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How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter (Step by Step)

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Cleaning a dishwasher filter can clear visible food residue and help with a food odor. Turn the appliance off first. The removal method depends on the filter design, so use the procedure for your model instead of twisting a part that does not move easily.

Identify the filter before removing it

Open the dishwasher and remove the lower rack if your model instructions say to do so. Find the filter assembly at the bottom of the tub. Some models have more than one filter. Frigidaire describes a coarse filter and a fine cylindrical filter; Bosch tells owners to consult the model manual for removal. Do not assume the locking direction or number of pieces matches another brand.

Whirlpool’s removal sequence is specific: turn off power at the breaker and close the water supply, remove the lower rack, turn the upper filter counterclockwise and lift it, then remove the lower filter if the model has one. If your filter looks different or the manual does not show it as owner-removable, stop and ask the manufacturer before applying force.

Use that sequence only on the Whirlpool filter described by the support page. The upper filter is the part that turns; the lower filter is removed only if present. Keep the two pieces together for rinsing, then check the model diagram before refitting them. Do not substitute a tool for the hand-turning action if the filter resists.

Rinse and reinstall the parts

Rinse the removed filter parts under running water. Bosch recommends soap and a soft brush for the filter it describes. Avoid a hard-bristle brush or forceful scraping unless the model’s manual says otherwise. Frigidaire’s filter guidance shows its coarse screen and fine cylinder as separate parts, so keep the pieces together and follow the model-specific instructions.

Whirlpool says to look into the sump with a flashlight after removing its filters. This is a visual check; do not reach into the opening. If you see broken glass, a sharp object or standing water that does not drain, stop. Use the dishwasher not-draining hub to narrow the drain symptom or call a technician.

Put each filter back in its original position and secure it as the manual shows. A filter left loose or out of place can interfere with the intended wash path. Do not start a cycle until the assembly is seated. If the filter will not lock into place or is cracked, contact support for the correct replacement procedure.

Do not transfer Whirlpool’s counterclockwise turn to a different filter just because it looks similar. Frigidaire describes a coarse trap and a fine cylindrical filter, with the cylinder turning counterclockwise. Bosch’s advice is to detach the filter as the manual shows, then rinse it; its support page recommends soap and a soft brush when the filter is very dirty. GE’s monthly interval is limited to models that have removable Fine and Ultra Fine filters. The maker and model determine which part is safe to remove and how it locks.

Cleaning intervals and error clues

GE says owners should clean removable Fine and Ultra Fine filters once a month on models that include them. Whirlpool also recommends cleaning the filter monthly. Bosch recommends regular filter cleaning. Use the interval for your appliance rather than treating one manufacturer’s schedule as a rule for every design.

Bosch lists E22 and E9240 as blocked-filter codes. If one appears, inspect and rinse the owner-removable filter according to the manual. If the code returns after the filter is clean and correctly installed, contact Bosch support; the code does not authorize a pump or wiring repair.

If water remains after filter cleaning, treat that as a separate symptom rather than repeating the same rinse. Whirlpool’s support sequence includes a flashlight check of the sump, but it does not tell you to reach inside. The not-draining hub covers the next safe observations, including the visible hose and sink-side drain path.

GE’s monthly interval applies only to models with removable Fine and Ultra Fine filters. If your unit has a different assembly, use its manual. Whirlpool’s sequence includes a flashlight inspection of the sump after filter removal, while Bosch’s cleaning advice is soap, running water and a soft brush. Keep each procedure attached to the brand and model it covers.

If your filter is a glass trap, handle its pieces carefully and use the Frigidaire guide for that exact assembly. If the filter is built into the sump or does not lift after the model’s release action, do not pry it upward. Use the illustrations and cautions in your appliance manual.

When you contact support, have the full model number and a description of the filter shape ready so the instructions match your unit. A removable filter, a glass trap and a filter built into the sump do not share one release sequence.

Filter and sump locations

The diagram shows the filter above the sump at the tub floor. It is a generic reference, not a map of every filter latch or removal sequence. Follow the manual before taking the filter apart.

After cleaning, check that all pieces are present and that the assembly sits as the manual shows. If a filter part is missing, cracked or cannot be secured, do not run a cycle with the assembly loose. Contact the manufacturer with the model number so the correct filter and installation instructions can be identified.

DISHWASHER TUB SINK AND DRAIN AREA Optional air gap shown
  1. Detergent dispenser
  2. Lower spray arm
  3. Middle spray arm
  4. Filter
  5. Sump
  6. Drain pump
  7. Drain hose
  8. High loop
  9. Air gap (if installed)
  10. Disposal inlet or drain connection
Generic schematic only. Filter construction and owner access vary by model; use the manual for removal steps.

If the filter is clean but dishes still leave the cycle dirty, see the dishwasher not-cleaning guide. If the main problem is a stale odor, use the dishwasher odor guide; it covers the filter, spray arms and drain backflow as separate causes.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my dishwasher filter?

GE says to clean removable Fine and Ultra Fine filters monthly on models that have them. Whirlpool also recommends monthly filter cleaning. Check your model manual for its filter design and interval.

Can I clean a dishwasher filter with a brush?

Bosch recommends soap and a soft brush under running water for the filter it describes. Use the removal and cleaning method in your own model manual.

What does Bosch E22 or E9240 mean?

Bosch lists E22 and E9240 as blocked-filter codes. Remove and rinse the filter only as the model manual directs; contact support if the code returns.

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