Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Filter Bypass Plug
Not every Whirlpool refrigerator needs a bypass plug — some models automatically switch to bypass mode the moment you remove the filter, with no extra part required. This page covers how to check which situation you’re in, the right part number if you do need one, and how to install it.
Do You Need a Bypass Plug for Your Whirlpool Fridge?
Check this first: remove your current filter, then press the water dispenser. If water flows normally, your model already auto-bypasses and you don’t need to buy anything. This is genuinely common on Whirlpool models — more so than on some other brands — so don’t assume you need a plug just because you have a whole-house filtration system or want to stop buying cartridges. See our full bypass plug decision guide for the complete framework. If you’re actually here because you just need a replacement filter instead, see our EDR1RXD1 compatibility guide.
How to Identify Your Filter Housing
If the dispenser test above shows you do need a plug, check the part number on your current filter cartridge before ordering. Whirlpool’s own EveryDrop Filter 4 housing takes a different plug than the wider platform shared with Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid, and several other badges — going by fridge model number alone can point you to the wrong one.
Which Whirlpool Bypass Plug Do You Need?
- W11395888 (replaces the older part 12664501) — fits Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, and Kenmore models using EveryDrop Filter 4-style housings. Check current price at WhirlpoolParts.com.
- R0000009 — a different bypass head used across the wider Whirlpool-platform family: Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Bauknecht, Estate, Gladiator, Roper, Kenmore, and IKEA-badged models. Check current price at A-1 Appliance Parts.
- Open the filter compartment door, usually in the upper right corner of the fridge interior.
- Press the release tab, then turn the existing filter or cap counterclockwise to remove it.
- Push the bypass plug straight into the filter opening.
- Twist it clockwise until it clicks and locks into place, then snap the cover shut.
- Run two to three gallons of water through the dispenser before drinking, to clear trapped air from the line.
Match your current filter’s part number first — the wrong one won’t seat correctly in your housing. These are direct links to real listings, not affiliate links; we don’t currently have a paid partnership with either retailer.
✓ Verified compatible
Source: Whirlpool’s own parts store
Last checked: August 27, 2026
Match type: Genuine Whirlpool OEM part number, per the list above
How to Install a Whirlpool Bypass Plug
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Whirlpool fridge needs a bypass plug at all?
Remove the filter and press the dispenser. If water flows normally, your model auto-bypasses and no plug is needed. If it stops or stutters, you need the correct part for your housing.
What’s the difference between W11395888 and R0000009?
W11395888 fits the EveryDrop Filter 4-style housing used on Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, and Kenmore. R0000009 fits a different bypass head used across a wider badge-sharing family, including Bauknecht, Estate, Gladiator, Roper, and IKEA-branded models. Match your current filter’s part number to be sure.
Can I use a Whirlpool bypass plug on a Maytag or KitchenAid fridge?
Often yes, since these brands share Whirlpool’s manufacturing platform — but confirm the exact part number against your current filter first rather than assuming by brand name alone.
Will a bypass plug damage my Whirlpool fridge?
No. It’s a normal accessory designed for exactly this purpose, whether you have your own whole-house filtration or your model requires the housing to be occupied to keep water flowing.
I found an old part number, 12664501 — is that still the right one?
12664501 was the previous part number for what’s now sold as W11395888. If you see both listed, they refer to the same current part — W11395888 is the one currently in production.