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How long should you wait to turn on a fridge after moving it?

Author

Jessica Hardy

Updated on March 07, 2026

How long should you wait to turn on a fridge after moving it?

After transporting: If it has been necessary to transport the refrigerator on its side (ex. Top Freezer and SxS models), it should stand upright for an equal amount of time as it was on its side before plugging it in. If it was on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running.

Keeping this in view, what happens if you plug a fridge in too soon?

When a refrigerator is placed in a non-standard position (for example on its side), compressor oil can run out of the compressor and up refrigerant lines. So if you don't stand it upright and wait, the compressor will pump without sufficient oil -- not good.

Likewise, why do you have to leave a fridge to settle? The short answer is to keep your fridge or freezer in proper working order. This is due to an oil which is present in the compressor on your appliance, an oil which, if leaked into the refrigeration system during movement, can cause a blockage once the appliance is turned back on.

Beside this, what happens if you don't let a fridge settle?

After being transported, unless it's been kept totally upright, the oil inside the compressor may leak into the refrigeration system. If the compressor is switched on before it's settled it could be pumped around the refrigeration system and cause a breakdown due to a system blockage.

How long do you have to wait before putting food in a new refrigerator?

2 hours

Does a new fridge need to sit before plugging in?

In transit, your appliance gets shaken around, so it's best to let everything settle before you plug it in. If it was transported upright, give it at least an hour before you plug it in. If it was transported on its side, turn it the right way up and leave it for at least four hours.

Can I unplug my fridge for 5 minutes?

It's always a good idea to wait at least a few minutes before powering up an AC or refrigerator after you unplug it. For almost all fridges this will not cause any electrical problems or harm to the operation.

How long does it take for a new fridge freezer to reach temperature?

As with a brand new freezer, it will take several hours for the temperature to stabilize at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Replacing frozen foods after the first 20 or 30 minutes will help lower the temperature more, similar to adding ice to a cooler.

How many hours fridge should be on?

If the food warms up, the bacteria will reach harmful levels faster.” For this reason, the USDA recommends that food left in an unplugged, unopened fridge for more than four hours be tossed. (Frozen items left in a full freezer stay good for two days; in a half full freezer it's more like 24 hours.)

Can you turn a new fridge on straight away?

When can I start using my new fridge freezer? When your fridge freezer first arrives, you'll need to let it stand upright for around four hours before turning it on if it's been transported horizontally. If your fridge freezer has been transported upright you'll only need to wait for 30 minutes to an hour.

Can you lay down a refrigerator to move it?

It's best to keep your refrigerator in an upright position for the entire move, no matter what its size. This is because putting a fridge down on its side can cause damage to the refrigerator compressor and keep it from doing its job.

Can a new fridge be used right away?

In transit, your appliance gets shaken around, so it's best to let everything settle before you plug it in. If it was transported upright, give it at least an hour before you plug it in. If it was transported on its side, turn it the right way up and leave it for at least four hours.

What happens if you don't leave a fridge to settle?

After being transported, unless it's been kept totally upright, the oil inside the compressor may leak into the refrigeration system. If the compressor is switched on before it's settled it could be pumped around the refrigeration system and cause a breakdown due to a system blockage.

Can you turn on a refrigerator after moving it?

After transporting: If it has been necessary to transport the refrigerator on its side (ex. Top Freezer and SxS models), it should stand upright for an equal amount of time as it was on its side before plugging it in. If it was on its side for more than a day, leave standing for 24 hours before running.

Can you use a new fridge straight away?

General. When can I start using my new fridge freezer? When your fridge freezer first arrives, you'll need to let it stand upright for around four hours before turning it on if it's been transported horizontally. If your fridge freezer has been transported upright you'll only need to wait for 30 minutes to an hour.

Can I just plug in my new fridge?

So if you don't stand it upright and wait, the compressor will pump without sufficient oil -- not good. Don't plug it in for a couple of hours because the frig may have been laid on its side while enroute to you. You only have to wait if the refrigerator has been laid on its side at some point during shipping.

Do modern fridges need to settle?

Fridges and freezers are full of fluid that's used to cool the compartments. In transit, your appliance gets shaken around, so it's best to let everything settle before you plug it in. If it was transported upright, give it at least an hour before you plug it in.

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