Make a decision
Filter replacement versus duct cleaning
One scope
A correctly fitted filter manages particles entering the air handler during operation.
The other scope
Duct cleaning removes accumulated material in identified duct sections.
A concrete example
After drywall sanding, a loaded filter warrants replacement. Material piled several feet into an open branch is a separate problem that a new filter cannot pull backward out of the duct.
Which question settles it?
A loaded filter alone does not prove ducts need cleaning; inspect actual duct conditions.