How to Troubleshoot a Furby

Furbys are interactive electronic toys designed for children ages 6 and up.

Furbys are electronic, interactive toys that children can feed, play games with and care for. Since their development in 1998, Furbys have evolved, often taken on the appearance of popular characters like Gizmo from the move "Gremlins" and Yoda from the "Star Wars" franchise. Furbys operate on batteries, and when they aren't played with they enter into sleep mode, much like modern computers. When something strange happens with your Furby, there are a few techniques you can try to work out the glitches.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• 4 AA batteries

Instructions

1. Replace the batteries. When your Furby's batteries start to run low, it may take longer for it to respond, especially while in sleep mode. To replace the batteries, turn the Furby upside down and unscrew the battery compartment with a Phillips screwdriver. Take out the old batteries and replace them with a new set of AA batteries. Make sure you put them in properly; otherwise the Furby won't work.

2. Make sure the Furby is turned on. There is an On/Off switch located near the battery hatch on the bottom of the Furby. If the switch is in the Off position, turn it to On and turn the Furby upright to see if it responds.

3. Wake your Furby up from sleep mode if you haven't played with it for awhile by turning it upside down, and then right-side up again. You may also be able to wake your Furby up by tickling its tummy or gently stroking its back.

4. Keep background noise down to a minimum when playing with your Furby. Furbies are voice activated, and too much background noise can confuse your Furby. A confused Furby will not do what you ask it to. You also need to make sure you are close enough when speaking, between 12 and 18 inches, and that your speak clearly.

5. Reset your Furby to restore the original factory settings. Turn the Furby upside down and turn the On/Off switch to the Off position. While the Furby is turned off, stick your finger into the Furby's mouth and press down the tongue. Turn the Furby back on while depressing the tongue, and your Furby will say "Good Morning" to let you know the memory was reset. This will wipe out everything your Furby has learned to date.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn the Furby language and keep the translation guide handy. Sometimes your Furby may not respond if you speak in English, and getting it to listen is as easy as speaking Furbish. If you lose your English to Furbish guide, check the Hasbro site for a copy of the original instructions and guide.

• Never take your Furby apart, as this can cause permanent damage to the interior.

References

• Hasbro: Furby Care Guide