Before starting this repair project, make sure you have the following tools and parts:

• Torx T15 screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• 1/4 inch nut driver
• Pliers
• Towel
• Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag water inlet valve (W11175771)

Safety first

Safety comes first when working on any appliance. Here are some practical tips to help keep you safe:

• Always turn off the power by unplugging the appliance or switching off the circuit breaker before starting. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Take your time and work at a steady pace to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see and access the parts you’re working on.
• Keep your area organized and free of clutter, and ensure children and pets are kept away from the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Make sure both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Check your appliance’s user manual for specific instructions or safety guidelines related to your repair.
• Handle parts gently to prevent damaging the appliance or injuring yourself by using too much force.
• Wear safety glasses if you’re dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections before disconnecting anything. This makes reassembly much easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you need to handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Replacement steps

Remove the front panel

1. Open the dishwasher door completely so we can access the front panel screws.
2. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, remove the three screws along each side of the door opening.
3. Once the screws are out, close the dishwasher door. The front panel will drop down and detach from the control panel.
4. Carefully remove the front panel and set it aside. Removing this panel allows more room to access the valve.

Remove the access panel

1. Use a flathead screwdriver to turn and remove the two retainers holding the access panel in place.
2. Slowly pull the panel away, being cautious of the insulation attached behind it. We don’t want to tear the insulation.
3. Set the access panel and insulation aside until we’re ready to reinstall them.

Disconnect the water line and wiring

1. Place a towel beneath the valve to catch any water drips.
2. Use pliers to detach the water supply line from the old valve.
3. Remove the screw mounting the valve using a 1/4-inch nut driver.
4. Push the valve back and wiggle it downward to remove it.
5. Use pliers to slide the hose clamp up and off the inlet hose.
6. Carefully twist and work the inlet hose off the valve. A flathead screwdriver can help here.
7. Press down on the locking tab to detach the wiring harness.

Remove the old valve

1. With all connections detached, the old water inlet valve can now be fully removed.
2. Inspect the new replacement valve to make sure it matches the old one.

Install the new valve

1. Push the wiring harness into the connector on the new valve until it clicks and locks in place.
2. Firmly push the inlet hose onto the new valve inlet port.
3. Slide the hose clamp back over the connection to secure it.
4. Set the new valve into place behind the mounting bracket.
5. Replace and tighten the 1/4-inch mounting screw using the nut driver.
6. Thread the water supply line back onto the outlet port and tighten it with pliers.

Reassembly

1. Set the access panel and insulation back into place behind the valve.
2. Push to snap the two retainers back into the frame to hold the panel in place.
3. With the valve replaced, we can reinstall the front panel. Line up the tabs and lift them into place so they sit correctly.
4. Insert and tighten the Torx screws along the sides to secure the front panel.
5. Turn the dishwasher’s water supply back on and restore power.
6. Run a test cycle to verify normal fill and drain operation.
7. If any issues, double-check hose connections for leaks.

And that’s it! In just a few minutes you can replace the water inlet valve on a Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag dishwasher.

Read more: How to Clean a Dishwasher

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you with your repair. If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over 2 million parts and most orders arrive in 2-3 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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