Electrolux Refrigerator PF Error Code: Reset Power Failure

Quick Answer

A PF code is a notification that your refrigerator lost power recently. To clear it, simply press the Alarm Reset, Mute, or any button on the control panel to acknowledge the alert and return to normal operation.

Most of the time this code isn't a big deal at all. Power went out, fridge noticed, now it's waiting for you to acknowledge it. But here's why you shouldn't just ignore it: if power was out for a few hours, you could have food in the danger zone and not know it. And if this code keeps popping up when you haven't had any outages, that's your signal to start looking at the outlet or circuit because something's not right.

ElectroluxRefrigeratorSeverity: low99% DIY Success

Time to Fix

1–5 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

—

Tools Needed

Instant-read food thermometer, Phillips #2 screwdriver (if pulling fridge out from wall)

What Does the PF Code Mean?

Honestly, I see this code probably a few times a week across different households. It's one of those things Electrolux built into the control board as a courtesy alert. The fridge logs every power interruption and won't stop nagging until you tell it you saw the notification. Cost to fix this yourself? Zero dollars. It's literally just pressing a button. The only time it gets expensive is when the code keeps coming back because something in your electrical setup is causing repeated voltage drops.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

External Power Outage75%

Loose Plug or Outlet15%

Tripped Breaker8%

Control Board Malfunction2%

Symptoms You May Notice

PF flashing on the control panel display, sometimes alternating with the temperature readout, and a beeping alarm going off every few seconds until you press something.
Everything inside the fridge looks and feels normal - compressor's running, lights are on, temps are coming back down - but the display won't stop showing the code.
Slightly warmer temps inside than usual, especially if the outage was long. Your fridge and freezer sections start warming the moment power cuts, so a multi-hour outage will actually show up as a real temperature rise.
The alarm keeps chirping even after you've already pressed reset once, which happens when the button press didn't register or the control panel needs the door fully closed first on certain models.

Can you reset a Electrolux refrigerator to clear the PF code?

Find the control panel on the door or inside the top of the fridge. Press the Alarm Reset button once - most Electrolux models have it labeled right on the panel. If yours doesn't have a dedicated reset button, press any temperature button (Plus or Minus). Still flashing after that? Hold the button for 3 full seconds. Nothing happening? Unplug the fridge, wait 60 seconds, plug it back in. The code should clear and you'll just see your set temperatures.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Instant-read food thermometerPhillips #2 screwdriver (if pulling fridge out from wall)Phone flashlight or small flashlight to see behind the fridgeMultimeter (only needed if testing outlet voltage for repeated PF codes)

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the PF code mean my refrigerator is broken?

Nope, not at all. PF is a status message, not a fault code. It doesn't mean anything inside your fridge failed. The board just noticed the 120V power feed dropped and came back, and now it's waiting for you to acknowledge the notification. Unless you're getting this code daily when there haven't been any outages, your fridge is probably totally fine. I see this on service calls all the time and most of the time I'm there for literally 30 seconds to press a button and explain what happened. It's a little annoying that Electrolux makes you manually clear it, but it's actually a useful safety feature.

How do I stop the PF code from flashing?

Press the Alarm Reset button. That's usually it. If your model doesn't have a dedicated reset button, try the Set button or either temperature button. Some models need you to hold it for about 3 seconds before it responds. If the panel isn't responding at all, unplug the fridge for 30 to 60 seconds and plug it back in - that clears the board memory and the code won't come back unless there's another power interruption. Don't overthink this one.

Why does my Electrolux show PF even if the lights didn't go out?

Really common situation. What probably happened is a momentary voltage sag - your power technically didn't go out but it dropped below the threshold the control board needs to stay on, sometimes for just a fraction of a second. This happens a lot when something big kicks on elsewhere in your house, like an AC compressor, a well pump, or a microwave on the same circuit. It can also come from a loose connection at the outlet or in the wall wiring. If you're seeing this code regularly every few days, get an electrician to check that outlet's voltage under load. Might be something simple like a loose wire in the outlet box.

Will the refrigerator still cool while showing PF?

Yes, it cools just fine. The PF code doesn't put the fridge in any kind of restricted mode or hold the compressor off. As soon as power is restored the compressor kicks back on and it starts pulling temps down automatically. The code just sits there on the display nagging you until you clear it. Kind of like the check engine light analogy - the car still drives, it just wants you to acknowledge something happened.

Can a bad control board cause a ghost PF code?

Yeah, it can. If the capacitors on the main control board are worn out or failing, the board can misread its own power supply and throw a PF code even when your home power is completely stable. I've seen this on boards that are 8 to 10 years old. If your home power is solid - no outages, no flickering - and you're still getting PF codes every day or two, the board is probably the culprit. Replacement boards for these Electrolux models run about $150 to $250 depending on the specific model, and it's a pretty straightforward swap that most handy homeowners can handle.

How long can my Electrolux keep food safe during an outage?

A fully-loaded fridge will hold safe temps for about 4 hours if you keep the doors shut - and I mean really keep them shut, no peeking. A packed freezer can stay frozen for 24 to 48 hours. The key is those closed doors. Every time you open it you're dumping cold air and speeding up the temperature rise significantly. Once power comes back, give it a couple hours to recover before loading it with anything new, and use a food thermometer on anything questionable before you eat it.

Models Known to Experience PF Errors

This repair applies to most Electrolux refrigerators with this error code. Common model numbers include:

EI23BC32SS, EI28BS36IS, EW28BS87SS, EI27BS26JS, EW23BC87SS, EI23CS35KS, EI23SS55HW

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026