Frigidaire Refrigerator PF and PO Power Outage Reset

Quick Answer

To reset a Frigidaire refrigerator after a power outage, press the 'Alarm Reset' or 'Options' button on the display panel to clear the PF (Power Failure) code. If the code won't clear, unplug the unit for 5 minutes to perform a hard reset of the main control board.

Most of the time you press one button and you're done. But if that outage lasted more than 4 hours, your food's probably in the danger zone even after the fridge resets. Check your temps before you just clear the code and walk away. And if you're getting PF codes with no actual outages happening? That's a loose plug or a failing outlet. That's a fire hazard, not just an annoyance.

FrigidaireRefrigeratorSeverity: lowDifficulty: easy95% DIY Success

Time to Fix

1–45 min

Difficulty

easy

Parts Cost

$25 – $280

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver (to remove rear access panel if needed), Multimeter set to AC Volts

What Does the PF-PO Code Mean?

Nine times out of ten this is a one-button fix. Press Alarm Reset and you're done. But every few weeks I get a call where someone ignored the code and the fridge never actually started cooling again after the outage. That's usually a fried start relay or a toasted control board from the surge when power came back on. Catching it early saves you from a $300+ repair bill or a whole fridge of ruined food.

Most Likely Causes

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

Standard Power Outage75%

Loose Power Cord/Outlet10%

Failed Control Board10%

Bad Start Relay5%

Symptoms You May Notice

PF or PO flashing on the display with a beep going off every 30 seconds or so, which gets old real fast
Interior lights work fine when you open the door but you can't hear the compressor humming at all
There's a solid sheet of ice on the back wall of the freezer because the defrost cycle got interrupted mid-cycle before the outage
Temperature settings have reset back to factory defaults, usually 37F for the fridge section and 0F for the freezer
Display is completely blank or showing scrambled characters instead of numbers

Can you reset a Frigidaire refrigerator to clear the PF-PO code?

Find the Alarm Reset button on your display panel and press it once. That's usually all it takes on Frigidaire Gallery and Professional models. If your model doesn't have that button, try pressing Set or Options and look for a way to dismiss the alert from there. If the display is frozen or totally unresponsive, unplug the fridge from the wall for a full 5 minutes, then plug back in and wait about 60 seconds for it to finish booting up clean.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriver (to remove rear access panel if needed)Multimeter set to AC VoltsFlashlight (to inspect outlet and plug connection)

Service / Diagnostic Mode

Hold the 'Colder' and 'Warmer' buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds to enter service mode on many Frigidaire Gallery models.

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range108–132 volts_ac

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Main Control Board5304512731 · $140–$280	5304512731	$140 – $280
Compressor Start Relay241707721 · $25–$65	241707721	$25 – $65

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PF mean on a Frigidaire refrigerator?

PF stands for Power Failure. It's the fridge's way of saying 'hey, the lights went out while you were gone, you should check if your food's still safe.' The fridge didn't break, it just logged the event and it's sitting there waiting for you to acknowledge it. The reason it keeps beeping is so you actually notice it before you grab a yogurt and head out the door. If power was out more than 4 hours and the internal temp climbed above 40F, play it safe with the perishables.

How do I clear the PF code on my Frigidaire?

Most of the time it's one button: Alarm Reset. It's usually on the upper right area of the display panel. Press it once and the beeping stops, your normal temp display comes back. Don't have an Alarm Reset button on your model? Try Options or Set. If none of that works and the display is just frozen or not responding, unplug the fridge for 5 minutes. That clears the board's memory and it'll boot back up fresh with no code showing.

Why does my Frigidaire keep showing PF when there wasn't a storm?

That's actually a red flag you don't want to ignore. If you're getting PF codes on calm, sunny days with no actual outage, you've probably got a loose plug or a failing wall outlet that's arcing. Arcing is when electricity jumps a tiny gap instead of flowing through solid metal contact, and that's literally how house fires start. Pull the fridge out and look closely at the plug and the outlet. If the outlet feels even slightly loose or looks scorched at all, get an electrician in there before you plug that fridge back in.

Will a power outage damage my refrigerator?

The outage itself usually doesn't. It's the surge when power snaps back on that causes damage. That voltage spike can fry the microchips on the main control board or burn out the compressor's start relay. I've seen perfectly healthy fridges get killed by a 2-second power restoration surge. If you don't already have a surge protector on your fridge, grab one. Good ones run about $25 to $40 and they'll save you from a $200 to $500 repair bill down the road. Worth every penny.

How long can my Frigidaire keep food safe during a power outage?

A full fridge holds safe temps for about 4 hours if you keep the door shut. Full freezer is about 48 hours, half-full is more like 24. The key thing is don't open the door, every time you crack it you dump cold air out fast. If the power was out more than 4 hours and you're not sure how warm it got inside, use the 'when in doubt, throw it out' rule. Especially meat, dairy, anything with eggs, and leftovers. Not worth getting sick over a $10 pack of chicken.

Related Frigidaire Refrigerator Error Codes

Code: HIFrigidaire Refrigerator HI Code: High Temp Alert

Same Fix on Other Brands

Electrolux refrigeratorPF: Electrolux Refrigerator PF Error Code

Models Known to Experience PF-PO Errors

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

FFHB2750TS, FGHD2368TF, FGHB2868TF, GRSC2352AF, FRSS26L3AF, FFSS2615TS, FGHC2331PF, FPBS2777RF

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on May 20, 2024