William Lipovsky
Short Answer — You cannot return major appliances to The Home Depot unless the item is found to be defective or damaged. Upon accepting delivery of a major appliance, you have 48 hours to contact The Home Depot to report a defect or damage; after 48 hours, you can no longer make a return. For small appliances, you have 180 days to make a return.
The Home Depot Appliance Return Policy
You can’t return major appliances to The Home Depot unless the item is found to be damaged or defective.[1] Major appliances include dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, dryers, and some microwaves.
You should return the appliance with all original components and the receipt. However, if you don’t have the receipt, The Home Depot may be able to look it up in the system.[1]
Most major appliances purchased at The Home Depot qualify for free delivery. Upon delivery, you have 48 hours to report the appliance damaged or defective by calling The Home Depot’s customer service department at (800) 455-3869. A representative will be able to help you process a return or exchange.
The Home Depot typically refunds shipping fees if the return is due to an error on the part of the company, but major appliances are an exception to this policy — if you paid delivery fees, they will not be refunded.[1]
At the time of delivery, if you notice that the item is damaged or defective, you can refuse delivery and exchange the item or receive a full refund.
However, keep in mind that if you refuse delivery and the item is not damaged or defective, you will not be issued a refund and the item will need to be rescheduled for delivery; additional charges may apply.[2]
Small Appliances
Other, smaller appliances are eligible for The Home Depot’s standard return policy, which allows you to return or exchange them within 90 days of purchase or delivery (even if they are not defective).[1]
If you made the purchase with The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card, The Home Depot Commercial Revolving Charge, or The Home Depot Commercial Account you have 365 days to make the return.
The appliance should be unopened and unused, but if you’ve opened it, the store may still accept the return at the discretion of the store manager.[3]
As with major appliances, if you don’t have the receipt, The Home Depot may be able to look it up in the system.
Warranties/Protection Plans
After 48 hours from delivery/pickup, you can’t make a return on major appliances, but your appliance should be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty.
For concerns about the appliance, you’ll need to contact the manufacturer — not The Home Depot (unless you purchased a Home Depot Protection Plan at the point of sale.)[4]
With a Home Depot Protection Plan, your appliance is covered from the date of purchase. To report a problem with your appliance, you can file a claim online.[4]
Note that under the protection plan, if the appliance cannot be repaired, it will be replaced or you’ll be issued a Home Depot e-gift card for the original purchase price instead of a refund to your original payment method.[5]
For more on returns at The Home Depot, our related research explains the company’s lawn mower return policy.
