Traeger Auger Not Turning? How to Diagnose and Fix It

If your Traeger® auger is not turning, the most common cause is a pellet jam inside the auger tube. Jams happen when pellets absorb moisture, swell, and compact together, locking up the auger. The quickest fix is to empty the hopper, vacuum out the auger tube with a shop vac, and refill with fresh, dry pellets. If vacuuming does not clear the jam, you may need to remove the auger motor to access and clear the blockage.

The auger is one of the most critical components in your Traeger. It is the corkscrew-shaped metal shaft that feeds pellets from the hopper down through a tube and into the fire pot. If it stops turning, no pellets reach the fire, and your grill cannot heat. This guide covers the complete diagnostic process from identifying the problem to clearing jams, testing the motor, and preventing future issues.

Step 1: Confirm the Auger Is the Problem

Before tearing into the auger system, make sure the auger is actually the issue. Other problems can look similar.

How to check:

1. Power on the grill and set it to any temperature setting
2. Open the hopper lid and look at the pellets sitting on top of the auger opening
3. Watch for 30-60 seconds — you should see pellets slowly moving downward as the auger pulls them into the tube
4. Listen carefully at the bottom of the hopper and near the auger motor (typically on the left or right side of the hopper, accessed from outside)

What you hear tells you the problem:

• Motor humming but auger not moving = Auger jam (most common). The motor is trying to turn but the auger shaft is stuck
• No sound at all = Motor failure, wiring issue, or controller problem. The motor is not receiving power
• Motor running and pellets moving = The auger is fine. Your heating issue is elsewhere — check our Traeger not heating up guide
• Clicking or grinding sound = Something is physically obstructing the auger (foreign object, damaged auger shaft, or stripped motor gear)

Step 2: Clear an Auger Jam (Shop Vac Method)

This is the fix for the most common auger problem. About 80% of auger-not-turning issues are jams that can be cleared without removing any components.

What you need:

• Shop vacuum with a narrow nozzle attachment (crevice tool works well)
• A bucket or container for displaced pellets
• Fresh, dry pellets to refill

How to clear the jam:

1. Power off and unplug the grill — this is essential for safety since you will be working near the auger motor
2. Empty the hopper completely — scoop out all pellets into a bucket. If the pellets are soft, crumbly, or smell musty, discard them. If they snap cleanly and feel hard, you can reuse them
3. Vacuum the hopper — remove all pellet dust and fragments from the bottom of the hopper, especially around the auger opening
4. Vacuum the auger tube — insert the shop vac nozzle into the auger opening at the bottom of the hopper. Use strong suction to pull out compacted pellets and debris from the auger tube. Work the nozzle around to break up any compacted material
5. Vacuum from the fire pot end — remove the grill grates, drip tray, and heat baffle. Vacuum the fire pot and the auger tube opening where it feeds into the fire pot
6. Test the auger — plug in the grill, turn it on, and listen. If the motor spins freely (you will hear it and see the auger shaft rotating in the hopper), the jam is cleared
7. Refill with dry pellets and run the grill through a normal startup cycle to confirm pellets are feeding properly

If vacuuming does not clear the jam, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Remove the Auger Motor to Clear a Stubborn Jam

If vacuuming from both ends does not free the auger, you need to access the auger tube directly. This requires removing the auger motor.

What you need:

• Socket wrench or screwdriver (typically 1/4" or 5/16" socket, or Phillips screwdriver depending on model)
• Shop vacuum
• A long wooden dowel or broomstick handle (optional, for pushing out stuck material)
• Penetrating oil or cooking spray (optional)

How to do it:

1. Unplug the grill — you will be handling electrical connections
2. Locate the auger motor — it is mounted on the outside of the hopper assembly, usually on the lower left or right side. On most Traeger models, it is a small cylindrical motor with a wiring harness
3. Disconnect the wiring harness — the motor connects to the controller via a plug connector. Squeeze the release tab and pull the connector apart. Note which wire goes where (take a photo with your phone)
4. Remove the mounting bolts — there are typically 4 bolts holding the motor and auger assembly to the hopper. Remove all of them
5. Pull the motor and auger shaft out — carefully pull the motor straight away from the hopper. The auger shaft (the corkscrew) will slide out of the auger tube with it. This may take some force if the jam is severe. Do not pull at an angle — keep it straight to avoid bending the shaft
6. Clear the auger tube — with the auger removed, you can now see directly into the tube. Vacuum out all compacted material. Use a dowel to push out stubborn blockages if needed
7. Inspect the auger shaft — look for bent or damaged flights (the spiral blades), corrosion, or foreign objects wrapped around the shaft
8. Clean and reassemble — clean the auger shaft, optionally apply a very light coat of cooking spray to help pellets move smoothly, then slide the auger back into the tube and re-mount the motor
9. Reconnect the wiring and test

