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ErrBase

Traeger HEr Error Code: High Temperature Overheat Fix

Quick Answer

Traeger HEr is a HIGH TEMPERATURE safety shutdown. Unlike LEr which is a nuisance, HEr can indicate a genuine safety issue: a grease fire in the drip tray or firepot. When grease accumulates on the drip tray and heat baffle, it can ignite and cause temperatures to spike well beyond the setpoint.

Traeger HEr is a HIGH TEMPERATURE safety shutdown. Unlike LEr which is a nuisance, HEr can indicate a genuine safety issue: a grease fire in the drip tray or firepot. When grease accumulates on the drip tray and heat baffle, it can ignite and cause temperatures to spike well beyond the setpoint. The first thing to check after HEr: is there active fire or excessive smoke when you open the lid? If yes, close the lid and turn off the grill - do NOT fan the flames. Let it burn out with the lid closed. If no active fire, the cause is usually leftover pellets in the firepot from a previous LEr event. When unburned pellets accumulate and then all ignite at once, the temperature spikes. Clean the firepot AND the drip tray to prevent HEr.

TraegerPelletgrillSeverity: high80% DIY Success
Time to Fix
10–60 min
Difficulty
beginner
Parts Cost
$5 – $25
Tools Needed
Shop vacuum (for firepot cleaning), Flashlight

What Does the HEr Code Mean?

HEr = grill temp spiked 125F+ above setpoint. CHECK FOR GREASE FIRE FIRST (close lid, turn off). If no fire, clean firepot and drip tray. Unburned pellet accumulation is the most common non-fire cause.

Most Likely Causes

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

Grease fire on drip tray40%
Accumulated unburned pellets igniting24%
Firepot ash blocking airflow then suddenly clearing14%
Damper stuck open12%
Fan speed too high for low-temp setting10%

Symptoms You May Notice

  • HEr on display
  • Excessive smoke from grill
  • Temperature spiked on app
  • Visible flames through lid gap
  • Grill shut down with hot barrel

Can you reset a Traeger pelletgrill to clear the HEr code?

Turn the grill off. Unplug for 30 seconds. Plug back in. Set to shutdown cycle to clear the firepot. Then restart.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Shop vacuum (for firepot cleaning)FlashlightMultimeter

Diagnostic Checklist

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

1

SAFETY FIRST

SAFETY FIRST: If you see flames or excessive smoke when you crack the lid, CLOSE THE LID immediately. Turn the grill OFF. Do NOT open the lid fully - oxygen feeds the fire. Let it burn out with the lid closed (5-10 minutes). Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

2

After cooling

3

If HEr occurred WITHOUT a visible fire

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
Traeger Drip Tray LinerBAC407 · $5–$25
Traeger RTD Temperature ProbeBAC194 · $15–$25

Repair vs. Replace Calculator

Appliance Age (Years)7 Yrs
Labor Approach
Our Verdict
REPAIR
Estimated Cost: $15 (Parts) vs $1150 (New Machine)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HEr dangerous?
HEr CAN be dangerous if it is caused by a grease fire. The grill's safety shutdown prevents the worst outcome, but grease fires inside a pellet grill can damage components and potentially spread if the drip tray is overflowing. Clean your drip tray regularly and use disposable liners.
HEr after LEr - what happened?
This is a common sequence: LEr means the fire went out and unburned pellets accumulated in the firepot. When you restart, all those pellets ignite at once, causing a massive temperature spike that triggers HEr. Always clean the firepot between an LEr event and a restart.
How do I prevent HEr?
Three rules: 1) Clean the drip tray and heat baffle every 3-5 cooks (or use disposable liners). 2) Always run a shutdown cycle after cooking to burn off remaining pellets. 3) Clean the firepot after any LEr event before restarting.

Related Traeger Pelletgrill Error Codes

Code: HUBTraeger Error CodesCode: LErTraeger LEr: Low Temperature Error

Models Known to Experience HEr Errors

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

Pro 575, Pro 780, Ironwood 650, Ironwood 885, Timberline 850

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026