Traeger HEr Error — Overtemp Safety Shutdown Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

HEr is the severe overtemperature shutdown — the grill exceeded the safety limit and the controller has fully stopped operation.
Don't try to immediately restart.
Open the lid, let heat dissipate, and let the grill cool for at least an hour.
Most causes: pellets piled up during failed ignition (creating runaway fire) or stuck heating because of RTD probe failure.
Inspect and clean before restarting.

Affected Models

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

Common Causes

Pellets piled in firepot from failed ignition (caught fire all at once)
RTD probe failed — controller heated blindly
Grease fire in firepot or drip pan
Hopper auger fed too long during startup
Fan failure preventing heat distribution

How to Fix It

Open the lid for heat release.

Open the grill lid fully.
This releases heat and prevents internal damage.
Stand back — sustained high heat may cause some smoke or flame as residual pellets burn off.
Don't pour water on flames inside — let them burn out naturally with lid open.
Power off completely.

Press the power button to off.
Unplug the grill from the wall.
This ensures no further heating attempts.
Wait at least an hour for the grill to cool to a safe temperature.
Clean the firepot thoroughly.

Once cool, vacuum the firepot completely.
Remove all pellet debris, ash, and any pile-up.
If pellets piled during ignition (a known cause of HEr), they can re-ignite when grill is restarted.
Clean firepot is essential for safe restart.
Clean grease management.

Pull and clean the grease tray.
Wipe out any grease accumulation in the bottom of the grill.
Grease fires are a common HEr trigger — recurring grease fires indicate maintenance is overdue.
Establish a routine: clean after every 2-3 cooks.
Test RTD probe before next use.

Before next cook, run a low-temp test (180°F) and watch the temperature.
It should climb steadily and stabilize.
If it overshoots dramatically (jumps past 250°F when set to 180°F), the RTD is failing.
Replace the probe before risking another HEr — 20–40 USD parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will HEr damage the grill?

Components inside can be damaged at sustained high temps — fan motors, auger motor, controller board, paint and finishes.
If HEr happened briefly, damage is usually minor.
Repeated HEr events accelerate wear on everything.
Address the underlying cause to prevent recurrence.

Should I call a Traeger tech?

If HEr is a one-off after a known cause (you saw pellets piled, you remember a grease fire), self-recovery is fine.
If HEr keeps recurring with no obvious cause, the RTD probe or controller has degraded — Traeger support or a service center can diagnose.
Don't keep using the grill through repeat HEr events.