Pit Boss ERR Code: What It Means and How to Fix It
Quick Answer
Pit Boss displays a single ERR code for multiple fault conditions, which makes diagnosis harder than Traeger's specific codes. ERR most commonly means the RTD temperature probe has failed, disconnected, or is reading out of range. The second most common meaning is a temperature fault (too low or too high).
The Pit Boss ERR code is basically the grill's way of saying 'something's wrong, go figure it out yourself.' It's a catch-all, which makes it annoying to diagnose. Shows up on startup? Almost always a dead RTD probe or a loose connector. Hits ERR an hour into a brisket smoke? You're probably looking at a flame-out from wet pellets or a firepot clogged with ash. Don't ignore it. A grease fire hiding behind that code can torch your deck.
When your Pit Boss throws ERR, the controller has either lost its temperature reading or the grill's temp went somewhere it shouldn't. I tell folks: if it pops up the second you hit power, it's the probe. If it shows up mid-cook, start with the firepot. Had one last week where the RTD wire had drooped down and was literally touching the firebox barrel, melted the jacket clean off. Twenty-dollar probe fix, ten minutes of work.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
RTD temperature probe disconnected or failed40%
Firepot full of ash (low temp condition)24%
Grease fire (high temp condition)14%
Damp pellets causing flame-out12%
Probe wire melted near firebox10%
Symptoms You May Notice
ERR flashing on the controller display instead of a temperature number, sometimes appearing immediately the second you power the grill on.
Grill shut itself off completely in the middle of a cook with no warning, just dead, fan stopped, auger stopped, everything.
You lift the lid and find the grill is stone cold with a pile of grey unburnt pellets sitting in the firepot.
The grill keeps trying to cycle through startup (fan kicks on, auger runs, you can hear it) but never gets to temp and eventually faults out again.
App shows the grill as offline or in an error state and when you walk outside the display confirms it with ERR.
Can you reset a Pitboss pelletgrill to clear the ERR code?
Turn the dial to Off, then unplug the grill from the wall. Wait a full 60 seconds, not 10, not 30. A full minute lets the controller's capacitors fully drain. Before you plug back in, physically check the firepot and make sure it's clean and empty of unburnt pellets. Plug it back in, set it to Smoke, and watch the startup cycle. Fan should kick on first, then you'll hear the igniter click within 60 seconds. If ERR shows up again before any ignition happens, your probe's the issue.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriver (for panel clips)Digital multimeter set to OhmsShop vacuum with narrow crevice attachmentFlashlight or headlampStainless steel zip ties (for wire rerouting)High-temp wire loom (optional but strongly recommended on Austin XL models)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range1000–1100 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Replacement Parts
If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.
Part Name
OEM Number
Estimated Price
Pit Boss RTD Temperature ProbeModel-specific · $15–$25
Model-specific
$15 – $25
Pit Boss Igniter ElementModel-specific · $15–$30
Model-specific
$15 – $30
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Pit Boss only show ERR instead of specific codes?
The LED displays on most Pit Boss units don't have enough segments to show descriptive fault codes the way Traeger does. It's honestly just a cost thing in the hardware design. The good news is that if you've got a newer WiFi-enabled model and the Smoke IT app, you'll sometimes get a more specific notification on your phone even when the physical display just says ERR. But the controller screen is what it is. Three letters and you go figure it out yourself.
How do I actually clear the ERR code on my Pit Boss?
A simple power cycle won't fix it if the root cause is still there. Turn the dial to Off, unplug the unit, and wait a full minute. Before you plug back in, clean out the firepot and check the RTD probe connector is fully seated. If you just cycle power without doing those things, ERR is coming right back. Once everything's clean and connected, plug it back in and start on Smoke so you can watch the full ignition sequence. If ERR shows up immediately before the fan even runs for 30 seconds, the probe is almost certainly dead.
My Pit Boss Austin XL keeps showing ERR. Is this a known issue?
Yeah, the Austin XL is notorious for this. The factory routes that RTD wire way too close to the firebox barrel, and after a season or two of heat cycles, the insulation cracks or melts where it touches the metal. I've fixed probably a dozen of these in the last year alone. When I do the repair I always use stainless steel zip ties and a piece of high-temp wire loom to pull the wire up and away from the heat. The probe replacement is cheap, but if you don't reroute the wire too, you'll be buying another probe in six months.
Can I still cook if I'm seeing the ERR code?
No. Don't try it. ERR means the controller has no idea what temperature the grill is running at. It could be sitting at 200°F or running at 700°F and it won't know the difference, which means it won't control the auger speed properly either. You could end up with a runaway grease fire, or just raw chicken because the temp was nowhere near where the display claimed. Fix the underlying cause first. It's usually a cheap and fast repair, so just do it right.
What does it cost to fix a Pit Boss ERR code?
Depends on what's actually wrong. RTD probe is 15 to 25 bucks and you can swap it yourself in about 20 minutes. Firepot cleaning costs nothing but your time. Control board runs 60 to 120 dollars depending on your model, which is basically the worst-case scenario. In my experience, most ERR calls end up being the probe or dirty firepot, both of which are cheap and easy. Control board failures are maybe one in ten. So odds are good you're looking at a very affordable fix here.
Pit Boss shows ERR but firepot is clean and probe tested good. What now?
OK so if you've cleaned the firepot, confirmed the probe reads 1000-1100 Ohms at room temp, and reseated all the connectors and it's still faulting, you're probably looking at the PID control board. But before you buy one, check the wiring harness one more time. Sometimes a wire is broken internally but looks totally fine on the outside. Flex and wiggle the wiring while your multimeter is still on the probe pins and watch for the reading to jump or drop to zero. If it does, you've got a broken wire, not a bad board, and that's a much cheaper fix.
Models Known to Experience ERR Errors
This repair applies to most Pitboss pelletgrills with this error code. Common model numbers include:
PB1000XL (Austin XL 1000), PB1150PS2 (Pro Series 1150), PB850PS2 (Pro Series 850), PB820SP (Sportsman 820), PB700FB (Classic 700), PBV4PS2 (Pro Series V2 4-Burner Combo), PB1230SP (Sportsman 1230)