Traeger LEr Error Code: Low Temperature Fix

Quick Answer

Traeger LEr is the #1 most searched pellet grill error code and the most common issue Traeger owners face. LEr triggers when the internal RTD temperature probe reads 125F or more below the set temperature for a sustained period. The grill enters shutdown mode to prevent a dangerous pile of unburned pellets in the firepot (which could cause an HEr flare-up on the next start).

When I get a call for an LEr code, it's almost always a suffocated firepot. If your grill can't maintain heat because the fire went out, the controller shuts everything down to prevent an overfill situation. If the auger kept dumping pellets into a dead fire, you'd have a massive grease fire or a dangerous flare-up the next time you lit it. It's a safety feature disguised as a nuisance.

TraegerPelletgrillSeverity: moderate80% DIY Success

Time to Fix

10–60 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$15 – $80

Tools Needed

Shop vacuum with narrow nozzle attachment, Flashlight or headlamp

What Does the LEr Code Mean?

Think of LEr as flame-out protection. This usually happens because of low quality pellets that crumbled into sawdust or a simple lack of maintenance. If you haven't vacuumed your firepot in the last three or four cooks, the ash buildup eventually smothers the igniter rod. It's rarely a broken part and usually just a cleaning issue.

Most Likely Causes

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

Firepot full of ash blocking airflow40%

Pellet hopper empty24%

Auger jammed and not feeding pellets14%

Damp pellets not burning properly12%

Cold weather or wind chilling the grill10%

Symptoms You May Notice

LEr flashing on the controller display with the grill completely shut off in the middle of your cook.
You walk outside and the barrel is stone cold, no smoke coming out of the chimney, and there's a pile of unburned pellets sitting in or overflowing the firepot.
Temperature on the display was steadily dropping for 10-15 minutes before it finally hit LEr and shut everything down.
Smoke just stops coming from the chimney and the temp graph on the Traeger app shows a nosedive.
Your meat probe temperature starts falling instead of holding steady, and you don't realize the grill died until you check your phone.

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

Flip the power switch to Off and wait a full 30 seconds before turning it back on. But don't just hit restart and hope for the best. Vacuum the firepot, confirm the hopper has dry pellets, then restart. The grill runs a startup sequence that takes about 5-10 minutes, so give it time. Watch the temperature climb slowly to your set point. If it holds there, you're good. If it starts dropping again within the first 20 minutes, you've still got an underlying issue to chase down.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Shop vacuum with narrow nozzle attachmentFlashlight or headlampDigital multimeterPhillips #2 screwdriverPaper towels or clean cloth (for RTD probe wipe-down)Wooden dowel (for clearing a jammed auger tube)

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range950–1050 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
Traeger Insulation BlanketModel-specific · $50–$80	Model-specific	$50 – $80
Traeger RTD Temperature ProbeBAC194 · $15–$25	BAC194	$15 – $25

Frequently Asked Questions

LEr in the middle of a cook - is my food ruined?

You usually have a 15 to 20 minute window before the internal meat temperature starts dropping into the danger zone. Check your meat probe immediately. If it's still above 140F you're fine to continue once the grill's back up. If it dropped below that for an unknown amount of time, play it safe, especially with poultry. Beef and pork have a little more wiggle room. The Traeger app's temp graph is your best friend here because it shows you exactly when the temperature started falling and how fast it dropped.

Why does my Traeger get LEr only in winter?

Traegers are made of relatively thin steel that radiates heat quickly. When ambient air is near freezing, the auger's duty cycle just can't keep up with the heat loss. Wind is actually a bigger killer than cold because it pulls heat off the barrel through convection. An insulation blanket acts like a parka for your grill. Keeps the heat inside the barrel where it belongs and cuts pellet consumption by something like 30-40% in cold weather. If you're in the Midwest or mountains, a blanket plus a P-setting adjustment is basically the complete winter fix.

I cleaned the firepot but still get LEr. What else?

Look at the RTD probe, that little vertical rod standing up inside the grill. If it's coated in thick black crud or bent over touching the side of the barrel, it's sending the wrong temperature data to the controller. Wipe it gently with a damp cloth and make sure it's standing straight. Also check your chimney cap. If it's screwed down flush against the chimney opening, the grill can't exhaust properly and it chokes the fire from the top. There should be about a half inch gap between the cap and the opening.

How do I know if my RTD temperature probe is actually bad?

Grab your multimeter and set it to ohms. Disconnect the RTD probe connector from the controller and test resistance across the two probe leads. At room temperature, around 70F, you should read close to 1000 ohms. If you're getting something way off from that, like 500 ohms or an open circuit, the probe's lying to your controller about grill temperature. Replacement probes run $25-35 and take about 10 minutes to swap. Part number BAC431 fits a lot of the newer WiFIRE models. Don't replace the controller before you've ruled out the probe.

Can wet pellets actually jam or damage my auger?

Yeah, and I've seen it happen more than once. Damp pellets swell up inside the tube and can jam the auger solid. People then try to force it by running the grill and end up burning out the auger motor, which is a $60-80 repair versus a $15 bag of fresh pellets. If you think wet pellets are stuck, don't force it. Unplug the grill, scoop out the hopper by hand, then use a wooden dowel to manually clear the auger tube from the hopper side. Never use metal tools in there, you'll damage the auger flights.

Related Traeger Pelletgrill Error Codes

Code: HUBTraeger Error Codes: Complete Guide Code: HErTraeger HEr: High Temperature Error

Models Known to Experience LEr Errors

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

Pro 575 (TFB57PUB), Pro 780 (TFB78GLE), Ironwood 650 (TFB65RLG), Ironwood 885 (TFB89RLG), Timberline 850 (TFB85WLE), Timberline 1300 (TFB131WHD), Silverton 620 (Costco exclusive), Ranger (TBT18KLD)

Written by

Sarah Kim

Smart Home & Specialty Appliance Tech · 12 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026