Nintendo Wii U Wireless Module Replacement

Introduction

The wireless module is a component in the Wii U's wireless connectivity with the gamepad. This guide will show you how to replace this important component of the Wii U.

What you need

Step 1 Console Outer Case

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With the bottom of the console facing up, remove the following 6 screws hidden underneath the white square stickers:
Three 5.1mm Phillips #000 screws
Two 6.1mm Tri-wing Y0 screws
One 13.2mm Tri-wing Y1 screw

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Step 2

Rotate the console 180 degrees so that the exhaust vents are facing you.
Remove the two 7.1mm Phillips #00 screws.

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Step 3

On the side opposite of the exhaust vents, slide the cover faceplate towards the back of the console and pull upwards to release it.

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Step 4

On the bottom of the console beneath the previously removed faceplate, remove the three 13.2mm Tri-wing Y1 screws.

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Step 5

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On the back of the console, lift up and release the main top cover.

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Step 6 Front Faceplate

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Rotate the device so that the front plate is facing you.
On each side of the console, remove the 3.5mm Phillips #0 screw connecting the DVD drive to the faceplate.

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Step 7

Rotate the device so that the front plate is on the right side and the ribbon cable is visible.
The ribbon cable is connected to the system by a latch which holds in the blue tab. Flip this latch up to unlock it.
Lift up on the blue tab to release the ribbon cable.

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Step 8

Remove the front faceplate.

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Step 9 DVD Drive

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On each side of the DVD drive, remove the two 4.6mm Phillips #0 mounting screws.

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Step 10

Rotate the device so that the disc drive slot is visible.
A ribbon cable is attached to the bottom right side of the disc drive. The ribbon cable can rip if it isn't removed properly.
Lift the disc drive out of the mount and turn over to the right so it lies like a book.
Use a spudger to release the ribbon cable.

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Step 11

Remove the disc drive.

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Step 12 Motherboard

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Remove the black plastic shielding by unscrewing connecting screws with a Phillip's Head screwdriver.
You will have to carefully adjust the antenna cables out of the way in order to proceed comfortably.

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Step 13

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The metal cap does not require unscrewing and should lift up with ease.
Unscrew all the screws that outline the perimeter of the board using a Phillips Head (PH1) screwdriver.
Remove the silver shielding plate once all screws are removed. Be careful when pulling it under the affixed antenna cables.

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Step 14

At this point, the motherboard should easily separate from the lower tray.

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Step 15 Wireless 5ghz Module

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Flip the motherboard over to view the underside where the Wii U's wireless modules are located. The Bluetooth module is circled in red.
This module is affixed with strong adhesive, so in order to remove it you will need to wiggle the module with slight force for a couple of minutes.

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