Can You Lay a Refrigerator on Its Side When Moving It

Laying a refrigerator down is risky and usually not recommended, but it is sometimes unavoidable during transport

If you must lay a refrigerator on its side to fit it in a truck or move it through a doorway, you can do it — but only if you follow specific steps before and after. The danger is not that the unit will break immediately. The danger is that oil from the compressor will flow into the cooling lines, where it can block refrigerant and damage the system permanently. This damage may not show up for hours or even days after you set the refrigerator upright again.

The safest approach is to keep the refrigerator upright during the entire move. If that is truly impossible, lay it on its side (not on its back or front), wait the correct amount of time before plugging it in, and monitor it closely for the first few days. Most manufacturers allow this, but the risk of permanent damage exists no matter what precautions you take.

Key Takeaways

• Lay the refrigerator on its side only if you cannot move it upright; never lay it on its back or front, because oil will flow directly into the cooling system.
• After laying the refrigerator down, wait at least 4 to 6 hours (some manufacturers say up to 24 hours) before plugging it in, so oil can drain back to the compressor.
• Keep the refrigerator as level as possible during transport and avoid tilting it at extreme angles, which speeds up oil movement into the lines.
• If the refrigerator was laid down during shipping by the delivery company, ask them how long it was horizontal and follow the manufacturer's waiting time before turning it on.

Why laying a refrigerator down causes problems

A refrigerator works by circulating refrigerant through sealed copper lines. The compressor — a motor that pressurizes the refrigerant — sits at the bottom of the unit and contains oil that lubricates its moving parts. When the refrigerator is upright, gravity keeps that oil in the compressor where it belongs.

When you lay the refrigerator on its side, the oil can flow out of the compressor and into the cooling lines. Once oil mixes with the refrigerant in the lines, it can form a blockage that prevents the refrigerant from circulating. The refrigerator will run, but it will not cool. In some cases, the blockage damages the compressor itself, and the unit cannot be repaired.

This damage is not always immediate. The oil may take hours to drain back into the compressor once the unit is upright again, and the blockage may not form until the refrigerant tries to flow through the contaminated lines. This is why manufacturers insist on a waiting period before you plug the unit back in.

How to lay a refrigerator down safely

If you have no other option, lay the refrigerator on its side — specifically, on the side where the hinges are located. Never lay it on its back or front. Laying it on the back or front tilts the compressor at an angle that makes oil drain into the lines much faster.

During transport, keep the refrigerator as level as possible. Avoid tilting it at steep angles or letting it rest at an extreme slant. Secure it so it does not shift or rock in the truck. The more stable and level you keep it, the less oil will move out of the compressor.

Use furniture pads or blankets underneath to protect the finish and to help distribute weight evenly. If you are moving it with another person, lift from the sides or bottom — never from the door or top — so the weight stays balanced and the unit does not twist.

The waiting period before plugging it in

After the refrigerator reaches its final location and is standing upright again, do not plug it in immediately. Most manufacturers recommend waiting 4 to 6 hours before turning it on. Some specify up to 24 hours, depending on how long the unit was horizontal and how much it was tilted.

This waiting period gives the oil time to drain back down into the compressor through gravity. If you plug the refrigerator in too soon, the compressor will try to run while oil is still in the cooling lines, which increases the risk of blockage and damage.

Check your refrigerator's manual for the exact waiting time recommended by the manufacturer. If you do not have the manual, look up the model number on the manufacturer's website — most provide downloadable PDFs. If the refrigerator was laid down by a delivery company, ask them how long it was horizontal so you can calculate the appropriate waiting time.

What to do if the refrigerator was shipped horizontally

Many refrigerators are shipped from the factory in a horizontal position. If yours arrived that way, the delivery company should have documented how long it was laid down. Ask them for this information before you plug the unit in.

If the refrigerator was horizontal for more than a few hours during shipping, follow the full waiting period (4 to 24 hours, depending on the manufacturer) before plugging it in, even if it has been sitting upright in your home for a while. The oil may still be in the lines.

Some manufacturers include a sticker or label on the unit itself that indicates it was shipped horizontally and specifies the waiting time. Check the back and sides of the refrigerator for this label.

Signs that oil has entered the cooling lines

After you plug the refrigerator in, monitor it closely for the first few days. If oil did enter the cooling lines, you may notice these signs: the refrigerator runs but does not cool, the freezer stays cold but the fridge section does not, or the compressor makes unusual noises or cycles on and off frequently.

If the refrigerator does not cool within a few hours of being plugged in, turn it off and contact the manufacturer or a repair technician. Do not leave it running, because continued operation with a blocked line can damage the compressor beyond repair. A technician can sometimes flush the lines, but this is expensive and not always successful.

If the refrigerator cools normally for the first few days and then stops, the blockage may have formed gradually as oil continued to drain from the compressor. Again, turn it off and call a technician rather than running it continuously.

Alternatives to laying the refrigerator down

Before you decide to lay the refrigerator on its side, explore other options. Can you remove the doors to make the unit narrower? Most refrigerator doors are hinged and can be taken off by unbolting the hinges — this is a common step during moves and takes only a few minutes. Removing the doors can make the difference between fitting through a doorway and having to lay the unit down.

Can you tilt the refrigerator slightly backward instead of laying it completely horizontal? A slight backward tilt (no more than 45 degrees) is less risky than a full horizontal position, because the compressor is still mostly upright. This works if you are moving it up or down stairs or through a tight space.

If you are moving the refrigerator into a truck, can you angle it differently or remove other items to make room? Sometimes rearranging the truck bed takes less time than managing the risks of laying the refrigerator down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I already plugged in the refrigerator right after laying it down?

Turn it off immediately and let it sit upright for at least 4 to 6 hours before plugging it back in. This gives any oil that entered the lines a chance to drain back to the compressor. If the refrigerator cools normally after this waiting period, you likely avoided damage. If it does not cool, contact a repair technician.

Can I lay a refrigerator on its back instead of its side?

No. Laying it on its back or front tilts the compressor at an angle that makes oil drain into the cooling lines much faster and more completely. Side-laying is the only acceptable horizontal position, and even that carries risk. Avoid it if you can.

How long can a refrigerator stay on its side without damage?

There is no safe time limit. Oil can begin moving into the cooling lines within minutes of laying the unit down. The longer it stays horizontal, the more oil drains out. Keep the time as short as possible, and always wait the full recommended period before plugging it in.

Does the waiting period work if the refrigerator was on its side for hours?

The waiting period helps, but it does not may provide that oil will drain completely back to the compressor, especially if the unit was horizontal for many hours. The longer it was down, the more oil may have entered the lines. Follow the manufacturer's waiting time, but understand that damage is still possible.

Will my refrigerator warranty cover damage from laying it down?

Most manufacturer warranties do not cover damage caused by improper handling during transport, which includes laying the unit down. Check your warranty documentation or contact the manufacturer directly. If the refrigerator was damaged during professional delivery, the delivery company's insurance may cover the repair.