If your refrigerator or another major appliance breaks down, it can be a major disruption to your daily life. You need to get it fixed fast—but how? Many consumers purchase their appliances from Lowe‘s, one of the largest home improvement retailers in the U.S. But does Lowe‘s actually repair refrigerators and other appliances if they break down?
The short answer is yes, Lowe‘s does offer appliance repair services—either through the original manufacturer‘s warranty or via Lowe‘s own Extended Protection Plans. However, the details of how this works and whether it‘s the best option for you can be complex. As a retail and consumer expert with years of experience analyzing the appliance industry, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
How the Lowe‘s Appliance Repair Process Works
Lowe‘s is an authorized service provider for most of the major appliance brands it sells, including refrigerators from Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, GE, and more. This means Lowe‘s is certified to complete warranty repairs on behalf of the manufacturers themselves.
So if your refrigerator is less than one year old and still under the original factory warranty, Lowe‘s can arrange the repair for you free of charge. They will connect you with a certified technician from the manufacturer who will diagnose the problem and complete the repair. Lowe‘s handles the claim filing, scheduling, and other logistics.
"Lowe‘s is committed to providing our customers with options if their appliances need repairs," said Larry Costello, an official spokesperson for Lowe‘s. "For appliances under manufacturer warranty, we can save the customer time and hassle by managing the entire repair process on their behalf."
Here‘s how the process typically works if you initiate a manufacturer‘s warranty repair through Lowe‘s:
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You contact your local Lowe‘s store or the Lowe‘s Appliance Repair hotline to report the issue. The representative will gather information about your appliance and when/where you purchased it.
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A Lowe‘s rep will determine if the appliance is still under manufacturer‘s warranty based on the purchase date and appliance brand. If covered, they will initiate the warranty claim with the manufacturer.
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The manufacturer will assign a certified technician to your repair and coordinate with Lowe‘s to schedule a convenient appointment time for the diagnosis and repair, usually within 3-5 business days.
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The factory-certified technician will visit your home to troubleshoot the problem. If repairable, they will fix it during the appointment. If parts are needed, they will order them and schedule a follow-up appointment. There is no cost to you for parts or labor.
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Once the repair is complete, the technician will explain what was done and have you sign a work order confirming the repair. Lowe‘s will follow up with you to ensure your satisfaction.
The situation changes if your refrigerator or appliance is out of the manufacturer‘s warranty period, however. Most appliances, including refrigerators, only have a 1-year parts and labor warranty from the factory (though some brands like LG and Samsung offer limited longer coverage on certain components). So if it‘s been more than 12 months since you bought the appliance, the manufacturer‘s warranty will no longer apply and repairs are not free.
At this point, if you want Lowe‘s to repair your out-of-warranty appliance, you have two options:
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Pay out of pocket for each individual repair at Lowe‘s current labor rates plus parts costs. Lowe‘s charges a flat $129 for the initial diagnosis, though this fee is waived if you choose to have them complete the repair. Repair costs vary based on the appliance type and problem.
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If you purchased a Lowe‘s Extended Protection Plan for your appliance, you can have Lowe‘s perform the repair for no additional cost beyond what you paid for the plan itself (more on these plans in the next section).
If paying out of pocket, the Lowe‘s representative will provide a repair estimate and get your approval before proceeding. The repair process is similar to that for in-warranty repairs, except you will have to pay the quoted price once the repair is complete.
Understanding Lowe‘s Extended Protection Plans
For appliances that are outside the manufacturer‘s warranty coverage, Lowe‘s offers its own Extended Protection Plans. These are essentially extended warranties or service agreements you can purchase from Lowe‘s to cover the cost of repairs on an appliance for a set period of time (either 3 years or 5 years) after the factory warranty expires.
Lowe‘s Extended Protection Plans are administered by Federal Warranty Service Corporation and include the following benefits:
- 100% parts and labor coverage for mechanical and electrical failures, including those due to normal wear and tear
- 24/7 live customer support and easy claims filing
- No deductible and no hidden fees beyond the upfront plan price
- Transferable coverage if you sell or give away the appliance
- Protection against food loss if your fridge/freezer breaks down (up to $250)
- 50% reimbursement on preventative maintenance parts like water filters
The cost of Lowe‘s Extended Protection Plans varies depending on the type of appliance and its purchase price. For refrigerators, the plans typically range from $200-$500 for 3 years of coverage or $300-$700 for 5 years.
Here is a table comparing Lowe‘s refrigerator protection plan prices to similar plans offered by other major appliance retailers:
| Retailer | 3-Year Plan Price | 5-Year Plan Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lowe‘s | $200-$500 | $300-$700 |
| Home Depot | $220-$410 | $320-$600 |
| Best Buy | $220-$450 | $330-$600 |
| Sears | $200-$550 | $350-$750 |
As you can see, Lowe‘s prices are comparable to (and in some cases slightly cheaper than) other retailers for similar levels of coverage.
One thing to keep in mind is that Lowe‘s Extended Protection Plans only cover the cost of repairs if the work is done by Lowe‘s or one of its authorized service providers. You can‘t hire your own repair company and be reimbursed under the plan.
"For many customers, the peace of mind of having repairs covered for multiple years is worth the upfront cost of an extended protection plan," said Costello. "Refrigerators in particular can be very expensive to repair out of pocket, so a plan can offer significant savings if you experience a breakdown."
