Compared to a gas or charcoal grills, Traeger Grills (Traeger Smoker) are pretty high-tech, relying on multiple parts that work in unison to create a set-it-and-forget-it BBQ experience.
Think about it: an automated auger delivers the perfect amount of pellets to the fire in order to establish the desired cooking temperature. Then, sensors and a digital control board communicate back and forth to precisely maintain that temperature.
Like all pellet grills, Traeger Grills are a marvel of convenience. They make your grilling experience that much easier. When planning a party or hosting an outside event, you have one less thing to worry about with a high-tech smoker grill.
However, the ease ends when something goes wrong and you can’t figure it out. After all, the cornerstone of that convenience is technology, and now and again you may encounter problems.
Fortunately, most of those problems are easy to diagnose and fix with just a little troubleshooting. Most of the time, you won’t need to pull out your toolbox and pull apart the grill. (In fact, we caution you against doing that very thing.)
Certain grilling problems—such as abnormal temperature swings, the fire going out in the middle of a cook, or pellets not getting fed to the grill—might actually have an easy fix.
Abnormal Temperature Swings
The most common reason why people think their Traeger is malfunctioning is temperature swings. They set it at 250°F and then watch as the digital display climbs to 280°F for a few moments or temporarily dips to 215°F.
Since the Traeger Digital Elite Controller found on models like the Lil Tex Elite, Renegade Elite and Traeger Century 22 (also called the Costco Traeger) should maintain +/- 20°, it must be broken. Right?
Not necessarily.
Are Those Abnormal Swings Actually Normal?
Before pulling your hair out trying to troubleshoot your Traeger, stop and consider whether there’s actually a problem. Often, what users perceive as a problem is in fact how a Traeger Grill is designed to work.
When Traeger—or any pellet grill maker—states that their grill can maintain a particular temperature range, the number given is an average for an entire cook. Sometimes it will get closer to the set temperature and other times it will drift further from it.
Here’s a very simple way of looking at it:
Let’s say that, over the course of a three-hour cook, your Traeger holds its temperature within 10°F half of the time but only 30°F the other half of the time. That means it’s still within the stated range of +/-20°. Remember, it’s an average of the entire cook, not just a single data point.
When evaluating temperature swings with your Traeger, there’s another factor to consider: the conditions. When Traeger states that a grill can hold its temperature within a particular range (such as +/-20°), that claim is usually followed by an asterisk. And if you read closer, the asterisk indicates that those temperature ranges are based on ideal conditions—70°F, sunny, no wind, and no food in the grill.
Therefore, if you’re cooking a full load on a windy October day in which the outside temperature is hovering around 60°F, it’s completely normal for your Traeger’s temperature to drift outside the +/-20°. The same holds true if it’s raining or snowing or blazing hot.
(Note that Traeger says its Pro Series Grills with Advanced Grill Logic are PID, and PID controllers are not typically affected by the elements; however, they also have an asterisk that indicates their ability to hold +/-15° based on ideal conditions.)
What Pellets Are You Using?
Believe it or not, the pellets are the primary cause of temperature fluctuations in any pellet grill. Not all smoker pellets are the same. Some produce more ash than others.
When there’s too much ash floating around in the grill, the RTD probe, which measures the grill’s temperature and relays it to the controller, can’t get an accurate reading. That could lead to false readings on the digital display. The controller could also become confused, believing it needs to feed more/less pellets to the fire than it actually does.
Traeger recommends that you use their pellets, in part because those are the only pellets they can guarantee as good quality. While your Traeger should run perfectly well on any quality BBQ pellet, bear in mind that the first question any service representative will ask during is if you’re using Traeger pellets.
Even if you’re using quality pellets, be sure to regularly clean excess ash from the fire pot and grill interior with a Shop-Vac or household vacuum to keep your Traeger performing its best . While it’s recommended that you clean your Traeger every 2-3 uses, it’s a good idea to do so after a long all-day cook in which ash is likely to build up.
Take a Look at the Fire Pot
The fire pot on your Traeger Grill is specially designed to maximize airflow. A specific number of holes have been precisely sized and strategically placed to feed enough oxygen to the fire to keep the fire burning at the desired temperature. More so than any other part on a pellet grill, the fire pot withstands the most duress.
Consistent exposure to high temperatures and the constant heating and cooling make it susceptible to weakening and corrosion. Over time, perforations and holes can develop in the steel. This may allow increased and unwanted airflow to the fire, making it harder for the grill to accurately regulate its cooking temperature.
The fire pot is the most commonly replaced part on a Traeger. In fact, you can easily swap it for another standard steel fire pot or upgrade with a stainless steel Traeger fire pot. This latter product is more durable and should last the life of your grill.
