Traeger Error 40: Firepot Ignition Failure on WiFIRE Grills
Quick Answer
Traeger Er40 is a startup ignition failure. During Traeger's startup sequence, the controller feeds pellets into the firepot while the hot rod igniter heats up. If the grill does not reach the minimum threshold temperature (typically 125F) within the startup window (usually 7-10 minutes), Er40 triggers.
Er40 basically means the grill tried to light itself, failed, and gave up. What I usually find on these calls is either a hot rod that's burned completely through or a firepot so packed with ash it might as well be a sandbox. Ignore it and keep hammering the restart button without fixing the root cause, and you'll end up with a serious pellet pile-up that can throw a dangerous flare when it finally does catch.
Shop vacuum with narrow attachment, Phillips #2 screwdriver
What Does the Er40 Code Mean?
When I pull up to a WiFIRE grill showing Er40, the first thing I do is yank the grates and heat baffle to check the firepot. It's the grill's way of saying 'I tried for ten minutes, nothing happened, I quit.' Pretty common on the Pro and Ironwood series once they've got a couple seasons on them. A replacement igniter runs about $25-30 and takes maybe 20 minutes if you've done it once before.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Igniter rod burned out40%
Firepot full of ash insulating igniter24%
Damp pellets not catching fire14%
Cold weather slowing ignition12%
Igniter wire disconnected10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Er40 sitting on the controller display when you walk out to check on startup.
Fan is clearly running and you can hear it spinning, but there's zero smoke coming out of the chimney after 5+ minutes.
You pull the grates and heat baffle and find a loose mound of unburned pellets piling up in the firepot with no char on them at all.
Grill feels completely cold to the touch even 8-10 minutes after you pressed the power button.
If you watch the igniter rod directly during startup, it stays dark gray instead of glowing orange-red like a toaster coil.
Can you reset a Traeger pelletgrill to clear the Er40 code?
Hit the power switch on the back of the grill, then pull the plug from the wall. Don't just turn it off from the controller touchscreen. Before you plug back in, pull the heat baffle and drip tray and vacuum the firepot clean of any unburned pellets. Then plug it back in, switch it on, and let it run through a full startup sequence from scratch. Give it a full 10 minutes before you decide it worked or didn't.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Shop vacuum with narrow attachmentPhillips #2 screwdriverNeedle-nose pliersMultimeter (set to ohms/resistance)Flashlight or headlampWire snips or scissors (for old zip ties)4-inch zip ties (for rerouting new wire)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range40–80 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
Traeger Hot Rod IgniterKIT0019 · $20–$35
KIT0019
$20 – $35
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Traeger igniter last?
Usually two to three years if you're grilling a few times a week. Cook through winters or use wet pellets and you're probably looking at less. The hot rod is basically a resistive heating element, same concept as an oven bake element, and every time it cycles up to red hot and cools back down, the metal gets a little more brittle. Eventually it cracks. Good news is a replacement is only about $25-30 and takes 20 minutes to swap.
Can I manually light my Traeger if the igniter is dead?
Technically yes, but don't do it on a WiFIRE model. The controller is running a timed ignition sequence in the background and doesn't know you lit it manually. It'll keep dumping pellets trying to hit its temperature threshold, and you can end up with a massive overfeed situation that causes a scary temperature spike and potentially warps your drip tray. Just order the $25 rod and do it right. It's not worth the headache.
Er40 only happens in cold weather. Is my igniter actually OK?
Probably, yeah. Cold air acts like a heat sink and your igniter is fighting the ambient temperature while also trying to light pellets. If those pellets are also cold and a little damp from being stored in the garage all winter, that makes it even harder. Try keeping your pellets inside the night before a cold-weather cook. Some people throw a welding blanket over the grill for the first 10 minutes of startup in really cold temps, and that alone is sometimes enough to get past the startup timer.
What's the part number for a Traeger replacement igniter?
The standard Traeger hot rod igniter is part number BAC365. It fits most WiFIRE-enabled grills including the Pro 575, Pro 780, Ironwood 650, and Ironwood 885. Double-check your specific model on Traeger's site before ordering because they changed the connector style on some newer Timberline models. Usually runs $25-35 from Traeger directly. Third-party options on Amazon are a bit cheaper but quality varies, so I'd stick with OEM on this one.
How do I tell if it's the igniter or the controller causing Er40?
Multimeter. Seriously, just test the rod first. Unplug the grill, disconnect the igniter connector under the hopper, and check resistance across the two terminals. Should read 40-80 ohms. If it reads open (OL), it's the igniter, replace it. If the rod tests good, then walk the wire from the firepot to the controller board and look for any spots where it's pinched or heat-damaged. A bad controller causing Er40 is rare, maybe 1 in 20 cases, so don't jump there until you've ruled everything else out.
My Traeger ignites sometimes but throws Er40 other times. What's going on?
Intermittent Er40 is almost always a failing igniter that's on its way out but not fully dead yet, or moisture issues with your pellets. A rod that's cracked but still partially connected will work sometimes and not others depending on temperature. If it's more than two years old, just swap the rod. Also grab a handful of pellets and look at them. If they crumble easily or look grayish and dusty instead of clean wood color, they've absorbed too much moisture. Dump the whole hopper and start fresh with a new bag.