Digital Old Smokey electric smoker display shows E6 and the unit will not start; buttons may be unresponsive or behave erratically.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker before removing the control panel or touching any internal wiring.

Steps to resolve keypad communication issues:

• 1. Inspect the front panel: Check for physical damage to the keypad area, such as cracks, punctures, or signs of liquid spills that may have entered the membrane.
• 2. Access the control panel: Remove the screws securing the front control assembly. Carefully pull it forward to expose the ribbon cable or wiring harness connecting the keypad to the main control board.
• 3. Reseat the ribbon cable: Gently unplug the ribbon cable from the control board, inspect the contacts for corrosion or contamination, and plug it back in firmly. Ensure it is fully seated and not skewed.
• 4. Clean connector contacts: If contacts appear dirty or oxidized, use electronic contact cleaner and a lint-free swab to clean them before reconnecting.
• 5. Check for pinched or cracked cable: Inspect the length of the ribbon or harness for kinks, cuts, or pinch points where the panel mounts to the smoker body. Replace if damaged.
• 6. Test keypad function: Reassemble the panel, plug in the smoker, and test each button. If E6 persists or some keys do not respond, the membrane keypad or UI assembly may be defective.
• 7. Replace the user interface assembly: Install a new OEM Old Smokey keypad/control panel assembly if available. If the keypad is integrated into the main control board, replace the entire control module.

Note: Do not spray cleaners directly onto the keypad. Excess moisture can migrate into the membrane and cause recurring E6 errors.