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Fix a pellet stove that will not feed

We'll confirm the stove powers on, rule out power and hopper issues, then isolate the cause—auger jam, auger motor, vacuum switch, or control board—or tell you when to call a pro.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
15–45 min
What you'll need
  • Multimeter (for continuity tests on auger motor)
  • Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)
  • Shop vac or brush (for clearing auger and hopper)
  • Replacement auger motor (if tests show a fault)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out power and hopper issues, then isolate the feed fault.

  • Turn the stove on and set it to start or a low temperature. Wait two to three minutes.
  • Good: The control panel lights up but no pellets appear in the burn pot—feed system has failed. Proceed to Check power and hopper.
  • Bad: The panel stays dark—power issue. Check outlet and circuit breaker.

Check power and hopper

Goal: Rule out power loss and hopper problems before opening the stove.

  • Verify the stove is plugged into a working outlet and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Reset the breaker if tripped.
  • Check that the hopper is at least one-quarter full of dry, quality hardwood pellets. Unplug the stove, open the hopper, and stir to break up any bridging—pellets arching over the auger opening.
  • Good: Power is on and pellets flow toward the auger. Proceed to Auger jam path.
  • Bad: Hopper empty or bridged—fill and stir, then retest. If the auger still does not turn, proceed to clear the auger.

Auger jam path

Goal: Clear the auger of jams so pellets can flow to the burn pot.

  • Unplug the stove and let it cool. Open the hopper and access the auger per your model. Check your owner’s manual or search “[brand] [model] pellet stove auger access” for disassembly steps.
  • Look for foreign objects, pellet clumps, or sawdust blocking the auger. Clear with a flexible brush or shop vac. Some models have a manual auger crank—use it to free a jam.
  • Good: The auger is clear. Add pellets, restart, and listen for the auger turning. Pellets should drop into the burn pot. Proceed to Auger motor path if the auger still does not turn.
  • Bad: Jam cleared but auger still does not turn—check the auger motor.

Auger motor path

Goal: Test and replace the auger motor if it has failed.

  • With the stove on and calling for heat, listen at the hopper or auger area for the motor turning. A working auger makes a low hum or clicking.
  • Unplug the stove. Locate the auger motor—often under the hopper or behind an access panel. Inspect wiring for loose or burned connections. Test the motor for continuity with a multimeter.
  • If the motor shows no continuity or does not run when powered, replace it with an exact match. If your model has a vacuum switch, check that the vent is clear and the switch hose is connected—a blocked vent or failed switch can prevent the control board from running the auger.
  • Good: The auger motor runs and pellets feed. The stove heats.
  • Bad: The motor does not run after replacement, or the vacuum switch tests bad—call a technician. Control board replacement often requires a pro.

When to get help

If you see fire or smoke indicating a fire hazard, evacuate and call 911 from outside.

Call an appliance technician if:

  • The auger motor does not turn after clearing jams and checking the vacuum switch.
  • Error codes persist after basic checks.
  • You are not comfortable working with electrical components or disassembly.

Verification

  • The control panel lights up and the auger feeds pellets to the burn pot.
  • You hear the auger turning (low hum or clicking) when the stove calls for heat.
  • Pellets drop into the burn pot and the stove ignites and heats.
  • No persistent error codes.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the stove powers on but pellets do not move toward the burn pot.
  2. Power and hopper Check outlet, breaker, hopper level, and that pellets are not bridging.
  3. Auger jam Clear the auger of foreign objects, pellet clumps, or sawdust.
  4. Auger motor and vacuum switch Test the auger motor; check the vacuum switch and vent if your model has one.
  5. Call a pro Fire or smoke indicating fire hazard—evacuate, call 911 from outside. Auger motor or control board issues—call an appliance technician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Stove brand and model
  • Whether the control panel lights up
  • Whether the auger turns (listen for hum or click)
  • Auger motor test results (continuity, visible damage)
  • Any error codes displayed
  • Steps already tried

Does the stove power on but pellets do not move toward the burn pot?

