Homeowner guide · Last reviewed: September 12, 2026

Dishwasher smells bad? Check the filter, door seal, and standing water

Food caught in a removable filter or along the door seal can smell between cycles. Dirty water returning to the tub, persistent sewer odors, or a burning smell calls for a different response.

Short answer: If the smell is like old food and the dishwasher otherwise drains normally, empty the tub, clean only the filter your model’s manual says is removable, wipe the accessible door seal and tub edges, then run the manufacturer-approved cleaning cycle with the filter locked back in place. Scrape large food scraps before future loads and avoid leaving dirty dishes inside for days. If dirty water returns between cycles, the odor resembles sewage, or the machine does not drain, stop cleaning attempts and arrange plumbing or appliance service. For a burning-plastic or electrical odor, smoke, unusual heat, sparks, or water near wiring, stop the dishwasher immediately; do not try to mask it with cleaner or restart it. Never mix bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaners, reach into an inaccessible pump, remove panels, or pull out the appliance.

Why it matters

Maytag attributes many food odors to scraps in a filter, spray area, or tub and notes that standing water can make odors worse. Bosch and LG likewise identify a dirty removable filter as a common odor source and emphasize model-specific cleaning and secure reinstallation. GE distinguishes lingering food smells from dirty water appearing between uses, which can indicate a drain-hose installation problem needing an installer or plumber; it also notes that a new-machine smell may fade after several cycles. The smell, where moisture appears, and whether the dishwasher completed and drained are more useful clues than adding deodorizer to an unresolved drainage or overheating problem.

Safe checks, step by step

1
Identify the smell before opening or cleaning anything. If it is burning plastic, electrical, chemical, or accompanied by smoke, sparks, unusual heat, a tripped breaker, leaking, or water near the dishwasher's wiring, cancel the cycle, keep people clear, and seek qualified help. Never touch a wet switch, outlet, or electrical panel while standing on a wet floor.
2
For an ordinary stale-food smell without warning signs, confirm the last cycle finished and the tub drained. A little water below a filter may be normal on some models, but pooling above the filter, dirty water returning between uses, or a sink that backs up suggests a drain issue—not a cleaning-cycle fix. Note when and where water appears; do not pull the dishwasher out.
3
Empty the dishwasher, cancel the cycle, wait for spray arms and water to stop, and isolate power at a dry, safely accessible, correctly labeled breaker before reaching into the tub. If the breaker is unlabeled, wet, hot, damaged, or inaccessible, stop and call a professional. Wear gloves for possible glass or sharp debris.
4
Find the filter instructions for the exact model. Remove only a filter designated as homeowner-removable, rinse debris under warm running water, and use a soft brush if permitted. Do not force a stuck filter, lift a pump cover, reach into the drain, or use a wire brush. Reinstall and lock every filter component before running any cycle.
5
Wipe food and residue from the reachable door gasket, its folds, and tub edges with a soft damp cloth and a little mild detergent if the manual allows; rinse and dry the area. Check for debris visible around accessible spray arms without removing a fastener or probing an opening. Scrape large scraps from future dishes and don't leave a dirty load sitting for several days; use a model-approved rinse cycle if needed.
6
Only after the filter is reinstalled, the tub drains, and there are no hazard signs, restore power and run one empty cleaning or maintenance cycle with a cleaner explicitly approved for that model and used exactly as labeled. Never combine chemicals or use ordinary hand dish soap. If the odor returns promptly or a sewage smell persists, record the model, odor, water level, and cycle timing and arrange qualified appliance or plumbing service.

Stop and call a professional if

A burning-plastic or electrical smell, smoke, sparking, popping, unusual heat, a damaged cord or outlet, or a breaker that trips; leave the dishwasher off and seek qualified service
Water leaks onto the floor, collects beneath the appliance, or is near wiring, a plug, an outlet, or the electrical panel; do not stand in water or touch wet electrical equipment
Dirty water returns to the tub between cycles, water remains above the filter after a completed cycle, the sink backs up, or a sewage-like smell persists after safe cleaning
The filter is not homeowner-removable, is broken or will not lock securely, or a sharp object or obstruction is beyond the visible, accessible tub area
The odor quickly returns despite the approved cleaning cycle, dishes remain dirty, a drain error appears, or the machine hums without draining
Diagnosis would require removing a panel or pump cover, disconnecting the drain hose, moving the dishwasher, altering the under-sink plumbing, bypassing a safety device, or testing energized wiring

Related guides and tools

Sources

Last reviewed: September 12, 2026. This date changes only when the content is reviewed or revised. Always follow the instructions for your exact model.

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