Traeger Err Code and Er1 Code [Fully Fixed]

With a hungry stomach and some time on my hands, I was looking to cook the perfect meal for me. So, I started my Traeger grill and saw the dreaded Err error code. My heart was broken, and I knew I would not be getting a meal from that grill anytime soon.

If you are here, you’re probably in the same boat where I once was. But the good news is that I was able to fix my issue easily, and I am sure you can do the same.

I’ll talk about all the possible reasons why you’d see this error code and how you can fix it. Let’s begin.

Traeger Err Code and Er1 Code [Fully Fixed]

The main reason why you’d see the Err & Er1 error code is due to a bad connection between the RTD probe and the controller. So, what does that mean for you?

RTD Probe: It’s a very important component in modern grills that ensures the temperature is consistent and safe for cooking. When your Traeger RTD probe is disconnected, you can see this error code. It’s also possible for the RTD probe to malfunction and bring up this code.

Controller: The controller is the brain of your heater. It’s the device that makes all the decisions. If the control panel doesn’t connect to the RTD or finds any other problem with the unit, it triggers error codes. This is the part of the grill that shows you the error code.

Now that you know about the two main parts that create this error code, you should follow an action plan to solve this issue. Start by trying to do a Traeger ER1 code reset.

It’s really simple—all you have to do is turn off the grill, leave it unplugged for a few minutes, and turn it back on. Sometimes, that’ll take care of the issue if the code has come up due to any glitches.

In theory, the Traeger ER1 grill code comes up due to a bad connection between the RTD probe and the control board.

But from my practical experience of having gone through the issue, I can tell you that it’s not always the case. Many other things can go wrong with your Traeger grill and prompt the Err or Er1 error code.

With all that in mind, here are the main reasons that can bring up the error code in your grill and the steps you should follow to fix it:

1. Extremely Cold Weather

Believe it or not, the Err or Er1 code can come up when you decide to cook in extremely cold weather. Yes, the grills get cold too. In fact, they have to monitor and interact with the environment for proper airflow and maintain the internal temperature of the heater.

extremely cold weather

One of my readers went through the same thing. They saw that their grill wasn’t working, and this code showed up. The temperature was around 25°F when they tried to use the grill at first.

But when they cooked at a slightly higher temperature a few days later, the problem was solved. It didn’t take any fixing at all.

Solution:

Now, you can also wait it out like my friend if you want and cook at a good temperature. But if you want to take matters into your own hands, you can move the grill to a slightly warmer area.


Ideally, you’d have a place that is heated and has enough open space for the grill to work properly. Don’t cramp up somewhere where there is no proper airflow. Once you do that, your grill should work fine if this is the problem.

2. Auger Jam

The pellets sometimes may not make their way to the burner. Just like us, they can get caught between a rock and a hard place. While we get there for emotional reasons, they get there for technical reasons.

And the most common reason behind this is an auger jam. When there’s an auger jam, the grill won’t have pellets to keep the fire going. So, it’ll eventually shut off and can even prevent the grill from starting.

Solution:

You’ll need to clear the auger jam to remove the error codes, and only then can you keep on grilling. Here’s how to do it:

  • When the grill is in ‘Idle’ mode, press and hold the ‘DOWN’ and ‘IGNITE’ buttons together.
  • The screen will flash “Clr,” and the auger will move back and forth for 60 seconds to try and fix the jam.
  • If you need to stop it early, just press and hold those same buttons again.

It’s super simple—kind of like taking a screenshot on your phone. But only stop early if you’re sure the jam is cleared. You might have to run through the process a few times if it’s stubborn.

Pro Tip: Use high-quality pellets! Cheap ones with too much sawdust are a recipe for auger jams. Pellets are the fuel of your grill, so choosing the right ones can save you a ton of hassle down the line.

3. Hot Rod Not Getting Hot

One common thing you’ll face along with the Err code is that you won’t be able to turn on your Traeger grill. If that’s the case and you’re sure that your pellets are going to the burner, there could be an issue with the hot rod.

Solution:

So, here’s the deal—the issue could be with the hot rod itself or other parts that result in the Traeger grill not getting hot enough. For example, if your firepot isn’t clean all the way, it can prevent the hot rod from getting hot. You can clean the firepot if it’s dirty, and I hope that’ll solve this issue for you.

However, the hot rod may also be at fault here. First of all, check if the hot rod makes a good connection with the controller. If it’s a loose connection, tighten it up, and you’ll solve the issue.

