Traeger Pellet Grill Er5 — What It Means & How to Fix It
Also shown as Er3 on some models.
Er5 (or Er3) on a non-WiFi Traeger means the grill's ignitor — the hot rod that lights the pellets — is disconnected.
What this code means
Traeger's article says an Er3 or Er5 code means the ignitor is disconnected. The hot rod only has one job, lighting the pellets at startup, but the controller checks for it and will flag the fault if the circuit is open.
Traeger describes Er3 and Er5 as codes specific to grills without WiFIRE connectivity. If your grill has WiFIRE, its ignitor faults are worded differently.
Most likely causes
| Cause | How likely | DIY-fixable? |
|---|---|---|
| Ignitor wires loose at the back of the controller | Common | Partly — reseat with the grill unplugged |
| Ignitor (hot rod) failed or its wire broken | Occasional | No — contact Traeger |
What you can try yourself
- Turn the grill off and unplug it.
- Undo the four screws at the corners of the controller and carefully pull it away from the grill.
- Check that every connector on the back is secure, then disconnect and reconnect the wires.
- Refit the controller, plug in and turn the grill on to see whether the code has gone.
When to call a technician
- Er5 is still displayed after the wires have been reseated — Traeger's next step is Customer Support.
- You find burnt, brittle or broken wiring behind the controller.
Typical professional repair cost: Free if it was a loose connection. A new hot rod is a parts order through Traeger support.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ignitor on a Traeger?
It is the hot rod at the bottom of the firepot that glows to light the pellets at startup. Once the fire is established it switches off.
Are Er3 and Er5 the same thing?
Traeger groups them: both mean the ignitor is disconnected, and its article gives one set of steps for the pair.
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 Er1 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.
- Traeger Pellet Grill Er2 Er2 on a non-WiFi Traeger means the RTD temperature probe itself has failed and needs replacing.
More: all Traeger pellet grill codes · all Traeger codes · search by symptom