Model-specific notes:

• On Woodridge™ models, the auger assembly may have a slightly different mounting configuration. Consult the included manual or Traeger's online assembly guide for your specific model
• On Pro 575 and Pro 780, the motor is straightforward to access from the outside. Four bolts and one wiring connector
• On older Traeger models (Lil Tex, Junior), the auger motor may be mounted differently. Look for a metal bracket on the outside of the hopper

Step 4: Test the Auger Motor

If the auger tube is clear but the motor still will not turn, the motor itself may have failed.

How to test:

1. With the motor disconnected from the auger (removed per Step 3), reconnect the wiring harness
2. Plug in the grill and turn it on
3. Watch the motor shaft — does it rotate? If the motor spins freely when disconnected from the auger load, the motor is fine but the auger resistance is too high (go back and clear the jam more thoroughly)
4. If the motor does not spin at all even when disconnected from the auger, the motor has likely failed

Further motor diagnostics (for those comfortable with basic electrical testing):

1. With the grill unplugged, disconnect the motor wiring harness
2. Use a multimeter set to resistance (ohms) to test the motor windings across the two motor wire terminals
3. A reading of infinite resistance (OL) means the motor winding is broken — replace the motor
4. A reading of zero or near-zero means a short circuit — replace the motor
5. A normal reading (varies by model, typically 10-100 ohms) means the motor winding is intact and the issue may be in the wiring or controller

Replacement: Auger motors are available from Traeger and aftermarket suppliers, typically costing $30-50. Replacement is straightforward — you are essentially reversing the removal process. Make sure the replacement motor matches your Traeger model.

Step 5: Check Wiring and Controller

If the motor tests fine when powered directly but does not run when connected to the grill, the issue is between the controller and the motor.

What to check:

1. Wiring harness connection at the controller — follow the motor's wiring harness to where it plugs into the controller (usually on the back of the hopper assembly). Disconnect and reconnect it firmly
2. Inspect the wires — look for any pinched, frayed, cut, or corroded wires along the entire run from motor to controller
3. Check for rodent damage — if your grill is stored in a garage or shed, rodents sometimes chew through wiring
4. Test the controller output — with the grill on, use a multimeter to test for voltage at the motor connector on the controller side. If there is no voltage when the grill is set to heat, the controller is not sending power to the auger motor, indicating a controller issue

If the controller is not providing power to the auger, the controller may need replacement. Check your warranty status first — Traeger covers controller failures under warranty.

Cold Weather Auger Jams

Cold weather is one of the most common triggers for auger jams, and it deserves special attention.

What happens: In cold or fluctuating temperatures, condensation can form inside the auger tube and hopper. This moisture is absorbed by the pellets, causing them to swell. Swollen pellets expand against each other and against the walls of the auger tube, creating a rock-solid blockage.

This is especially common when:

• Pellets are left in the hopper between cooks during cold months
• The grill is stored in an unheated garage or outdoors without a cover
• Temperature swings between day and night cause condensation cycles

How to prevent cold weather jams:

1. Empty the hopper after every cook if you will not be grilling again within a day or two
2. Store pellets indoors in a sealed container — not in the bag in your garage
3. Use a grill cover — the Traeger full-length grill cover prevents rain and snow from entering the hopper area
4. Before a cold-weather cook, run the auger for a few minutes at a high setting to check that pellets are flowing before you commit to a long smoke
5. Consider a hopper extension or heated auger if you live in a climate where temperatures regularly drop below freezing and you grill year-round

How to Clear a Completely Locked Auger

In severe cases — typically after pellets have been left in the hopper for weeks in humid or cold conditions — the auger can become completely locked with what amounts to a solid cylinder of expanded wood fiber.