Of course, as with any extended warranty, you won‘t get value out of the plan if your appliance doesn‘t end up needing repairs during the coverage period. Some consumer advice experts argue it‘s smarter to save the money you‘d spend on a protection plan and apply it toward repairs or a replacement later on. Ultimately, it‘s a personal decision based on your risk tolerance, budget, and confidence in the long-term reliability of your specific appliance brand and model.
Lowe‘s vs. Other Appliance Repair Options
When your refrigerator or another appliance breaks down, Lowe‘s is not your only repair option—even if you originally purchased it there. Knowing all your alternatives can help you make the best choice for your needs and budget.
One possibility is to go directly through the appliance manufacturer, either while under the factory warranty or afterward. Most major appliance brands have their own in-house repair services that you can contact. They will send out a technician who works directly for the manufacturer, not a retailer or third-party. This may give you access to more specialized expertise, but it also tends to be the most expensive option and requires you to schedule the repair yourself.
Another route is to contact a local independent appliance repair company. Most metro areas have several reputable repair services that are not affiliated with a manufacturer or retailer. The advantage of using a local company is the potential for faster service and lower prices vs. going through Lowe‘s or the manufacturer. However, the quality of independent appliance repair businesses can vary widely, so be sure to do your research.
"When considering an independent repair shop, always get multiple bids, check the company‘s reviews and certifications, and ask about warranties on parts and labor," advised Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi. "A good technician will be transparent about costs, explain your options in plain language, and stand behind their work."
Finally, if your refrigerator is older or the quoted repair cost is more than half the price of a comparable new model, it may make more financial sense to replace it rather than repair it. This is especially true if your current unit is an energy hog—the latest Energy Star certified refrigerators use at least 15% less electricity than the federal minimum energy efficiency standard. Upgrading could lead to significant savings on your utility bills over time.
According to Energy Star, a program run by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, you should consider replacing your refrigerator if it is over 10 years old. Refrigerators have an average lifespan of about 12 years. If your current fridge is nearing or past this age, putting hundreds of dollars into repairs may not be the best use of money compared to investing in a new, more reliable and efficient model.
Choosing a Lowe‘s Repair Technician
If you do decide to have Lowe‘s repair your refrigerator or another appliance—either under the manufacturer‘s warranty, a Lowe‘s Extended Protection Plan, or for an out-of-pocket fee—you can be confident you will receive quality and professional service.
All technicians who perform repairs for Lowe‘s are factory-certified by the appliance manufacturers themselves. This means they have completed in-depth training on the brands they repair and use genuine manufacturer replacement parts.
"Lowe‘s requires all of our appliance repair service providers to be licensed, insured, and certified by the brands we sell," said Costello. "This ensures our customers will receive the highest level of service and expertise when they trust Lowe‘s with their appliance repairs."
Lowe‘s also offers a 30-day labor warranty on all in-home repairs. This means if the same issue resurfaces within 30 days of your original repair, Lowe‘s will waive the labor charge to fix it again.
Based on online customer reviews and feedback, Lowe‘s seems to deliver on its promise of quality appliance repairs. Across popular review sites like Consumer Affairs, Trustpilot, and Google, Lowe‘s appliance repair services have an average rating of about 4 out of 5 stars. Many customers praise the professionalism and timeliness of the technicians, the ease of scheduling, and the overall repair experience.
Of course, no repair service is perfect. Some reviewers do mention frustrations with repair delays and having to schedule multiple appointments to complete a fix. A few also report dissatisfaction with Lowe‘s customer service in resolving follow-up problems. However, the vast majority of Lowe‘s appliance repair customers express positive sentiments.
Tips for a Smooth Lowe‘s Appliance Repair Experience
To wrap up, here are some expert tips to ensure your Lowe‘s appliance repair goes as smoothly as possible:
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Know your coverage. Before contacting Lowe‘s, gather info about your appliance‘s manufacturer warranty or extended protection plan coverage. Understanding what repairs should be covered will help you advocate for yourself.
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Initiate repairs through Lowe‘s. If your appliance is under warranty or a protection plan, start the repair process by contacting Lowe‘s, not the manufacturer. Let Lowe‘s coordinate the logistics to save yourself time and hassle.
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Be prepared. Have your appliance receipt, model/serial number, and a clear description of the problem ready when you contact Lowe‘s to initiate a repair. This will speed up the diagnosis and repair process.
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Record everything. Take notes during your initial repair request, including the name of the Lowe‘s rep and any next steps. During the technician visit, ask for a detailed work order of the repair and the tech‘s name. Keep records in case you need to follow up.
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Don‘t delay. If you experience any issues after the repair, such as the problem reoccurring, contact Lowe‘s immediately. Waiting too long may void the labor warranty or prevent the repair from being reworked at no cost.
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Escalate if needed. If you are unsatisfied with your Lowe‘s repair experience, don‘t be afraid to escalate to a manager or even to corporate customer service. As a large retailer, Lowe‘s has resources available to make sure your issue is resolved.
By following these tips and taking an informed approach, you can get your refrigerator or other appliances repaired quickly and painlessly—and hopefully avoid major malfunctions in the first place through proper maintenance and care.
