If you lay your refrigerator on it’s side when you move it, oil inside the compressor may get into the cooling lines. The oil in the compressor is meant to stay in the compressor and every possible precaution to avoid this should be taken. If oil from the compressor does get into the cooling lines of the fridge, the oil may not totally drain out from the cooling lines. If oil from the compressor is in the cooling lines the fridge cannot cool.
Refrigerator Was Laid On Its Side When Moving
If you did have your refrigerator on its side when moving or transporting it, once you get it to where it will be installed, leave it in its normal upright position for at least 3 to 4 hours (or longer if possible) before you plug it in to power. If your refrigerator was on its side for more than 24 hours, let it stand upright for 24 hours before plugging it in. Allowing the fridge to stand in its normal position before plugging it in will give the oil time to flow back into the compressor where it belongs. Once you have waited the required time with your fridge upright it may take up to 3 days for the fridge to reach normal cooling temperature. If the refrigerator is not filled with food, it may take even longer.
When moving your refrigerator, keep it in the upright position!
Keep the fridge/compressor upright to avoid compressor oil from leaking into cooling lines!
Will I damage my fridge if I lay it on its side or back?
If you must lay the fridge down because of lack of transport space, avoid laying it 100% flat. Tip it at an angle if possible as this will help to keep the oil from flowing out of the compressor. Be sure the cooling and discharge lines on the compressor are facing upward. Remember when transporting your fridge you want to do everything possible to NOT let the compressor oil get into the cooling lines. Avoid laying the fridge completely flat and keeping the compressor tubes face up will help not let the oil into the cooling lines.
When moving a refrigerator…
Always move your refrigerator in the upright position!
Can I damage the compressor when moving my refrigerator?
The refrigerator compressor is usually sitting inside the compressor housing on springs or rubber feet that support it. The springs or rubber feet hold the compressor in a vertical position. When you move a refrigerator on it’s side the springs or rubber feet on the compressor mount may stretch, break, or bend. If these springs or rubber feet get damaged the fridge may have a loud sound when the compressor starts. Your refrigerator may make shuddering and banging sounds whenever the compressor stops and possibly when it starts. If the springs, rubber feet, or any other part of your refrigerator has been damaged or broken, see below for fridge replacement parts.
How to Transport a Fridge by Yourself
Do you have questions or problems with your refrigerator that was laid on it’s side after moving it? Is the fridge not cooling? Please leave your comments and questions below and we will be happy to assist.
I bought a second hand fridge laid it down to transport 1 1/2 hrs door openings down. I have let sit 12hrs but trips breaker straight away, I didn’t check it when I bought it but apparently it was running I asked them to turn it off to settle. Is it fixable. Brent
Morning Sir/Madam
Please advice me here ,I was transporting my fridge to my current locatin ,on the way fridge fell down from bakkie.now when I on it does not show any power or it does not on .I need identify a problem .
I have my refrigerator delivered through Dolly a national moving services. It was delivered laying flat on its bag. I nearly died ! My biggest concern is the racket it’s making. And the sounds keep changing? At first it was a strong clicking noise but we immediately and plugged it for an hour to and then I got better now it’s just raining very loud . How do I know if this was a problem before it was delivered or if it happened because of the way it was delivered ?
I layed down my fridge while transporting it…when i switched it on,it made sound as if there was some fluid in the cooling compartmental lines…switched it off since then
How do i ensure that the fluid goes back to the compressor?
Moved Whirlpool 10.7 cu ft on side for a total of about an hour. Let stand upright for 24 hours. The compressor and interior fan is running but there is absolutely no cooling after running all night.
Moved upright kenmore coldspot 106.92
Leaned it over no more than 30 seconds
Had it running for 24 hrs blowing hot air- how bad is the damage?
I moved a large fridge to the basement and had it turned completely upside down when getting it down the stairs. I did not let it stand for hours or days before plugging it in and it seems to be cooling fine. But I notice 2 things. First, the freezer seems to be continuously running (not good) and the air being discharged from the back of the unit is coming out cold. Is this something that can be fixed and if so how?
I have westpoint refrigerator Model No.WRR-209.It was moved laying on its side and unknowingly plugged immediately to power.after that the freezer is working but the cooler stoped cooling. What will be the solution to repair it.thank you for your assistance.
We moved our fridge and had to lay it down but we weren’t aware of not plugging it in for x amount of time till after we had already plugged it in. Is it ruined? Or will unplugging it for some hours still work? It wasn’t getting cold when we plugged it in.
My fridge fell and now it’s super hot but the freezer still works any ideas???