Traeger Grills - Troubleshooting: Grill Startup

Follow this simple how-to determine why your grill won’t start tutorial on your Traeger wood-fired grill.
0:13 Three reasons your grill isn't lighting
0:37 Checking your hot rod
0:57 Damaged hot rod
1:17 How to replace a damaged hot rod
1:32 Where to find your fan
1:49 How to fix the fan
2:38 Common cause for auger jam
3:02 Where to find auger motor
Reasons why a Traeger doesn’t light:
1. The hot rod may not heat up. A wood pellet grill hot rod either works or doesn’t.
How to check the Traeger hot rod:
a. Remove the grill grate, drip tray, and heat baffle.
b. Set the temperature controller to Smoke, then hold a hand over the fire pot to check for heat.
c. If there is no heat coming from the firepot, there could be wire damage or the connecting wire to the temperature controller isn’t engaged. Call 1-800-TRAEGER to replace the hot rod under warranty or order a replacement hot rod online at www.traegergrills.com
2. The draft induction fan is not spinning. If you haven’t used your wood-fired grill in a while it may have dirt or dust build-up on the induction fan. The Traeger induction fan stokes the fire and generates the circulating convection heat.
How to check the Traeger draft induction fan:
a. Find the induction fan beneath the hopper, it’s white and spins horizontally with an orange wire coming out of it.
b. If wires are block the fan from spinning, grab zip ties to organize the wires.
c. If the induction fan is not spinning, give it a spin to see if it will begin working.
3. The auger is not feeding pellets into the firepot. The auger fuels the fire so it is a vital piece to grilling.
How to check the Traeger auger:
a. Empty hopper, find the auger in the bottom, it looks like a corkscrew.
b. If you have a pellet jam in the auger, the hardwood pellets may have gotten wet. When pellets get wet, they expand and clog the auger.
c. Check the auger motor fan beneath the hopper, it’s the smaller fan that spins vertically. If it is not spinning, it must be replaced. Call 1-800-TRAEGER to replace it under warranty or order a replacement auger online at www.traegergrills.com
Register your grill for warranty here: www.traegergri...
Check out other ‘How to’ Traeger videos on KZbin: / traegergrills
Our Frequently Asked Questions page has tons of info to troubleshoot any issues or get Traeger advice, FAQ’s page: www.traegergril...
Call 1-800-TRAEGER for any questions, help, or technical support.
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Check out www.traegergril... for a new recipe each week.

[@jonmissant5835]

Traeger wasn't working after I moved to a new apartment. Turns out my inductor fan was jammed. After this video I was able to fix it in a couple minutes time. Thanks!!

[@user-wn7bw7wn8b]

SPINNING THAT WHEEL SAVED MY WEEKEND.... THANKS.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@playasdetijuas]

I cleared the problem by vacuuming out the igniter. I placed the vacuum hose in the firebox and sealed the air with paper towels and letting the vac run for about 3 minutes. Problem fixed. Problem most likely caused by moist dusty pellets building up a residue. Lesson learned. Keep your pellets and grill clean.

[@EnsPulver]

You solved my problem with this video. Wiring impinged on the fan blade after hotrod replacement. Corrected wire run, hand spun the blades, and fire in the hole! Thank you. You can fix anything on KZbin.

[@kalex1427]

Same here now good to go!

[@brianst.martin5194]

Pulled my Traeger smoker out after a long MN winter and auger fed pellets, but would not light entirely in firebox. I switched hot rod few years ago and was so easy, I figured (hoped) it was just that. Replaced it, but issue persisted. Found this tutorial and it was the fan. Simply stuck, gave it a push and fired right up. Thanks for this quick tutorial. Super helpful.

[@bomakhobeng958]

Super helpful, induction fan wasn’t spinning after grill sat unused since thanksgiving

[@flgre7947]

Hey Buddy, thanks a bunch! I spun the fan a couple of times and that was it...grill started working again. Great video, and this is the best grill I ever had, everyone thinks I'm a world class BBQ'er!!!

[@bertbrunell4919]

Same for me!!

[@gerardthompson196]

Great knowledge transfer! Thank you very much.

[@Kyle-bg2xb]

Thank you so much! My fan wasn’t spinning and all it took was a little spin!!

[@i2aver]

This helped me fix my problem. Almost had to call customer service.

[@josephhall2858]

Thanks, this video helped. My fan was stuck with bugs, once I cleaned it out it worked perfectly!

