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How to Reset a KitchenAid Refrigerator Control Panel

person resetting temperature on fridge control panel

Power outages do more then turn off the lights. They can turn off your fridge and also interfere with the control panel so your fridge doesn’t cool as it should. When the power stays out for several hours, you run the risk of having your expensive food spoil.

To learn how to reset your KitchenAid fridge’s control panel just continue to read our article. It provides the instructions for you to do the task right without calling in a repairman.

How to Reset the Control Panel

There are several steps that need to be taken in order to get the control panel to reset. Here are those steps:

Step 1 – Letters ’PO’ Flashing

There should be a PO icon that is lit as well. You need to acknowledge that the power did indeed go out or the controls and dispensing functions will be disabled until you do.

Step 2 – Showroom Mode

If by chance you tried to reset the panel and you put the fridge in showroom mode then no feature or function will work except the interior light. You have to move the control panel out of this mode.

Step 3 – Sabbath Mode

It may sound crazy to you, but some models do have a Sabbath mode for those people who observe the Sabbath day by not powering certain appliances, etc. The temperature settings remain but almost everything else is shut off. Again, you will have to get the fridge out of Sabbath mode to reset the control panel.

PRO TIP: To get out of either mode, the steps are listed in the owner’s manual.

Resetting the Control Panel

Hand turning temperature dial in refrigerator

Once you have removed the control panel from the above two modes and it is still not functioning, you have to reset the fridge. Here are the steps to take care of that task:

  1. Turn off the circuit breaker or pull the plug out of the wall.
  2. Leave the fridge without a power source for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. After that time frame turn the circuit breaker back on or plug the fridge back into the outlet.
  4. Make sure you can hear the cooling unit working.
  5. Punch in some commands into the control panel to test to see if it reset or not (do this slowly and wait a bit before punching in the second command, etc.)

If the control panel is still not working or not working correctly, call a qualified and approved repairman to come to take a look at the fridge and control panel. Because it is a mini computer, let the pros handle the control panel for you.

Power Outages Are Not the Only Problem

Hand holding a plug end next to a power outlet

If you have followed all the steps above and the control panel is still not working right, there are few other sources for the problem.

  1. A Loose Connection– It does happen with fridges and the display panel may have a loose wire. That loose wire will keep it from connecting to the wire harness correctly and transferring power.
  • If all wires are connected correctly and tightly, then the display board is probably bad.
  • If the display board and panel are not the problems, then it may be the main control board that is bad.

These problems are why you need a skilled repairman. Not only do they have the tools to diagnose the problem, but they also have the experience and know where to look. If you are not good at working with computers and electricity, it is better to call the repairman as you may end up causing more damage and making the repair even more costly.

How to Acknowledge a Power Failure

Tall power line towers in front of a colorful sunser

There is a power outage indicator built into many models of KitchenAid refrigerators. When you see a PO error code it is telling you that the power has been off for a while and that the freezer temperature has risen to 18 degrees F or higher.

The PO letters will appear on the display screen and an alarm will sound 3 times. Then the word confirm will appear and remain blinking until you acknowledge the power failure.

To confirm, all you have to do is press the ‘measured fill’ button that is beneath the word confirm. Once you press that button the letters PO will go away and the display should return to the home screen

Resetting the control panel is not a difficult task to perform. That is if you know what you are doing. Make sure you do not lose or misplace your owner’s manual as you will need it to help you get out of different modes and reset the panel.

If things do not return to normal, make sure to contact a qualified repairman to fix the issue.

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