I had to lay down my upright freezer for transport how long before plugging in and using it

The problem with laying down a fridge or freezer is the compressor lubricating oil can leave the compressor and enter the refrigerator tubing. It is best practice to allow these appliances to stand upright for a period before switching on to allow the oil to run back into the compressor.
Some people say four hours is sufficient and some say six hours. I suppose if some logic was injected into the situation it would depend of how long transportation has taken and the longer it has been horizontal the longer it should stand idle...

The following is the GE moving instructions. If you have started before the 24 hour rest period and the unit had been rotated from vertical have the compressor inspected.

FREEZER MOVING INSTRUCTIONS Please use the following steps when relocating an upright or chest freezer:

1. Disconnect the power cord from the wall receptacle.
2. Remove the food, defrost, and clean the freezer.
3. Use blankets to protect the freezer finish from scratches.
4. Place the freezer on its side for moving only if you have no other choice.
5. When transporting a freezer, keep it in an upright position. If transporting it in an upright position is not possible, lay it down on the compressor side of the unit. Be careful to secure the door to prevent it from opening.
6. If it has been transported on its side, set it right side up in its final location and allow the freezer to sit for the same amount of time that it was on its side (24 hrs max.). Do not plug the unit into the electrical receptacle without allowing this settling time. The unit can be damaged if it is plugged in prematurely.

If the unit was transported in an upright position there is no waiting time required.


Hope this helps?

Lay down a shipping blanket or an old blanket and transport the freezer on it's back.

It should be upright, but if you must, after standing it up again - don't plug it in for couple of days. When it's down, oil in the pump moves quickly, but when it's upright again it takes it's time. If you plug it in too early, pump will overheats and you will need a new pump. Hope it helps.

Hello....First...when you transported the freezer...you must sure the unit stays in the vertical position and not laying on it's side...back..or front....If the freezer is making buzzing noises...adjust the thermostat setting down until the buzzing stops...and increase the setting gradually until the desired temp is reached...it could take 24 hours for it to stablize...I hope this was helpful.....PEACE.......

Normally, laying a refrigerator down will cause any debris or sediment to float through the tubing and eventually end up in the filter drier which contains silica beads to absorb moisture. Debris will then plug up the drier. A technician will be required to evacuate the sealed system. He will then cut out the old drier and braze in a new drier and recharge the system.
There is usually no guarantee that this will fix it because if the debris is large, it may clog a capillary tube and render the unit un-repairable.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/david_dc2f9e0a44104720

You pluged it back in after you laid it doun. You needed to let it stand back up to let the freon to get to the condencer. You can try to unplug it for 2 days now to see if the freon will go back down or you might need to have it serviced now.

Good Luck

I would not lay it down but if you can get around it lay it down so the compressor is at the bottom. DO NOT TURN ON FOR 24 HOURS AFTER STANDING UP.

Rule of thumb, if you lay a frig/freezer on side let sit upright at new location for 24 hours before plugging it in.

There should not be a fire hazard but you should be concerned that the freezer could break down if it is not allowed to vent the heat it produces. The freezer is not intended nor designed to be enclosed The manual must indicate specifications for minimum clearances for rear, top and sides, and may even be indicated on the big yellow sticker on the inside of the door. The clearances must be respected or again, the unit will fail, and the warranty may be voided in such cases.