How to Replace W10872845 Dishwasher Pump Filter on Whirlpool — Step-by-Step

You're unloading the dishwasher and notice water pooling at the bottom again. The cycle finished, but your dishes are still sitting in a puddle. On models like the WDT780SAEM1 and WDT970SAHV0, this usually means your pump filter assembly has failed. Sometimes it's a crack in the housing, other times debris has damaged the internal mesh beyond cleaning. Either way, replacing the W10872845 pump filter is more straightforward than you'd think.

What You Need Before Starting

Tools required:

• Towels or shallow pan for water
• Flashlight (for inspection)
• Work gloves (optional)

Estimated repair time: 15-20 minutes

Difficulty level: Easy

Safety First

Unplug your dishwasher or flip the dedicated circuit breaker. There's standing water at the bottom of your tub, so expect to get a little wet during this repair. Have towels ready. The filter area can harbor sharp debris like broken glass or metal fragments from previous wash cycles, so inspect carefully before reaching in.

Step 1: Access the Filter Assembly

Pull out the lower dish rack completely. You'll see the spray arm in the center of the tub floor. Twist it counterclockwise about a quarter-turn and lift it straight up. Beneath it sits the cylindrical filter assembly. If there's standing water, bail out what you can with a cup or soak it up with towels.

Step 2: Remove the Old Pump Filter

Grasp the upper filter cylinder and turn it counterclockwise. It'll unlock from the lower filter plate. Lift out the cylindrical piece first. Now you'll see the flat circular filter plate beneath. This usually has a tab or arrow marker. Turn it counterclockwise following the arrow until it releases, then lift straight up. The entire assembly comes out as one unit on the W10872845.

Step 3: Inspect the Sump Area

Before installing anything new, shine your flashlight down into the sump opening. Look for broken glass, food debris, or small items that fell through. I've found everything from toothpicks to bottle cap fragments in there. Wipe the opening rim clean with a damp cloth. Check that the rubber seal or gasket area isn't damaged.

Step 4: Install the New W10872845 Filter

Take your new filter assembly and locate the alignment markers. Lower the flat filter plate into the sump opening first, aligning any tabs or arrows with the corresponding marks in the housing. Turn clockwise until it locks into place with a firm click. Then insert the cylindrical upper filter, pressing down and turning clockwise until it seats completely. You shouldn't see any gaps between the two pieces.

Step 5: Reassemble and Test

Replace the lower spray arm by aligning it over the center hub and twisting clockwise to lock. Slide the lower rack back in. Restore power to the dishwasher. Run a rinse cycle without dishes to verify proper drainage. Watch through the door window for the first few minutes. Water should drain away at the end of the cycle, leaving the tub floor dry.

Testing After Installation

After your test cycle completes, open the door and pull out the lower rack. The tub bottom should be dry, not puddled. Remove the spray arm and filter again to verify no leaks around the seal. Check that the filter locked properly and isn't loose. If water's still pooling, you might have a drain pump issue beyond just the filter, but the W10872845 replacement solves standing water problems in about 80% of cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this W10872845 filter fit my Kenmore dishwasher?

Yes, if your Kenmore model is actually manufactured by Whirlpool (most are). This filter replaces part numbers AP6030094, W10393351, WPW10693534, and 8579307, which were used across Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Kenmore, and Amana dishwashers. Check your model number against the compatibility list, but WDT-series Whirlpool models from 2010-2020 almost universally use this filter.

How often should I replace the pump filter instead of just cleaning it?

Clean your filter every month, but replace it when you notice cracks in the plastic housing, damaged mesh that won't come clean, or persistent drainage issues even after thorough cleaning. The mesh can develop microscopic holes that let debris pass through to the pump. If you're cleaning it weekly and still getting poor wash results, it's time for a new one.

My dishwasher still has standing water after replacing the filter. What's next?

The drain pump itself might be clogged or failing. Check the drain hose for kinks where it connects under your sink. Make sure your garbage disposal knockout plug was removed if the dishwasher drains through the disposal. Run the disposal before starting the dishwasher to clear the drain path. If none of that helps, you're likely looking at a drain pump replacement, which is a bigger job.