[@WyomingBagger]

You are the best! Weeds grew up in the induction fan. I never noticed them because of cover when we would mow! I feel dumb! Smoker is running great! lol

[@runawaygsxr]

Thanks for this video my fan wasn’t blowing , spin it n bam dinner was saved

[@JoshWitte]

Did the same thing to my GF

[@laanshokanson1380]

ME TOO

[@markh.2899]

Thank you ! Thank you! thank you! My grill had heat but no fan. I checked the fan and found Black Widow webs all around it impeding any movement; Black Widow webs are incredibly strong! I cleaned out the webs and kapowwie - it fired right up! Remember folks, clean you grill after every use ! Thanks again!

[@raymondmartinez6710]

This video saved my butt . Thank you.

[@zachs13]

Ultimate up-speaker

[@NateMercier1]

Fan was gummed up. Thank you!

[@antoniogeter9776]

Great video!!!!!! Thanks fixed it in less then 5 minutes!

[@johnnycampbell3422]

After about 2000 uses, my treager needed a new burn pot, it had rust holes so the air was above the pellets. Took 20 min and $20 to fix it.

[@ra1dernationcoachella314]

Thanks just trashed my Traeger and problems solved 💪🏽

[@Micko350]

No mention of the Controller failing! 😂

[@susanaramos28]

You save my ass thank you for the troubleshooting tips I didn’t even bother to look at the induction fan. ❤️❤️❤️🤩

[@glenchapa3565]

thank you, solved my problem!

[@lm386opamp]

I love this! A company that is ok with you touching the guts!!!

[@BriK33]

Can you have a Traeger tech come out and do this? For those dudes like me who either "just cant even right now" or arent very tech grill savvy?

[@patrickvaughan7549]

Thanks.. This helps me a lot.

[@jowens2706]

What about it not smoking?

[@user-gd6xj3ll4w]

fan spinning wires connected still not spinning screen not working not working turn on to smoke goes two to 3 hundred

[@wallyyuriy8912]

We are on element number 3 in less then 3 years. Is there something that could be causing this ?

[@NotSafeForWork420]

Brad needs to switch to Sativa.

[@Zstray17]

My auger starts spinning but then stops, why is that? Off then on, spins for 20 seconds then stops.

[@TraegerGrills]

Hey there, we're sorry that this is happening with your auger, we can help. 🙌 Please give us a call at 1-800-TRAEGER, one of our team members will walk through some easy steps with you to figure out what's going on.

[@Zstray17]

@@TraegerGrills Actually just got off the phone and the part is being sent! Thanks for the help and response!

[@willseibold6006]

Week with my traeger and continues to have the terrible issues

[@TraegerGrills]

Hi Will, we're sorry that you're having these problems with your grill, we would like to help. Please send us an email at [e-mail], one of our in-house team members will be able to get you squared away.

[@conniehoy8437]

Mine won't even turn on...

[@Stoviecakes]

This grill is brand new & has been nothing but trouble. I regret the purchase.

[@TraegerGrills]

Hi Stovie, we're very sorry that you've been having problems with your grill, we're more than happy to help. Please send us an email at [e-mail] and add "TIER 3 ESCALATIONS", to the subject line, we'll have one of our in-house team members reach out to you.

[@duaneniedert2531]

Im pist off, help

[@TraegerGrills]

Hey Duane, we are happy to help, just give us a call at 1-800-TRAEGER, one of our team members will get you squared away.

[@bartman8876]

Ok great. Now why wouldnt the fan stop. And just let it smoke. It will run as long as it is plugged.

[@christopherhart2009]

Not everyone is an electrician! Please explain exactly where the hot rod is and how to remove and check it! That was frustrating for me.

[@larryn5035]

Most monotone guy geeze. Get to the point, didn’t fix my problem

[@brucenuesse5897]

sounds like a high school girl.

[@frankparth8888]

First time out and it wouldn't start. LEr error. Maybe a good idea not to ship these with the tools in the feeder. Probably something jammed. What a waste. Thanks for saving us all 10 cents! I guess I'll just chuck this prepped rack of ribs in the garbage.

[@skipday1347]

Give them to a dog.

[@mattdickey4087]

Frank Parth same thing....... won’t heat up won’t feed pellets. Spend a arm and a leg on these spent a hour assembling just to spend another hour with costumer service telling me I’ll have to put the new parts In myself.........