Nintendo Wii Troubleshooting

Game console is not turning on.

Most power issues with the Wii can be fixed by resetting the AC adapter. Unplug the AC adapter from both the outlet and the console and let it sit for at least 2 minutes. Plug both ends back in, making sure that the adapter is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a surge protector or power strip.

The power supply to your Wii could have gone bad, which would keep the console from receiving power. Connect a known working power supply to your console. If it works with the new power supply, then your power supply has gone bad and needs to be replaced.

It is possible that the outlet the console is plugged into is bad. Plug another device such as a lamp into it to check it. Also, be sure that the outlet is not controlled by a wall switch. If it is, make sure that the switch is on.

A common source of failures in the Nintendo Wii is the Bluetooth board. If it and the Wi-Fi module are not fully functional and properly attached to the motherboard, the system will not boot.

Try reseating both the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi boards. If possible, try swapping the Bluetooth module with a known working one to determine if that is the cause.

If the power supply and wireless boards are fine, then the problem is likely the motherboard. Replace the motherboard with a new one.

Boots enough to show the Warning screen, but doesn't show press A to continue at the bottom? Try removing any GC memory cards and rebooting!

Your console unexpectedly turns off in the middle of gameplay

Most power issues with the Wii can be fixed by resetting the AC adapter. Unplug the AC adapter from both the outlet and the console and let it sit for at least 2 minutes. Plug both ends back in, making sure that the adapter is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a surge protector or power strip.

An accessory of low manufacturing quality may cause damage to the console. If you have any accessories connected to your Wii when it unexpectedly shuts off, unplug the accessory and follow the above instructions to reset the AC adapter.

The Wii shuts down if a lack of ventilation causes the system to overheat. Check the vents on the back of the console for a build-up of dust and debris. If there is a lot of dust, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the dust. Place your hand behind the Wii while it is powered on and make sure the fan is blowing air; otherwise, you should replace the fan.

Some consoles tend to get hot when in standby mode (yellow power LED) with WiiConnect24 enabled. This occurs because much of the Wii's hardware is powered on, but the fan is not powered on. If this is of concern, disable WiiConnect24 in Standby Mode in the Wii Settings menu.

Console turns on but the DVD drive will not spin or accept discs

If your DVD drive doesn't turn on when the console is started, it could be a connection issue. The DVD drive is connected to the motherboard by a 12-pin power connector and a ZIF data cable. Remove the DVD drive and check both of the connections to the drive. If they are fine, you may also have to access the motherboard to check the connections from the cables to the board.

If all of the connections to the DVD drive are secure, then it is possible that the board on the DVD drive has a short in it or a blown surface-mount fuse. Remove the DVD drive and replace it with a new one to see if that works. If it does, you can either replace the entire drive, or try to find a replacement board. Replacing the board will be less expensive, but will require soldering.

If the cables and the drive are not the problem that cause the DVD drive not to turn on, then it may be a bad motherboard. It is difficult to test this without obtaining a new motherboard or testing your DVD drive on a known working console. If the drive still works on another board, then you will have to replace the motherboard.

The drive takes discs, but does not read them

If the disc is spinning in the DVD drive, but the console can't read it, then there may be a bad connection with the data cable. The cable is a ZIF ribbon cable that goes from the DVD drive to the mother board. First, remove the DVD drive to check the connection there. If it's fine, you'll have to access the connection on the motherboard to make sure it is also secure. At this point, if the connections are fine, you might also want to try a different data cable, though it is not likely that the cable is the problem unless there is obvious damage to it.

If the Wii takes discs, but cannot read them, then there is likely a problem with the laser lens in the DVD drive. Though it is possible to just replace the laser, it is easier and more reliable to replace the DVD drive.

If your Wii is very warm to the touch, this can cause disk read errors. If this is the case, then completely shut down the Wii (red LED) and allow it to cool down, and then try again.

Wii remote and console are not connected

It is possible that your Wii remote has "lost" its sync. You can clear all previous synced Wii remotes with your console and reconnect the ones you are using. Power off the console and unplug the power cord for a few seconds. Plug the power cord back in and turn the Wii back on. At the "Health and Safety" screen, open the small door on the faceplate of the console. Hold the red sync button for at least 15 seconds. All previous syncs have been removed from your console at this point. This process does not need to be repeated to re-sync each remote.

Take the first Wii remote you wish to sync and remove the door to the battery compartment. Press and release the red sync button near the batteries. Quickly press and release the red sync button on the console. The lights on the remote will flash and then illuminate the light that corresponds to that remote's position (1, 2, 3, or 4). Repeat this process for each Wii remote in any desired order.

As the console ages, the fan may become clogged or eventually fail, causing the console to overheat, which could lead to much more serious damage to the device. Remove the fan to clean it or replace it with a new one.

If the noise only happens when there is a disc inserted in the drive, the drive might be failing. If it bothers you, you will need to replace the DVD drive.

If the issues you are experiencing are not covered above, visit Nintendo's Wii Troubleshooting Page and the HackMii Troubleshooting Guide.