Turn the stove on and set to start or low temp. Wait two to three minutes. Listen for the auger and look for pellets in the burn pot. No pellets means the feed system has failed.

Turn the stove on. Wait two to three minutes. Listen for the auger turning and check the burn pot for pellets. Yes: panel lights but no pellets in burn pot—feed fault. No: pellets are feeding—problem solved; no action needed.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

No action needed

The pellets are feeding. No further action required.

Done

Is power on and is the hopper full with no bridging?

Check outlet, breaker, hopper level, and that pellets flow toward the auger.

Verify the stove is plugged in and the breaker has not tripped. Check that the hopper is at least one-quarter full of dry pellets. Unplug, open the hopper, and stir to break up any bridging. Good: power on and pellets flow toward auger. Bad: hopper empty or bridged—fill and stir; if auger still does not turn, proceed to auger jam.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fill hopper and break up bridging, then retest

Fill the hopper at least one-quarter full with dry pellets. Stir to break up any bridging. Restart the stove. If pellets feed, the issue was hopper level or bridging. If not, proceed to clear the auger jam.

Done

Is the auger jammed or blocked?

Foreign objects, pellet clumps, or sawdust can block the auger.

Unplug the stove and let it cool. Open the hopper and access the auger per your model. Look for foreign objects, pellet clumps, or sawdust. Clear with a brush or vacuum. Use a manual crank if your model has one. Jammed: clear the jam, reassemble, add pellets, test. Not jammed: auger is clear but still does not turn—proceed to auger motor.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Clear auger jam and test

Clear the auger of debris. Reassemble. Add pellets and restart the stove. The auger should turn and pellets should drop into the burn pot. If the auger still does not turn, check the auger motor or vacuum switch.

Done

Does the auger motor run when the stove calls for heat?

The auger motor turns the auger. A failed motor or faulty control board can prevent it from running.

With the stove on and calling for heat, listen for the auger motor. If you hear nothing, unplug and inspect the motor and wiring. Test for continuity with a multimeter. No continuity or motor dead: replace motor with exact match, test. Motor runs: check vacuum switch if your model has one; if not, the control board may be faulty—call a technician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Replace auger motor and test

Replace the auger motor with an exact match. Reassemble and start the stove. The auger should turn and pellets should feed. If the motor still does not run, the control board may be faulty—call a technician.

Done

Is the vacuum switch and vent clear?

Some stoves use a vacuum switch to enable feed. A blocked vent or failed switch can prevent the auger from running.

Check your owner's manual for a vacuum switch. If present, inspect the hose for cracks or disconnects. Check that the exhaust vent and cap are clear of debris. If the vent is blocked, clean it. If the switch or vent is faulty and you cannot fix it, call a technician. If your stove has no vacuum switch and the motor runs but pellets still do not feed, the auger may be disconnected—inspect the auger coupling; otherwise call a technician.

Done

Call a technician

If you see fire or smoke indicating a fire hazard, evacuate and call 911 from outside. Call an appliance technician if: the auger motor does not turn after clearing jams; the vacuum switch tests bad; error codes persist; or you are not comfortable working with electrical components.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a pellet stove power on but not feed pellets?
Common causes: empty or bridged hopper, auger jam (foreign object, pellet clump, sawdust), failed auger motor, faulty vacuum switch (on models that use one), or a faulty control board. Check power and hopper first, then clear any auger jam.
Can I fix a pellet stove that will not feed myself?
Yes. You can check the hopper, clear auger jams, and verify pellet flow. Auger motor or control board replacement may require a technician if you are not comfortable with wiring or disassembly.
When should I call a technician for a pellet stove that will not feed?
If you see fire or smoke indicating a fire hazard, evacuate and call 911 from outside. Call an appliance technician if the auger motor does not turn after clearing jams, if the vacuum switch tests bad, if error codes persist, or if you are not comfortable working with electrical components.

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