Check the Heat Diffuser and Drip Pan
Like the fire pot, the heat diffuser and drip pan on your Traeger are both made of standard steel. Like the fire pot, the heat diffuser constantly endures damaging high heat.
The drip pan, meanwhile, gets a double dose of corrosion causers; it absorbs radiant heat and exposure to moisture in the form of drippings. If either part begins to corrode, your Traeger could develop hot spots.
As with the fire pot, both the heat diffuser and drip pan are also available in stainless steel—or you can purchase all three parts as a Premium Pack.
Test the RTD Probe
If everything else seems to be in order—you’re using good pellets, the fire pot is in good condition—you may need to test the RTD probe. The RTD acts like a thermostat; it measures the internal temperature of the grill and feeds the information back to the control board. Much like in your house, if the thermostat is bad, your grill won’t be able to accurately regulate its temperature.
The simplest way to test the RTD is to use a remote thermometer like the iGrill. While the RTD and thermometer readings may not line up exactly (they probably measure the temperature at different intervals), they should be close. Make sure that they dovetail over the course of a twenty-minute test cook.
If you don’t have a remote thermometer or don’t want to go through the process of testing your RTD, don’t worry. Through the process of elimination, you can zero in on it as a probable culprit; if it’s not the pellets, the grill is clean, and your fire pot and fan are in good working order, it’s probably the RTD.
And, because it’s fairly inexpensive, Traeger is usually good about sending a replacement RTD while your grill is under warranty. Even if your grill is out of warranty, the RTD represents a quick and affordable fix.
The Fire Goes Out Mid-Cook
Another common Traeger Grill problem is the fire going out mid-cook. This problem is usually rooted in the same issues that create abnormal temperature swings.
The top cause? … bad pellets that produce excessive ash. If too much ash builds up in the fire pot over the course of a cook, it can cut off airflow and suffocate the fire, snuffing it out.
Likewise, a bad RTD relaying inaccurate readings can cause the controller to dump too few pellets, preventing it from maintaining a proper fire.
Finally, look at the induction fan. As it helps feed oxygen to the flames, if it isn’t working, that could cause the fire to go out.
Give a listen. You should hear the fan humming while your Traeger is cooking.
Pellets Aren’t Being Fed to the Fire Pot
Wood pellets are fed to the fire pot from the hopper by a rotating auger that’s powered by a motor. After turning on your Traeger, you should hear it begin to move (note: it could take several seconds).
You can also look down into an empty hopper and see a section of the auger. If it’s not moving, it could be a faulty motor.
If the auger isn’t moving but the motor is fine, there could be a pellet jam preventing the auger from spinning. Clearing the jam requires removing the hopper and doing some light mechanical work; you’ll find plenty of step-by-step videos that simplify the process and show exactly you how to do this.
Your Traeger Won’t Light
If the auger is delivering pellets to the fire pot, but they’re not lighting, there’s a good chance the igniter is bad. You can check if it’s working by running the grill without pellets.
Remove the grates, drip pan, and heat diffuser so you can see inside the fire pot. The tip of the igniter extends into the fire pot and should glow when the grill is turned on.
If the igniter is working properly but the pellets aren’t lighting, the fan could be at fault. Without that necessary oxygen or airflow, the fire may not light. Again, listen for the sound of the fan humming to ensure it’s working.
Check the Traeger Grill Replacement Parts.
Traeger Error Codes
While not every Traeger problem will produce an error code, Traeger Grills are designed to know when there are specific problems. In those instances, an error code will appear on the digital display.
Below are common Traeger error codes and their causes:
- ERR – RTD Probe malfunction
If your probe has malfunctioned, you can purchase a replacement probe.
- LEr – Low-temperature error. The temperature is running below 125°F for more than 10 consecutive minutes.
This could be caused due to some of the above issues, including too much dust or ash in your fire pot, or a grill that needs cleaning.
If the grill is clean and free of ash, you might try restarting the heat sensor to ensure that it is working correctly.
- HEr – High-temperature error. The grill is heating to 500°F.
Similar to a grill that is not heating up enough, a too-high grill can indicate a dirty grill with high amounts of ash or grease. It might also mean you need to switch to low-dust pellets.
Finally, you might be dealing with a faulty probe or a faulty temperature controller. Try switching these off and on to reset them.
- ER1 – Loose connection on RTD
Try making sure all the parts of the device are connected and tightened. If this does not fix it, you might need to contact a specialist.
- ER2 – Short circuit
This can be the most dangerous error, as it means there is a short circuit. If you get this error message, you will need to shut off the machine and get a specialist or technician to look at your smoker grill.
See also: Upgrade Your Traeger Grill with Stainless Steel Replacement Parts
Last Updated on August 18, 2020 by Judith Fertig
Ron says
Great article! I have a Traeger Timberline 1300, I’m having terrible soot issues. The entire inside gets thick soot not to mention the food also takes on the soot. Traeger sent me a new induction fan but this did not help.after taking pictures of the soot, I completely cleaned the inside of the smoker. Traeger is sending someone out from the place where I bought the unit (still under warranty)
Have you heard of this issue?
