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.
Ok so i just received a fridge a few days ago, my mom gave me it. It was her old fridge. Worked just fine when I went to pick it up. Brought it home and i plugged it in. I did tilt it at an angle when moving it. Left it plugged in overnight thinking it was ok then it wasn’t cold in the morning. Looked up information for why it wasn’t cooking and left it unplugged for 24 hours. The fans are blowing and there is no rattling or unusual noise except like a little click every 5 minutes or every 10 minutes like it clicks and pulls extra power because my light flickers in the fridge when it happens. Any advice? Doesn’t cool or freeze but it hasn’t been long since i plugged it back in.
Sounds like coolant leaks or other parts breaking may happen when moving a refrigerator so it cannot be assumed oil in the lines is always the problem.
It would be nice if they put the entire refrigerators cooling system into a module on the back that could be removed and replaced with a new cooling module, like installing a new window air conditioner.
In fact some people have altered the temperature sensor in an air conditioner so it could be used to make a walk in refrigerator room. So there are options for the mechanical minded.
Charlie,
Let the refrigerator stand upright for AT LEAST 24 hours before plugging in.
If you already plugged it in before waiting for 24 hours, unplug it, let it sit for 48 hours to let the oils, refrigerant settle.
After this time, plug back in and give the refrigerator some time to begin to cool, be sure compressor runs within 15 minutes of plugging it in.
Also check to be sure the control panel is set properly so the fridge is not in some sort of NO COOLING MODE.
-RR
Unknowingly I transported my Refrigerator from one location to another 100% flat.
I plugged it in after few days, I can’t feel cold air after it is on for half hour, the light is on but I can’t hear any sound from compressor.
Does the fridge stop working or I need to leave it on for a day to check?
I had a friend give me a fridge. Upon getting it sit up inside we plugged it in. Although it was only laying about half way down, we plugged it in and immediately smelled a horrible smell coming from it. The fridge was transport in a upright position and only laying in a half way position about 5 minutes. Once inside we stood it upright and proceeded toplugg it up. My question : “what caused the terrible smell coming from it??” We immediately unplugged it! What else do we need to do?
This exact thing happened to me yesterday. Now my unit isn’t cooling, but I know it worked before I bought it because the seller let me go by to check it out. Did you ever get your fixed? Do you have any advice on what I can do to get my unit working?
Is it fixable, is my question. I bought a 2nd hand Whirlpool side by side, and not knowing better, transported it on it’s back. I left it upright for nearly 24 hours after getting it home and cleaning it. Now it won’t cool. I can hear it running, and I had cleaned off the dust collection from the coils before plugging it in. Is this fixable by a basic guy like myself or might there now be a bigger issue?
The fridge was working fine when it left the starting location. It fell over while in transport – not secured properly and fell forward about 60 degrees when caught by another device. It was then laid on it’s back for about 20 min until it reached its destination. When the fridge was plugged in, it did not work – no visible signs of power (Lights didn’t work, no motor sound). Any advice? What’s the first thing to check? It’s now resting upright, unplugged.
Fridge moved on its side plugged it in for 5 min before told I couldn’t unplugged it six hours later plugged it in fan nothing is running now why??
What to do if already transported the fridge for about 30 and left upright for a couple of hours
Now it doesn’t cool but freezer does.
How to fix it
Thank you