Removing a Water Line From a Freezer Door

Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet to disrupt the supply of electricity to the appliance. Turn off the water supply valve.

Pry open the control panel around the water and ice dispenser, using a flat-head screwdriver. Look for slots or grooves around the sides of the panel; insert the tip of the screwdriver into these slots or grooves and work the tool back and forth until the panel opens. Work gently to avoid damaging the panel.

Pull the plastic connector to disconnect the switch assembly wiring from the back of the control panel. Set the dispenser control panel aside.

Locate the switch assembly subpanel on the freezer door, directly above the water and ice dispenser. Pull firmly on the plastic connectors to detach the subpanel wiring. Remove the hex-head screws to free the switch assembly subpanel from the freezer door. Place the removed subpanel on a padded surface with the wiring side facing up.

Open the freezer and refrigerator doors to access the grille at the base of the refrigerator cabinet. Use a flat-head screwdriver to remove the screws on the face of the grille. Remove the grille and set it aside.

Locate the water line on the bottom left, or freezer, side of the refrigerator cabinet. Place a small pan or towel under the water line, where the plastic water line connectors meet. Pull apart the plastic connectors to disconnect the water line; some models require you to pinch the connectors to separate them. Wait for the water from the line to drain into the pan or onto the towel. Remove the retaining nut from the end of the water line.

Snip the plastic or wire tie that holds the water line to the bottom of the freezer side of the refrigerator.

Remove the water line bracket from the water dispenser. The bracket is held in place with Phillips screws; the number of screws varies by brand and model. Pull the water line out of the dispenser and up through the freezer door to remove it.