Patricia Ommen says
I have been trying to find a “person” to contact for help on and off for hrs. I have been watching troubleshooting videos and cleaning for hours but no such luck.
John Taylor says
Ef1 error code. I replaced fuse. What else??
Wesley Lazott says
I have an older Traeger…BBQ125 made at the original factory in MT Angel Oregon. pretty much replaced everything a few times. I refuse to give it up. However I replaced the original controller due to it dying or giving up on me. I plugged the unit in the controller lite up with a 1.10 for about 3 to 5 seconds and then went out, when I turned the grill on to smoke for the start up…it popped my GFI outdoor plug in. so I decided time to clean everything possible. including the temp probe just below the smoke stack. it was pretty dirty, not anymore. put everything back together and no change in the results. 1.10 flashes when I turn it on POP goes the breaker.
Judith Fertig says
Sounds like you have a dead short somewhere, try disconnecting one device at a time as in hot rod, auger motor, fan motor. Then try starting it with the pieces disconected. (Kent Platts)
Wesley Lazott says
I forgot to mention that the controller is several years old. could it be that it did not last as long as the original controller.
G David says
Getting an Er2 error. How do I repair?
Ron says
At my wits end with my Traeger, tore it down to see why it it would not light.
Turned the on/off switch off then back on and the motor ran for about 30 seconds then stopped. The auger was free and the motor was not binding, I flipped the switch to off than on, the motor ran again for 30 seconds and stopped. I repeated this several times with the same result. I assumed it was the motor and installed a new one. Tested again and the same thing the motor would run for 30 seconds and stop, cycled the switch and the motor ran for 30 seconds, I have now replaced the controller, and the RTD temperature detector.
Going to order a new Hot Rod. Any suggestions?
David Gauger says
A bad hot rod will trip your gfi or circuit breaker. I don’t belive it will just shut your motor off. I’ve had a bad hot rod and it would trip the gfi.
Ronald Trautman says
Sounds like one of the wores is broke inside the covering and is arcing and not making full contact
Gary Oberling says
That’s the way the motor is supposed to work. It is not a continuous feed. It runs for a bit, then stops to let the pellets burn, then starts up again and feeds more pellets. It’s an on – off cycle.
Glenn Ricard says
@Gary Oberling – this is so funny! I would have shot the damn thing good thing some of you know whats happening
Marty McCoy says
@Gary Oberling – its right. If it runs 30 and stops wait to see if it comes back in a bit. If not then it may be an issue and the rest of these posts arent incorrect.
Sage Gray says
During a severe wind recently my Traegar grill was pushed over. Ever since the heat doesn’t adjustmproperly. If I put it to 180 it heats to 300… 225 goes to 400…etc. Trying to figure out what might be causing this to happen.
Pamela Mills says
Help, we just received our Traeger, primed it , not knowing at the time, had way to many pellets and of course we had lots of heavy smoke and a small fire. We watched videos and realized what happened. Let the grill cool, cleaned everything up started the grill again. All went well and we seasoned the grill. Fast forward 8 hours and we started up the grill for dinner. Started smoking heavy white smoke after waiting over 10 minutes for it ignite. Shut it down and gave up. Today I cleaned it out, not much ash but cleaned. One thing to note we never get the preheat seating to show up on the screen, just igniting for over 10 minutes. Help..I’ve tried every video etc and I’m not sure what we are doing wrong.
Dom Casey says
My Traeger is reading Er2. I’m assuming it’s an error message but not sure how I can fix it? Can you help? Thanks!
Steve Goldstein says
This code indicates a short circuit somewhere, likely the temp probe. Turn it off, trace all wiring and connections. Call Traeger Customer Service
Monty Poland says
Do what steve suggested but Un Plug from the wall and unplug all connections and re connect also
Dennis says
What causes my Traeger to stop smoking in the middle of a cook? The auger fed plenty of pellets, the fan was running, the pellets just went out after about 3 hours of working fine. I stopped everything, removed excess pellets and started the process again and it worked fine, no issues. I am using Traeger pellets.
Also, can I start the smoking process by running the temperature on high until the pellets start getting in the fire pot? I remove all pellets and clear out auger each time I finish a smoke/cook, if I could run it on high until the pellets reach the fire pot, it would save a lot of time.
Alex Leeson says
Probably a void issue: a void was created preventing the pellets to enter the auger. The temp started to drop and the auger tried to compensate by going from intermittent to a continuous feed rate to get the temp up. The fire went out, and at some point the void collapsed. The pellets feed into the pot due to the auger still trying to get the temp up. It continues to feed until the ler code.
