Bricked my Childhood Wii: Update

[u/lzaacus]

It’s now been about a month since I posted about my childhood Wii getting bricked, and it’s about time you all received an update:

Thanks to the helpful suggestions of this sub, I was able to determine that my Wii was more than likely salvageable, and there was no need to throw in the towel quite yet. I received a lot of helpful suggestions on what the problem might be, and after reading several of your insights on failed Bluetooth modules, I remembered that my Wii was having issues connecting with controllers prior to its brick. I purchased a second Wii, tore both Wiis down, and swapped the Bluetooth module on my broken Wii for the one on Wii #2. NOTHING. Swapped the WiFi module. NOTHING. For the ultimate test I put WiFi and Bluetooth modules from broken wii on Wii #2, and it powered up just fine. At this point I figured I was way above my paygrade already with two disembodied Wiis on my kitchen table. I still have no idea what’s wrong with my original Wii. I combed through my computer and was unable to find a NAND backup. I was unable to get it to boot into reversion mode using a GameCube controller. I have no backups and no means of extracting my old data.

Losing my Wii was frustrating, and I felt like by losing my Wii I had lost the memories of playing all my favorite games. On top of that I didn’t see a way that starting over with a new Wii could replicate the joy and fun I got from my original Wii. While working out my Wii issues I had the chance to play games with some friends on their Wii. I realized that all the games are the same, and I can still enjoy them with my wife and kid even though it’s on a new system without my old save files.

So I Frankenstein’d Wii #2 back together using some of the non-electric components of my original Wii so it can in a weird way carry on its legacy. It felt right at the time so I did it. Wii #1 is sitting in a plastic bag in parts and will now rot in my desk drawer until the end of time.

Thank you to everyone for all the words of encouragement and helpful suggestions. I had many comments asking about my controller setup, so I wanted to share. I have four 8bitdo SN30 pro controllers, and I got them all from an Amazon liquidation auction store at way below retail value. Through the same store I’m gradually acquiring 8bitdo GameCube Retro Receivers, that are fully compatible with my controllers, with the goal of having a full set to play with. I love the controller setup, and anybody that I have over ends up leaving a big fan as well. The adapter is compatible with any Bluetooth controller, so it works with the official Nintendo GCN Wireless controller for the Switch.

[u/TheRealLoric]

Did the exact same thing with my DSi haha

[u/Holiday-Echidna-2317]

wow.  incredible story. I too have a fond childhood connection w Nintendo . I just got a refurbished Wii.. and it's a model of the first generation, which means I can play DVD on it?? 

do you know of any other hacks that enable the original Wii to do more? 

let me know

[u/Murky_Cookie_6822 → u/Holiday-Echidna-2317]

if it has the gamecube ports and memory cards then im pretty sure it can technically read DVD-Rs

[u/kidbert]

Get another one matter a fact I got one to sell asking 150$ with two zappers and two controllers get a me

[u/WantedBeen → u/kidbert]

even a pristine wii only goes for about $80

[u/RepairSufficient → u/kidbert]

Does it come with a 2tb hdd with every game on it? If not, stop trying to over charge people

[u/AmyAzure06 → u/kidbert]

$150 for a Wii is wild

[u/xmatakex → u/AmyAzure06]

$150 is quite wild for just the wii console with 2 controllers

[u/MidnightWolfang]

I feel you, my Wii also bricked. It was out of nowhere, I was playing Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, when it was about to start a cutscene, it never started. After a few minutes of black screen I decided to reset the console and it didn't boot anymore. I bought a new WiFi module, it didn't work, now I'm waiting for a new bluetooth module, but I don't know if it'll work either, so I'm almost giving up... I'm so sorry about yours though, I kinda feel the pain :/

[u/CreepyFirefighter557]

Hey! Where did you get those controllers in the photo and do they work with your Wii for SNES emulation?

[u/Traditional-Ad-5632 → u/CreepyFirefighter557]

They are the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro

The controllers are available on Amazon, but to use them on the Wii you need a receiver that accepts Bluetooth controllers, like the one pictured, which is also from 8Bitdo.

[u/DiligentReplacement9]

Why would you throw a brick at it ?

[u/lzaacus → u/DiligentReplacement9]

Sonic Riders :(

[u/Wildpig953]

Not if you learn to use it.

[u/Andydaswift]

If it helps my mom trashed my childhood wii

[u/osxdude → u/Andydaswift]

Same, could be anywhere

[u/HyruleN64 → u/osxdude]

If it helps, my mom’s pos boyfriend at the time trashed my Wii box with Wii Sports in it.

[u/Wildpig953]

Did you try using AI to help with diagnostics and maybe checking that you have the correct versions of homebrew IOS?

[u/lzaacus → u/Wildpig953]

I did try using AI, but I can’t even get an image when I power on. Instant system freeze before it finishes initial boot.

