How to replace the dispenser water tube on a Whirlpool refrigerator

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator’s water dispenser malfunctioning due to a cracked or clogged water tube? Don’t worry—our step-by-step video guide will walk you through the easy process of replacing the dispenser water tube kit, saving you the hassle and cost of a technician’s visit. Watch the video below and get your refrigerator back to dispensing refreshing water in no time!

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The dispenser water tube kit on a Whirlpool refrigerator is responsible for delivering water from the refrigerator’s water supply to the dispenser. Over time, the water tube may develop cracks or become clogged, leading to water leakage or reduced water flow. Fortunately, replacing the dispenser water tube kit is a relatively straightforward task that can be accomplished with a few basic tools in a short amount of time.

By following this guide, you can save both time and money by tackling the replacement of the dispenser water tube kit yourself. So let’s get started and restore the dispenser on your Whirlpool refrigerator.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPYSM_X_gnQ

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 you’ll need

• Putty knife
• Towel
• 3/8” wrench
• Phillips screwdriver
• 1/4” nut driver
• Needle nose pliers
• Wood block
• Razor blade

Safety precautions

• 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 injury from electric shock.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• 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.
• 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 the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 

Replacement steps

Removal

1. Open both the refrigerator and freezer doors.
2. Remove the kick panel at the bottom of the refrigerator. Use a putty knife to carefully insert it between the kick plate and the body, then twist to pop it off.
3. Once one side of the kick plate is off, grab it and pull the other side off. Set it aside.
4. Place a towel on the floor beneath the water line to catch any water that may come out when disconnecting the lines.
5. Pull the water line out slightly to create some working room.
6. Disconnect the quarter-inch side of the water line using a small wrench, such as a 3/8 wrench. Press the wrench against the locking retainer and depress it to release the water line from the other side.
7. Close both the refrigerator and freezer doors.
8. Go to the freezer door and remove the drip tray by sliding it out of its slot. Set it aside.
9. Remove the two screws that hold the dispenser trim in place.
10. Slide the dispenser trim to the side. Be careful with the wires attached to the switch behind it, and swing it out of the way without removing the wires. 
11. Tape it to the side of the refrigerator.
12. Remove the bracket that holds everything in place. Use a quarter-inch nut driver to remove the two screws.
13. Lift the bracket and tape it to the freezer door.
14. Remove the screw that holds the bracket for the dispenser water tube using a quarter-inch nut driver.
15. Pull the bracket off the post it was screwed into.
16. Pull the water line up through the door, using the bracket to assist you.
17. Once the end of the water line is through the dispenser, pull it out of the refrigerator.

Installation

1. Start running the new water tube through the freezer door. Begin at the bottom where it came through at the hinge.
2. There is a hole and a tube that goes straight up to the dispenser. Put the tube up through the hole in the hinge and feed it all the way up until it comes out the top of the dispenser. 
3. If you can’t reach the water tube with your fingers, use needle-nose pliers to grab it and pull it out so you can put the bracket on.
4. To install the water bracket, grab the water tube and feed it down through the hole in the bracket, leaving about three-quarters of an inch sticking out.
5. Go underneath the tab on the bracket and align it where it pinches the water line together.
6. Rotate the bracket as if it were going into the refrigerator.
7. Pull the water line on the bottom of the door to remove any slack.
8. Line up the bracket with its mounting stud, then use a quarter-inch nut driver to secure the screw and hold it in place.
9. With the bracket mounted, reassemble the dispenser by carefully attaching the dispenser front panel. Line it up with the tabs and push it back into place. Use a Phillips screwdriver to put the screws in.
10. Put the drip tray back in by sliding it into its slot and snapping it in place.
11. Open both the refrigerator and freezer doors again to trim the water line and put the kick plate back on.
12. Trim the water line with a wood block and a razor blade. Cut it off so it lines up with the fitting where it was originally connected.
13. Push the trimmed water line into the union, ensuring it goes past the O-ring and locks in securely.
14. Push the water line back underneath the refrigerator and reattach the kick plate. Line up the locking clips on each end and push them in.
15. Close both the refrigerator and freezer doors.
16. Plug the refrigerator back in and run some water through the dispenser to remove any air bubbles from the line.

Congratulations on completing the successful repair!

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the dispenser water tube kit on your Whirlpool refrigerator. 

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.

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