Pit Boss · Troubleshooting
Pit Boss Err Code Full Reference: Err 1, Err 2, Err 3, Erh, No Pellets
Pit Boss controllers throw five main codes: Err 1, Err 2, Err 3, Erh, and No Pellets. Each has a distinct root cause and a distinct diagnostic path — the fatal mistake is treating them as interchangeable. This is the unified matrix: what the code means, what to check first, what to check second, and when to call for a new part. Half the parts orders on the forums are for codes that didn't need parts.
By Reed · Updated November 9, 2026
What you need
- Multimeter (for ohm tests)
- Flashlight
- Phillips screwdriver
- Shop vacuum (for firepot ash)
- A notepad for test results
Err code quick reference
- Err 1
- Temp below 150F for 10+ minutes during cook
- Err 2
- Grill over 180F at startup (restart in progress)
- Err 3
- RTD temperature probe fault (disconnected or shorted)
- Erh
- Overheat — controller sensed over 500F
- No Pellets
- Firepot temp didn't rise in startup window
Step by step
Err 1: unplug and inspect firepot ash
Err 1 means the grill cooled below 150F mid-cook. In order: (1) is the hopper empty? (2) is the firepot caked with ash blocking airflow? (3) is the auger jammed? Vacuum the firepot, verify auger spin with the panel off, retry.
Err 2: let the grill cool to under 180F and retry
Err 2 is a protective state, not a fault. You restarted a hot grill. Open the lid, let temperature drop below 180F, close and retry startup. This clears on its own — no parts.
Err 3: test the RTD probe first
Open the back access panel. Disconnect the RTD probe lead. Set the multimeter to resistance and measure across the RTD terminals: healthy reads 100 ohms at room temp. Open circuit = replace RTD ($15, 20 min swap). Inside range but wiring harness corroded at the connector = clean, dielectric grease, reconnect.
Erh: force cooldown and clear the controller
Erh means the grill went above 500F. In order: (1) is the lid fully closed? (2) is the burn pot overfilled? (3) is the chimney cap blocked? Clear the cap, open the lid, let temperature drop below 400F. Erh clears on restart.
No Pellets: distinguish from hot rod failure
No Pellets means the firepot never reached ignition temp. Two root causes: (a) actual empty hopper or jammed auger — check pellets and verify auger rotation, (b) failed hot rod — see our dedicated Hot Rod Replacement guide. Multimeter the hot rod BEFORE ordering a new one: 40 to 60 ohms is healthy.
Common mistakes
- Ordering a new controller for Err 3 before testing the RTD. The RTD is the frequent culprit — $15 part vs $150+ controller. Always ohm-test the RTD first.
- Confusing wet pellets with hot rod failure. Damp pellets won't ignite even with a healthy hot rod. Pull a handful from the hopper and check for powder or mold before condemning the ignition.
- Using WD-40 on the RTD connector. WD-40 is not dielectric — it leaves a conductive residue. Use dielectric grease (automotive section at any parts store).
- Clearing Erh by cycling power without cooldown. Power-cycling a 450F+ grill tricks the controller into a fresh startup, risking thermal runaway. Let it cool below 400F first.
Hands-on tips
- Photograph the code and controller state before clearing — forum help responds faster with a photo.
- The RTD is a $15 part — buy a backup and keep it bagged with the owner's manual.
- A dry-storage bucket with silica desiccant beats every pellet-related fault class.
- Firmware updates on the Navigator line occasionally rename codes — check the current manual for your firmware revision.
Questions people ask
Can I still cook with Err 2 showing?
Err 2 blocks the startup cycle, so no — the hot rod won't energize. Let the grill cool below 180F and retry.
Does the warranty cover an RTD swap?
Yes within the warranty period. Call Pit Boss support at (480) 923-9630 with the serial plate and the test results; they typically ship a replacement at no charge for in-warranty units.
Why does Err 1 come back after I've cleaned the firepot?
If Err 1 recurs within a cook, the root cause is almost always damp pellets slowly jamming the auger. Swap pellets, verify dry storage, run a single clean cook as a test.
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