How to Disassemble a Whirlpool Water Filtration System on the Front of a Refrigerator

Unplug the Whirlpool refrigerator. Close the valve that supplies water to the filtration system. The valve is typically located on the wall behind the refrigerator, or under the kitchen sink. Follow the plastic supply line from the back of the refrigerator until you find a saddle valve clamped to a cold water line. Turn the T-handle on the valve clockwise with your fingers until it is tight.

Unscrew and remove the two Phillips-head screws holding the base grill under the front of the refrigerator, down at floor level. Pull the grill off the refrigerator frame. The filter housing is located behind the grill, along the bottom frame of the refrigerator.

Use a nut driver to remove the two hex-head screws holding the filter housing to the frame under the freezer compartment, at floor level. Pull the housing out of the frame and lay it in a shallow pan or bucket. Use pliers to unscrew the nut connecting the supply line to the inlet on the filter housing. Allow any water to drain into the pan.

Pull the refrigerator away from the wall to access the rear components. Loosen the nut connecting the water line from the filter to the inlet on the water valve. The water valve is a plastic module bolted to the right side of the rear frame of the refrigerator. The valve has three plastic water lines connected to it. Disconnect the line that runs from the filter housing to the valve.

Pull the filter housing and water lines out of the space behind the front grill, at floor level.

You can bypass the water filter to continue using the water dispenser and ice maker. From the rear of the refrigerator, pull out the water supply line that was connected to the water filter housing in the front of the refrigerator. Screw the connector on the water supply line onto the open port on the valve at the rear of the refrigerator.