While you technically can lay a refrigerator on its side to transport it, it’s not the safest or recommended option, and a few models should never be tilted at all. Doing so raises the risk of compressor oil leaking into the cooling lines, throwing off the refrigerant, or straining parts that aren’t designed to withstand sideways loads. If a tight doorway, stairwell, or moving truck leaves you with only the option to lay it down, knowing which side to use and how long to wait before plugging it back in can mean the difference between a fridge that works when you arrive and one that doesn’t.
Melanie Morris is an editor, writer, and one of the sharpest moving experts at HireAHelper. Seven years spent answering readers' toughest questions and demystifying a process most people dread has made her an authority on what movers actually need to know — and how to explain it without the jargon. Her own relocations around the Southwest and up and down the West Coast give her the firsthand experience to back it up. Whether you're crossing the country or just moving down the block, Melanie makes sure the advice you get is accurate, trustworthy, and easy to act on.
Movers on HireAHelper’s marketplace transport fridges, washers, dryers, and other large appliances every week, so we’ve seen what happens when a move goes right and what happens when it doesn’t. We’re not a refrigerator manufacturer, and we don’t favor any particular brand.
The guidance in this article combines official manufacturer instructions with what we’ve learned over the years, helping people move large appliances safely. If you’d rather not wrestle a fridge down a flight of stairs yourself, you can book local moving labor through HireAHelper and let someone with experience handle the heavy lifting.
The biggest risk when moving a refrigerator is the compressor oil moving where it shouldn’t. Every fridge compressor uses a small amount of oil to lubricate its moving parts. When the fridge stays upright, that oil settles at the bottom of the compressor, away from the refrigerant lines. Lay the fridge on its side, and the oil can flow into those lines instead, where it can clog them or get pumped through the system once the compressor starts running again.
That’s not the only risk, either. Here are some other pitfalls to know about:
Manufacturer recommendations vary by brand and model, so before you move your fridge, check your manufacturer's recommendations. Below is a quick summary of guidance from common brands, including how long to leave each one upright before plugging it back in after a move. If your brand isn't listed, check your owner's manual or read our guide on moving a refrigerator for more tips on handling the move safely.
Refrigerator Brand Moving Guidelines
| Brand | Moving Guidance |
|---|---|
| GE | Top-freezer and side-by-side models can go on their side; lay side-by-side units on the freezer side. French-door, bottom-freezer, compact, and built-in models must stay upright. Wait as long as it was on its side before plugging in. |
| LG | Keep upright if at all possible. If it must go on its side, wait 24 hours before plugging it in. |
| Whirlpool | Lay only on the left or right side, never front or back. Wait at least 8 hours before restarting it. |
| Samsung | Keep upright when you can. If not, wait at least 4 hours before plugging it in. |
| Frigidaire | Move upright if possible. If you lay it down, wait about 24 hours before plugging it in. |
| Bosch | Keep upright during the move. If it must lay down, wait at least 3 hours before switching it on. |
| KitchenAid | Can be transported upright or on its side. Older models with R-12 refrigerant should stand upright for 24 hours before plugging in. |
| Beko | Stand it upright for at least 4 hours after any move. Double that to 8 hours if it was transported on its side. |
Lay your fridge on the side where the compressor's tubing points up, not down. Every compressor has thin tubes running in and out of it, and tilting the fridge so those tubes point toward the floor lets gravity pull oil straight into them. Turn the fridge the other way, so the tubing points up, and the oil has a much harder time draining out.
Which side that actually is depends on your fridge's design: top-freezer, side-by-side, and French-door or built-in models are all laid out a little differently, so the right side isn't always obvious.
To keep it safe, lay a top-freezer fridge on its side opposite its door hinges. That keeps the weight of the door pulling it shut instead of letting it swing open mid-move. Most top-freezer compressors sit at the bottom-back of the unit, so laying the fridge on its side, rather than the front or back, also keeps the compressor's tubing pointed in a safer direction.
Secure the doors with tape or stretch wrap regardless, since shifting during transport can still pop them open even on the correct side. Once it's back upright, follow the equal-time rule before you plug it in.
A side-by-side fridge should be set down on the freezer side. Manufacturers like GE recommend this because the freezer door is heavier and less likely to swing open mid-move than the fridge door. One exception: if you have a built-in side-by-side model, skip laying it down entirely.
Built-in units are designed to stay upright during transport, though they can still be tilted briefly on a hand truck to get them through a doorway. If you're not sure whether your side-by-side is built-in or standalone, check your owner's manual before deciding which way to go.
French-door, bottom-freezer, and built-in fridges shouldn't be laid on their side at all. Manufacturers like GE specifically call them out as exceptions to the lay-it-down-if-you-must rule.
The one allowance is when you need to tilt these models briefly on a hand truck or dolly to get them through a tight doorway or up a few steps. So long as you bring them back upright before the actual drive, they should be fine. If your move genuinely requires laying one flat, check your owner's manual first. Some models may void their warranty if transported this way.
If there's truly no way around it, your best shot at avoiding damage is following these steps in order:
The general rule is to let your fridge stand for at least as long as it was on its side before you plug it back in. This is sometimes called the equal-time rule, and it gives any displaced compressor oil a chance to drain back to where it belongs before the compressor starts running again.
Exactly how long that needs to be depends on your brand. Some manufacturers ask for just a few hours, while others want a full day. Check the brand table above for your model's specific minimum. If you're not sure which guidance applies to you, or you can't find your brand, wait 24 hours to be safe.
A few situations come up often enough to deserve their own answers. Here's what to know about quick tilts, laying a fridge on its back, mini fridges, and upright freezers, and how each one changes the advice above.
Yes, but the same precautions still apply, even for a quick 30-minute trip. Compressor oil and refrigerant can shift in just a few minutes of tilting, not only on long hauls. Lay the fridge on the correct side, secure the doors, and stand it back upright as soon as you can.
Once it's upright again, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before plugging it in, or follow your manufacturer's minimum wait time if that's longer.
No, never lay a refrigerator on its back. Fridges are built to stand upright, or at most rest on a side for a short trip, not to bear weight on their back panel. The cabinet, shelving, and door seals handle pressure from the sides during normal use, not the full weight of the unit pressing down from above, so resting it on its back can crack shelves, warp drawers, and damage door seals, which can lead to leaks later.
It's also rough on the compressor. The compressor and motor sit on a small set of springs designed to absorb vibration while the fridge stands upright. Lay it flat on its back, and that weight presses on the springs and mounts in a direction they're not built for, which can knock the compressor loose or cause noisy operation once it's running again. If you have to tip your fridge, pick a side, never the front or back.
Yes, you can usually lay a mini fridge on its side, but treat it the same as a full-size model. Mini fridges and compact refrigerators use the same compressor and refrigerant system as larger fridges, just scaled down, so the same risks apply. Lay it on its side only if you have to, and let it stand upright for as long as it was tilted before plugging it back in.
GE is one exception worth noting: its compact models should stay upright at all times because of the way their drain is designed, unless the unit is still new in the box. If a used GE compact fridge must travel on its side, turn it off a day ahead so it has time to drain first.
Yes, in most cases, though keeping it upright is still the safer choice. Upright freezers use the same compressor and oil system as refrigerators, so the same risks apply if you tip one on its side.
Some manufacturers, like GE, say you can lay an upright freezer down on the compressor side if you have no other option, then let it stand upright for as long as it was tilted, up to 24 hours, before plugging it in. Other brands are stricter about it, so check your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website before you decide, since the rules vary more for freezers than they do for refrigerators.
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