If a loose connection isn’t what has been making your hair gray, the other possibility here is that the hot rod is faulty. In that case, you need to contact Traeger customer support to replace the faulty hot rod for you. I hope doing that will solve the issue for you.

4. Bad RTD Connection

Still can’t get the Err code to go away after trying all that? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. These codes usually mean the RTD (that’s the temperature probe) isn’t talking to the controller properly.

RTD & controller connection

Either the connection is loose, or it’s totally disconnected. It’s like your grill decided to gEither the connection is loose, or it’s totally disconnected. It’s like your grill decided to ghost its brain.

Solution:

The good news is that you can fix this issue without breaking a sweat. Here’s how to get your grill back on speaking terms:

  • Safety first—turn off the grill and unplug it. No one wants a shocking surprise.
  • Unscrew the controller—two screws are holding it in place. Just remove them.
  • Find the green box—On the back of the controller, there’s a little green box with RTD wires. Loosen the brackets on it, but don’t take the screws all the way out.
  • Disconnect and reconnect—Pull out the RTD wires from the green box, then pop them back in. Tighten everything back up.
  • Put it all back together—screw the controller back into place with the same screws.
  • Plug it in and power it up—turn the grill back on and check if the error code is gone. Fingers crossed, you’re good to go!

If all goes well, your grill should be back in business, ready to cook up some magic. If not, well, it might be time to call customer service—but hey, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!

5. Faulty RTD

This is the worst-case scenario for you. You need a different level of bad luck altogether if you’re facing this issue. Out of all the possible things that could have gone wrong, the worst happened to you.

RTD of traeger grill


Instead of being disconnected, the RTD probe is faulty. It’s the most likely issue if all the other things didn’t fix your issue. And yes, you’ve guessed it—this is what happened to me. I guess I am on a different level of unlucky too.

Solution:

The good thing is that Traeger customer support is great, and they’ll send the replacement part as soon as they can. If your unit is under warranty, just give them a call, and you should get it for free.

Now, all you have to do is replace it. You can follow these steps to do that:

Step 01—Removing the Old RTD Temperature Probe

First things first—unplug your Traeger grill. I mean, unless you enjoy the thrill of a surprise zap, this is a must. Safety first, and work comes second. Then, pull out the drip pan and grill grates. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later for having the extra room to work.

Next, hunt down those two screws holding the old probe. They’ve got lock nuts lurking underneath the grill, so grab a tool to hold those nuts steady while you unscrew them.

Don’t wrestle them like they owe you money—be gentle, but firm.

Once the screws are out, it’s time to say goodbye to the old probe at the controller. You’ll need to unscrew the controller’s faceplate, but here’s the kicker: the wires are zip-tied like they’re preparing for a bumpy flight.

So, I had to unscrew the bottom panel of the grill to snip those zip ties. Channel your inner surgeon and cut them carefully—you don’t want to slice through anything important.

After freeing the wires, the old probe’s days are officially over. Taking this part took about 10 minutes for me, and I hope it’ll be somewhere around that time for you. Honestly, it wasn’t too bad—just a bit of a scavenger hunt for screws and zip ties.

Step 02—Installing the New RTD Temperature Probe

Now comes the fun part: out with the old, in with the new! I threaded the new probe’s wires through the same path as the old ones. Think of it like threading a needle but without the annoying squinting.

Once the wires were in place, I reconnected them to the controller, making sure everything was snug as a bug in a rug.

Using the screws that came with the new probe (because Traeger’s got your back), I secured the wires for a solid connection. Then, I popped the controller faceplate and bottom panel back.

Finally, I mounted the shiny new probe to the grill using the screws and lock nuts, feeling like I’d just completed a masterpiece.

Before calling it a day, I gave the grill and fire pot a good vacuuming—because a clean grill is a happy grill. I knew that doing it would protect me from any issues later on. And it totally worked. I haven’t faced a problem with my Traeger grill in a long time.

Step 03—Testing the New RTD Temperature Probe

Now comes the moment of truth. You have to power up the grill and see if it works properly. For me, the temperature immediately hit above 100°F, which made perfect sense since it was about 95°F outside.

When I set the grill to 170°F, it cruised to 172°F and stayed steady, like a champ. The auger kicked in just as it should, and I may or may not have done a little victory dance.

The grill is officially back in business. For the first time in what feels like forever, I can set the temperature and trust it to stay there. It’s like the grill and I have rekindled our relationship, and things are looking hot!