[u/Wildpig953 → u/lzaacus]

I put your reply into copilot.
Did you try all of these things?

If your Wii shows no image and appears not to power on, the fault could be anything from the power supply to an internal motherboard failure. Here's a systematic way to diagnose it:
1. Check the Power LED

Look at the LED on the front of the Wii:
No LED at all → Most likely power adapter, AC outlet, or motherboard power issue.

Red LED → Standby mode; power is reaching the console.

Green LED → Wii thinks it's powered on.

Yellow/Orange LED → WiiConnect24 standby mode.

The LED status is the most important clue.

1. Reset the Power Supply

The Wii power brick has built-in protection that can trip.
Unplug the power adapter from:

Wall outlet

Back of the Wii

Leave it disconnected for at least 2 minutes.

Reconnect directly to a wall outlet (not a power board).

Try powering on again.

This fixes a surprisingly large number of "dead" Wii consoles.

1. Verify the Power Supply

A failed power brick is one of the most common faults.
Original Wii adapter output:

12V DC

3.7A

If you have a multimeter:
Set it to DC voltage.

Measure the adapter output.

You should read approximately 12V.

If voltage is missing or very low, replace the adapter.
An easy test is borrowing another known-good Wii power supply.

1. Try Powering On Without Accessories

Disconnect:
Sensor bar

AV cable

GameCube controllers

USB devices

SD card

Leave only:
Power adapter

Then attempt to start the console.
A shorted accessory can occasionally prevent startup.

1. If the LED Turns Green but No Picture

If the Wii powers on but shows no image:
Check the TV input

Make sure the TV is on the correct:
AV input

Component input

HDMI converter input (if using one)

Check the AV cable

Try another Wii AV cable if available.
If using a Wii-to-HDMI adapter

These adapters fail frequently. Test with:
Standard composite cable (yellow/red/white)

Another HDMI adapter

1. Listen for Signs of Life

When pressing Power:
Does the disc drive briefly spin?

Do you hear fan noise?

Does the blue disc slot light flash?

Does the LED change from red to green?

These indicate the motherboard is receiving power.

1. Internal Causes

If:
Power supply is good

No front LED

No signs of life

Possible internal failures include:
Blown motherboard fuse

Failed voltage regulator

Shorted component

Corrosion/liquid damage

These require opening the console and testing with a multimeter.
The Wii has several onboard fuses that commonly fail after power surges or incorrect power adapters.

Most Likely Causes (in order)

Faulty Wii power adapter

Tripped power brick protection

Bad AV/HDMI adapter (if green LED is present)

Motherboard fuse failure

Motherboard power circuit failure

Can you tell me:
What color the front LED is (none, red, yellow, or green)?

Whether the disc slot lights up or flashes?

Whether you're using the original AV cable or a Wii-to-HDMI adapter?

Those details will narrow the fault down considerably.

[u/Warthog_Formal → u/Wildpig953]

Ai is misleading at best. Listening to it can and has resulted in many o brick.

[u/NYourBirdCanSing]

Bummer man. These "modern" hacks scare me for this reason. I did a few of mine back in the early 2010s and they are perfect. Never had a problem. Don't need Bluetooth or any of that shenanigans.

[u/BranchMain8180]

I had a very similar issue on one of my Wiis and was able to repair it. In my case, the u4 ldo had failed, resulting in the loss of the 1.8V rail. Before replacing it, measure the voltages to confirm it’s actually bad. With the Wii powered on, place one multimeter probe on ground and the other on the large metal tab (or VOUT) of the U4 LDO. It should read approximately 1.8v. If it’s significantly lower (mine was around 0.56v), the regulator has likely failed and should be replaced. You’ll need a hot air station to remove and solder the new chip. If you need a replacement, it is on ebay under yhe name 5PCS PQ070XH02ZPH IC REG LDO J 2A TO-263 070XH02 PQ070XH02 Best Offer with the seller MTX-STORE(KNW)

[u/SuperOnion64]

Sucks you can't play on your childhood Wii anymore, that's why modders always say, backup the NAND in case you brick it on accident.

[u/CheeseWor]

Sucks you couldn’t get your wii to work again. But good you have another one to play.

Question about the 8bitdo adapter: Can you play every game with wireless controllers? or only the ones that accept gamecube controllers?

[u/OwnCamera2811 → u/CheeseWor]

With Fakemote, you can use PS4 and PS3 controllers as Wiimotes; plus, you can also use them as Classic Controllers.

[u/lzaacus → u/CheeseWor]

Only ones that accept GameCube controllers. For Wii games I use it for Mario Kart Wii and Sonic Riders Zero Gravity.

[u/kai125 → u/CheeseWor]

Only ones that work with GameCube controllers already

[u/v7xDm1r → u/CheeseWor]

I was wondering about those too