When your Jenn-Air refrigerator flashes PO, it’s telling you there was a Power Outage. The control sensed that electrical power was interrupted and, to protect the system, it may have reset some settings (temperatures, alarms, cooling modes) back to factory defaults. Most of the time, PO isn’t a component failure—it’s a safety alert and a nudge to check temps and food before you go back to normal.
What the PO Error Actually Means
A PO event is logged when the control detects a loss of incoming power long enough to affect cooling. You’ll typically see:
- PO or “Power Outage” on the display, sometimes with an audible chime.
- Flashing temperature readouts or a prompt to confirm the outage.
- Cooling paused or running with default setpoints until you acknowledge the alert.
If you just had bad weather, flipped a breaker, or unplugged the unit for cleaning, the message is expected. If it shows up repeatedly without obvious cause, you may have an electrical or control issue to track down.
Why It Happens (Common Causes)
Most PO alerts fall into one of these buckets:
- Actual outage or brownout in your home or building.
- Tripped breaker or GFCI outlet cutting power to the fridge circuit.
- Loose plug in the wall or a partially seated power cord after moving the appliance.
- Extension cord / multi-tap use (not recommended): voltage drop can mimic an outage.
- Power surge or repeated sags stressing the control board or start components.
- Defective outlet or weak breaker that intermittently opens under load.
First Things First: Food Safety (Quick Check)
Before you clear the alert, do a fast safety sweep:
- Freezer: If food still has hard ice crystals or is ≤ 0°F, it’s generally safe to refreeze/cook.
- Refrigerator: If perishable items have been above 40°F for more than 2 hours, play it safe and discard.
- Use a thermometer: Don’t guess—verify internal temps in both compartments.
DIY Fix: How to Clear the PO Code and Restore Normal Cooling
Step 1 — Confirm stable power
Make sure the fridge is plugged directly into a properly grounded wall outlet (no extension cords). Check the breaker and GFCI; reset if tripped.
Step 2 — Acknowledge the alert
Most Jenn-Air panels clear PO by pressing and holding the “Confirm” or alarm reset button for ~3 seconds (on some models, it’s the “Measured Fill/Confirm” or “Alarm/Lock” key combo). The display should return to normal.
Step 3 — Power reset (if needed)
If the PO won’t clear, do a safe reset: unplug for 5–10 minutes, then plug back in. Wait 3–5 minutes for the compressor and fans to re-initialize.
Step 4 — Re-enter your settings
- Set Fridge to 37–38°F and Freezer to 0°F (good starting points).
- Re-enable features you use (e.g., Max Cool/Quick Freeze off unless you need rapid pull-down, Sabbath Mode off if accidentally enabled, Door Alarm on).
- If you have a water filter nearing replacement, confirm the reminder didn’t reset prematurely and reset the filter timer only if you actually changed it.
Step 5 — Let it stabilize
Allow 12–24 hours for full temperature stabilization—especially if you restocked warm groceries. Avoid opening doors frequently during this period.
If PO Keeps Coming Back (What to Check Next)
- Outlet & circuit health
Try another known-good outlet on a dedicated 15/20A circuit (temporary test with a safe, heavy-duty extension only if access is an issue—long-term, always plug directly into the wall). If PO disappears, the old outlet or circuit is suspect. - Power quality
Frequent brownouts? Consider a refrigerator-rated surge protector (not a cheap strip) or a line-conditioner. If your area has unstable power, this can prevent nuisance PO alerts and protect electronics. - Door openings & evaporator load after outage
If doors were open a long time during the outage, the control may flag PO again while temps recover. Keep doors closed to let temps pull down. - Signs of control trouble
Random beeps, blanking display, or PO without any true power event can indicate a UI board, main control, or wiring harness issue that needs diagnosis.
Preventive Care to Avoid PO-Related Headaches
1) Use a dedicated, grounded outlet
No extension cords or power strips. A direct connection keeps voltage stable and reduces nuisance alerts.
2) Add surge protection if the grid is flaky
A quality, appliance-rated surge protector or whole-home surge device shields the control board from spikes.
3) Keep airflow and condenser clean
A dusty condenser forces long run times after outages. Vacuum coils every 6–12 months (more often with pets) so recovery is fast and stress on components stays low.
4) Verify door seals and loading
Tight gaskets and clear air vents help the unit rebound to setpoint quickly after power is restored. Avoid overpacking shelves.
5) Log the conditions
If PO appears repeatedly, jot down date/time, weather, other devices flickering, and whether the breaker felt warm or tripped. This helps target the root cause.
Quick Reference (Skimmable)
- PO = Power Outage detected; settings may revert to default.
- Clear it by confirming the alert (hold the alarm/confirm button) or doing a brief power reset.
- Re-set temps to ~37–38°F fridge / 0°F freezer; re-enable features you use.
- Food safety first—verify temps, not just the code.
- Recurring PO? Check outlet, breaker, power quality, and consider surge protection. Persistent alerts with no outage = time for diagnosis.
When to Call a Pro
- The PO alert returns immediately after a clean reset and verified power.
- You notice other symptoms (random beeps, blank display, fans not running, warm cabinet sides for hours).
- Breaker or GFCI keeps tripping under normal operation.
A professional can test voltage under load, inspect boards and harnesses, and confirm that the sealed system and fans are behaving normally after power events.