I have a maytag dishwasher model # mdbtt70awb quiet series 300 when you push any of the wash cycle buttons nothing works. the only button that lights up is heated dry so there is at least power there. do you think the control panel is bad?

SOURCE: Maytag Quiet Series 300 dishwasher,

Our control panel is fine. For now. (The machine is only 3 months old). This is our problem--and I haven't yet seen this complaint at all over the internt: The lower wash arm is getting stuck on the bottom rack and stopping immediately. This seems to be a design flaw. The bottom rack is just built too low. A service man was out once. He tightened the wash arm. Didn't work. The service department at the dealership is now ignoring our subsequent calls!! So I wonder if the "not cleaning" problem you have is because of this.

SOURCE: Maytag Quiet Series 300 Dishwasher will not turn off after it com

MY DISHWASHER KEEPS RUNNING, IT IS A WHIRLPOOL GOLD QUIET PARTNER IV

SOURCE: Maytag Quiet Series 300 dishwasher, dishes come out dirty

A water softner will not make the dishes any cleaner, it just makes it so they don't have water spots on them.
If the dishes are dirty, it is most likely that the nozzles (holes) in arms may be plugged.
Also check to make sure you are getting plenty of water to dishwasher. Make sure all water valves are full turned open.

If the control panel does not work all the time, it is very likely you have either a shorted wire, or a fualty main board which is very common in newer machines.

SOURCE: Maytag Quiet Series 300 Legacy Series Dishwasher

Mine was doing the same thing and I just pressed and held down the heated dry button until the light went off. Then I was able to start my machine as usual. Hope this works for you.

SOURCE: 1.5 year old Maytag Legacy Series Quiet Series 300 Lock Light on

Hold down the heated-dry button for 3 seconds and the light will clear.