How to replace the Whirlpool refrigerator water reservoir

Is your refrigerator leaking or creating puddles? The culprit could be a cracked water reservoir, but don’t worry—replacing it is easier than you might think. Watch our step-by-step video below to fix the issue quickly and get your fridge functioning smoothly again!

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The water reservoir is the part of your refrigerator that stores water and allows it to chill before being dispensed. Over time, the reservoir may develop cracks or leaks, causing water to puddle in the fresh food compartment. Replacing the water reservoir is a straightforward, simple repair. With the right tools and following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to complete the replacement in just a few minutes, so let’s get started!

Watch here: How To: Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag Water Reservoir WPW10276792

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

• 1/4″ nut driver, towel
• 3/8″ wrench

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

1. Disconnect power and water to the refrigerator. 
2. Remove the rear access panel on the back of the refrigerator. Use the nut driver to remove the screws holding the panel. Start by removing the screw that holds the water inlet line and then remove the rest of the screws.
3. Once the access panel is removed, place a towel under the valve to catch any remaining water in the line. 
4. Use a 3/8-inch wrench to press down the locking collar and pull out the left tube from the valve solenoid inside the water inlet tube. Remove the towel.
5. Move to the front of the fridge and open the doors. Pull off the toe kickplate grill.
6. Locate the plastic tube and the coupling in the left corner. Place a towel under the coupling. 
7. Use the 3/8-inch wrench to press the locking collar and remove the tube from the back of the coupling.
8. Inside the fridge, remove the lower shelf by lifting it off. Pull out the upper drawer. Lift the front end of the shelf and remove it, being careful not to damage the glass. Pull out the lower drawer and remove the bottom glass shelf.
9. You will now see the water reservoir mounted on the rear wall. Use the nut driver to remove the two screws holding it. Pull out the lines and remove the reservoir.
10. Insert the new plastic tubes into the openings in the rear wall. The short tube goes on the left and the long tube on the right. Feed the tubes in until there is no slack left. Use the nut driver to secure the new reservoir to the rear wall with a screw at the top.
11. Go to the back of the fridge and locate the long tube. Route it along the right side towards the front of the fridge.
12. Insert the short tube into the water inlet valve and make sure it’s tight.
13. Reinstall the access panel, making sure the top edge is under the lip. Secure the panel with the quarter-inch screws. Secure the water inlet line with a single screw.
14. Move to the front of the fridge and remove the towel. Fish out the water line and insert it into the coupling, making sure it’s tight.
15. Install the bottom shelf, sliding the drawer back in. Install the top shelf and slide in the upper drawer. Put the remaining shelves back in.
16. Install the grill by placing the side tabs into the clips and pushing it in.
17. Turn the water on, plug the fridge in, and check for leaks.

Congratulations on completing the water reservoir replacement! 

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the water reservoir 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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