Replace Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter Housing WP2225521

Is your refrigerator leaking or not dispensing water as it should? You might be dealing with a faulty water filter housing, a common issue in Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag models. Don’t worry—our step-by-step guide, complete with a helpful video, will show you just how easy it is to replace this part and get your fridge back to peak performance.

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If your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag refrigerator is leaking around the water filter or not dispensing properly, the water filter housing (part #WP2225521) might be the issue. This part holds the water filter in place and helps create a tight seal—so when it’s cracked or faulty, you can run into problems fast. Luckily, replacing it is easier than you might think. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to replace the water filter housing step-by-step and get your fridge’s water system back in top shape.

Watch the repair here: How to replace water filter housing

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

Gather the following tools and new part before beginning:

• Philip screwdriver
• 1/4 inch nut driver
• 1/2 inch socket wrench
• 3/8 inch open-end wrench
• Replacement water filter housing part #WP2225521-Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your model. 

Safety precautions

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 injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• 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 safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• 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.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 

Removal and Disassembly Steps

1. Open the door to access the toe grill. You should see the water filter knob here too.
2. Turn the filter knob counterclockwise and pull it straight out to remove the old water filter. Set this aside for now.
3. Grip the toe grill and firmly pull it away from the refrigerator to take it off.
4. Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the 2 screws holding the filter housing
5. On the back of the fridge, you’ll see the rear panel secured with 1/4-inch screws. Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove them.
6. Carefully slide the power cord out of its slot to fully remove the rear access panel.
7. Locate and remove the two bolts, one in each bottom corner of the cabinet. Use a 1/2-inch socket wrench for this.
8. Place a 2×4 block securely about 3-4 inches from each corner.
9. Slowly lift the refrigerator cabinet onto the blocks, sliding them in no more than an inch.

Safety Note: Do not place fingers or arms into the gap between the cabinet and base when lifted. Do not touch or adjust the wooden blocks once set.

1. Reach into the space and grab firmly onto the housing. Pull it straight out.
2. Use a 3/8-inch open-end wrench to push in the locking column to disconnect the water lines from the old housing.

Installation and Reassembly Steps

1. Take your new part out of its packaging. 
2. Attach the water lines to the housing ports, pushing firmly to seat them.
3. Carefully insert the new housing into the opening, sliding it as far back as it will go.
4. Remove the 2×4 blocks and slowly lower the refrigerator cabinet back down.
5. Align the cabinet holes and replace the two 1/2-inch bolts using your socket wrench to tighten them.
6. Set the rear access panel back into place, sliding the cord through first. Insert and tighten the 1/4-inch screws.
7. On the front, align the holes with the filter housing and secure it with the Phillips screws. 
8. Clip the toe grill back onto the base, aligning its pins with the holes on the sides.
9. Push your water filter securely back into its slot and turn clockwise to lock it in place.
10. Turn the refrigerator’s water back on.
11. Carefully check beneath and around the work areas for any water leaks.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the water filter housing in your Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Maytag 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.

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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