Traeger LEr Low Temp Error — Why Grill Won't Hold Heat

What Does This Error Mean?

LEr (Low Temp Error) on Traeger means grill temperature dropped below 125°F for over 10 minutes.
Causes: empty hopper, jammed auger, bad pellets (wet or dust), clogged firepot, or strong cold wind.
Check the hopper, clean the firepot, and verify the auger is feeding.
Cold weather often triggers LEr — wind and low ambient defeat insulation on smaller grills.

Affected Models

Traeger Pro 575
Traeger Pro 780
Traeger Ironwood
Traeger Timberline
Traeger Tailgater

Common Causes

Hopper empty or low on pellets
Wet, old, or dust-heavy pellets won't ignite properly
Firepot full of ash blocking new pellets
Auger jammed by a foreign object or pellet wedge
Cold weather plus wind
Hot rod (igniter) failing

How to Fix It

Check pellet level.

Open the hopper lid.
Pellets should be at least halfway full.
Top up with quality hardwood pellets — preferably the same brand throughout.
Inspect pellet quality.

Reach in and squeeze a handful.
Pellets should be dry and firm.
If they crumble, pellets are too dry/old.
If they smell musty, they got moisture and won't burn properly.
Empty the hopper and start fresh if pellets are bad.
Empty and clean the firepot.

Power off and wait for the grill to cool.
Pull the heat baffle, drip tray, and grates.
Vacuum out the firepot — ash buildup blocks airflow and starves the fire.
This is the #1 cause of low temp errors after the first few cooks.
Test the auger.

On a cold grill: with hopper empty, run the auger using the manual feed function (varies by model).
It should spin smoothly and continuously.
If it grinds or stops, check for a wedged pellet, screw, or staple.
Use a wind block in cold weather.

If LEr happens only when it's windy or below 40°F, an insulating blanket designed for your model helps.
Traeger sells branded blankets; generic insulating jackets work too.
Position the grill out of direct wind.
Check the hot rod.

If LEr happens at startup with the fire never lighting, the hot rod (igniter) may be weak.
Hot rods last 1-3 years and are about 30-50 USD to replace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does LEr happen mid-cook even when everything looks fine?

Slow ash buildup in the firepot starves the fire over hours.
Long brisket cooks at low temp build ash faster than fast hot cooks.
Empty the firepot before any cook over 6 hours.