KitchenAid Fridge Error PO — Power Outage

What Does This Error Mean?

Error PO means a power outage was detected. The fridge is alerting you that temperatures may have risen while the power was off. Check whether food remained safe, then press any button to clear the alert.

How to Fix It

Press any button on the display to acknowledge and clear the PO alert. The fridge will resume normal operation.
Check the current temperature inside the fridge and freezer. The display shows the actual compartment temperature after a power event.
Assess food safety: refrigerated food that has been above 4 degrees C for more than 2 hours should be discarded. Frozen food that still contains ice crystals and feels cold throughout is generally safe to refreeze.
Allow 2-4 hours for the fridge to return to normal operating temperature (3-4 degrees C) and the freezer to return to -18 degrees C.
If PO appears repeatedly without a power outage, or the fridge does not cool normally after clearing the alert, the control board may have a fault. Contact KitchenAid support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PO a fault or just an information message?

PO is purely informational — it means the fridge lost power at some point. It is not a component fault. Simply acknowledge it and the fridge operates normally.

My fridge shows PO every time after a short power interruption — is that normal?

Yes. KitchenAid fridges are designed to log even brief power interruptions. This is a feature to help you assess food safety, not a malfunction.

How long can a KitchenAid fridge keep food safe without power?

A full fridge stays safe for about 4 hours without power if the door stays closed. A full freezer stays frozen for up to 48 hours. A half-full freezer stays frozen for about 24 hours.