The English pages of Whirlpool's WDT970SAKZ owner's manual describe no Wi-Fi feature, no app pairing and no network setting: its setting menu covers rinse aid level, sound level, light in the tub, Kosher Consumer Friendly mode and factory reset only. Whirlpool's connection article is written for its smart appliances generally and starts with signing in to an account. If you cannot find a network option on this dishwasher, that is what the manual describes, not a broken feature. Use the panel controls, which cover every function the manual lists.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool dishwasher will not connect to Wi-Fi or the manufacturer's app”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Expecting network setup on a model whose manual has none
What separates it The setting menu shows only A, S, L, E and r entries and no connection option
How to confirm Compare the label with the manual's model list; use the panel controls
- 2
Following the generic smart-appliance article for a different model
What separates it The article asks for an app step this dishwasher never shows
How to confirm Use only the steps in this model's owner's manual
- 3
Control Lock or Kosher Consumer Friendly mode is on
What separates it Buttons other than Cancel do nothing, so no menu can be entered
How to confirm Press Cancel; the Kosher mode ends on Cancel or after 75 hours
- 4
The setting menu was not entered correctly
What separates it The Hi Temp and Dry lights never come on together
How to confirm Press and hold Hi Temp for 5 seconds, then press Start/Resume within 2 seconds
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The full model number from the label inside the door
- Which settings-menu entries appear when you hold Hi Temp for 5 seconds
- Whether Control Lock or Kosher Consumer Friendly mode is active
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedConfirm the model
ReversibleRead the model and serial number on the label inside the door and compare it with WDT970SAKZ. The manual's controls are Start/Resume, Cancel, Hi Temp, Dry, Normal, Cycle and option buttons, with a Sani and status light set, and no network option.
Enter the setting menu
ReversiblePress and hold the Hi Temp button for 5 seconds until the Hi Temp and Dry lights turn on, then press Start/Resume within 2 seconds. On a display model an A shows for Rinse Aid Level; on a non-display model the Tough or Cookware light lights.
Move between settings
ReversiblePress the Cycle or Normal button to step through Sound Level, Light in Tub, Kosher Consumer Friendly and Factory Reset, then press Start/Resume to open the setting and Cycle or Normal to change its value.
Confirm or leave the menu
ReversiblePress Start/Resume to confirm. The setting does not change until Start/Resume is pressed. Press Cancel to exit, or wait 30 seconds without pressing anything.
Use the panel for everything else
ReversibleStart a cycle with Start/Resume, cancel with Cancel and check the status lights at the end of the cycle. If a light pattern repeats, use the error-code page.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Model facts from Whirlpool's manual
- Built-in dishwasher that needs a hot water connection at 120 F (49 C) and 20 to 120 psi (138 to 862 kPa), a 120 V 60 Hz supply on a 15 or 20 amp fused circuit (it may share a circuit with a garbage disposal if the branch circuit is not overloaded), a drain hose no longer than 12 ft and looped or connected to an air gap at least 20 inches above the floor. Typical cycle time is about 2 1/2 hours. The manual says rinse aid needs adding every 1 to 3 months and that hard water of 15 grains per gallon or more can damage the dishwasher.
- Settings-menu values
- Rinse Aid Level A0 to A6 dispenses 0 mL (off), 1.3 mL, 2.6 mL, 3.9 mL and 5.2 mL for the higher levels; Sound Level S1 is on and S0 off; Light in Tub L1 turns the light on when the door is opened and L0 off; E1 and E0 turn Kosher Consumer Friendly mode on and off; r resets to the default settings.
- Parts for this problem on the WDT970SAKZ (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- $60.00 cash back user interface control panel, part number W11806852, at $266.16; $60.00 cash back control board, part number W11672041, at $293.43.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models WDT750SAKZ, WDT730HAMZ, WDT540HAMZ, WDP540HAMZ, WDTA50SAHZ, WDF520PADM.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the display or lights show F6E1, a user interface service communication fault, contact Whirlpool service
- !If the dishwasher runs cycles normally, the absence of an app link is not a fault and needs no repair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The setting-menu codes, error codes and installation figures below are the manual's own. Whirlpool's dishwashers with a display, a third rack sensor or different controls use other menus and codes, so confirm the model on the label inside the door before relying on a button name or a code here.
Whirlpool's own article on a dishwasher that will not fill, including the Start/Resume indicator and the 3 second door rule.
Whirlpool's own manual for this model, English pages 1 to 29: maintenance, loading, care, setting menu, error codes, installation and the check-operation cycle.
Whirlpool's own help articles for its dishwashers, each; the article for this page is named in the page's notes.
Whirlpool's own product-assistance and cleaning articles for its dishwashers.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the WDT970SAKZ have Wi-Fi?+
Whirlpool's owner's manual for this model describes no Wi-Fi or app connection. Its settings menu covers rinse aid, sound, tub light, Kosher mode and factory reset.
How do I open the settings menu?+
Press and hold Hi Temp for 5 seconds until the Hi Temp and Dry lights come on, then press Start/Resume within 2 seconds.
What does A mean in the menu?+
Rinse Aid Level, from A0 (rinse aid off) to A6, dispensing from 0 mL up to 5.2 mL.
How do I turn off the sound?+
In the menu choose Sound Level and set S0. S1 is sound on.
What is Kosher Consumer Friendly mode?+
It disables every button except Cancel and the tub light for 75 hours. Press Cancel to exit early.
What does r do?+
Factory Reset returns the settings to their defaults.
How do I exit the menu?+
Press Cancel, or wait 30 seconds without pressing any button.
Can I check a setting without changing it?+
Yes. Follow the first steps, press Start/Resume to show the setting and press Cancel to exit without changes.