Quick answer
To fix a Furby that won't turn on: put in four fresh AA alkaline batteries (check the direction), clean any corrosion off the battery contacts, press the reset button on the bottom with a paperclip, then tilt or pet the Furby to wake it. If it clicks but does not move, the gearbox is probably jammed.
Safety first: battery corrosion is caustic. Wear gloves and eye protection, work in a ventilated area, and never mix cleaning chemicals. If your Furby is boxed or rare, check its value before opening it. See 90s toys worth money.
This guide is for the original 1998 Furby. Later models (2005, 2012 and newer) use different batteries and resets, so check the manual for your model. The toy maker publishes instruction PDFs for many of its products online.
Step-by-step fix
Install four fresh AA alkaline batteries
Open the battery door on the underside (you may need a small Phillips screwdriver). Use brand-new alkaline batteries from the same pack. Do not mix old and new.
Check the battery direction
Match each battery to the + and – markings in the compartment. One backwards battery stops everything.
Look for corrosion
White, blue or green crust on the springs and contacts is the most common cause of a "dead" Furby that was stored with batteries inside.
Clean the contacts
Remove the batteries. Dab the crust with a cotton swab dipped in a little white vinegar or lemon juice, gently scrub with an old toothbrush, then wipe with isopropyl alcohol. Let everything dry fully. For stubborn spots, lightly scrape with a small file or emery board to expose shiny metal.
Press the reset button
Insert the batteries, then press the small reset button on the bottom with a straightened paperclip.
Wake it up
Furbys go to sleep. Tilt it, pet its back, or press its tummy or tongue sensors. Give it a few seconds.
Listen
If you hear a whirr or click with no movement, move on to the gearbox section.
Troubleshooting table
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing at all | Dead/backwards batteries or corrosion | Steps 1–5 |
| Wakes, then dies quickly | Weak batteries or dirty contacts | New batteries, clean contacts again |
| Clicking or grinding | Jammed gearbox or sensor out of sync | See below |
| Eyes stuck half closed | Gear position problem | See below |
| Talks but does not move | Motor or gear fault | Repair or specialist |
| Moves but no sound | Speaker wire loose | Repair or specialist |
If the gearbox is jammed
Inside the Furby, a single motor drives a cam gear that moves the eyes, ears, mouth and body. If a gear slips, the toy may click, grind or freeze with its eyes half shut. Fixing it means removing the fur skin (held at the base with small plastic ties or stitching) and the plastic shell.
Before you open it
- Check whether it is worth more boxed or unopened
- Photograph each step as you go
- Keep screws in labeled cups
- Cut ties carefully so you can replace them
- Search for a teardown guide for your exact model
If you are not comfortable opening it, toy repair specialists and collector communities can often help.
Fun fact: The original Furby seemed to "learn" English over time. In reality it was programmed to gradually switch from its own "Furbish" language to English phrases the more you played with it.
More from the decade: popular 90s toys and 90s tech gadgets. Giving one as a gift? See 90s nostalgia gift basket ideas.
Tools you need
Furby repair kit
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Four fresh AA alkaline batteries
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Cotton swabs and an old toothbrush
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Emery board or small file
- Gloves and eye protection
- Straightened paperclip
How to prevent future damage
Remove batteries before storage
Leaking batteries are the most common cause of dead Furbys.
Store indoors
Heat and humidity damage electronics and fur.
Keep it clean
Brush the fur gently; avoid soaking.
Should you repair or sell as-is?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Boxed or rare edition | Check value first; avoid opening |
| Loose, sentimental | Repair at home following this guide |
| Mechanical fault | Specialist repair if you want it working |
Understanding how an original Furby works
Knowing what is inside helps you diagnose the problem. The original Furby runs on four AA batteries that power a small circuit board and one electric motor. That single motor drives a set of gears and a cam that move the eyes, eyelids, ears, mouth and body in a programmed sequence. Sensors on the tummy, back and tongue, plus a light sensor and a tilt switch, tell the Furby when it is being touched or moved. A small speaker plays its voice.
Because one motor does everything, the Furby has to know where its gears are at all times. If a gear slips or the toy is forced while moving, it can lose track of its position, which causes clicking, grinding or a frozen face. Most "dead" Furbys, however, have a much simpler problem: power.
Why battery corrosion is so common
Many original Furbys were packed away in the early 2000s with batteries still inside. Over time, alkaline batteries can leak a white or blue-green crust that corrodes the metal springs and contacts in the battery compartment. Even after you insert new batteries, the corroded metal cannot pass enough current, so the Furby appears completely dead.
The good news is that light corrosion usually cleans up well. Heavy corrosion that has eaten through a spring or traveled along the wires may need a replacement contact or a repair, which is a job for someone comfortable with a soldering iron.
Diagnosing by sound
Listen carefully after you insert batteries and press reset. Complete silence points to a power problem (batteries or contacts). A brief whirr followed by silence can mean weak batteries or a motor that starts but cannot turn. Repeated clicking usually means the gears are jammed or out of sync. Talking without movement suggests a motor or gear issue, while movement without sound suggests a speaker problem.
When to call a specialist
If cleaning and fresh batteries do not help, and you are not confident opening the toy, a toy repair specialist or an experienced collector can usually fix gear and wiring problems. This is especially worth it for sentimental Furbys or special editions, where a careless repair could damage the fur or plastic shell.
Conclusion
Most original Furbys that will not turn on just need fresh batteries, clean contacts and a reset. Work through the steps in order, and only open the toy as a last resort.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my old Furby turn on?
The most common causes are dead or wrong batteries, corroded battery contacts from old leaking batteries, a Furby stuck in sleep mode, or a jammed gearbox. Start with fresh batteries and work through the steps on this page.
Where is the reset button on an original Furby?
On the original 1998 Furby, the small reset button is on the underside, near the battery compartment. Press it with a straightened paperclip or the tip of a pen.
How do I clean battery corrosion on a Furby?
With the batteries removed, gently clean white or green crust off the contacts using a cotton swab dipped in a little white vinegar or lemon juice (for alkaline leaks), then wipe with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely. Wear gloves and eye protection.
What batteries does an original Furby use?
The original 1998 Furby uses four AA batteries. Use fresh alkaline batteries; weak or mixed batteries can make it act strangely or not start.
My Furby makes a clicking noise but does not move. What is wrong?
Clicking or grinding usually means the gearbox is jammed or the motor's position sensor is out of sync. Fixing it involves opening the Furby, which can damage a collectible, so consider a repair specialist if it is valuable.
Can a Furby be repaired if it got wet?
Remove batteries immediately and let it dry completely for several days. Corrosion may still need cleaning afterward.
Sources and further reading
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.