On the Whirlpool WDT970SAKZ, Whirlpool's help article says the control lock avoids unintended use and unintended cycle or option changes during a cycle: the lock light stays on for a short time when it is active, every button is disabled, and pressing any button while locked makes the light flash three times. The door can still be opened and closed. The owner's manual adds a related mode, Kosher Consumer Friendly, which disables every button except Cancel for 75 hours, so a dishwasher that ignores buttons may be in either state rather than broken.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool dishwasher controls are locked or buttons do not respond”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Control Lock is active
What separates it The lock light flashes three times when a button is pressed
How to confirm Follow the model's lock and unlock steps; the door can still be opened and closed
- 2
Kosher Consumer Friendly mode is on
What separates it All buttons except Cancel are dead and the tub light stays off
How to confirm Press Cancel to exit, or wait 75 hours
- 3
The dishwasher is asleep in standby
What separates it The panel is dark and a press does nothing until the door moves
How to confirm Open and close the door, or press Start, to wake it
- 4
A mid-cycle lock after a power interruption
What separates it Buttons are disabled during a cycle after a power cut
How to confirm Hold Cancel to drain and start a new cycle
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the lock light stays on briefly and flashes three times when pressed
- Whether the tub light works when you open the door
- Whether a power cut or a menu change came just before
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedWatch the lock light
ReversibleWhirlpool says that if any button is pressed while the controls are locked, the light flashes three times. That confirms the lock is on rather than a dead panel.
Try Cancel
ReversibleKosher Consumer Friendly mode disables every button except Cancel, so press Cancel; the manual says you can exit at any time with Cancel or wait 75 hours.
Wake the dishwasher
ReversibleWhen not in use the dishwasher enters standby or sleep mode. To wake it, open or close the door, or press Start.
Cycle power for 30 seconds
ReversibleUnplug the dishwasher for 30 seconds, or switch its breaker off if hard-wired, then restore power. Whirlpool says a control reset can solve many issues.
Check the door
ReversibleThe door must be closed and latched; on most models you hear a click. An unlatched door will stop a cycle starting.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Related menu items
- Kosher Consumer Friendly mode is entered from the same settings menu as rinse aid, sound and tub light: hold Hi Temp for 5 seconds, press Start/Resume within 2 seconds, step to the mode with Cycle or Normal, press Start/Resume to open it and Cycle or Normal to switch E1 on or E0 off, then confirm with Start/Resume.
- 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; housing, ui, part number W11505225, at $85.33.
- 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 buttons stay dead after exiting Kosher mode and cycling power for 30 seconds, contact Whirlpool service
- !If F6E1 shows, a user interface service communication fault, contact Whirlpool service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
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
How do I know Control Lock is on?+
The lock light stays on for a short time when active and flashes three times when a button is pressed.
How do I leave Kosher mode?+
Press Cancel, or wait 75 hours.
What if I turned it on during a cycle?+
The status lights at the end of the cycle will not turn off when the door is opened and re-closed.
Does the light in the tub matter?+
In Kosher mode it is disabled; otherwise the L1 and L0 settings choose whether it lights when the door opens.