Smoker powers on but does not heat; display and lights work but temperature stays near ambient.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker and allow it to cool fully before accessing the element.

• Visual inspection: Remove racks and drip pan. Inspect the heating element for breaks, heavy scaling, or burn marks.
• Check element connections: Access the rear or bottom of the smoker to reach the element terminals. Tighten any loose spade connectors and replace any that are discolored or brittle.
• Test element resistance: Disconnect at least one wire from the element and measure resistance with a multimeter. An open circuit indicates a failed element.
• Check high-limit thermostat: Test continuity through the high-limit thermostat; replace if open at room temperature.
• Replace heating element: Remove mounting hardware, slide the old element out, and install a new Smokehouse heating element, ensuring proper routing and secure connections.