GE Refrigerator Error Code PF — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

PF on a GE refrigerator means a power failure was detected. The fridge lost power and is alerting you. Check your food temperatures and press any button to clear the code.

Affected Models

GE Profile Refrigerator
GE French Door Refrigerator
GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator
GE Bottom Freezer Refrigerator

Common Causes

A brief power outage or power surge occurred
The refrigerator was unplugged and plugged back in
A tripped circuit breaker interrupted power to the refrigerator
A loose power cord connection caused an intermittent power loss
A whole-home electrical issue affected the circuit

How to Fix It

Press any button on the control panel to clear the PF code. The refrigerator will return to normal operation.

PF is an informational alert, not an error. It just tells you the power was interrupted.
Check the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer. After a power outage, verify food is still cold (below 40 degrees F in the fridge, 0 degrees F in the freezer).

Food safety: discard perishables if the refrigerator was above 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours.
Inspect the power cord and outlet. Make sure the cord is firmly plugged in and the outlet is working.

Test the outlet with another appliance to confirm it has power.
Check your home's circuit breaker panel. Reset any tripped breakers for the kitchen or refrigerator circuit.

The refrigerator should be on a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit.
Monitor the refrigerator for recurring PF codes. If PF appears regularly with no power outages, the internal control board may be malfunctioning.

A control board fault that triggers false PF codes requires a service technician to diagnose.

When to Call a Professional

PF is usually harmless and clears itself. If PF returns frequently without any obvious power interruptions, have an electrician check the circuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PF dangerous for my food?

Usually not — if the power was only off briefly. Check that the refrigerator feels cold inside. If the temperature rose above 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours, discard perishable foods.

How do I clear the PF code?

Press any button on the control panel. The code clears immediately. No reset or unplugging is needed.

Why does PF keep coming back on my GE fridge?

Recurring PF without real power outages usually means a control board issue. The board may be misreading the power supply. A service technician can run a diagnostic to confirm.