Char-Broil

Char-Broil Electric Smokers Error Codes

Complete list of fault codes and troubleshooting guides. Use the search below to find your specific error.

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E1
E1 error on display, smoker will not start heating cycle
Ambient Temperature Sensor Open or Short
E2
E2 error appears during preheat and unit shuts off
Temperature Sensor Out of Range / Shorted
E3
E3 error and smoker will not maintain set temperature
Control Board Temperature Processing Error
E4
E4 error and display backlight flickers or goes blank
Low Voltage / Power Supply Error
E5
E5 error appears when trying to start a cook cycle; the fan does not run (on models with a circulation fan).
Circulation Fan Motor Fault (if equipped)
ERR1
Control panel displays ERR1 and smoker will not heat
Cabinet Temperature Sensor Failure
ERR2
Display shows ERR2 and heating stops mid‑cook
Meat Probe Temperature Sensor Error
ERR3
Control panel shows ERR3 and smoker shuts down shortly after starting
High Temperature Limit Trip / Overheat Fault
ERR4
ERR4 appears and smoker will not power the heating element
Heating Element Circuit Fault
ERR5
Display shows ERR5 and buttons are unresponsive or random
Control Panel Keypad / Touchpad Failure
LOC
The display shows LOC, and buttons do not respond.
Control Panel Child Lock / Key Lock Activated
PF
PF or a flashing display appears after a brief power outage; the cook cycle stops.
Power Failure Interruption
— —
The display shows dashes (— —) instead of temperature, and the smoker will not heat.
No Temperature Feedback to Control Board
Symptom
Bluetooth or wireless connectivity (if equipped) not working
Wireless Module Communication Failure
Symptom
Control buttons respond intermittently or require very hard presses
Worn or Contaminated Keypad
Symptom
Display segments missing or unreadable numbers on screen
LED/LCD Display Failure
Symptom
Door glass cracked or shattered.
Door Window Glass Failure
Symptom
Door will not close fully or latch properly.
Door Alignment / Latch Failure
Symptom
Excessive smoke leaking from the door and around cabinet seams.
Cabinet Air Leakage
Symptom
Food has a harsh, bitter smoke flavor or black soot on its surface.
Incomplete Combustion / Creosote Buildup
Symptom
Grease leaking from the door or pooling on the ground.
Grease Drainage Failure
Symptom
Interior light (if equipped) does not turn on
Cabinet Light Circuit Failure
Symptom
Rattling or buzzing noise from the back of the smoker when running.
Vibration of Loose Components
Symptom
Rust forming inside smoker cabinet or on racks
Corrosion of Interior Surfaces
Symptom
Smoker interior paint peeling or flaking
Coating Degradation from Heat and Moisture
Symptom
Smoker makes loud popping or banging noises during heating and cooling.
Thermal Expansion Noise
Symptom
Smoker produces very little or no smoke, even when hot.
Insufficient Wood Chip Combustion
Symptom
Smoker takes excessively long to preheat
Reduced Heating Efficiency
Symptom
Strong burning plastic or electrical smell when the smoker is heating.
Overheating Wiring or Component
Symptom
The control panel is completely dead; there are no lights or display.
No Power to Smoker
Symptom
The display and lights work, but the smoker shuts off randomly during a cook cycle.
Intermittent Power Loss to Control or Element
Symptom
The smoker heats but cannot reach the set temperature (stalls 30–50°F below the setpoint).
Insufficient Heating Output / Heat Loss
Symptom
The smoker overheats well above the set temperature and burns food.
Runaway Heating / Temperature Control Failure
Symptom
The smoker powers on but will not heat at all (no error code displayed).
Open Heating Element or Power Circuit Failure
Symptom
The smoker trips the household breaker or GFCI when turned on.
Short Circuit or Ground Fault
Symptom
Water leaking from the bottom of the smoker during or after use.
Drip Management / Water Pan Overflow
Symptom
Water pan warps or buckles during use
Thermal Deformation of Water Pan
Symptom
Wood chip tray paint burning off and causing odor
High‑Temperature Coating Burn‑Off
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