How to Clean a Whirlpool Dishwasher Filter

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Confirm that the filter is owner-removable

Find the model number around the door or tub and open its Whirlpool use-and-care guide. Compare the tub bottom with the illustrated filter style. Do not force a fixed cover, chopper assembly, or maintenance-free filtration system. The common two-piece method below applies only when the manual shows an upper and lower removable filter.

Step 2: Empty the dishwasher and make it safe

Wait until the appliance and dishes are cool, cancel any cycle, and remove the lower rack. Keep broken glass and sharp bones in mind; wear gloves and lift visible fragments with care rather than sweeping a bare hand around the sump. Do not reach into the drain pump or remove screws during routine filter cleaning.

Step 3: Remove the upper filter assembly

Grip the cylindrical upper filter and rotate it about one-quarter turn in the unlock direction shown by the model. Whirlpool's common Filter Style 1 instructions use a counterclockwise turn for removal. Lift the assembly straight out and place it in a bowl or on a towel so captured debris does not fall back into the tub.

Step 4: Lift out the lower filter

Gently lift the flat lower filter and pull it forward from beneath its locating tabs. Note which edges sit under the tabs and photograph the orientation if necessary. Do not bend the mesh or pry against the heating element, spray arm, float, or sump opening. Remove loose food from the accessible tub floor without pushing it into the drain.

Step 5: Rinse both filter pieces

Hold each filter under warm running water until most soil is gone. Rinse from both sides so particles leave the mesh instead of lodging deeper. Whirlpool recommends a soft brush for hard-to-remove food or calcium deposits. Do not use a wire brush, scouring pad, knife, or anything rough enough to damage the filter.

Step 6: Brush stubborn soil gently

Add a small amount of mild dish soap to the soft brush when greasy residue needs it, then work around the screen, cylinder, and plastic frame. Do not enlarge openings or pull at mesh. Rinse until there are no suds, particles, or slippery film; hand-dishwashing liquid left inside can create excess foam during a dishwasher cycle.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower filter under its tabs

Return the flat filter to the tub in its original orientation. Seat the rear or side edges under the specified locating tabs so the round opening aligns with the sump. The piece should lie flat without rocking. Do not install the upper cylinder over a crooked lower filter or press down hard to compensate for misalignment.

Step 8: Lock the upper filter assembly

Insert the upper filter into the round opening and rotate it in the lock direction shown by the arrows, commonly clockwise, until it glides into place and stops. Whirlpool warns that if the filter still turns freely, it is not seated correctly. A loose filter can allow large soil into the wash system, so correct the alignment before replacing the rack.

Step 9: Test and choose a maintenance interval

Spin the lower spray arm by hand to confirm it moves freely, return the rack, and run a normal cycle when convenient. Check the filter based on load type, scraping habits, and the manual's schedule; visible food, odor, gritty dishes, or reduced cleaning are signs to inspect sooner. Persistent standing water or grinding after a correct filter clean may indicate a drain or pump problem requiring service.