Written by
Tessa Brandt Appliance Care EditorPublished October 29, 2026
VERIFIED
Error codePO
ApplianceRefrigerator
PO stands for power outage
If the temperature display on your Maytag refrigerator suddenly reads PO, the refrigerator is reporting that it lost power. Maytag documents this alert for side-by-side and French door bottom-freezer models.
What you will notice
The letters PO replace the temperature on the display.
An alert tone sounds three times.
The word Confirm blinks on the screen.
When it appears
The message is given when the power supply to the refrigerator was off and the freezer temperature climbed to 18°F (-8°C) or higher during that time.
Clearing the message
Find the blinking Confirm on the display.
Press MEASURED FILL, the button beneath it, to acknowledge the outage.
PO goes away and the display returns to the Home screen.
If PO returns or the refrigerator acts oddly
When PO keeps coming back, or the refrigerator does not behave normally after the outage, the next step is a technician visit.
Related refrigerator messages
Flashing F is an error shown as a blinking letter instead of a temperature.
H2O Light concerns the water filter and has its own reset.
Maytag refrigerator service in San Francisco
After an outage in the Bay Area, if the display still shows PO, book through Maytag refrigerator repair or phone (415) 649-2156. Keep the model number nearby and be ready to describe how the display looks.
Model compatibility: Maytag reuses codes across series and model years, so PO may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
PO means a power outage let the freezer reach 18°F (-8°C) or higher.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Seeing this code on your Maytag appliance?
Book a specialist visit for a clear estimate and approval before any repair.
You submit a request with your appliance model and symptom, we confirm an appointment window, and a technician performs an on-site diagnosis. You then receive a clear estimate and decide whether to proceed before any repair begins.
Yes. We provide an upfront estimate after diagnosis. No parts are ordered or installed until you approve the work, so there are no surprise charges.
Replacement parts are selected for the exact model and confirmed with you before ordering or installation.
Service areas are listed on the Locations page. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm current coverage for your address.
Ready to get your Maytag appliance working again?
Book a repair online or call us — clear estimates and approval before any repair work begins.
