If you are looking for a Traeger grill troubleshooting guide, then you are in the right place!
I have been using Traeger grills for as long as I can remember. As such, I am well-versed with the Traeger error codes, common issues, and more.
In this post, I will show you how to identify the problems, discover what is causing them, and how to fix them as well. Let’s get started!
Traeger grills utilize cutting edge technology. As a result, the grills are able to detect internal issues as well as any user errors you may be making. When such problems are detected, a corresponding error message will be displayed on the screen.
Here is some insight into what they mean and how you can fix these issues:
You can get this message on any AC grill with the exception of the 2017 Timberline 850/1300.
When you see this code, it means that the grill’s temperature has dropped below 125 degrees for more than 10 minutes. In turn, this has caused the grill to turn off. It is sometimes referred to as a low temperature error.
Some of the reasons that this may have happened are:
Here’s how it can be fixed, depending on the issue:
Regardless of what the problem is, you should always turn the grill off before trying to do anything else. Unplug the grill and wait for it to cool down completely.
Remove the grill grates, drip tray, and heat baffle.
Once you check the fire pot, you will have to follow instructions based on the situation there:
If there aren’t any pellets or excess ash, it means the grill ran out. If this is the case, you should clean out the area, follow the startup procedure, and refill pellets as needed.
In case there are plenty of pellets, it means that the fire has gone out during grilling. First, clear the area of any ash buildup. Next, make sure that you are using good quality pellets. Avoid bad pellets that may be dull or crumbling.
Then, instigate the startup process – check the user manual to ensure that you are following the right steps. An improper method that mess with the entire cook.
If you notice that the fire is going out frequently, then it is a good idea to call customer service as you may need additional assistance.
The RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) probe should be on the right hand side of your grill, right next to the grates. Check the temperature probe to determine if it is bent or if it is touching anything inside the grill.
Despite the fact that it may be impaired, it could still be working. Test to see if it is accurately reading the grill temperature. If it is, then you can continue grilling without any issue.
Turn on the grill and check the temperature. Compare this to the outside temperature using another thermometer or checking an app. A deviation of 20°F/10°C is acceptable. If the grill has been sitting in the sun, you may expect the grill to register as hotter.
If the readings are off by more than the accepted deviation, then you will have to get the temp probe serviced or replaced.
When you start the grill, you should be able to hear the fan. If you don’t hear anything or if there is a squeaky noise, stop the grill. Manually spin the fan as this should clear out any grime that may be jamming it up.
Start the grill again. If there is still no sound or the squeaking continues, you will need to get professional assistance.
Make sure that the cap is at the right height. You should be able to fit a thumb in between the chimney and cap.
Examine the chimney for any soot or buildup. If it is dirty, clean it out.
If the weather is cold or windy, then your Traeger grill will have trouble attaining and maintaining higher temperatures. It is a good idea to make sure that the grill has a little bit of protection or shielding to make it easier to start up.
You may also find that the p setting may also play up in cold or windy temperatures. To counteract this issue, you can set it to a lower setting.
Related Reading
This code stands for high error reading. This often occurs when the grill registers a temperature of over 550 degrees and shuts itself off. This is sometimes referred to as a high temperature error.
Here are some of the causes for this error and what you can do about it:
Is your grill clean? If not, a buildup of ash and grease buildup can mess with the temperature sensors. Follow your maintenance manual to learn how you should be cleaning your grill after every use.
If the proper startup process isn’t followed, then the grill may end up not working properly. Each model has a specific process that needs to be followed. Use your owner’s manual to ensure that you are taking the appropriate steps in the right order.
Traeger grills have specific shutdown procedures for each model. If you didn’t follow the proper shutdown procedure, some wood pellets may remain in the fire pot. This can cause a high temperature when you start up the grill, causing this error.
Perhaps you checked or cleaned the grill before and forgot to replace certain parts. This can trigger a high temperature error message. Check that the drip pan, heat baffle, and cooking grates have been inserted properly.
You should also check that they aren’t damaged or rusted in any way. If they are, they will need to be replaced before you can use the grill again.
