Traeger Er1 Error — RTD Probe Disconnected Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

Er1 means the RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) probe — the temperature sensor inside the grill — is disconnected, broken, or has a wiring fault.
Power off, open the controller area, find the probe wire, and reseat or repair.
If the wire is intact and connector firm but Er1 returns, the probe itself has failed.
Replacement RTD probes are 20–40 USD and a 15-minute swap on most Traeger models.

Affected Models

Traeger Pro 575
Traeger Pro 780
Traeger Ironwood 650/885
Traeger Timberline 850/1300
Traeger Tailgater

Common Causes

RTD probe wire disconnected at the controller
Probe wire damaged or broken inside the grill
Probe itself failed (open circuit)
Connector pins corroded from heat and humidity
Controller's RTD input damaged

How to Fix It

Power off and unplug.

Press the power button to turn off.
Unplug the grill from the wall.
Wait 5 minutes for the controller and grill to cool.
Don't try to access wiring while powered.
Open the controller area.

Most Traeger grills have a small panel on the side or back of the controller.
Remove the screws.
You'll see the controller board and the RTD probe wire.
The wire typically has a small connector at the controller end.
Inspect the RTD wire.

Trace the RTD probe wire from the controller into the grill body.
Look for damage — burned spots, cuts, or chafe marks.
The wire runs through the firepot area and gets hot, so insulation can degrade.
Note any damage.
Reseat the connector.

At the controller end, push the RTD connector firmly into its socket.
Sometimes vibration loosens it slightly over years of use.
If pins look corroded, clean with a small wire brush.
Apply a tiny amount of dielectric grease before reconnecting.
Replace the probe if needed.

If the wire is damaged or the probe itself has failed, order a replacement RTD probe matching your Traeger model.
Cost: 20–40 USD parts.
Replacement is straightforward — disconnect old probe, route new one, connect.
Match the part number for your specific Traeger generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's an RTD probe?

Resistance Temperature Detector — a thin wire whose electrical resistance changes predictably with temperature.
The grill's controller reads the resistance to determine cooking temperature.
RTDs are more accurate than thermocouples for grill ranges (180–500°F) and last longer.
That's why Traeger uses them.

Will Er1 ever clear by itself?

Sometimes — if the connector is just intermittently loose, restarting the grill may make it read correctly briefly.
But the underlying issue won't fix itself.
If Er1 keeps returning, fix the actual cause — replace the probe or connector — rather than power-cycling.