How To Move A Refrigerator – Step By Step

Moving your refrigerator to a new location? Here is how to properly move your refrigerator without damaging it. When you are moving your refrigerator to a new location simply follow the step-by-step and tips below to prepare your refrigerator for moving or transporting.

Step By Step – How To Move A Refrigerator

Step 1: TURN WATER OFF FOR REFRIGERATOR ICE MAKER AND WATER
If your fridge has an ice maker, turn off the water supply to ice maker 24 hours before the fridge is to be transported.
– Disconnect the water supply line from the back of the refrigerator.
– Once the last batch of ice drops into the ice bin, press the ICE ON OFF switch to OFF or raise the wire shutoff arm to the OFF (up) position.

Disconnect water supply line from refrigerator

Step 2: REMOVE ALL ITEMS FROM REFRIGERATOR
Remove all food and drinks from the refrigerator.
Put the food in another refrigerator or pack all food in coolers or dry ice.

Step 3: ICE CUBE BIN – REMOVE ICE
Completely remove all ice from the ice bin.

Step 4: TURN OFF TEMP CONTROLS
Turn off the Temperature controls on the temp setting panel. If you cannot turn off, turn to lowest (warmest) setting.

Step 5: REMOVE POWER TO REFRIGERATOR
Pull refrigerator out from the wall and unplug the refrigerator.

Step 6: CLEAN THE INTERIOR OF THE REFRIGERATOR
Clean out anything else in the fridge. Use a damp cloth and wipe down thoroughly. Then use another cloth and dry thoroughly.

Step 7: TAKE OUT REMOVABLE PARTS FROM FRIDGE
Take out any removable parts it the refrigerator. To protect the parts, wrap and tape the parts together so they move around and damage the interior of the refrigerator.

Step 8: RAISE THE REFRIGERATOR LEGS
Raise the refrigerator so it can roll easily OR raise the leveling legs so they do not scratch and damage the floor.

Step 9: TAPE REFRIGERATOR DOORS CLOSED
Use rope or tape to keep the refrigerator doors closed. Use rope or tape and attach the cord onto the back of the fridge.

Step 10: TRANSPORT THE REFRIGERATOR UPRIGHT
When the refrigerator is moved or transported, be sure it it standing upright. If the refrigerator is laid on it’s side, the compressor oils may move into the lines and cause issues with the refrigerator not cooling.

Step 11: ONCE TRANSPORTED – REPLACE ALL PARTS
Once the refrigerator gets to it’s final location, put all parts back into place and put the fridge legs back into place to level the refrigerator.

Step 12: CONNECT ICE AND WATER LINE
Reconnect the water supply to the refrigerator so the ice maker and water dispenser has water.

NOTE: If the refrigerator was laid on its side when transporting, allow the refrigerator to sit in place for 24 hours before plugging in into power. (Oil needs to settle/Oil in compressor can lock pistons/Parts in compressor may become dislodged causing noise)

Step 13: CONNECT POWER TO THE FRIDGE
Plug the refrigerator back in and wait 24 hours for it to begin fully cooling to the proper temperature again.

Step 14: PUT FOOD BACK INTO REFRIGERATOR
Once the fridge and freezer are back to the proper temp, put all food, drinks, and frozen foods back into the refrigerator.

Step 15: MONITOR TEMP OF FRIDGE FOR A FEW DAYS
Be sure the refrigerator maintains the proper temperature to be sure there was nothing damaged or reset while moving the refrigerator.

If you have questions about moving a refrigerator, a refrigerator that does not work after moving, please leave your question below and we will be happy to assist.