If the probe isn’t functioning properly, then an incorrect temperature can register. Make sure that the sensor isn’t and that it is registering the surrounding temperature properly. If it isn’t, the part may need to be serviced or replaced.
If there was a grill fire, then it is only natural for the temperature to register as higher. If nothing was damaged, your grill should start as normal during the next startup process.
Did you receive a low temperature error on your last cook? If so, there could be a buildup of pellets. When the grill tries to burn them off after you start it again, you may end up with an HEr code the first time around.
You will get an ERR or ER1 error code if there is a partial or full disconnect between the RTD probe and the control board or panel.
To sort out this situation, unplug the grill and remove the two Phillips head screws holding the control panel in place. Loosen the flathead brackets holding the RTD wires in the green box. Disconnect the wires from the green housing box – you don’t need to remove the screws completely.
Next, reconnect the wires by tightening the flathead brackets.
Put the control panel black into place and replace the screws you removed. Plug the grill in and power it up.
You may sometimes get this message if you have plugged your wired meat probe into the grill but aren’t using it. To clear up this message, either use the probe to check the temperature of the meat or unplug.
If this message appears when you aren’t using the grill, you can do a hard power reset. Simply power off the grill, unplug it, wait for fifteen minutes, plug it back in, and then power it up again.
If you have a D2 Traeger pellet grill, then you will most likely have to deal with WiFIRE issues. These tend to be an easy fix. You will only need to replace a part if you are informed of it.
Here are some of the display problems that you may come across and what you can do about them:
This is more likely to happen during cold weather. To resolve the situation, adjust the contrast of the digital display.
Go to Menu > Contrast – Readjust as needed andthis should get it working correctly again.
Here, you will need to check that there isn’t a loose connection on the back of the controller. To do this, remove the four screws that hold the digital display in place and make sure they are properly attached.
These are issues that can prevent the Traeger grill from starting up like it should:
Your Traeger pellet grill may not have ignited because they aren’t enough pellets, you’re using poor quality pellets or the lid was left open during the startup process.
Therefore, use the proper pellets, add more pellets to the grill, and make sure that the lid remains closed.
This simply means that the Traeger pellet grill is taking longer than usual to reach the set temperature. This message may also pop up when the temperature hasn’t changed or risen in fifteen minutes.
You dont have to do anything when you see this code. The temperature will sort itself out, although it may overshoot the temperature for a short period of time first.
These are messages that you may get related to mechanical error:
This means that the controller is no receiving a signal from the thermocouple probably due to a loose or lack of connection. To reconnect, remove all the screws holding the control panel in place. Look for the wire from the thermocouple.
If it disconnected, simply connect them. If the connection appears to be in place, disconnect the wires and reconnect them once more. This should help to reset the connection.
This may indicate that the auger motor is either disconnected or broken. Remove the control panel and check for this. If the connection is in place, you may need to replace the motor.
This typically indicated a jammed or broken auger. You may be able to fix the issue via digital or manual means. First try the automated auger cleaning process:
Menu > Auger > Clear Auger
Once the auger has been cleared, press cancel. Replace any elements you have removed, fill the hopper, and follow through with the startup process.
For the manual way, do the following:
Unscrew and check the control panel if you notice either of these messages. It means that the connections are loose. Reconnect them or disconnect and then reconnect them and it should begin to work.
Here are some other common problems that you may be facing with Traeger pellet grills:
If you are noticing temperature swings with your pellet grill, then it is natural to feel worried. However, you should be aware that this cold be perfectly normal.
Contrary to popular belief, Traeger pellet grills operate across a temperature range. As such, you may find there is a fluctuation of between 15 and 20 degrees throughout the entire cook.
You should also know that the climate and weather conditions can also impact the grill, causing temperature grills.
Still, you should make sure that there isn’t any corrosion in the fire pot, drip pan, and the heat baffle. Finally, check that the resistance temperature detector is working properly.
This is one of the most common issues that people can face with their pellet grill. Here, the problem is with the igniter or a fan issue.
