What's going on
A fridge cools by pumping refrigerant through a sealed loop, and the compressor that drives it holds a supply of oil. When a fridge is tipped or laid on its side during a move, some of that oil can drift into the tubing. Letting the unit stand upright gives the oil time to drain back before the compressor starts. Guidance varies by manufacturer. Some say a fridge that traveled upright can be plugged in after a short wait, while one that spent time on its side should stand much longer, sometimes a full day. Your owner's manual gives the number for your model.
Even once it's running, the cabinet won't be cold right away. Many manufacturers say to allow up to 24 hours before judging the temperature and to hold off on a full grocery run until then. City moves bring their own problems. Doors get taken off to clear a narrow hallway and go back on slightly crooked, a water line gets kinked when the fridge is pushed into a tight alcove, or the back ends up pressed flat against the wall.
What you can check in five minutes
- Ask how the fridge traveled. If it rode on its side, unplug it and let it stand upright for as long as your manual says.
- Confirm the controls aren't set to off. Make sure the fridge isn't in a showroom or demo mode, which on some brands lights the display without cooling. The way to exit it varies by model.
- Listen low at the back. A steady hum and a running fan are good signs.
- Close each door on a sheet of paper. If the paper slides out with no drag, the door may have been rehung out of line.
- Check for a few inches of air space behind the fridge and for any sharp bend in the water line.
- Put a fridge thermometer on a middle shelf and read it after 24 hours.
Rent, own or co-op: who handles it?
If the building supplied the fridge, the landlord or managing agent usually handles delivery problems and service, so tell the super before you call anyone. If you bought the fridge yourself, start with the retailer and the manufacturer's warranty when a new unit never gets cold. Many co-op and condo buildings set rules for deliveries, such as booking the service elevator or asking the delivery crew for paperwork. Management can tell you what your building expects.
What a technician will look at
- •Whether the compressor and condenser fan start and keep running
- •The evaporator fan behind the freezer panel
- •Door alignment and gasket contact after the doors were rehung
- •Temperature readings over time, to tell a slow start from a real fault
- •Any sign of a sealed-system problem, which needs a trained technician and the right equipment
Andre's field note: A lot of my calls come in the evening after a delivery, and many of those fridges are fine once they've had a full day. The ones that aren't tend to follow a pattern: the fan runs but the compressor never kicks on, or the freezer gets cold while the fresh-food side stays warm. Those deserve a visit. For the rest of the kitchen, run through our move-in appliance check.
Still warm after a full day? Call ProFix NYC at (929) 699-8358 to book refrigerator repair.