What You Need to Know Before You Start

A Whirlpool ice maker replacement is a job most homeowners can do in 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your refrigerator model. The part itself costs between $150 and $400, and you will need a screwdriver, a water line wrench (usually 7/16 inch), and possibly a flathead screwdriver or plastic pry tool. The hardest part is usually reaching the water line connection at the back of the fridge, not the ice maker itself.

Before you order a replacement, confirm your refrigerator's exact model number. You will find it on a sticker inside the fridge, usually on the wall behind the crisper drawers or on the back wall. Write down the full model number — it looks like WRF535SMHZ or similar. Whirlpool ice makers are not universal; the part for a French-door model will not fit a side-by-side, and a 2015 model may not match a 2020 one. Order the correct part number from Whirlpool directly, a parts retailer like Repair Clinic or PartSelect, or Amazon.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your refrigerator's model number on the sticker inside the fridge before ordering a replacement ice maker.
  • Turn off the water supply to the ice maker at the shutoff valve behind the refrigerator, then unplug the fridge before you begin work.
  • The ice maker is held in place by one or two screws and a plastic clip; removing these takes less than five minutes.
  • Disconnect the water line and electrical connector, then slide the new ice maker in and reconnect both in reverse order.
  • After installation, run the ice maker through a few cycles and discard the first batch of ice to clear air and debris from the line.

Locate and Turn Off the Water Supply

The water line that feeds your ice maker runs from the wall or floor behind your refrigerator to a shutoff valve, then into the fridge. Before you touch anything, locate this shutoff valve and turn it clockwise until it stops. The valve is usually a small oval or round knob on a copper or plastic line. If you cannot find it, the water may come from under the sink — check the cabinet directly behind where your fridge sits.

Once the valve is off, unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet. This is essential: you are about to disconnect electrical connectors inside the fridge, and working on a live appliance is dangerous. Leave the fridge unplugged for at least five minutes to allow any residual charge to drain.

Remove the Old Ice Maker

Open the freezer door and locate the ice maker. In most Whirlpool models, it sits in the upper corner of the freezer compartment on the right side. You will see a plastic housing with a motor and an ejector arm. Look for one or two screws holding it to the wall — they are usually Phillips-head and located at the top or sides of the unit. Remove these screws and set them aside in a small cup so you do not lose them.

Next, look for a plastic clip or bracket at the bottom of the ice maker that holds the water line in place. Gently pry this clip away from the ice maker using a flathead screwdriver or plastic pry tool. Do not force it; these clips break easily. Once the clip is loose, you can slide the ice maker slightly forward to access the connectors on the back.

Behind the ice maker, you will see two connections: a water line (a thin plastic or copper tube) and an electrical connector (a small plug). Gently pull the electrical connector straight out — it should come free with light pressure. For the water line, use a 7/16-inch wrench to loosen the fitting where it connects to the ice maker. Turn counterclockwise until the line comes free. A small amount of water may drip, so have a towel ready.

Install the New Ice Maker

Before you slide the new ice maker into place, check that the water line fitting on the new unit is clean and free of debris. Align the new ice maker with the mounting holes in the freezer wall. Slide it in gently until the screw holes line up, then insert and tighten the screws by hand first — do not overtighten, as you can crack the plastic housing.

Reconnect the water line by hand-threading the fitting clockwise onto the new ice maker until it is snug, then use your wrench to tighten it a quarter turn more. Do not over-tighten; you only need enough pressure to seal it. Reconnect the electrical connector by pushing it straight in until you hear or feel a click. Reattach the plastic clip at the bottom of the ice maker to hold the water line in place.

Test the Connection and Run the First Cycle

Plug the refrigerator back in and turn the water shutoff valve counterclockwise to restore water flow. Wait about 30 seconds, then check behind the fridge for any leaks around the water line connection. If you see water dripping, turn the valve off again, tighten the fitting a quarter turn more with your wrench, and try again.

Open the freezer and look for the ice maker's power switch or reset button. On most Whirlpool models, this is a small lever or button on the side of the unit. Flip it to the "on" position. You should hear the ice maker begin to fill with water within a few seconds. Let it run through one complete cycle (usually 10 to 15 minutes) and produce a batch of ice. Discard this first batch — it may contain air bubbles, debris from the line, or plastic shavings from installation. Run a second cycle and test the ice quality.

What to Do If the Ice Maker Does Not Fill

If the ice maker does not fill with water, the most common cause is an air lock in the line. Turn off the water valve, disconnect the water line at the back of the fridge, and let a small amount of water run into a cup for a few seconds to clear air from the line. Reconnect the line, turn the water back on, and try again.

If water still does not flow, check that the shutoff valve is fully open and that no kinks or pinches are in the water line behind the fridge. If the line looks clear and the valve is open, the problem may be a clogged inlet valve inside the fridge — this is a part you cannot reach without removing the back panel, and it is a job to leave to a professional repair technician.

When to Call a Professional

If you are uncomfortable working with water lines or electrical connectors, or if your refrigerator model has an unusual layout that makes access difficult, a Whirlpool service technician or local appliance repair company can do this job for you. The labor cost is typically $150 to $300 on top of the part cost. If your refrigerator is still under warranty, check your paperwork — Whirlpool may cover the replacement at no charge.

Also call a professional if you discover a leak you cannot stop, if the ice maker still does not work after you have installed it and cleared air from the line, or if you accidentally damage the water line during removal. Attempting to patch a water line yourself can lead to leaks that damage your kitchen floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my ice maker is actually broken?

A broken ice maker will either not produce ice at all, produce very little ice, or produce ice that is cloudy or tastes odd. Before you replace it, make sure the power switch is on, the water shutoff valve is open, and the water line is not kinked behind the fridge. If ice production is slow but steady, the inlet valve may be partially clogged — a professional can clean or replace it for less cost than a new ice maker.

Can I replace the ice maker myself if I have never done appliance work before?

Yes. This job requires no special skills, only basic tools and patience. The most important steps are turning off the water and unplugging the fridge first, and taking a photo of the old ice maker before you remove it so you know how the connectors attach. If you get stuck, you can pause, plug the fridge back in, and call a technician without any harm done.

What if water leaks from the connection after I install the new ice maker?

Turn off the water valve when ready and unplug the fridge. Use your wrench to tighten the water line fitting a quarter turn more. Plug the fridge back in, turn the water on, and watch for 30 seconds. If it still leaks, the fitting may be cross-threaded or the new ice maker may have a defect — contact the parts retailer for a replacement unit.

Do I need to replace the water filter after installing a new ice maker?

Not necessarily, but it is a good time to do so if your filter is more than six months old. A clogged filter can reduce water flow to the ice maker and cause it to produce less ice or shut down. Check your refrigerator's manual for the filter location and replacement schedule.

How long does it take for the new ice maker to start producing ice?

The first cycle usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After that, most Whirlpool ice makers produce a new batch every 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the freezer temperature and how often you open the door. If the freezer is warmer than 0°F, ice production will be slower.