My friend’s fridge keeps unplugging itself. As in, the plug comes out of the outlet and falls on the ground. It has happened maybe 10 times in the past 2 weeks. Up until then, everything has been fine. The fridge is 5-10 years old. The outlet is around 4’ off the ground. I have looked at the both the outlet and the plug, and they both look normal to me (not that I am an electrician or anything). She lives on the second floor of an apartment building. There has been no maintenance or anything in the building recently. She says that sometimes she checks the plug during an ad break and it is fine, but when she checks it the next ad break it has worked its way half or all the way out. It happens during the day, and it has also happened at night. Any ideas what might be causing it? She is starting to talk about her cousin’s ghost, who died a few months ago, but I really don’t think that’s it.
My guess would be that the outlet is old and the contacts that hold the plug in are getting worn, so that they are not as snug as they used to be. Replacing the outlet should take care of the problem.
She is 100% certain that this happens while she’s home alone? Because this reeks of a teenage prank to me.
That aside, if it was very loose for some reason, it’s conceivable that something causing vibration could be wiggling it out; a dying fridge, or an unbalanced washer or dryer come to mind as possibilities.
when the fridge comes on and electricity flows it can warm up the springy contacts in the receptacle, this could cause it to loose its grip on the plug.
have the receptacle replaced to give snugger contacts. until then very slightly bend the plug prongs out a bit to maybe grip tighter.
With the receptacle 4’ off he ground there is substantial weight hanging there from the cord. The receptacle is probably is worn and barely holds the plug. The refrigerator is vibrating at some frequency as it runs and there is a greater “bump” in vibration when it starts and stops. This goes on constantly. Eventually, the plug falls out. It may be a more serious condition than you think because when the plug is just out far enough to arc, there is tremendous heat generated. I bet the receptacle is now damaged inside as well and you may see some evidence of arcs on the plug prongs. You could try bending the plug prongs apart slightly to grip the receptacle, but the smart thing to do is change it ASAP. Your code may require a GFCI.
GFCI are required (USA) for countertop/island/sink convenience receptacles. they are not required where something is plugged in permanently like a refrigerator or garbage disposal. devices with motors can trip the GFCI, that is especially a problem with unattended devices like refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, sump pump which might be in locations (garage, basement, kitchen) that require GFCI for convenience receptacles but not for dedicated receptacles used only for the motorized device.
have the receptacle replaced.
Some potential answers, not necessarily in order of likelihood.
- Prank by some teenager/baby
- Old/worn electrical plug loosely fitting into plug + gravity yanking it out
- Short cord + clumsy person/animal walking into fridge yanking the cord out.
- Ghost
- Refrigerator Salesman
- CIA
- ???
- Profit
I would also wonder whether there is a washing machine nearby. The spin cycle (especially in a front loader) will create a heck of a vibration, and may make the plug fall out.
A GFCI in a fridge outlet? Are you sure about that? Otherwise, good advice. Changing a plug is easy. Just make sure you turn off the breaker, and follow the wiring directions exactly.
^^^This. Make sure you turn off the breaker or fuse to the outlet before replacing. It’s a pretty simple process if the safety measures are followed.
The fridge is trying to escape. Fortunately for your friend, it is not smart enough to realize that once it’s unplugged, it can’t think or go anywhere.
If you’re going to do any electric work, make sure you follow the safety tips in the famous, the classic
potato thread
(well…somebody had to say it. And yeah, I’m kinda glad it was me 
)
Severe depression.
when having some nonGFCI receptacles dedicated for devices in areas that require GFCI receptacles for convenience receptacles (basements, kitchen, garage) it is also good to label those on the cover plate as NOT GFCI.
“Is your refrigerator running?”
“It’s trying to make a break for it, but never gets far!”
Ditto getting the outlet replaced.
She may also need to vacuum the fridge coils. Soemthing is causing increased vibration, and the compressor working harder is a likely explanation.
A mouse is using it to climb on. When people are home, Mickey stays hidden
Could also be flying squirrels.
Bit of a longshot. The fridge isn’t on a treadmill, is it?
Does your friend live in Castle Rock, ME? These things always seem to start out in Castle Rock.
Too bad Sherriff Bannerman isn’t around any more. He’d know what to do…