Full guide
What to check before you call
Safe observations first. Stop if anything involves smoke, gas, water near electricity, or a panel you would need to remove.
07 sections
To clean a dishwasher filter correctly, switch the machine off, take out the lower rack, release the filter assembly the way the manual shows, wash the parts with soap and water, and refit everything securely. Never run the machine without the filter in place. If the tub still holds water after a clean filter, the restriction lies further along the drain and needs a different check.
Cleaning a dishwasher filter can be frustrating, especially when it interrupts a normal household routine. A symptom alone does not identify a failed part, so start with observations that are safe, repeatable, and useful if you later arrange an ASKO service visit.
This guide separates routine care from work that requires testing or disassembly. Do not bypass a lock, safety switch, or error message to keep an appliance running. Taking a few notes now can make the eventual diagnosis faster and more accurate.
Start with the simple conditions
Wait until the dishwasher is off and cool, then use the manual to locate, twist, and lift the filter only as instructed. Make the check with the appliance in its normal position and without forcing panels, fittings, or controls. If the result changes after a simple adjustment, run one normal cycle or operation before drawing a conclusion.
Food debris in the mesh or filter housing can reduce cleaning and drainage, particularly in homes that do not pre-rinse dishes. Look for a pattern: whether the issue happens every time, only with a particular load or setting, or after the appliance has been running for a while. That distinction is more valuable than repeatedly restarting the appliance.
| Task | How often | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Rinse filter | Monthly | Warm water |
| Brush debris | As needed | Soft brush |
| Check housing | Each cleaning | Wipe gently |
The filter steps on ASKO US dishwashers
The cleaning guide for these dishwashers describes the sequence this way. Remove the lower rack. Turn the filter basket handle counterclockwise to take the basket out, then lift the handle to separate it from the fine filter. A flat rectangular cover surrounds the filter area and lifts out. Wash all filter components with soap and water and reinstall them, making sure the vent on the filter faces the front of the unit. The guide recommends cleaning the filters at least once a year, and more often with heavy use. Check your own manual for the sequence on your model.
What the debris can tell you
| What you find | What it can point to | What the next step is |
|---|---|---|
| Grease film but little solid food | Loads run with a lot of detergent or cooler programs | Clean again and check the amount of detergent used |
| A layer of fine food particles | Heavy use or dishes loaded with food on them | Clean more often if loads are heavy |
| Small hard objects such as bits of glass or labels | Items that fell through the racks | Remove them and check the spray arms turn freely |
| Nothing at all and still not draining | The problem is beyond the filter | Move to the drain-line checks |
Safe checks that protect the appliance
Consult the use-and-care manual for model-specific controls, filter access, and maintenance intervals. Clean only parts described as user-serviceable, use the recommended cleaning products, and refit every removable part exactly as it was designed to sit.
Before trying another cycle, clear obstructions, reduce an unusually heavy load, and make sure airflow, water supply, or door clearance is not being restricted. Avoid repeated resets: they can hide an intermittent fault and may leave water, heat, or pressure where it should not be.
- Record any displayed message or error code before clearing it.
- Check visible hoses, vents, seals, and plugs without moving electrical connections.
- Use one controlled test rather than several back-to-back attempts.
Safe to try
- Rinse with warm water
- Use a soft brush
- Refit filter securely
Leave to a technician
- Use sharp tools
- Run without the filter
- Reach into the pump area
Refitting the filter and checking the result
A filter that is seated slightly crooked can let debris pass into the pump area, which is why refitting matters as much as cleaning. Check that the basket handle is fully turned back, that the cover sits flat, and that nothing is standing proud of the base of the tub. Then run a single normal cycle and look at the bottom of the tub at the end.
If the tub drains and the dishes are cleaner, the filter was the cause. If water remains, do not reach into the pump area or run repeated cycles. The next checks are the drain hose routing and the filter area again, and a persistent drain problem is a reason to book a technician.
Why the filter is a maintenance part and not a repair item
The filter exists to catch food so it never reaches the pump. Because it works constantly, it needs regular washing, but it is designed for the owner to remove. The pump behind it is not. Anything beyond the filter basket belongs to a technician.
Know when the symptom needs diagnosis
If the basic checks do not change the symptom, stop at the user-serviceable boundary. Internal wiring, heating circuits, pumps, motors, refrigerant lines, gas connections, and control boards need the correct test equipment and a technician who can verify the repair safely.
Arrange service promptly when performance is getting worse, the appliance trips a breaker, leaks near electrical parts, smells hot or burnt, makes a new grinding noise, or cannot complete a normal cycle. Do not continue operating an appliance that gives a safety warning.
What to tell the technician
Share the model number, the exact symptom, when it began, what settings were selected, and the results of the safe checks above. A photo of a code or a short description of the sound can also help, but never remove a cover to obtain it.
Careful observation is not a substitute for repair, but it is the best first step. Address the simple conditions, preserve any useful error information, and leave electrical, gas, sealed-system, and internal mechanical work to a qualified ASKO technician.
Common questions
Can I put the filter in another dishwasher or clean it in the sink?
Washing it by hand with soap and water is what the cleaning guide describes. Use a soft brush for stubborn film and avoid sharp tools.
Is a smell a reason to clean the filter?
Yes. The guide lists clean interior and filters as the response to an odor inside the machine.
What if the filter will not turn or lift out?
Do not force it. Check the manual for the sequence on your model and confirm the lower rack is fully out of the way before trying again.
Need help now? Visit our services page or contact us.
Official manuals and support notes are available on ASKO Support.
Write down the full model number before ordering parts. Board and sensor revisions can change which part number is correct.
A single power reset can clear a temporary fault, but repeated returns of the same code usually mean a physical cause remains.
Keep vents and filters clear between visits. Restricted airflow often mimics electrical or sensor failures.
If water, burning smells, or sparking are present, stop using the appliance and arrange a professional inspection.