Diagnosis
This is typically a jammed auger. A hard pellet or foreign object is stuck in the auger flighting, causing the motor to strain and the internal shear pin to slip repeatedly.
How to Fix It
Turn the grill off and unplug it. Empty the pellet hopper completely. Remove the hopper grate and rear access panel to expose the auger motor. Use the long, flexible cleaning rod. Insert it into the auger tube from the hopper end and gently work it back and forth to dislodge the jam. Rotate the auger manually via the motor coupling to help.
If That Didn't Work
The shear pin on the auger motor shaft may have sheared. You must remove the motor to inspect. If the pin is broken, the motor spins but the auger does not. Replace with the correct Camp Chef shear pin. Do not use a standard bolt.
Heads Up
Always use high-quality, food-grade hardwood pellets. Cheap pellets with excessive sawdust or inconsistent sizing are the primary cause of auger jams.