Does your water taste “dusty?” Clean it. Does the filter float like a buoy at the top of the pitcher? Clean it. Is it taking longer to fill your coffee mug than brewing the coffee itself? You get the picture.
One weird observation: a clogged filter can whistle. It makes a high-pitched whine as water squeezes through. It sounds like a tiny tea kettle having a tantrum.
How To Clean Zero Water Filter | CleaNESTOR
If you hear that whistle, don’t panic. Just give the filter a rinse and a shake. The tantrum stops instantly.