Whirlpool Washer Water Valve (W10869800)

The water inlet valve controls the flow of hot and cold water into your washing machine at the start of each cycle and when the tub needs to refill. It opens and closes based on electrical signals from the control board, allowing the right amount of water to enter before sealing shut to hold the load.

Inlet valves commonly fail when the internal solenoids wear out, the valve screen gets clogged with sediment or mineral deposits, or the rubber seals harden and crack over time. Low water pressure, debris from older pipes, or simply years of normal use can all shorten the life of this part and cause it to stick open, stick closed, or leak.

These symptoms may point to a water inlet valve that needs to be replaced in your washing machine:

- Washer fills slowly or takes much longer than usual to reach the correct water level

- Machine does not fill with water at all when a cycle starts

- Washer overfills or water continues to enter the tub when the machine is off

- Only hot or only cold water fills the tub, not both

- Humming or buzzing sound near the back of the machine during the fill cycle

- Water leaking from the back of the washer around the valve connections

- Washer stops mid-cycle and displays a water supply or fill error code