The Whirlpool Refrigerator code PO means: Power outage indicator - the refrigerator lost power and the freezer temperature rose above safe levels. This is informational, not a component failure.
Difficulty: Easy — DIY fix, no parts needed
What to do, step by step
- Press any button to acknowledge and clear the code.
- Check food safety: fridge at or below 41F, freezer at or below 0F.
- Confirm the fridge resumes cooling within a few hours.
- If it recurs, check the outlet, breaker, and GFCI.
Video walkthrough
Is the repair worth it?
Before spending money, run the numbers: if the repair quote is more than about 30% of what a new refrigerator costs — especially on an older unit — replacement is usually the smarter call.
Check your quote with our free calculator →
Other Whirlpool error codes
Decoding a different code? Our error code lookup tool covers 200+ codes across all major brands.
For Repair Technicians
Turn this code into a professional quote in 60 seconds
FixFlow — error-code diagnosis, repair-vs-replace math, branded PDF quotes.
Try FixFlow Free →
Safety first: unplug the appliance (and shut off gas where applicable) before any inspection. If you smell gas, leave the area and call your gas provider.