Kitchen & Appliances

How to Clean an LG Dishwasher Filter

An LG dishwasher filter catches food near the bottom of the tub, where a careless twist can damage mesh or leave the assembly unlocked beneath a spinning spray arm. LG's official procedure starts by removing the lower basket, taking out the filter—counterclockwise on some products—removing debris, and washing the parts under running water with a soft brush or sponge. Filter layouts vary: some include a cylindrical inner filter and stainless mesh, while certain models use a different self-cleaning or grinder arrangement. Use the model number on the door jamb and its manual to confirm which pieces are designed for owner removal before pulling on anything.

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Primary reference: LG official dishwasher filter-cleaning guidance. Always check the manual for your exact model.

Quick reference

Model
Confirm the removable filter layout in the exact LG manual.
Remove
Cool, power off, pull the lower rack, and unlock without forcing.
Wash
Rinse under running water and use only a soft brush or sponge.
Reinstall
Layer parts correctly, align marks, lock, and check spray-arm clearance.
Escalate
Service persistent OE errors, grinding, leaks, or pump-area glass.

What you will need

  • The owner's manual for the exact LG dishwasher model
  • Protective gloves for sharp debris
  • Warm running water
  • A soft nylon brush or nonabrasive sponge
  • Mild dish soap only if the model instructions permit it
  • A soft cloth
  • A shallow bowl for collecting glass or labels
  • A flashlight for checking the sump area

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Identify the filter arrangement

Read the model number along the door frame and open its maintenance section. Compare the illustration with the bottom of the tub. Confirm whether you have a twist-lock inner filter, flat stainless filter, additional mesh piece, or a design not intended for the same removal. Do not pry at a plate just because it resembles a removable filter in another LG video.

Step 2: Empty and make the dishwasher safe

Let a recent hot cycle cool, remove dishes and utensils, switch the dishwasher off, and keep it from starting accidentally. Pull out the lower rack carefully without striking spray arms. Wear gloves because bones, glass, can tabs, and broken ceramic can hide near the sump. Do not reach into cloudy standing water until power is isolated and sharp debris is located.

Step 3: Remove the filter in the manual's order

Note the alignment marks and handle position. LG says some filters release by turning counterclockwise. Lift the inner filter straight up, then remove any flat or mesh section only if the model diagram instructs it. Avoid forcing a locked part, bending stainless mesh, or dropping debris into the exposed pump area. Keep seals and small components together.

Step 4: Remove captured debris

Empty food, labels, glass, and foreign objects into the trash rather than the sink drain. Inspect each filter under bright light for tears, warped plastic, split seals, or blocked holes. Use fingers only on blunt residue while wearing gloves. Do not scrape the mesh with a knife, metal brush, or abrasive pad; damaged filtration can send debris toward the pump.

Step 5: Rinse and brush the filter

LG directs users to wash the filter under running water with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse from both sides and brush around seams and the cylindrical screen without crushing it. If the exact manual allows mild soap, use very little and rinse away all suds. Never use bleach, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, boiling water, or a dishwasher cycle with the filter removed.

Step 6: Inspect the sump and spray arm

With the filter out, use a flashlight to view only the accessible well. Lift visible debris with gloves, taking care around sharp glass. Do not unscrew pump covers, put tools into impellers, or pour chemicals into the opening. Spin the lower spray arm gently and clear its external holes according to the manual; a cracked arm or pump obstruction needs service.

Step 7: Reinstall and lock the assembly

Return flat pieces in the exact layered order, seat the inner filter, align the marks, and rotate it to the locked position shown by LG. It should sit flat without rocking or contacting the lower spray arm. Reinstall the rack and verify free spray-arm movement. An unlocked filter can lift during washing and compromise cleaning or damage components.

Step 8: Run a controlled verification cycle

Wipe the door seal and filter-area splash, restore power, and run the maintenance or empty rinse cycle recommended for the model. Watch for leaks, unusual grinding, standing water, or an OE drain error. LG provides separate citric-acid tub-cleaning instructions for compatible models; that does not replace physical filter cleaning and should not be improvised without the exact control sequence.

Specific cleaning questions

Open a question for a concise answer about stains, odors, safety, frequency, and troubleshooting.

How often should I clean an LG dishwasher filter?
Check the exact manual and adjust for use. Heavy food soil, labels, poor cleaning, odor, slow draining, or visible debris justify more frequent inspection.
Which way does an LG dishwasher filter turn?
Many LG filters unlock counterclockwise, but use the arrows and manual for your exact model rather than forcing a generic direction.
Can I run the dishwasher without the filter?
No. Reinstall every component in the correct order and lock it before operating the machine.
Can the filter go in the dishwasher?
Hand-rinse it under running water with a soft brush or sponge as LG directs. A dishwasher cycle can deform or fail to clean nested mesh.
Can I use bleach on the filter?
Do not improvise bleach or harsh chemicals. They can damage stainless steel, seals, and mixed materials; use the exact LG-approved method.
Why is there water below the filter?
A small model-dependent amount can be normal, while excess or dirty standing water can indicate a drain obstruction. Check the manual and error status.
What if I find broken glass near the filter?
Cut power, wear gloves, remove visible pieces carefully, and stop if glass may have entered the pump or cannot be reached safely.
Will cleaning the filter fix an OE error?
It may remove one restriction, but the drain hose, air gap, disposal connection, pump, or installation can also cause OE. Follow LG's full diagnostic path if it remains.