Acceptance of large household appliances is a critical stage on which the service life of your new one depends refrigerator. Statistics from service centers show that a significant part of the breakdowns that customers encounter in the first months of operation are caused precisely by incorrect transportation or hidden defects missed upon receipt. The forwarding driver is usually not a technical specialist, his task is to deliver the cargo from point A to point B, so full responsibility for the visual assessment of the condition rests with you.
Many buyers make the mistake of relying on the integrity of the original packaging and signing the acceptance certificate without a detailed inspection. However, a cardboard box may hide dents, scratches, or, worse, mechanical damage to internal units resulting from a fall or impact during loading. Compressor and tubes refrigerant are extremely sensitive to shaking, and even a minor impact can break the tightness of the system.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions that will help you avoid purchasing a defective product. You will learn what nuances to pay attention to first, how to properly carry out the initial startup, and what signs indicate a malfunction that does not require complex diagnostics. A competent check upon delivery is your insurance against long disputes with the store and service centers.
Initial inspection of packaging and appearance
The acceptance process begins long before you remove the packing tape. Carefully examine the condition of the cardboard box and foam plugs. If traces of strong impacts, deep dents, holes or, what is especially dangerous, traces of moisture are visible on the ends or side edges, this is a reason for an immediate detailed check. Transport container designed to absorb shocks, and if it is damaged, it means that the load on the body of the equipment was significant.
⚠️ Attention: If you find serious damage to the packaging or traces of a fall, do not sign the acceptance certificate without (noting) the damage. It’s better to spend 15 minutes arguing with the courier now than to prove for months that the dent was there during delivery.
After removing the outer shell, proceed to inspect the case itself. Run your hand over all surfaces, including the side walls and top panel. Look for chipped paint, scratches, dented metal or warped doors. Pay special attention to the corners and handles - these areas are the first to suffer when carried carelessly. The presence of cosmetic defects does not always mean a breakdown of the internals, but significantly reduces the cost of the equipment and can be the basis for a return or discount.
Check the integrity of the sealing rubber cuffs on the doors. They must be clean, elastic, without tears or creases. The rubber should not come away from the body or show signs of mold, which may indicate storage in damp conditions. Also inspect the shelves inside the chambers: the glass should be intact, without cracks, and the plastic elements should not be chipped.
Checking the contents and documentation
Together with the refrigerator you should receive a full package of documents and additional accessories. The absence of even one item from the list may create problems during further warranty service or installation. The standard set usually includes:
- 📄 Warranty card with the completed date of sale, store seal and seller's signature (without a seal the document is invalid).
- 📖 Operating instructions in the language of the buyer's country.
- 🔌 Power cable (if removable, although most models have it built in).
- 🧊 Egg trays, ice trays or other accessories stated in the model description.
Make sure the model number is on the box, on the warranty card and on the factory sticker located on the body (usually inside the camera or on back wall) are completely identical. Serial number must also be identical in all documents. This is important, since in case of repair the service center will check exactly this data.
Pay attention to the manufacturing date indicated in the documents. If more than 1–2 years have passed since production, and the product has been in the warehouse all this time, it is worth more carefully checking the condition of the rubber seals and compressor lubrication. Long downtime without operation can negatively affect the resource of some nodes.
Shipping bolts and clamps
One of the most critical moments during installation is the removal of shipping elements. To protect internal mechanisms from vibration during transportation, manufacturers fix compressor other moving parts with special bolts or brackets. If you start the refrigerator without removing these clamps, vibration during engine operation will be transmitted to the frame, which will lead to rapid failure of the unit, noise and destruction of the fasteners.
The location of the clamps depends on the model. In some cases these are bolts on the bottom rear wall, in others they are plastic brackets that hold the compressor suspension springs. Instructions for removing them are always contained in the user manual. Often, dismantling requires a wrench that comes with the kit, or a regular screwdriver.
What happens if you forget to remove the shipping bolts?
If you start the refrigerator with the suspension springs clamped, the compressor will operate in extreme mode. This will cause severe vibration, rattling and rupture of pipes or the engine housing itself. The warranty usually does not cover such breakdowns, since this is a violation of the operating rules.
After dismantling the bolts, be sure to save them. When moving or re-transporting, you will need to secure the compressor again to prevent damage in transit. Fold the fasteners into a bag and attach it with tape to the back wall of the refrigerator or put it in a drawer with documents.
