How to Clean a Dishwasher Filter: Where It Is and Steps by Brand

Quick answer

Most dishwasher filters sit in the floor of the tub, under the lower rack. Twist the round cylinder filter counterclockwise and lift it out (with the flat mesh filter under it, if there is one), rinse the parts under running water with a soft brush or sponge, and twist the filter back in until it locks. Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, and LG suggest about once a month as a starting point, while GE says every other month or more and Bosch every few months. Some models have a self-cleaning filter with nothing to take out.

Where is the dishwasher filter?

Pull out the lower rack and look at the floor of the tub, where Whirlpool says the filter usually is. You will find one of three setups.

1. A twist-out cylinder over a flat mesh plate. You clean this type by hand, and GE says most of its newer models have one. Brands name the parts differently:

• Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag: the upper filter assembly and the lower filter.
• GE: the Ultra Fine filter and the Fine filter, a mesh plate.
• Frigidaire and Electrolux: the cylinder filter, with a glass trap that catches broken glass, bones, and pits, and a flat fine or coarse filter. Some models add a micro filter.
• Bosch: a coarse filter, a fine filter, and a micro filter that lift out as one set.
• LG: an inner filter inside a stainless steel mesh filter.
• Samsung: a filter insert with a flat fine filter, or a cylindrical micro filter under a filter cover.

2. A self-cleaning system. These filters use water pressure and centrifugal force to clear particles on their own (Whirlpool). GE says its older models, and some current ones, work this way and usually have no removable filter. GE dishwashers also grind food particles with a stainless steel hard food disposer, according to GE.

Whirlpool and Maytag models with a “maintenance-free” filter have a small foreign object cup at the front of the tub, below the lower rack, that protects the pump and needs no regular cleaning. If it fills up, press the tab in its center, pull the cup up, empty it, and push it back down until it locks.

3. A filter that doesn’t come out. On Samsung models without a removable filter, wipe the reachable interior and drain area with a wet dishcloth, then run the empty dishwasher on a Normal or Quick cycle with detergent, as Samsung suggests.

Designs vary even within one brand, so check the care and cleaning section of your manual if you’re not sure which you have.

How each brand says to remove and clean the filter

Brand	How it comes out	How to clean it	How often the maker says
Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag	Turn the upper filter assembly ¼ turn counterclockwise and lift it out. Lift the lower filter slightly at its round opening and pull it forward.	Rinse under running water. Use a soft brush for stuck soil or hard water deposits. No wire brush or scouring pad.	About once a month; every two weeks for a large family or daily use
Frigidaire, Electrolux	Rotate the cylinder filter counterclockwise (a quarter turn on one 2024 manual), lift it out, then remove the flat filter.	Empty the cylinder and rinse the parts under running water. Use a sponge or bottle brush for leftover food; one 2024 manual allows a stiff plastic bristle brush.	“Regularly” (2024 manual); no interval printed
GE	Twist the Ultra Fine filter counterclockwise and lift it out. For the Fine filter, twist the two retaining posts at the back counterclockwise and lift it out.	Warm soapy water and a sponge. GE says scouring pads or brushes can damage the filters; use a soft brush only for stubborn soil on the Fine filter.	Every other month or more, depending on use (a second GE page says once a month)
Bosch	Remove the lower rack and move or remove the lower spray arm. Turn the coarse filter counterclockwise and lift the filter set out.	Running water, mild soap, and a soft brush.	Every few months; the SHX78CM5N manual says to check for residue after each wash
LG	Turn the inner filter counterclockwise by its handle and lift it out with the mesh, then separate the two.	Running water with a soft brush or sponge. No steel wool or abrasive brushes.	At least once a month, especially with hard water; see the manual’s chart
Samsung	Turn the dishwasher off, rotate the filter counterclockwise, and lift it up. Then lift out the fine filter, or the micro filter under its cover.	Remove debris and rinse under running water; a toothbrush for gentle scrubbing. Dry the micro filter and cover before reinstalling.	Whenever debris builds up

Instructions vary by model. Your owner's manual is the final word for your dishwasher. Source: Manufacturer support pages and owner's manuals listed in Sources

Step by step: cleaning a twist-out filter

These steps fit the cylinder-and-plate designs above. Where your manual differs, follow the manual.

