Traeger LEr Error — Low Temperature / Failed Ignition

What Does This Error Mean?

LEr means the grill's temperature dropped below the minimum operating range (typically 125°F) — usually because the fire went out or never properly ignited.
Most causes: empty hopper, damp pellets, weak igniter, or auger jam.
Power off, refill the hopper with dry pellets, and try again.
If LEr returns, the igniter or auger has a fault.

Affected Models

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

Common Causes

Pellet hopper empty or near-empty
Pellets damp or stale (poor combustion)
Igniter weakening or failed
Auger jam preventing pellet feed
RTD probe reading low when temp is actually fine

How to Fix It

Power off and check pellets.

Press power off.
Open the hopper.
Look at the pellet level — if low or empty, that's your LEr.
Pellets should be dry and free-flowing.
If they're damp, sticky, or have dust accumulation, replace with fresh pellets from a dry storage container.
Clean the firepot.

Vacuum out the firepot.
Old ash and pellet debris insulate the igniter and prevent good combustion.
The firepot should be clean before each cook for reliable ignition.
Don't shortcut this — most LEr events trace to dirty firepots.
Check the igniter.

Power on the grill briefly with the lid open.
Look at the firepot — within 60 seconds you should see the igniter glowing red.
If silent and no glow, the igniter has failed.
Replacement: 30–50 USD parts.
If glowing but pellets aren't catching, the air flow may be wrong.
Verify auger feed.

Listen for the auger motor running during ignition.
You should hear a periodic clicking or low whirring as it feeds pellets.
If silent, the motor has failed or jammed.
Empty the hopper and clear any debris.
Replace the motor if necessary.
Restart and watch.

After cleaning and verifying, plug in and power on.
Watch the temperature climb.
Should reach setpoint within 15-20 minutes.
If it stalls below the minimum (and LEr returns), the issue is bigger than basic maintenance — service or component replacement needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can wind cause LEr?

Yes — strong wind can pull excess air through the grill, cooling the firepot below ignition temperature.
If LEr appears mostly on windy days, the cause is environmental.
Move the grill to a sheltered spot or use a wind shield.
Some users build simple wind blocks for outdoor pellet grills.

Are old pellets really worse?

Yes — pellets absorb humidity over months of storage.
Damp pellets don't ignite cleanly and produce more ash than smoke.
Poor combustion means low temperature output.
Use pellets within 6 months of purchase for best results.
Store in airtight bins, not in the hopper exposed to weather.