Initial launch and testing
After the refrigerator has been delivered, unpacked and installed on a level place, you cannot immediately plug it in if it was transported lying down or at sub-zero temperatures. The oil in the compressor needs time to drain into the crankcase and reach operating temperature. For models that were transported in an upright position, 2–3 hours of settling is sufficient. If there was horizontal transportation, the time increases to 8–12 hours.
Before turning on, make sure that the outlet is grounded and meets the power requirements (usually a standard household outlet is sufficient, but it should not be overloaded by other powerful devices). Do not use extension cords or tees - this may cause the contacts to heat up and cause a fire. Connect the cord directly to the network.
After turning on, listen to the operation of the unit. In the first minutes, the sound of refrigerant gurgling may be heard - this is normal. However, a loud knock, clanging or high-pitched whistle indicates a malfunction. Check whether the indicators on the control panel light up, if they are provided for by the design.
☑️ Initial start-up algorithm
Diagnostics of the cooling systems
The main task of the refrigerator is cold. After the initial startup (after 1.5–2 hours of operation), check the cooling efficiency. Open the door and assess the temperature inside the chambers. The refrigerator compartment should become noticeably cooler, and the freezer compartment (if there is one) should begin to form cold. It may take up to 24 hours to fully reach the set temperature, but the initial cold should be felt quickly.
Pay attention to the operation of the system No Frostif it is included in your model. Some time after switching on, you can check whether the fan is working (you can hear a quiet hum of air) and whether there is ice freezing on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment (in No Frost systems, the walls should remain dry). In drip systems, on the contrary, the appearance of small drops of water on the back wall is a sign of correct defrost operation.
| Check parameter | Normal condition | Symptom of malfunction |
|---|---|---|
| Operation sound | Quiet humming, rare clicking | Loud knocking, whistling, continuous hum |
| Heating of the side walls | Warm or hot (heat dissipation) | Cold (circuit does not work) or very hot (overheating) |
| Smell | No or slight smell of plastic | Pungent smell of burning, chemicals or rot |
| Vibration body | Barely noticeable or absent | Strong shaking, "walking" on the floor |
Also check the tightness of the doors. Squeeze a piece of paper between the door and the body and try to pull it out. If the paper comes out easily without resistance, it means that the paper is not tight and the cold will go away. This will lead to excessive energy consumption and the formation of ice. sealer does not fit tightly, and the cold will go away. This will lead to excessive energy consumption and the formation of ice.
Typical errors during acceptance
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that can be costly. One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the incline level. The refrigerator must stand strictly vertically or with a minimum tilt back for the doors to close themselves. If it is skewed to one side, oil may flow into the refrigerant circuit, causing water hammer and compressor failure.
⚠️ Attention: Do not place the refrigerator close to a wall or furniture immediately. For normal operation of the heat exchanger (condenser), a gap of at least 5–10 cm is required on all sides, especially at the back and sides. Lack of ventilation will lead to overheating.
Another mistake is the use of aggressive chemicals to remove stickers and traces of glue from the case on the first day. It is better to let the equipment stand and remove the adhesive with special products for household appliances or vegetable oil, so as not to damage the coating. It is also not recommended to load the refrigerator with products immediately after turning it on - let it enter the no-load operating mode.
Remember that warranty terms may vary among different manufacturers and retailers. Always check the brand's official website or your sales contract as rules may change. If you doubt the serviceability of the equipment, it is better to call an authorized technician to draw up a report than try to repair it yourself.
Is it possible to turn on the refrigerator immediately after delivery in winter?
If the refrigerator was delivered at sub-zero temperatures, it absolutely cannot be turned on immediately. Condensation inside the electronics and congealed oil in the compressor can damage the unit. Let it warm up to room temperature for 4-6 hours, and only then turn it on.
Is it normal for the side walls of the refrigerator to be hot?
Yes, this is normal for most modern models. The side walls act as a condenser, removing heat from the inside to the outside. They can heat up to 50–60 degrees, especially in the first days of operation or with a heavy load.
What to do if the floor is scratched during delivery?
This is a question not for the technician, but for the logisticians. The transfer and acceptance certificate often contains a column about the condition of the customer’s property. If the movers (loaders) damaged your floor, record this immediately in a report with photos and witnesses. The hardware store is not responsible for this, but a transport company or delivery service is possible.
Does the new refrigerator hum louder than the old one?
Modern inverter compressors are quieter than old ones, but can make other sounds (murmuring, clicking). However, if the hum turns into a roar or is accompanied by vibration of the floor, this is a sign of a defect or incorrect installation (legs are not unscrewed, misalignment).