Stir the pellets on a regular basis, keep hopper over half full, add an extender to the hopper and fill it, or put something on the pellets to help keep downward pressure. These are some suggestions to help prevent voids.
Evan Mendenhall says
Don’t clear out the auger after each cook. The only time to do that would be if it’s going into storage.
Dennis says
Its very humid in the summer here, already had to replace auger motor once due to swelling pellets
Matthew Grinnell says
I have the lil texas series treager. I was smoking a butt turn it too smoke. smoked for fours then it would not hold temp and the ash pot was full of un burnt pellets
Rich Ryder says
You had the same infamous “flame out”. Go through your shut down cycle, make sure everything has cooled down, vacuum and clean out the fire box and barrel, relight and set your temp to at least 180.
Chucky Lund says
Moisture in your pellets could be 1 reason. I keep my bags inside of garage in summer and even in house in Winter time.
Or too much ash in your bottom… I personally vaccum out pot and what i can from the auger area from pot side before i start everytime or 2.
Bill says
My heating element goes bad every 6 months and my auger run continues even on smoke how can I solve this
Dave Ullrich says
Sounds like it’s stuck in “start mode.”. Call Treager, something wrong with controller.
Gary says
Just purchased a new Silverton-Owners-Manual model. I attempted the initial start-up with no success. I have new pellets, both fans work, the auger works but the fire pot will not heat up. Replaced the hot rod and temp controller. No luck. Could a faulty RTD probe prevent warm-up and smoke? About ready to shoot this thing.
Michelle says
Hi my treager ironwood has er1 I can’t get rid of it
Teresa L Tindall says
Hello we are getting the ELr code. Is there a fuse needing to be replaced. How can this be fixed?
Judith Fertig says
Hello Teresa,
Most likely, that is Er1. Loose RTD probe connection.
Jerre Glover says
I was getting ready to use my Traeger, turned it on smoke, left the lid up and went inside for a little while to get meat ready, and when I came back out, flames were coming out of all areas of the cooking area. On the cooking grid and from under where the fire cup is. I had to use some water to put out the flame on the cooking grid.. I took all parts out and it looked like there had been an accumulation of pellets and a large amount had caught on fire and possibly some left over grease from a previous cook had been on the cooking surface. My control grid now reads Err and wont come on. Any thoughts>
Rhondi says
The same thing happened to me yesterday. Smoker on with lid open. I went back outside and it was on fire! The temp was reading 300 degrees. The treager shut off and now will not start up again. Any advice?
SM says
I just bought the Junior grill at Costco and used it this weekend. I was hoping to be able to leave it running for a continuous low heat of 180 degrees overnight to do a brisket. I checked before going to bed a little after midnight and checked in the morning around 630an and it had a LER message and had turned off. I had enough pellets but I did find that after a 2-3 hours of usage as I did smoke some chicken the night before that I would have to move the pellets as it does not move down the middle and leaves a big empty hole with the pellets along the side. I am using Traegar pellets and everything was brand new. Is this normal to have to move the pellets around every 2-3 hours on a slow cook and maybe even more often on a higher temperature cook? Other than the smokey taste, kind of finding it more work than a grill….
Robert keller says
I bought a Traeger Bronson grill from Costco last week.Been trying to preform the seasoning step on the grill . Everything working just fine for awhile then the auger stop.s . I have stirred the pellets to no avail , how ever I did cycle the. Temperature switch to shut down cycle them back to high auger starts working again for a short time.. any recommendations? So far I am not impressed
Neftali Lluch says
I have my Treager since 2018 and always right. Last night I turn on the treager, as usual but I cannot get heat. I clean the auger complete and try but it does not work. It gave a code LRc.
Allen Bruhn says
My 8 year old Tailgater trips the GFIC the instant I plug it in. I installed a new cord. Still trips it. Any ideas what could be wrong?
Ted says
Traeger pro series 22 error message Her.
Temperature fluctuates and then unit shuts down.
Have removed ash, cleaned pots, could this be the temperature probe or the controller itself?
Tim Larson says
I just replaced my heat rod as it would not get hot to smoke or raise the temp and the same thing is happening now. It gets just hot enough to produce just a little bit of smoke…almost cannot see it. It never ignites….This was after letting it sit and run for 15+ minutes. Any thoughts?
Thank you for your help.
Andrea White says
I am getting ER CODE 1.
The wires coming out of the RTD connection are broken. How can I get them fixed or get it replaced?
darren day says
mine just started cutting on and off every 2 seconds or so. it gets up to temp but this cant be good
Donna Mc says
My traeger grill gave me the code HEr. We found the pot had holes plugged. We cleaned it out. Now, is it ready to use again or do we need to clear that code? If so, how do I do that?
Thanks so much!
Donna