The　continuous　operation　of　a　biotrickling　filter　(BTF)　is　difficult　to　guarantee　in　industrial　applications.　Herein,　BTF　packed　with　diatomaceous　earth-based　composite　fillers　was　investigated　to　treat　xylene　under　the　operating　conditions　of　complete　shutdown　and　nutrient　deficiency.　The　BTF　experienced　complete　shutdown　(4　h,　8　h,　12　h,　16　h,　20　h,　2　d,　and　7　d),　and　the　removal　efficiency　recovered　completely　within　1　d　of　operation.　The　performance　of　the　BTF　was　not　significantly　affected　by　87　d　of　complete　shutdown　or　43　d　of　nutrient　deficiency.　High-throughput　sequencing　revealed　that　the　diatomaceous　earth-based　composite　filler　could　provide　a　good　living　environment　for　microorganisms　and　maintain　microbial　activity　during　starvation　stages.　The　results　show　that　the　diatomaceous　earth-based　composite　filler　has　great　resistance　to　starvation.　©　2023　The　Institution　of　Chemical　Engineers