How to move a refrigerator
A refrigerator is the one appliance where the how matters as much as the muscle. Keep it upright to protect the compressor and its oil, disconnect and drain any water line, secure the doors, and, if it ever tips onto its side, let it stand upright for hours before you power it back on. An appliance dolly does the heavy lifting.
- People
- 2 required
- Time
- 60 to 90 minutes plus defrost time
- Vehicle
- Box truck with a ramp
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Disassembly
- Doors and shelves may come off
In this guide
What you'll need
- Appliance dollyWith a strap, not a flat furniture dolly
- Moving blankets
- Ratchet straps
- Tape or ropeTo hold the doors shut
- TowelsFor defrost melt and the drain pan
- Two people
Move it step by step
Empty, unplug, and defrost
Start this the day before. Empty the fridge and freezer, unplug it, and prop the doors open to defrost. A frost-free unit still needs time for the coils and drain pan to clear.
- Remove all food and loose shelving
- Unplug at least a few hours ahead, ideally the night before
- Lay towels to catch defrost water
Defrosting is the step people skip and regret. Melting ice inside a moving truck soaks everything around it.
Disconnect the water line
If the fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, shut off the supply valve and disconnect the line. Drain the residual water so it does not leak in transit.
- Turn off the water supply valve first
- Disconnect the line and drain it into a bucket
- Coil and tape the line to the back of the fridge
Secure doors, shelves, and cord
Anything that can swing or slide will. Remove glass shelves and drawers, then tape the doors shut and the cord up out of the way.
- Pack glass shelves separately, wrapped
- Tape or rope the doors closed
- Coil the power cord and tape it to the back, never let it drag
Strap it to an appliance dolly
Use a proper appliance dolly with a ratchet strap, not a flat furniture dolly. Slide it under the side of the fridge, strap high and low, and tilt back gently.
- Approach from the side, not the front
- Strap across the body, top and bottom
- Tilt back only as far as you must, keep it as upright as possible
Keep it upright through the move
Laying a fridge down lets compressor oil migrate into the cooling lines. Keep it standing on the dolly and standing in the truck.
Laying the fridge flat "just for the drive." Oil runs into the lines and can block cooling until it settles back, and sometimes causes lasting damage.
Load and secure standing
Ramp it into the truck still on the dolly, stand it against the front wall, blanket it, and strap it upright to the tie-downs.
Wait before you plug it in
At the new place, stand the fridge upright and wait before powering it up. Give it a few hours if it stayed upright the whole time, and a full day if it was ever tilted or laid down, so the compressor oil settles.
Common problems
The fridge had to be laid down
Stand it upright and check the manufacturer's transport instructions for your model before connecting power. The required waiting time depends on the appliance and how it was transported.
It won't fit through the doorway
Remove the fridge doors and the door handles to shave off a few inches, and take off the base grille. Measure the depth without doors against your narrowest opening.
Water is leaking during the move
It was not fully defrosted or the drain pan was not emptied. Stop, tilt to drain the pan, and mop up, melt water will damage boxes and wood around it.
The fridge is too heavy for the dolly
Full-size and built-in units can exceed 300 pounds. Two people and a rated appliance dolly are the minimum; do not attempt it with a flat cart or by hand.
It isn't cooling after the move
Check the manufacturer's startup and troubleshooting instructions. If it still does not cool after the specified startup period, contact an appliance technician.
Will it fit?
Measure your refrigerator, then compare it with the vehicle's cargo space and door opening. Check the actual vehicle before booking.
Check vehicle fit ↗What will it cost?
Compare estimates for your refrigerator, distance, stairs, and access. The calculator gives a planning range; your mover confirms the quote.
Estimate moving cost ↗When to get help
- The refrigerator is a full-size, built-in, or French-door unit
- Stairs are involved
- You do not have a rated appliance dolly and a ramp
- There is a plumbed water line you are unsure how to disconnect
- You cannot keep it upright and controlled with the people you have
This one is worth a crew
Refrigerators are heavy, tippy, and easy to damage. Get it disconnected, dollied, and moved upright by people who do it daily.
Get this refrigerator moved ↗Frequently asked questions
Can you lay a refrigerator down to move it?
Avoid it. If unavoidable, lay it on the side opposite the compressor lines and stand it upright for 24 hours before plugging in so the oil settles.
How long should a fridge sit before turning it on?
A few hours if it stayed upright the whole move; a full 24 hours if it was ever tilted or laid down.
How many people do you need to move a refrigerator?
Two, minimum, plus an appliance dolly. Refrigerators are heavy, top-tippy, and awkward, this is not a solo job.
Do you have to defrost a fridge before moving?
Yes. Unplug and defrost it the night before and dry the interior, or melt water will leak throughout the truck.
How do you move a fridge down stairs?
Strapped to an appliance dolly, tilted back, with one person guiding from below and one controlling from above, one step at a time. Given the weight, this is a strong case for professional help.
What size truck do you need for a refrigerator?
A box truck with a ramp. Refrigerators are tall and must ride upright, which a low van door and floor make difficult.