Whirlpool Refrigerator Error Codes
PO, E0 F3, E1 F1, CE — What They Mean & How We Fix Them
Whirlpool refrigerators (WRF, WRS, WRX, WRT side-by-side, French-door, and top-mount series) share similar controls with KitchenAid, Maytag and Amana. Common calls are PO (power-outage notification — not a fault), 'Freezer Too Warm' alarms (evap fan or defrost), and ice-maker faults.
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Updated June 21, 2026
Quick answer
Whirlpool Refrigerator Error Code Repair — Twin Cities — Quick Answer
What we fix in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities repair mix
PO — power outage (not a fault)
PO means the fridge lost power long enough that food may have warmed. Press any button to dismiss. If interior temps stayed at or below 40°F the food is fine (see USDA food-safety guidance for power outages). If PO returns repeatedly without an actual outage, suspect a loose outlet connection or marginal cord.
Freezer Too Warm / Fresh-food Too Warm
Three causes in order: (1) Evap fan failure — listen at the back of the freezer; silent fan = no cold air to the fresh-food side. $245–$365. (2) Defrost system — adaptive defrost board, defrost heater, or bimetal thermostat (frost cakes the evap coil and blocks airflow). $285–$425. (3) Sealed system — compressor or refrigerant leak. We'll quote repair vs replace honestly on freestanding units.
Whirlpool refrigerator repair in the Twin Cities
We stock Whirlpool evap fans, condenser fans, defrost heaters and bimetals, adaptive defrost boards, thermistors, water valves, modular and infrared ice-maker assemblies, dispenser boards, main control boards, and door gaskets on the truck. 1-year written warranty.
Need appliance repair in the Twin Cities? Call 7am–9pm, every day.
FAQ
Refrigerator repair in the Twin Cities: FAQs
Why is my Whirlpool freezer warm but fridge fine?
Usually the defrost system — frost cakes the evap coil and the fan can't move air through it. Defrost heater, bimetal, or adaptive defrost board. $285–$425.
Why is my Whirlpool fridge warm but freezer fine?
Usually the evaporator fan in the freezer — it pushes cold air to the fresh-food side. No fan = warm fridge. $245–$365.
Are Whirlpool and KitchenAid / Maytag refrigerator codes the same?
Often. Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag and Amana refrigerators, and Whirlpool-built Kenmore (106.*) models, often share codes and parts. Confirm by model number before ordering anything.
How much does Whirlpool refrigerator repair cost?
Most Whirlpool refrigerator repairs land $245–$525 all-in. Evap fan $245–$365. Defrost system $285–$425. Thermistor $245–$345. Water valve $245–$345. Ice maker $285–$425. Main control board $385–$525. The $149 trip fee is credited toward the repair when you approve it.
Related repair pages
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What will this cost?
Pricing & repair-cost pages
Trying to decide repair vs. replace? These pages break down real Twin Cities pricing by brand, model class, and failure mode.
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Book refrigerator repair in the Twin Cities
Have your model and serial number handy. Call early and we can often get you a same-day window across the Twin Cities.
What do Whirlpool refrigerator alerts and codes mean?
Most Whirlpool refrigerators show alerts rather than long fault-code lists, and the display depends on the model. These are the ones homeowners call about most.
| Alert or symptom | What it means | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| PO | Power was interrupted; the alert is a notice, not a fault | Food temperature, outlet and cord if it repeats |
| Filter reminder | Scheduled water filter change | Replace the filter; reset the reminder per the manual |
| Door alarm | A door has been open too long or is not sealing | Gasket, hinges, items blocking the door |
| Temperature too warm | Cooling is not keeping up | Evaporator fan, defrost system, condenser coil, sealed system |
| Ice maker not making ice | Ice production has stopped | Water supply, fill tube, water valve, ice maker module |
Published prices on this page: evaporator fan $245-$365, defrost system $285-$425, thermistor $245-$345, water valve $245-$345, ice maker $285-$425. The $149 trip fee is credited toward the repair when you approve it.
What does PO mean on a Whirlpool refrigerator?
PO means power outage. The refrigerator is telling you power was off for a while, and it is a notice rather than a fault. Press the control to dismiss it. Check the food: items that stayed cold, at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, are fine, and anything that warmed above that for a long time should be judged carefully.
If PO appears again with no outage in your home, look at the outlet and the plug. A loose or worn outlet, a shared extension cord or a tripping GFCI circuit can interrupt power briefly. Plug the refrigerator straight into a wall outlet and watch whether it repeats. If it does, call an electrician or us to check the supply and the control.
Why is my Whirlpool freezer cold but the refrigerator warm?
That pattern usually points to airflow. In many Whirlpool models the freezer holds the cold-air source, and a fan pushes air to the fresh-food side. If frost builds on the evaporator or the fan stops, the freezer may stay cold while the fridge warms up.
You can safely look for obvious problems: confirm the vents inside are not blocked by food, check the door seals, and listen at the back of the freezer for a fan. Do not chip ice off the coil, which can puncture sealed tubing. A defrost problem is repaired by finding the failed part, such as the heater, the sensor or the defrost board, and replacing it.
How do I tell a Whirlpool alert from a real failure?
A notice appears once and goes away when you press a button. A real failure keeps coming back, comes with warm food or odd noises, or leaves the compressor running constantly. Write down what the display showed and when, along with whether the freezer or fridge side is affected.
Whirlpool-built refrigerators share a lot of design with several sister brands, so the same alert may appear on a Maytag or Amana. See our Whirlpool refrigerator repair page and Whirlpool appliance repair hub for the repair side.
Should I keep food in a refrigerator that keeps alarming?
Use a thermometer. Keep it in a glass of water in the fridge for a few hours: if it reads above 40 degrees, move perishables to a cooler with ice until the unit is fixed. The freezer is safe if food is still hard and has ice crystals. Central Minnesota Appliance Repair offers same-day appointments, which matters most when food is at risk.
More Whirlpool refrigerator code questions
Does unplugging the refrigerator reset the alerts?
It can clear a stuck alert, but it will not fix a failed fan or heater. If the problem returns within a day or two, it needs diagnosis.
Why is my Whirlpool fridge clicking with no cooling?
Clicking can be a start relay or compressor trying to start, or a fan hitting ice. Unplug for a few minutes; if it clicks again without running, call us.
Is a Whirlpool refrigerator with a warm fridge side worth repairing?
Often yes if the cause is a fan, sensor or defrost part. We give the cost before any repair, so you can compare it with replacement.