Correct seating helps the assembly perform its intended job and avoids leaving an unintended route around it. A clean filter placed incorrectly is not equivalent to a properly fitted one.
Understanding this situation
Check the model's alignment and locking instructions without forcing tabs or latches. If the assembly will not sit normally, something may be displaced or damaged; pressure is not a reliable correction.
A useful next step
Do not operate with a loose, missing or modified filter. Describe the fit problem and provide the full model when seeking help. Avoid inserting packing material to hold it down or running a cycle to pull it into place.
Manuals and supporting guidance
Model-specific instructions take priority. These references support the practical principles discussed here; they do not diagnose your appliance.