Sand in Whirlpool 7460

Hello,

My wife washed some kiddies plastic tools in the dishwasher, thinking they were “only” slightly sandy. I think there was more sand than she thought as after the wash eveything was very gritty. Now the washer starts a cycle but after a few seconds of emptying the sump it turns off, and sometimes bleeps continuously. I turned the dishwasher over and can see an opaque plastic container underneath which has some clear water in it but also what seems like a canister of sand coloured water!!!

I assume that sand has gone into the filter which the machine detects as a fault. I think this large plastic item can be unscrewed from inside the washer but I don’t want to do this without checking that it is reversible!! I’ve now been told that this part is the water softener so unlikely to be coonected to the fault.

I have tried flushing the sump out with hot water, which seems to get pumped away ok but the machine won’t then continue the cycle. Any advice would be welcome on what I can/cannot do myself!

Thanks

David