Traeger ErP Error — Pellet/Power Failure Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

ErP means either the pellet system has failed or the grill experienced a power interruption mid-cook.
Most often it's an empty hopper, jammed auger, or bridged pellets blocking flow.
Open the hopper, refill with fresh pellets, and check the auger for blockage.
For power events, the controller has a setting to prevent ErP from latching after brief outages.

Affected Models

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

Common Causes

Pellet hopper empty
Pellets bridged at the auger inlet
Auger jammed by debris or pellet dust
Power outage during cook
Auger motor failed

How to Fix It

Power off and check the hopper.

Turn off the grill.
Lift the hopper lid.
Look at the pellet level.
If empty or near empty, that's your ErP cause.
Refill with fresh pellets.
Don't run the grill on damp or old pellets — they jam the auger.
Check for pellet bridging.

Pellets sometimes form a 'bridge' over the auger inlet — they sit on top of each other instead of feeding down.
Reach in and stir the pellets at the bottom of the hopper.
Use a stick or your hand (with the grill off and cool).
Make sure pellets can fall freely into the auger.
Inspect the auger for jams.

If the hopper has pellets but the auger isn't moving them, the auger is jammed.
Sometimes pellet dust or large pieces wedge in.
Empty the hopper, vacuum out dust and debris, and refill.
Don't run the auger empty for long — bearings can wear faster.
Restart and re-ignite.

Plug back in and power on.
The grill goes through its standard ignition sequence — auger feeds pellets, igniter lights them, fan kicks in, smoke starts.
Watch the temperature climb.
If ErP returns within minutes, the auger or motor has a real fault.
Replace auger motor if persistent.

If you've cleared pellets and bridging but ErP keeps returning, the auger motor is failing.
Replacement: 50–100 USD parts plus a 30-minute job.
Common after years of use, especially if pellets have been damp.
Order matching part for your Traeger model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my food be ruined by ErP?

Depends on when ErP triggered.
If 30 minutes into a 6-hour brisket cook, the meat is fine — refill pellets and continue.
If 30 minutes from done, it may be slightly underdone — finish on the stovetop or in the oven.
Foods that need long cook times (smokes, briskets) are forgiving.

How do I prevent pellet bridging?

Keep pellets dry — store in airtight bins, not in the hopper between cooks.
Empty the hopper if storing the grill outdoors.
Use quality pellets (Traeger, Bear Mountain, Lumber Jack) — cheap pellets break down to dust faster, and dust bridges easily.
Stir the hopper before each cook to break up any bridging.