How to Replace an Icemaker's Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve or water supply valve is the device through which water is provided to a refrigerator's automatic icemaker. If your icemaker has stopped working, or the ice it produces comes in large chunks or unusually small cubes, the water inlet valve may be faulty or clogged. If so, here's how to clean or replace it.

Removing the water inlet valve

Before you begin, unplug the refrigerator. You have a messy job ahead, so have some buckets, carpet scraps, or plastic sheeting available to cover the floor and catch water.

An icemaker's water inlet valve is located behind the refrigerator. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall, and locate the copper waterline that supplies the valve. Close it using the shut-off valve in the waterline. Then use a screwdriver or pliers to remove the refrigerator's lower access panel.

Remove the fill tubing from the water valve by loosening the flare nut on the brass fitting on the inlet side of the water valve.

The icemaker's water inlet valve is secured to the refrigerator with a metal bracket. Remove the screw/s that hold the bracket, then carefully pull the valve out of the refrigerator cabinet and take the tube from the outlet port.

Removing the solenoid's electrical contacts is next. There will be either two or four wires connected to the terminals of your refrigerator icemaker's water inlet valve. Before you disconnect the wires, label them or make note of their placement so you can properly reconnect them later. Then remove the connectors from the terminals without pulling on the wiring. Pliers or a screwdriver might be necessary to deal with the slip-on connectors.

Replacing the water inlet valve

Examine the filter screen found where the water inlet valve connects to the supply line. It's likely clogged and dirty. If you can clean and scrub it using warm water and an old toothbrush, it might not be necessary to install a new water inlet valve.

To replace water inlet valves for icemakers, go backwards through the removal steps, taking care to reconnect the wiring properly. Test the icemaker before screwing the refrigerator's rear panel back on. Don't eat or use the test ice cubes as they'll likely contain sediment.