A) Possible Solutions if You Have a hörbert Without a USB-C Port:

• Even if you have already replaced the batteries or rechargeable batteries, please try again with a completely fresh pack of high-quality AA batteries. Sometimes an empty cell sneaks in during a battery change, or the batteries may already be discharged when purchased. If you are using rechargeable batteries, they may not be charging fully anymore, one cell could be defective, or the charger might have an issue.
• When replacing the batteries—especially if they have been completely removed from the device—gently press the ends of the opposite metal battery clips together with two fingers to ensure proper contact with the batteries. Please do this even if you think the batteries are already sitting firmly in place.
• The issue could also be related to the content on the memory card. If this might be the case, please send us the service file of your memory card for analysis along with a photo of the inner life of hörbert. Use our contact form from our 24×7 Helpdesk for sending us the files. Thank you!

How to generate the service file from your memory card:
1. Open the hörbert software.
2. Select your hörbert model.
3. Insert the memory card and wait until it appears in the software.
4. Click on “Read card”.
5. In the software menu go to “Help” ->”Service Tools” -> “Collect data for service”.
6. Choose a location to save the generated file.
7. The hörbert software will create a ZIP file and save it in the selected location.
8. Please send this ZIP file to us via email.

A firmware update may also help revive your hörbert, even if it no longer turns on. This is especially recommended if you received your hörbert 2021 model before April 2023, and have not yet performed a firmware update.

If you need further assistance, please contact our service team—ideally via the contact form.

B) Possible Solutions if You Have a hörbert with a USB-C Port and Battery Charging Circuit:

• Please check all connectors of the USB power supply and the battery compartment to ensure they are securely in place.
• Is the memory card fully inserted into the slot? If possible, try using a second hörbert memory card to test. You can also use any SD card between 4 GB and 512 GB, as long as it is formatted in FAT32 (or FAT, MSDOS FAT, EXFAT) beforehand and contains at least one audio file for each button.
• Does hörbert play when connected to mains power via a USB power adapter and USB-C cable? If not, do you have another power adapter and/or USB-C cable to test with?
• If rechargeable batteries are inserted: Remove one of the batteries from the battery compartment. Wait at least 30 seconds to allow any residual voltage to dissipate, then reinsert the battery.

Note: If batteries are in the battery compartment and hörbert is plugged into a power socket, the orange LED on the power supply board will blink to indicate that the batteries are charging.

If the LED blinks once and then turns off, the batteries are already fully charged.

If no batteries are inserted in the battery compartment and hörbert is connected to mains power, the orange LED will remain steadily lit.

If none of these steps solve the issue, you can check whether the problem is related to the USB connection:

• Carefully unplug the white ribbon cable that has a black connector attached to hörbert’s mainboard by gently pulling it upward.
• Now, all four metal battery clips on the mainboard will be exposed. Insert fully charged batteries – or ideally, a fresh set of four AA batteries for testing.

If hörbert now works, the issue is with the USB power supply. In that case, please contact us with your findings via the contact form.

You can find more useful information about hörbert’s USB port here:
BLOG article: hörbert’s USB connection