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.
Tim,
When you transport a refrigerator on its back, like in your case, it’s important to let it sit unplugged and upright for at least 24 hours to allow the oil to return to the compressor. After this period, plug it back in and monitor for any unusual noises and ensure both the fridge and freezer are cooling effectively. Allowing the fridge to stand for the recommended duration usually resolves any potential issues. Yu should be just fine!
-RR
Hi so I just moved a used fridge and in the process of moving I did put it on its back during the 5 minute truck ride. I plugged it in when I got it in my room but like 5 hours later I came across this information and unplugged it immediately. The freezer was getting pretty cold but the fridge only a little bit so far. If I let it sit now for 24 hours or so do you think my fridge will be okay?
we moved a used fridge laying down, as soon as it got home we plugged it in and it turned on, cooled a little bit but freezer does not freeze just cools. After wards we read online to leave unplugged so we unplugged but the same thing. there was no noise or rattling. how can I fix it?
Transported my upright fridge sideways then waited for 7 days to settle down, now I switch on and it cuts off after a few seconds. What should I do?
I would start with the external wiring on the top front of the fridge. Make sure everything is good on connection. Make sure the cord was not compromised in any way. I would lean more toward something came unplugged unless the falling over was a fair impact. If every thing checks out on plug to play options. Your best investment would be a tick tester or a tester that you can trace to see how far the electric 120v is going. From the cord in. A tick tester is nice because it can tell you where there is power just by touching it to the wire inductive. However hard to isolate multiple wires. Be careful. Good luck.
I move my frigde standing transporting more than 80 km after that I put plug on without wait so now it’s not cooling. What must I do?
Maytag French door refrigerator model MFD2561heb – We hauled our refrigerator on the side flat for probably 10 mins home. This a 15 yr old refrigerator we let it sit upright for 2 days before plugging it back in. The refrigerator is only getting down to the lowest of 44 degrees and the freezer is down to 15 16 degrees. We thought it was possibly low on Freon. It was very little so we recharged with 2 psi of r134a, and is still doing the same thing with the temperature. No noise from compressor or anywhere else, no frost build up on freezer either.
Hello, my freezer was lay down flat for 1 hour to get to my new home.
Waited 6 hours, then I plugged it in.
The inner freezer still feels like a room temperature after 4th days but the outer body feels cold . What is that mean?
I moved my fridge flat on a distance, and plugged it in on after like an hour it arrived but is not cooling..It’s been on for like 20 minute ..now have turn it off..Could it be that the fridge is yet to unlock or what?