Maytag Refrigerator PO — What It Means & How to Fix It
PO on Maytag means the freezer warmed during a power outage — acknowledge the alert and verify food is still cold.
What this code means
PO (Power Outage) on Maytag SY-platform refrigerators latches when power returns after an outage that let the freezer rise. It's informational, not a hardware fault, but the fridge wants you to confirm you've seen it.
Maytag French-door and side-by-side models on the SY platform (rating plate inside fresh-food section). The display shows PO until you press a button to acknowledge.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| House power outage | Very common | Yes — acknowledge alert |
| Breaker tripped | Common | Yes — reset breaker |
| Loose wall plug | Occasional | Yes — reseat plug |
| Brief brownout | Occasional | Yes — acknowledge |
| Control not clearing latched PO | Less common | No — technician job |
What you can try yourself
- Check actual freezer and fresh-food temps with a thermometer.
- Discard any food that rose above safe temp per food-safety guidance.
- Press the button indicated on the display to acknowledge/ clear PO.
- Ensure plug and breaker are secure.
- If PO won't clear with power stable, the control may need service.
When to call a technician
- PO won't clear after acknowledgment
- Freezer still warm hours after power returned
- Burn mark at outlet or cord
Typical professional repair cost: PO itself costs nothing — it's an alert. If the control won't clear, board service $200—$400.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clear PO on Maytag?
Confirm food safety, then press the acknowledge button on the display. PO should clear and normal display returns.
Is PO an error?
No — it just reports power was out long enough to warm the freezer. It's informational.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Maytag codes
- Maytag Dryer PF PF on a Maytag dryer is the power-failure notice: the dryer lost power mid-cycle and stopped. Nothing is broken — clear the code and resume the load.
- Maytag Washer F8 E1 Your Maytag washer started filling but isn't sensing enough water arriving — nearly always a supply-side issue with the taps, hoses, or inlet screens rather than a fault inside the machine.
- Maytag Washer F9 E1 Your Maytag washer is taking too long to pump out — the machine flags F9 E1 when the water hasn't cleared within about eight minutes, usually because something is blocking the drain path.
- Maytag Washer F5 E2 Your Maytag washer tried to lock the door or lid and couldn't — most often something is physically blocking the latch, or the lock assembly itself has worn out.
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