Whirlpool Refrigerator PO — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as PO Fd on some models.
PO on a Whirlpool refrigerator means a power outage occurred and the freezer reached about 18°F or warmer — a food-safety notice, not a component fault. Check contents, clear the code, and only investigate if it keeps returning.
What this code means
PO is Whirlpool's power-outage notice: during a loss of power, the freezer's temperature climbed to roughly 18°F or higher — the threshold Whirlpool tracks for food safety — and the refrigerator records the event as PO once power returns. Nothing inside the fridge is broken; the code exists so you check the food before eating what may have sat warm. Food safely chilled means simply clearing the message and moving on.
Whirlpool shows PO after a power interruption when the freezer crossed the 18°F food-safety threshold. On some models the display clears PO with a press of any key or by exiting the error screen; on others a short power reset clears it. If PO repeats with no outage, treat it as a supply-side check, not a fridge fault.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Power outage long enough to warm the freezer past 18°F | Very common | Yes — check the food |
| Brownout or repeated short interruptions | Common | Yes — verify contents |
| Circuit or breaker event during an outage | Occasional | Partly — reset the breaker |
| Recurring supply issue at the outlet | Less common | No — electrician job |
What you can try yourself
- Check the condition of perishable food — the entire reason PO exists. Judge by time without power and by temperature, not by smell alone.
- Clear the PO message per your model: press a key or exit the error screen, or power-reset if your display needs the reboot to clear.
- Confirm both compartments are down to normal temperature again before restocking judgment calls.
- If PO keeps returning with no utility outage, check the circuit and outlet — a loose connection can mimic short outages.
When to call a technician
- Perishables sat above 40°F for more than two hours across the outage — food-safety decisions override the code.
- PO reappears repeatedly with no documented outage.
- The outlet or plug feels warm, or the breaker trips.
Typical professional repair cost: No repair cost — PO is a food-safety notice; only a supply-side fix (electrician, typically $100–$250) would cost anything, and only if it recurs.
Frequently asked questions
What does 18°F have to do with the code?
Whirlpool picks about 18°F as its freezer alarm line — it's the point at which the freezer is no longer guaranteeing frozen-food safety. Below that, food is presumed safe; at or above, contents need a careful check.
How do I know if my food made it through the outage?
Keep both doors closed during the outage, then judge by duration and condition: dairy, eggs, meat and leftovers are first to risk. The standard rule — when in doubt, throw it out — applies regardless of what the display says.
Can I stop PO from appearing next time?
Only by not having outages — a healthy dedicated circuit, a tightly sealed fridge, and keeping doors shut during interruptions all reduce both the temperature climb and the food risk.
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 Whirlpool codes
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Cooling Off COOLING OFF means the cooling function has been switched off, so neither the refrigerator nor the freezer will cool — on many models, pressing and holding LOCK and MEASURED FILL together for 3 seconds turns it back on.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Temperature Alarm The temperature alarm means the refrigerator rose above 48°F (9°C) or the freezer above 15°F (-9°C) for more than an hour — press Alarm to acknowledge it and check why the compartment warmed up.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator Door Ajar The Door Ajar alarm sounds when a refrigerator door or freezer drawer has been open for 2 to 5 minutes — close all doors to reset it, and check for items or leveling problems if it keeps sounding.
- Whirlpool Refrigerator CL CL or LO on a Whirlpool beverage center indicates the internal temperature is too low — check the door is closed, allow time after restocking or a power cut, and reset power for one minute.
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