The nuclear option:

1. Remove the auger motor (Step 3 above)
2. If the auger shaft will not pull free, use penetrating oil (like PB Blaster or WD-40) sprayed into the auger tube from both ends
3. Let it soak for 30-60 minutes
4. Try to rotate the auger shaft by hand using pliers or a wrench on the motor coupler
5. Work it back and forth gently — do not force it or you may bend the auger shaft
6. Once you can rotate the shaft, use the shop vac to pull out loosened material
7. Repeat until the shaft spins freely
8. Thoroughly clean the entire auger tube and shaft to remove all penetrating oil residue before cooking. Run the grill empty at high temperature for 20-30 minutes to burn off any remaining oil

If the auger shaft is bent or the flights are damaged, you will need a replacement auger assembly. Contact Traeger support or order the part for your specific model.

Prevention Tips

Auger jams are almost entirely preventable with good habits:

• Use quality pellets only — premium pellets like Traeger Signature Blend or Traeger Apple have consistent moisture content and density
• Store pellets in sealed containers — a 5-gallon bucket with a gamma seal lid works perfectly. Never leave pellets in an open bag
• Empty the hopper when the grill will not be used for more than a few days, especially in humid climates or cold weather
• Cover your grill — a Traeger grill cover keeps rain, snow, and humidity away from the hopper and pellets
• Run the grill through a proper shutdown cycle every time — do not just unplug it. The shutdown cycle burns off remaining pellets in the fire pot, preventing backfeed issues that can affect the auger
• Inspect the auger area periodically for sawdust buildup, which indicates pellet degradation

When to Contact Traeger Support

Contact Traeger customer support (1-800-872-3437) if:

• The auger motor has failed and your grill is under warranty (Traeger typically covers motor failures)
• The auger shaft is bent or the flights are damaged and needs replacement
• You suspect a controller issue is preventing the auger from receiving power
• You have cleared the jam but it recurs immediately, suggesting a physical problem with the auger tube alignment or auger shaft
• The auger makes grinding or clicking noises even after cleaning — this may indicate a stripped gear in the motor assembly

Warranty note: Traeger's standard warranty covers the auger motor and controller. Jams caused by moisture or pellet quality are considered maintenance issues and are not typically covered, but the motor itself (if it fails due to a defect) should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Traeger auger motor is bad?

The definitive test is to disconnect the auger motor from the auger shaft (by removing the mounting bolts) and see if it spins when the grill is powered on. If the motor does not spin when disconnected from the mechanical load, it has failed. If it spins freely when disconnected but not when connected, the issue is a jam in the auger tube, not the motor.

Can I replace a Traeger auger motor myself?

Yes. Auger motor replacement is a straightforward DIY job that takes 20-30 minutes. You need a basic socket set or screwdriver, and the replacement motor (make sure it matches your model). The process is: disconnect wiring, remove 4 mounting bolts, swap motors, reconnect. No special tools or skills required.

Why does my auger jam keep coming back?

Recurring jams almost always point to a moisture problem. Either your pellets are absorbing moisture (check storage conditions), your grill is exposed to rain or humidity (use a cover), or you are leaving pellets in the hopper too long between cooks. Fix the moisture source and the jams will stop. In rare cases, a bent auger shaft or misaligned auger tube can cause recurring jams.

How long does a Traeger auger motor last?

A Traeger auger motor typically lasts 5-10 years under normal use. The motor itself is fairly robust — it is a low-speed, high-torque motor that does not run continuously. Most auger motor failures are caused by prolonged stalling against a jam (which overheats the motor windings) rather than normal wear. Clearing jams promptly protects the motor from premature failure.

Can I manually turn the auger to clear a jam?

You can try to manually rotate the auger shaft from the hopper end using a long tool (like a wooden dowel pressed against the auger flights), but this rarely works for a real jam. The auger tube provides no room for the compacted material to go. The shop vac method is far more effective because it removes the material rather than trying to push it through. For severe jams, removing the motor and pulling the auger out is the most reliable approach.

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Need more troubleshooting help? Explore our full guides hub for maintenance tips, error code explanations, and how-to articles. If your grill is not heating at all, check our Traeger not heating up guide. For a complete maintenance schedule, see our Traeger maintenance schedule. Ready to cook? Try our Traeger smoked chicken thighs recipe.