Hopefully, it’ll be the same for you, and you can also reignite the spark with your Traeger grill. Minus the victory dance, of course.

How To Prevent Err & Er1 Error Codes In Traeger Grills

Let’s face it, your grill is like keeping the lawn clean—it needs a little maintenance to keep performing its best.

If you want to avoid those annoying Err or Er1 codes popping up right when you’re craving perfectly smoked ribs, follow these tips. Trust me, a little effort now can save you a lot of frustration later!

1. Clean That Firepot Like a Pro

The firepot is basically the heart of your grill. If it’s full of ash and gunk, your grill is going to have a meltdown—literally. Make it a habit to scoop out the ash after every few cooks.

Think of it as taking out the trash but with way more satisfaction (and no judgmental stares from neighbors).

Pro Tip: Use a shop vac to get all the nooks and crannies.

2. Treat the RTD Probe Like Gold

Your RTD probe is the brain of your grill—monitoring temperature like a hawk. But even the best brains need a break. Wipe the probe down gently with a damp cloth after every cook.

Just don’t go scrubbing it like you’re trying to erase last night’s pizza guilt—it’s delicate. And remember: a shiny probe is a happy probe.

3. Keep the Hopper Full and Dry

Pellets are your grill’s fuel, so keep them dry and fresh. Moist pellets are the equivalent of soggy fries—nobody wants them, and they’re just sad. Invest in a good pellet storage solution, like a sealed container, and keep the pellets there.

keep the hopper full and dry

4. Check Those Wires Like a Detective

Think of your grill’s wires as its veins—if one’s loose or damaged, the whole system gets cranky. Every now and then, peek under the lid and make sure all connections are snug and secure.

If something looks frayed, replace it before it becomes a bigger headache. Remember that a stitch in time saves nine.

5. Schedule a Deep Clean Every Season

I know, deep cleaning sounds about as fun as watching paint dry. But your grill deserves a rest day at least once a season. Take apart the grates, scrub off the grease, and clear out that sneaky build-up in the auger.

schedule a deep cleaning of the grill every season

Think of it like flossing – tedious, but worth it to avoid a nasty surprise later. Your grill will reward you with that “like-new” performance, and you’ll feel like a grillmaster again if you do that.

6. Don’t Ignore the Weather

To my surprise, grills hate extremes as much as we do. Cover your Traeger when it’s not in use to protect it from rain, snow, and that random dust storm. If you’re grilling in cold weather, give it extra time to preheat – it’s not a superhero; it gets cold, too!

7. Test the Hot Rod

The hot rod is like the spark in a good relationship – essential for ignition. Keep an eye or hand on it to make sure it’s heating properly. If it’s acting up, replace it before it leaves you in the cold, both literally and emotionally.

FAQs

Where is the Traeger er1 code reset button?

I wish life were so simple that you could press reset buttons and make error codes disappear. Unfortunately, that’s not what happens in the real world and there’s no such button.

Can the Err or Er1 code appear even if the grill was working fine before?

Yes, sudden environmental changes, such as extreme cold or poor-quality pellets, can cause the code to appear, even if the grill functioned well earlier.

Is there a reset button on a Traeger grill?

No, there is no reset button. You just have to follow the guide step-by-step to remove the Err or Err1 error code. But you can always power cycle the heater to get rid of any temporary issues.

Do I need professional help to fix the error codes on my Traeger grill?

Not usually. Most issues, like a loose RTD connection or auger jams, can be resolved by following the guide’s troubleshooting steps on error codes. However, contact support for faulty parts.

What tools do I need to troubleshoot and fix my grill?

Basic tools like a screwdriver and wire cutter (for zip ties) are enough for most fixes, such as securing RTD connections or replacing parts.

Will extreme weather permanently damage my grill?

Not usually. However, prolonged exposure to cold or moisture can strain components. Store your grill in a weather-protected space to minimize damage.

Conclusion

If Murphy’s Law kicks in and you come across the Traeger Err code and Er1 code, now you know how to solve it. I’ve shared everything I went through when I faced this issue myself.

I hope you’ll be able to get out of the rut now that you have this guide. Just have the patience of a turtle and follow the diagnosis properly. Check out my guide on fixing the Traeger HEr code if you’re facing it.

About William

William is the founder of Fireplacehubs.com. He has real life practical skills in fixing smoker & heating appliance issues. He loves to share his knowledge & helps others in fixing their appliances & saving their money. William firmly believes that anyone can repair his or her unit with the correct guidance & knowledge. See more at about us.

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