1. Turn the dishwasher off and let it cool if it just ran.
2. Pull out the lower rack. On Bosch models, also move the lower spray arm out of the way, or remove it if your manual says to.
3. Pick out loose debris first. Wearing gloves, remove large food bits and objects such as toothpicks, broken glass, and olive pits before the filters come out. Anything that drops into the filter opening can cause more problems, Whirlpool warns, and Bosch’s manual says the same about the sump.
4. Twist and lift. Turn the cylinder counterclockwise and lift it out, then lift out the flat filter under it, if your model has one. On GE models, twist the Fine filter’s two rear posts counterclockwise first.
5. Empty and rinse. Knock the debris into the trash, then rinse each part under running water, with a soft brush or sponge for anything stuck on (warm water or mild soap, per Whirlpool, GE, and Bosch). On Bosch filters, also clean the rim between the coarse and fine filters.
6. Look into the opening. Samsung says to keep the drain area clean too. Debris below the filter seat means the pump area may need attention; see the pump check in Dishwasher Not Draining, and only open a pump cover if your manual describes it.
7. Reassemble and lock. Put the flat filter back first, then the cylinder, and turn it clockwise.
   • Whirlpool: place the lower filter under the locating tabs in the tub floor. If the upper assembly still turns freely, it isn’t locked, so keep turning until it drops and locks.
   • GE: line up the Ultra Fine filter with the arrow molded into the Fine filter.
   • Frigidaire (one manual): press down and rotate until the arrows line up and you feel a click.
8. Reset the reminder light. On Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag models with a Clean Filter indicator, hold the Clean Filter button for 3 seconds after cleaning, then open and close the door.

A filter that isn’t locked causes its own problems: poor cleaning results, according to LG, or errors and drain or overflow problems, according to Samsung.

What not to do

• Don’t scrub with a wire brush, steel wool, or a scouring pad. Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, LG, and GE all warn against abrasive tools. On GE’s Ultra Fine filter even ordinary brushes can do damage, so use a sponge there. Frigidaire is the exception: its 2024 manual says a stiff plastic bristle brush may be needed.
• Don’t force the parts apart. The tabs on LG’s inner filter can wear out with rough handling. LG’s video says to rotate the inner filter until there is room between the tab and the steel rim, then press the tab with your thumb.

How often to clean the dishwasher filter

Manufacturers tie the schedule to how often you run the dishwasher, how much food goes in with the dishes, and how hard your water is. The Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag help pages say about once a month, or every two weeks for a large family or daily use. One Whirlpool owner’s manual (W10644345B) has a more detailed chart:

Loads per week	Scrape only	Scrape and rinse	Wash before loading
8 to 12	Every two months	Every four months	Once a year
4 to 7	Every four months	Once a year	Once a year
1 to 3	Twice a year	Once a year	Once a year

If your water is harder than 15 grains, this manual says to clean the filter at least once a month. Other Whirlpool models may differ. Source: Whirlpool Dishwasher User Instructions, W10644345B

Whirlpool recommends “scrape only,” because it saves the water, energy, and time you would spend rinsing.

LG says at least once a month, especially with hard water, and to follow the chart in your manual. Its online chart runs from once a year for scraped and rinsed dishes at light use up to twice a week for 13 to 14 loads of unscraped dishes. If cleaning performance drops, you may need to clean more often than the chart says.

GE recommends inspecting and cleaning its Fine and Ultra Fine filters every other month, or more often depending on use. A separate GE wash performance page says once a month.

Bosch suggests every few months and warns that built-up food can seriously damage the filter and the pump. Its SHX78CM5N manual says to check the filters for residue after each wash.

Frigidaire’s 2024 manual says to check and clean the filters regularly, but neither Frigidaire manual listed here prints a schedule. Samsung says to clean the filter whenever debris builds up.

Signs the filter needs cleaning now

• You can see food or objects on the filter (Whirlpool).
• Dishes come out dirty or feel gritty (Whirlpool, GE).
• The dishwasher smells (Whirlpool, LG).
• Water drains slowly or stays in the tub (LG).
• A filter code appears. Frigidaire’s i40 means a clogged filter or sump. Samsung’s 1E (which can look like IE) is a clogged filter error. On the Bosch SHX78CM5N, E:92-40 means the filters are soiled or blocked.

Filter clean, but still having problems?

• Water still standing in the tub: work through Dishwasher Not Draining for the drain hose, garbage disposal, and air gap.
• Dishes still dirty, gritty, or filmy: see Dishwasher Not Cleaning Dishes Well for spray arms, hot water, and detergent.
• A smell that won’t go away: Dishwasher Smells Bad? covers the door gasket, cleaning cycles, and the drain hose.
• Bosch showing E24 or E25: see Bosch Dishwasher E24 or E25 Error.