To check the igniter, remove the grates, drip pan, and heat diffuser. Make sure that there aren’t any pellets in their either. Then, start up the grill. If the igniter glows, it is working. If not, it needs to be fixed or replaced.
If the ignition is working fine, then you should check on the fan. Turn on the grill and listen for the fan. If you can’t hear the fan humming, it means insufficient oxygen, resulting in the fire not being lit.
Turn the grill off and try to spin the fan by hand. This can clear up any dust or grime that is jamming it up. If the fan motor still doesn’t work, it may need to be replaced.
As with your grill not turning on, the igniter or fan many be the issue. Thus, check these first.
Another reason that the grill can’t reach the desired temperature is due to the climate. If it is cold or windy, then the temperature inside the grill is going to struggle to go up as well.
One thing that you can do is to store your grill inside during the winter. This way, it will be able to start up more quickly once moved outside as the grill will be relatively warm.
If the wind is the issue, look for a sheltered area where the wind isn’t directly blowing at the grill.
Sometimes you need to do a hard restart of your grill. The exact process will be determined by whether you have an older or newer model.
With older models, it is quite simple. Simply power down the grill and then unplug the grill from its power source. During this time you may want to clean out the inside of the grill. Make sure that it is cooled down first. Also, replace all the internal components before you restart the grill.
Wait for at least 15 minutes, plug in the grill and then power it back up again.
In case you are using a WiFIRE model, then you need to follow these steps for the cool down process and the restart one:
For a soft reset, simply turn off the phone or the tablet that has the Traeger app. Then, shut down the grill. Start up your phone and then restart the grill as well.
For a hard reset, on the grill go to Menu > Settings > Ignite. Hold down that button until the Traeger logo appears.
After this, you will need to pair the app and the grill. You will also need to connect to your home Wi-Fi connection.
Now, when you first notice a problem, you may be wondering whether this is something that you should fix yourself or contact Traeger customer service for.
Well, this depend on a few factors. First, how confident are you in your abilities. If you have had previous experience with fixing grills, then it can’t hurt to give it a try.
You may also want to diagnose if this is a simple or more serious problem. Simpler issues can be fixed with the press of a few buttons or by tightening a loose connection. If the potential issues are considerable, though, it may be best to let the experts handle it.
Now, before you go ahead and make big fixes or changes to your grill, you should consider the warranty. If your grill is still under its original guarantee, anything you do to it could leave you liable for any fixes that the manufacturer will have to make. Thus, when in doubt, it is best to leave things along.
Even if you are fairly confident that you can handle the repair, it is still a good idea to call customer service. This is especially true if you are looking for a replacement for the grill. They may be able to provide useful tips or point you in the right direction.
Keep in mind, many people may have called in with the same problem as you. Thus, the manufacturer may have already figured out how to remedy the situation.
Of course, prevention is undoubtedly better than the cure. Therefore, here are some tricks that you can follow to reduce the risk of such issues cropping up when you least need them to:
As mentioned, Traeger grills are complex and sophisticated devices. As such, they have been designed to work according to specific sequences. This is why you should always follow the precise instructions for starting up or shutting down the machine.
While you are still getting used to the grill, I would suggest that you rely on user manual for every grilling experience. At the very least, tape a list of instruction to the grill to make it easier for you to follow them.
You should make a habit of cleaning the grill every time that you use it. Get rid of wood pellets and excess ash. Make sure that grime or dust isn’t coating any of the major components.
Every now and then, take apart these elements and clean them out to keep them in good working condition.
As you can see from the above information, corrosion is deadly to grills. Cleaning the grill on a regular basis can help to keep rust at bay. However, it also needs to be stored properly.
Make sure to store your grill in a dry place without any risk of moisture. Cover it in a waterproof covering. It is a good idea to check on the grill often to make sure that no moisture has found its way inside.
These are the main issues that you should be aware of with Traeger grills and how to solve them. Once you figure out how to get your grill back into working order, you can continue with your cookout just the way that you planned!
