Traeger pellet grills with WiFIRE or D2 controllers display error codes on the LCD screen. LEr (Low Temperature Error) is the most common - it means the grill temperature dropped 125F+ below the set temperature for more than 10 minutes.
Most Traeger calls I get aren't actually about broken parts. Your WiFIRE or D2 controller is basically tattling on your grill's maintenance situation, and if you ignore these codes and just keep mashing the start button, you'll either burn out your igniter rod or end up with a grease fire. Neither one is fun. Nine times out of ten, a thorough shop vac session and a fresh bag of dry pellets will get you back to smoking before I even crack open my tool bag.
TraegerPelletgrill
About These Traeger Pelletgrill Error Codes
OK so here's the deal with Traeger error codes. These WiFIRE and D2 controllers are smart but genuinely unforgiving about temperature swings. A 125-degree drop held for 10+ minutes and you're getting LEr, guaranteed. I've handled probably 40 of these service calls in the last two years and most of them get fixed with a shop vac and fresh pellets. Doesn't mean it's always that simple, but don't panic before you check the basics.
Most Common Error Codes
Firepot full of ash (most common cause of LEr)40%
Pellet hopper empty or jammed auger24%
Grease fire in drip tray (HEr)14%
Igniter rod burned out12%
RTD temperature probe damaged10%
Symptoms You May Notice
Your D2 or WiFIRE LCD is showing a code like LEr, HEr, Er1, Er2, or Er40 and the grill has already shut itself down completely
Temperature reading is swinging 50+ degrees in either direction when it should be holding within about 15-20 degrees of your set point
Grill shut down mid-cook and your brisket or pork butt has been sitting in the danger zone for who knows how long
Fire went out but the auger kept running, so now there's a pile of unburned pellets sitting in the firepot ready to cause a massive flare-up on restart
Grill tries to start, you can hear the fan and auger running, but it never actually catches and just keeps cycling until it throws Er40
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Shop vacuum with hose attachment (essential, not optional)Phillips #2 screwdriverFlashlight or headlampMultimeter with leadsGreen scrub pad, non-scratch, for RTD probe cleaningNeedle-nose pliers for clearing auger jams
How to Identify Your Error Code
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range1080–1100 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
Traeger RTD Temperature ProbeBAC194 · $15–$25
BAC194
$15 – $25
Traeger Hot Rod IgniterKIT0019 · $20–$35
KIT0019
$20 – $35
Traeger Auger MotorKIT0020 · $30–$50
KIT0020
$30 – $50
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common Traeger error code?
LEr wins by a mile. It fires when the grill drops 125 degrees below your set temp for more than 10 minutes straight, which usually means the fire went out and the auger kept dumping pellets into the pot. Nine times out of ten it's a dirty firepot or pellets that've gone soft. Always check for that pile of unburned pellets before you restart, because igniting a full pot of wet pellets can cause a nasty flare-up that'll scare the heck out of you.
How often should I clean my Traeger firepot?
Every 15 to 20 hours of actual cook time, minimum. If you're doing a long low-and-slow brisket, vacuum the firepot right before that specific cook. Ash builds up fast and it acts like insulation between your igniter rod and the fresh pellets sitting on top. When that happens, the igniter has to stay on way longer than it's designed to, and eventually it just burns through. I replaced three igniter rods last month alone on grills that hadn't been cleaned since the owner bought them.
Can I use my Traeger in cold weather without getting error codes?
Yeah, you can grill in the snow, but Traegers do struggle when it's genuinely freezing outside. The controller can interpret a slow warmup as a dying fire and trip LEr before you even get up to temp. An insulation blanket is honestly a game changer for winter cooking. If you don't have one yet, at minimum point the hopper side away from the wind. Cold air channeling into the cooking chamber is usually what trips the code more than the cold temperature itself.
What does Er40 mean on a Traeger and how do I fix it?
Er40 means the grill ran its ignition sequence and the controller never saw the temperature rise it was expecting, so it gave up and threw the code. First thing to check is whether the firepot is full of ash or a pile of unburned pellets from a previous flame-out. Clean it out, then try again and actually watch the igniter rod during startup. If it's not glowing red after 4 minutes and the fan is running, the rod is dead. About 20 bucks to fix and a pretty easy swap.
Why does my Traeger keep getting LEr codes even after I clean it?
If you've cleaned the firepot and you're running fresh dry pellets and still getting LEr consistently, check three things. First, where's the grill sitting? Wind is a sneaky cause that people miss constantly. Even a moderate breeze can kill the flame mid-cook. Second, test that RTD probe with a multimeter. If it's reading low, the controller thinks the temp is lower than reality and trips LEr even though the fire is fine. Third, if you're cooking in winter, seriously get the insulation blanket. The grill isn't designed to hold 225F when it's 15 degrees out and blowing.