How do I clean a dishwasher filter?

Take the filter out of the bottom of the tub, rinse it under running water, scrub off stubborn residue with a soft brush and lock it back in. Whirlpool's guide says to clean your filter once a month, particularly with frequent use.^[1] The job takes about five minutes and needs no tools, and a clean filter is the cheapest fix for dishes that come out dirty or a dishwasher that smells.

What the filter does and when to clean it

Whirlpool dishwashers with the triple filter system keep it at the bottom of the tub. The triple filter system consists of 2 parts: an upper filter assembly and a lower filter.^[1] The upper filter assembly keeps oversized items and foreign objects, along with very fine food particles, out of the pump.^[1] The lower filter keeps food from being recirculated onto your dishes.^[1]

Whirlpool says that if you have a large family or run the dishwasher daily, consider cleaning the filter every two weeks to prevent debris buildup.^[1] It lists the signs of a dirty filter as dishes emerging dirty, unpleasant odors from the appliance, visible objects or soils on the filter, degradation in cleaning performance, and/or dishes feeling gritty to the touch.^[1]

Filters differ by brand and model. Some are twist-out cylinders, some are flat screens, and some models have a self-cleaning design that needs less attention. Your owner's manual shows yours; the steps below follow Whirlpool's triple filter.

Clean it step by step

Start with the dishwasher empty and the lower rack pulled out. If you are going to reach into the sump for debris, Whirlpool's drain guide is plain about power: turn off power to the dishwasher at the circuit breaker; do not rely on the control panel alone.^[2] For a simple filter rinse this is a sensible precaution rather than a must, but do it if you are working with a flashlight in the sump.

Remove the filter by turning the Upper Filter Assembly ¼ turn counterclockwise and lifting it out.^[1] Then grasp the Lower Filter in the circular opening, lift slightly, and pull forward to remove.^[1]

Rinse both parts under the tap. Whirlpool's wording is to rinse the filter under running water until most soils are removed. If you have hard-to-remove soils or calcium deposits from hard water, a soft brush may be required. Do not use a wire brush, scouring pad, etc., as they may damage the filters.^[1] An old toothbrush and warm, soapy water do the job for greasy film.

With the filter out, look into the sump, the recessed well it sat in. Shine a flashlight in and pick out anything that does not belong: labels, seeds, toothpicks, bits of glass. Handle glass carefully, and do not push debris down toward the pump.

Put it back correctly

This is the step people get wrong. Seat the lower filter flat, then fit the upper assembly and turn it clockwise until it stops. Whirlpool's warning is that if the Upper Filter Assembly turns freely, it is not locked into place.^[1] Its instruction is to do not operate your dishwasher without the filters properly installed,^[1] because loose debris can reach the pump.

Run a short rinse cycle and check that the tub drains. If the water drains normally, you are done.

Keep the filter from clogging again

Scrape plates before loading to reduce large food particles entering the filter system.^[2] ENERGY STAR's advice is to scrape, not rinse: certified dishwashers and today's detergents are designed to do the cleaning.^[3] Put a note on the calendar for the monthly rinse, or tie it to taking out the trash.

Stop and call a pro if

• Water stays in the tub after cleaning. Whirlpool's diagnostic note is that water near the door opening suggests a severe blockage or a non-running pump.^[2] Check the drain hose for kinks and the sink or disposal connection before you book a visit.
• The pump hums but nothing moves. A steady hum with no water movement points to a jammed impeller or obstruction in the pump.^[2]
• You hear grinding. Grinding noises can mean hard debris (such as glass) is in the pump area.^[2]
• There is a burning smell, damaged wiring or a breaker that trips repeatedly. Whirlpool says to stop and contact a qualified service technician.^[2] Do not open the control or wiring compartment yourself.
• The work turns into plumbing or wiring. In Virginia no individual may engage in, or offer to engage in, work as a tradesman unless licensed,^[4] and the trades are electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.^[5] Check a person's licence on the DPOR website before you hire.

Getting help in Virginia

If the filter is clean and the problem remains, read what dishwasher repair costs in Virginia and whether a dishwasher is worth repairing, browse appliance repair answers, or find appliance repair businesses on Loclis.

When you want a diagnosis and a written quote, describe the problem and local repair pros will respond.