How to Reset Pit Boss ERR Code: Step-by-Step Guide

Quick Answer

Pit Boss ERR reset is straightforward but the key is addressing the root cause before resetting. If you just cycle power without fixing the problem, ERR returns immediately. The reset procedure: 1) Turn the controller dial to OFF.

ERR on your Pit Boss means the controller's safety watchdog tripped. Could be the fire died, the RTD probe lost its signal, or ash choked the firepot so bad the igniter couldn't breathe. Ignore it and you'll either lose a cook or, worse, restart on a pile of unburned pellets and get a flare-up that'll warp your heat deflector. Five minutes of cleanup before every restart saves a whole lot of grief.

PitbossPelletgrill80% DIY Success

How to Reset Your Pitboss Pelletgrill

Most Pit Boss owners think ERR means a dead control board. It doesn't. It's actually a safety watchdog that fires when the RTD probe sees a temperature swing it can't explain, like a sudden flameout from poor pellet flow or a firepot choked with ash. Before you go buying a new board, check the probe connection at the back of the hopper and make sure the probe itself isn't caked in carbon.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

ERR from transient temperature fault40%

ERR from ash buildup in firepot24%

ERR from probe connection issue14%

ERR from pellet issue12%

ERR from wind or weather10%

Symptoms You May Notice

The display locks on ERR and everything shuts down, fan still spinning but zero heat and the auger goes dead silent.
Grill temp drops 50-60 degrees over about 10 minutes before ERR finally locks the display, sometimes you'll catch it mid-freefall if you're watching.
You come back to check a brisket an hour into the cook and the grill is stone cold, pellets piled up in the firepot, and ERR is just sitting there staring at you.
Startup attempt fails within the first 10 minutes, grill tries to ignite, can't establish flame, and ERR pops before you even get out of SMOKE mode.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverShop vacuum with narrow nozzle attachmentDigital multimeterFlashlight or headlampClean rag or paper towelsNitrile gloves

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Did the reset not work?

If the problem comes back after following these steps, a component has permanently failed and needs replacement. Check the specific error code your pelletgrill is showing:

ERR Error →

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range1050–1150 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 ProbeModel-specific · $15–$25	Model-specific	$15 – $25

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset ERR without unplugging?

You can try just cycling the dial, but honestly it's a coin flip. These P-setting controllers can be stubborn about holding a fault. Unplugging ensures the microprocessor starts from a clean slate. It also forces you to stop and actually think about why it tripped, which usually saves you from burning through a hopper of pellets on a failed ignition attempt an hour later.

ERR reset works but ERR comes back mid-cook every time. Why?

This is almost always a lazy RTD probe or bad pellet quality. If the probe has a hairline crack in the ceramic, it'll work fine at 200°F but fail at 350°F when the metal expands and opens the crack. Also check for tunneling in your hopper. If pellets are arching over the auger hole, the auger runs dry, temp drops, the board panics, and throws ERR because it thinks the fire died. Stick a wooden spoon down in the hopper and break up any bridges you find.

Do I need to clean the firepot every time I reset ERR?

Absolutely. Think of it as cheap insurance. An ERR code often happens because the fire went out while the auger kept feeding pellets into a cold pot. If you reset and restart without vacuuming, you're starting a fire on top of a mountain of fuel. That causes massive temp spikes, warped internal parts, or back-burn into the auger tube, which is a way bigger problem than whatever caused the original ERR.

How do I know if my RTD probe is bad or just needs cleaning?

Grab your multimeter and set it to ohms. At room temp, somewhere around 68-72°F, a healthy Pit Boss RTD probe reads between 1050 and 1150 ohms. If you're getting OL (open line), zero, or something way off like 5000 ohms, the probe's done. Replacements run about $15-25 and take maybe 10 minutes to swap. Most probes made for Pit Boss after 2018 are the 1K ohm RTD type and they're pretty widely available online.

My ERR code only happens in cold weather. Is that a different problem?

Not really a different problem, just a harder one. Cold temps mean your pellets take longer to catch and your igniter works harder. If the board doesn't see temps climbing fast enough in the first few minutes, ERR fires. Try dropping a small handful of dry pellets directly into the firepot before startup in winter. Also look at your P-setting. Running P2 or P3 in sub-40°F weather can cause the auger to overfeed and smother the flame before it ever gets going.

Related Pitboss Pelletgrill Error Codes

Code: ERRPit Boss ERR: Complete Diagnosis Guide

Models Known to Experience ERR-RESET Errors

This repair applies to most Pitboss pelletgrills with this error code. Common model numbers include:

PB820PSE2 (Pro Series 820), PB850PS2 (Pro Series 850), PB1150G (Navigator 1150), PB820XL (Austin XL), PBV4PS2 (Vertical Pro Series), PB440TG (Tailgater), PB700FB (Classic 700), PB1000XL (Laredo 1000)

Written by

Sarah Kim

Smart Home & Specialty Appliance Tech · 12 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026