Auger Not Turning

Before You Start

1. Make sure your grill turns on. If the grill does not have power, select your grill below for next steps. 
   • Non-WiFIRE Grills

1. Check if the Auger Motor Fan is Spinning

Auger motors in grills without WiFIRE technology have a small, white fan attached to the motor that spins when the grill is running. If the fan is spinning, it means the auger motor is working.

1. Look up into the grill components from the bottom of the hopper, if there is a bottom grate under the hopper, locate the 4 screws that hold it in place and remove them to be able to see.
2. If the fan is spinning move to checking the Auger Motor Pin is in place, below.
   If the fan isn't spinning, make sure wires aren't blocking it from turning. Try flicking it to see if it's stuck with built-up grime. 
3. Tight auger motor screws can prevent an auger motor from working, See if loosening the screws on the auger motor enables it to turn.
   1. If the fan still doesn't spin, you may need to replace the auger motor. Continue through the remaining steps to make sure.

2. Check the Auger Motor for Damage and Wiring Connections

1. Shut off and unplug the grill.
2. Remove the 2 screws holding in the controller.
3. Once removed, rotate the controller to push it through where it was housed.
   1. Unless already removed, clip the zip ties holding all the wires together.
4. Locate the 4 screws holding the hopper assembly on the grill and remove them (2 on either side).
5. Carefully remove the hopper assembly.
6. Inspect the auger motor for any damage, such as cracks or visibly broken spots.
7. Make sure the Molex connector that goes to the auger motor is connected to the corresponding Molex connector that goes to the controller. Unplug and reconnect the auger motor to ensure a solid connection. 
8. Turn on the grill and ignite to see if the auger begins to turn. 
9. If no damage is visible, continue to see if the auger motor pin is in place.

3. See if the Auger Motor Pin is in Place

1. See Auger Motor Pin to learn what an auger pin is and where to find it.
   
2. If the auger pin is missing, check the hopper and jiggle the grill to see if it is loose inside the grill.
3. Check the area around the grill to ensure the auger pin did not drop or fall out during assembly.​​​​​​​
4. If the auger pin is present: check for an auger jam, see Clearing an Auger Jam in a Non-WiFIRE Grill
   If you can't find the auger pin: call Customer Support.

1. Power Check

• Plug in your grill and turn it ON.
• If the controller doesn’t light up, follow steps in Power Issues on Non-Connected Pellet Grills to determine the cause and fix.

2. Check the Auger Motor Pin

1. With the grill OFF and unplugged, empty all pellets from the hopper.
2. Look into the auger shaft to locate the auger pin,
   
3.  Is the auger pin in place? A missing auger pin can prevent the auger from turning.
   1. If missing, check inside the hopper or around the grill.
   2. If it’s lost, Contact Customer Service 

3. Accessing Grill's Internals

1. Remove the 5 Phillips screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
   
   • 1 inside grill barrel
   • 2 on opposite sides of the hopper
   • 2 on the controller
2. Push the controller through the opening to inside of the Hopper
   
3. Grab the handle inside the barrel and lift up. Lean the contents on the inside of the lid
   
4. Cut the zip ties
5. Carefully, turn the grill on and ignite it. Look to see if the auger motor fan is spinning.
   1. Fan spinning? → Auger is jammed. See Clearing an Auger Jam in an AC Grill.
   2. Fan not spinning? → Continue below.

4.  Look for Obstructions

1. Look for anything blocking the fan's path. 
2. Remove any obstruction (if wires are in the way, suggest a zip tie).
3. Move the fan manually to make sure there is no more obstructions.

5. Inspect the Auger Motor

1. Look for visible damage (cracks, broken parts).
   • If damaged, Contact Customer Service
   • If not damaged, continue.
2. If recently replaced, try loosening the motor screws slightly—over-tightening can prevent movement.
   

6. Check Wiring Connections

1. With the grill OFF, disconnect and reconnect the red wire for the auger motor to ensure a secure connection.
   
2. Carefully, turn ON the grill and let it run for 5 minutes to check if it starts working (the auger motor fan should turn, and the auger should be turning slowly.
   • If the auger still does not turn, shut down the grill and continue troubleshooting.
3. Next, disconnect both the auger motor and induction fan wires.
   • Swap them:
     • Connect the auger motor’s red wire to the induction fan’s orange connector.
     • Connect the induction fan’s orange wire to the auger motor’s red connector.

