Whirlpool Refrigerator PO Code: Power Outage Alert, Not a Fault (Meaning and What to Do)
What the code means
Whirlpool's Product Help says the Power Outage indicator lets you know if the power supply to the refrigerator has been off and the freezer temperature has risen to 18°F (-8°C) or higher. On French door and side-by-side models with a temperature display, the display reads "PO" and an alert tone sounds three times. "Confirm" blinks until you acknowledge the outage by pressing the MEASURED FILL button under "Confirm"; then PO disappears and the display returns to the Home screen. Whirlpool's control-panel troubleshooting page adds that while the indicator is on, all other control and dispenser functions are disabled until you confirm, which is why the dispenser or buttons may seem dead. On other models the display spells out "Power Outage" instead, and touching any button stops the tone and clears the icon. Whirlpool says the indicator is on some models only. Because PO is triggered by the freezer warming, it can also appear after the fridge was unplugged, a breaker tripped, or the cord was knocked loose, not just a utility outage.
Likely causes
- A utility power outage long enough for the freezer to warm to 18°F (-8°C) or higher
- A tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse on the refrigerator's circuit
- The power cord was unplugged or knocked loose (for example while cleaning or moving the fridge), or a GFCI outlet tripped
- The refrigerator was switched off or left unplugged after delivery or a move and then restarted warm
Safe DIY checks
Unplug the appliance (or switch off its breaker) and shut off the water supply valves before removing panels or disconnecting hoses. Keep towels handy for residual water.
- Press MEASURED FILL under "Confirm" (or, on models that show "Power Outage", touch any button) to acknowledge the alert. PO should clear and the controls and dispenser should work again.
- Check the food before anything else. Whirlpool's power-outage guide and FoodSafety.gov both say to discard perishable refrigerated food that has been above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours. Never taste food to decide.
- For the freezer, FoodSafety.gov says food can be safely refrozen if it still has ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below, though quality may suffer. A full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full) with the door closed.
- Make sure the cooling is on and give the fridge time to pull back down to temperature. Keep the doors closed as much as you can while it recovers.
- If PO keeps coming back without a known outage, check the breaker, make sure the plug is pushed fully into a working outlet (not an extension cord), and reset any GFCI outlet on that circuit.
- If the buttons still don't respond after confirming, Whirlpool's reset is to turn off the breaker or unplug the refrigerator for 1 minute, then restore power and make sure cooling is turned on.
🛠 When to call a pro
- PO or Power Outage keeps appearing even though the power never went out and the plug, outlet and breaker check out. That points to an intermittent supply problem or a control issue, so schedule service.
- The breaker for the refrigerator trips again after you reset it. That needs an electrician or appliance technician, not repeated resets.
- The control panel stays unresponsive after confirming the alert and a 1-minute power reset. Whirlpool says to schedule service if the problem persists.
- The fridge has power and the alert is cleared, but it isn't getting cold again after several hours.
Parts that commonly fix it
Always match the part number to your exact model.
Refrigerator and freezer appliance thermometers
Not a repair part. The food-safety rules after a PO alert hinge on 40°F in the fridge and 0°F in the freezer, and a thermometer in each section tells you where you stand.
[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_FRIDGE_THERMOMETER]Refrigerator water filter (your exact model)
Not a cause of PO, but if the fridge sat warm for a long time it's a reasonable moment to check whether the filter is due.
[affiliate link slot: AFFILIATE_SLOT_FRIDGE_WATER_FILTER]Sources
- Whirlpool Product Help: PO Error Code - Refrigerator (French door; freezer at 18°F/-8°C or higher, confirm with MEASURED FILL)
- Whirlpool Product Help: PO Error Code - Side by Side Refrigerator
- Whirlpool Product Help: Power Outage - Refrigerator (bottom freezer models; "Power Outage" display, touch any button)
- Whirlpool Product Help: Control Panel Not Working - Refrigerator (controls and dispenser disabled until outage confirmed; 1-minute power reset)
- Whirlpool Product Help: What to Do During a Power Outage (40°F/2-hour rule, 48/24-hour freezer guidance)
- FoodSafety.gov: Food Safety During Power Outage (keep/discard charts, refreezing rules)
Last reviewed 2026-10-22. Always confirm against the manual for your exact model number.