How to Replace Check Valve 5220ED4004A on an LG Dishwasher

Is your dishwasher leaving you high and dry—or rather, the opposite? If your LG dishwasher is backing up water or not draining as it should, the check valve might be to blame. Don’t worry, you don’t need a technician for this fix; our step-by-step guide is here to help, complete with a handy how-to video just below!

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Is your LG dishwasher not draining properly or maybe backing up water into the tub? It might be time to take a look at the check valve,  part number 5220ED4004A. This little component plays a big role in keeping dirty water from flowing back into your clean dishes. Luckily, swapping it out isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to replace the check valve step by step—no technician required. Let’s dive in and fix that drainage issue for good!

Watch here: How to replace a dishwasher check valve

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.

What is the Check Valve?

The check valve is a small plastic piece installed inside the drain port of your LG dishwasher. Its purpose is to open the drain pathway when the dishwasher pump runs to pump out water but closes it during wash cycles to prevent dirty water from flowing back onto the clean dishes.

Over time, mineral deposits, food debris, grease, and soap scum can build up on the check valve preventing it from sealing properly. This allows dirty water to backflow onto the dishes, leaving them dirty and foul-smelling after the wash cycle completes. Replacing the old, worn check valve with a new one restores a complete seal and normal drain operation.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Philips head screwdriver 
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Check valve part #5220ED4004A – Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your unit. 

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 you attempt 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 while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• 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.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• 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.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• 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

Before beginning the repair, unplug the dishwasher or switch off the circuit breaker to avoid any risk of electric shock. Shut off the water supply if needed.

1. Open the dishwasher door.
2. Remove the upper dish rack by pulling it out and lifting it off the track.
3. Remove the lower dish rack using the same method.
4. Detach the lower spray arm by pulling it straight up from its holder and set it aside.
5. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw located at the base on the right side of the water guide tube. Take off the retainer.
6. Use a flat blade screwdriver to release the water guide tube from its clips at the top and rear of the dishwasher.
7. Rotate the water supply tube clockwise to detach it from the base.
8. Remove the screws securing the filter assembly using the Phillips screwdriver. You may need the flat blade screwdriver to gently pry the assembly loose. Take out the entire filter assembly.
9. Use the flat blade screwdriver to remove the drain port cover, which contains the check valve.
10. Pull the old check valve out from inside the drain port cover using the flat blade screwdriver.
11. Clean any debris or calcium deposits from the drain port and the valve cover.
12. Slide the new check valve into the clean cover.
13. Reinstall the drain port cover under the pump housing.
14. Place the filter assembly back and secure it with all screws.
15. Reconnect the water guide tube by inserting and rotating it into the base, then clipping it into the top and rear positions. Use the flat blade screwdriver if needed to help snap it into place.
16. Reattach the retainer at the base of the water guide tube and secure it with the Phillips screw.
17. Reinstall the lower spray arm by pushing it onto the holder until it clicks. Spin it to ensure it moves freely.
18. Return the lower and upper dish racks to their positions.
19. Close the dishwasher door.
20. Restore power to the appliance and run a test cycle to ensure proper operation and drainage.

More Information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the check valve in your LG 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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