Turn the grill ON and observe:

For any replacement parts Contact Customer Service for the correct replacement part.

Ensure the Grill is Getting Power

• Make sure your grill turns on. If the grill does not have power, select your grill below for next steps. 
  • D2 Grills
  • Touchscreen Grills
  • Woodridge Series Grills
  • Westwood Series Grills

D2 Grills

1. Power off and unplug your grill.
2. Empty pellets from the hopper.
3. Unscrew the two screws on the right side of the hopper and remove the access panel from the bottom of the hopper.
4. Cut the zip ties from both sets of cables.
5. Remove the four screws holding the controller in place.
6. Disconnect the plastic connectors from the controller.
7. Unscrew the four screws that secure the hopper housing to the grill. There are two on the front of the hopper and two on the back.
8. Remove the hopper housing from the auger assembly and set it aside.
9. Remove the plastic connector from the auger motor.
10. Remove the four Phillips screws securing the auger motor to the auger assembly and remove the motor.
11. Remove the bushing screw that secures the auger to the auger tube.
12. Manually turn the auger. If you cannot manually turn the auger, there is most likely an auger jam. See, Clearing an Auger Jam in a WiFIRE-Enabled Grill.

Touchscreen Grills

1. Use the prime auger feature. On the controller, go to Menu>Maintenance & Care>Auger>Prime Auger>Start. If the prime function does not work, continue below. 
2. Power off and unplug your grill.
3. Remove the hopper service panel (right panel), See Removing the Service Panel on a Touchscreen Grill.
4. Find the auger motor and disconnect the 4-wire molex connector from the motor.
5. Remove the four Phillips-head screws holding the motor in place.
6. Pull the auger motor away from the grill.
7. Remove the Phillips-head screw to the right of the screw that holds the X in place.
8. Pull out the X.
9. Grip the end of the auger and try to turn the auger. If you cannot manually turn the auger, there is most likely an auger jam. See, Clearing an Auger Jam in a WiFIRE-Enabled Grill.

Woodridge Series Grills

1.  Use the manual auger prime function. If the prime function does not work, continue below. 
2. Remove the auger box cover (leave the box installed). 
3. Unscrew 10 screws (2 on each end, 3 on each side).
   
4. Locate the motor shaft, on the back of the motor, and twist it 5 full rotations by hand
    
   • If it moves smoothly → Success.
   •  If stuck → Vacuum pellets out of the hopper and firepot., shake auger from the firepot side to try to loosen any debris, and try again.

1. If the shaft still won’t turn or the motor is damaged, contact Customer Support.

Westwood Series Grills

1. Check the wire connection to the auger motor.
2. Power off and unplug the grill.
3. Remove the x6 screws from the hopper service panel on the side of the hopper in the following order:
   1. Remove x2 screws on the back of the panel by the vents first.
      
   2. Remove x2 screws on the bottom of the panel second.
      
   3. Remove x2 screws on the side of the panel last.
      1. Hold the panel with one hand to prevent it from falling when removing the last screw.
   4. Unplug and plug back in the auger motor wire on the back of the controller.
      
4. Plug grill in and ignite.
5. If the auger still is not turning, proceed with the next steps.
6. Manually fill the auger with pellets.
7. Ignite the grill and see if the auger is turning.
8. If the auger is turning, success! If the auger still is not turning, continue troubleshooting.
9. Remove the grill grates, drip tray, and heat baffle.
10. Ensure there are no pellets in the firepot.
11. Turn the grill on.
12. Press and hold the ignite/shutdown button until all the pellets have exited. The animation will stop being displayed.
13. Remove all pellets from the firepot.

1. Power off and unplug the grill.
2. Remove the x6 screws from the hopper service panel on the side of the hopper in the following order:
   1. Remove x2 screws on the back of the panel by the vents first.
      
   2. Remove x2 screws on the bottom of the panel second.
      
   3. Remove x2 screws on the side of the panel last.
      1. Hold the panel with one hand to prevent it from falling when removing the last screw.
   4. Cut the zip ties holding the wires together.
      
   5. Disconnect the ground wire.
      
   6. Disconnect the orange auger wire connector from the back of the controller.
      
      
       
   7. Remove the auger bushing screw located behind the auger motor.
      
      
       
   8. Wiggle the auger motor back and forth and pull towards you.
      
   9. Clean any clumps out of the auger and reassemble.
   10. Ignite the grill and see if the auger is turning.
   11. If the auger does not turn, contact customer support.