How To Clean a Frigidaire Dishwasher Filter in 7 Steps

A clogged filter is one of the most common reasons a dishwasher smells, leaves food particles on dishes or doesn’t drain fully. Frigidaire switched many models from self-cleaning grinders to manual filters to make them quieter and more efficient, which means the filter needs regular cleaning by you. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Where Is the Filter on a Frigidaire Dishwasher?

Pull the bottom rack all the way out and look at the floor of the tub, usually at the back or center beneath the lower spray arm. You will see a round, cup-shaped upper filter with a handle or grip on top, sitting inside a flat mesh plate. Together they form the filter assembly.

Some older Frigidaire models have a self-cleaning filter with a hard food disposer and no removable cylinder. If you don’t see a twist-out filter, check your use and care manual; those models only need occasional cleaning of the area around the drain.

How Often Should You Clean It?

What Do You Need?

• Soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
• Dish soap and warm water
• Soft cloth or sponge
• Towel to catch drips
• Optional: white vinegar for hard-water deposits
• Optional: rubber gloves

How Do You Clean a Frigidaire Dishwasher Filter Step by Step?

Step 1: Remove the Bottom Rack

Make sure the dishwasher is off and cool. Open the door and slide the lower rack out completely so you can reach the floor of the tub easily. Lay a towel on the open door to catch drips.

Step 2: Twist Out the Upper Filter

Grip the handle of the cylindrical upper filter and turn it counterclockwise about a quarter turn until it unlocks, then lift it straight up. Many models have arrows or an unlock mark molded into the filter.

Step 3: Lift Out the Lower Filter

With the upper filter out, lift the flat lower mesh filter from the tub floor. On some models it slides out from under small tabs; don’t force it.

Step 4: Rinse and Scrub the Filters

Rinse both filters under warm running water to flush off loose debris. Scrub the mesh gently with a soft brush and a drop of dish soap, working from the inside of the cylinder outward. For white hard-water scale, soak the filters in warm water with white vinegar for about 15-20 minutes before brushing.

Step 5: Clean the Filter Housing

Wipe out the opening where the filter sits with a damp cloth, removing food bits, labels or glass. Check that nothing is blocking the drain path. Avoid poking anything sharp into the pump opening.

Step 6: Reinstall Both Filters

Set the lower flat filter back in place so it sits flat with no gaps. Insert the upper filter through the opening and turn it clockwise until it locks and the alignment marks line up. A loose filter lets debris bypass it and reach the pump.

Step 7: Replace the Rack and Run a Test

Slide the bottom rack back in, make sure the lower spray arm spins freely, and run a short rinse or normal cycle. Check that the dishwasher drains completely at the end.

Why Does My Frigidaire Dishwasher Still Smell or Not Drain?

If cleaning the filter doesn’t solve the problem, check these common causes.

• Clogged spray arms: remove the spray arms and clear the small holes with a toothpick.
• Kinked drain hose: check under the sink for a bent or crushed hose.
• Garbage disposal knockout plug: on new installs, the disposal’s knockout plug must be removed or the dishwasher can’t drain.
• Clogged air gap: if you have a countertop air gap, pull the cap off and clean it.
• Dirty door gasket: wipe the rubber seal and the bottom edge of the door, where grime collects.

For a deeper refresh, run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner product or a cup of white vinegar placed upright on the top rack. If your dishwasher displays an error code, the steps in our guide on resetting a Fisher and Paykel dishwasher show the general approach to power-cycling an appliance, though you should always follow Frigidaire’s own manual for your model.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

• Using a wire brush or scouring pad: they can tear or stretch the fine mesh.
• Washing filters in the dishwasher itself: they won’t get clean without the filter in place, and the pump is unprotected.
• Running without the filter: debris can reach and damage the pump.
• Not locking the upper filter: a filter that isn’t turned fully clockwise lets food bypass it.
• Using bleach on stainless interiors: it can discolor stainless steel; stick to dish soap and vinegar.

How Can You Keep the Filter Cleaner Longer?

Scrape plates into the trash before loading; you don’t need to pre-rinse, since modern detergents work better with some food soil, but large scraps, bones, seeds and labels should go in the bin. Run hot water at the kitchen sink until it’s hot before starting a cycle so the first fill is warm. Use a rinse aid in hard-water areas to reduce scale buildup.

Regular appliance maintenance pays off across the kitchen; for example, a leaking refrigerator often has a similarly simple cause, as covered in why your fridge is leaking water. And if you’re cleaning other small appliances that hold water, see our guide on cleaning a Honeywell humidifier.

When Should You Replace the Filter or Call for Service?

Replace the filter if the mesh is torn, the frame is cracked, or the locking tabs are broken so it won’t seat. Use the genuine part number listed in your manual or on the model label inside the door. Call an appliance technician if the dishwasher still won’t drain with a clean filter and clear hose, you hear grinding from the pump, or you find water leaking onto the floor.

Frequently Asked Questions