Traeger Pellet Grill Er1 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as Err on some models.
Er1 (or Err) on a non-WiFi Traeger means the RTD temperature probe has a poor connection to the controller or has come disconnected altogether.
What this code means
The RTD is the sensor inside the barrel that tells the controller how hot the grill is. Traeger's article gives one cause for both Err and Er1: a bad connection, or a complete disconnect, between that probe and the control panel. Without a reading the controller will not run a cook.
Traeger states these codes appear only on pellet grills without WiFi connectivity. Its WiFIRE grills use a different set of error messages.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| RTD wires loose in the controller's terminal block | Very common | Partly — reseat with the grill unplugged |
| RTD wire fully disconnected or broken | Occasional | No — contact Traeger |
What you can try yourself
- Turn the grill off and unplug it from the outlet.
- Remove the two Phillips screws holding the controller and ease it forward.
- On the back of the controller, loosen the flathead clamps on the green terminal block, pull the two RTD wires out, push them fully back in and retighten.
- Screw the controller back into place, plug the grill in and switch it on.
- If you would rather not open the controller, or the code is still there afterwards, call Traeger Customer Service.
When to call a technician
- Err or Er1 is still showing after the RTD wires have been reseated.
- The RTD wire is cut, burnt or pulled out of the probe.
- Any other wiring behind the controller looks scorched or damaged.
Typical professional repair cost: Free if reseating the wires fixes it. Otherwise the fix is a new RTD probe or controller arranged through Traeger support.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTD on a Traeger?
It is the temperature sensor that sits inside the grill barrel. The controller uses its reading to decide how many pellets to feed, so the grill cannot hold a temperature without it.
Is Err the same as Er1 on a Traeger?
Traeger treats them together: both mean a bad connection or a disconnect between the RTD probe and the control panel, and both have the same fix.
Sources checked
Error meanings can vary by model. This guide was checked against the documentation above; use the manual for the model number on your own appliance when it differs.
Related Traeger codes
- Traeger Pellet Grill LEr LEr (Low Error Reading) means a non-WiFIRE Traeger dropped below 125°F for more than 10 minutes, so the fire is out and the grill has shut itself down.
- Traeger Pellet Grill HEr HEr (High Error Reading) means a non-WiFIRE Traeger climbed past 550°F — most often a grease flare-up — and switched itself off as a safety precaution.
- Traeger Pellet Grill Er2 Er2 on a non-WiFi Traeger means the RTD temperature probe itself has failed and needs replacing.
- Traeger Pellet Grill Er4 Er4 on a non-WiFi Traeger means the controller has lost its connection to the induction fan that feeds air to the fire.
More: all Traeger pellet grill codes · all Traeger codes · search by symptom