Nintendo of America

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Wireless Router Troubleshooting

If you are unable to get your home router working, please try adjusting the following settings. If you are not sure how to change the settings, please consult your router's manual, your router's manufacturer, or the internet service provider that installed your router.

(If you need assistance with your WEP and WPA/WPA2 keys, click here.)

  • Verify that your home internet connection is compatible with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

    1. You must have an existing broadband internet connection, such as Cable, DSL, or Fiber Optic.

      Please note: Satellite and Cellular (EV-DO) connections may experience problems with online game play. For more information about your connection type, please contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

    2. Check to see if your ISP is mentioned on our list of Internet Service Providers with known compatiblity issues with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. To view the list, click here.

  • Firmware Updates for Your Router
    If you are unable to get connected using your router, check to see if you have installed the latest firmware updates for your router. In many cases, downloading a firmware update can get the router capable of connecting the Wii console to the internet. If you have not done any firmware updates, please visit your router manufacturer's website to see if any updates are available. We recommend installing the firmware update and trying your connection again.

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  • Check our individual Wireless Router pages
    Our Wi-Fi experts have compiled special notes and settings for over 120 different routers! These special notes can provide you with the specific settings that could get your Wii and your wireless router working together. Click here to lookup your router (if available). Don't see your specific router listed? Try to find a model number close to it in that manufacturer's list. Many manufacturers use the same settings for similar routers.

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  • Does your router have any known compatibility issues with the Wii console?
    In working with dozens of different routers, we have determined that some routers or Internet Service Providers may not be compatible with the Wii console's online features. Please click here to find out more.

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  • Experiencing Slow Download times or receiving errors while connecting?
    This is typically caused by Wireless interference. For more information, click here.

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  • Can't Detect Router's Signal (SSID)
    Your access point will not show up when you Search for An Access Point if you have your Broadcasting set to "No" or "Disable." Some routers also refer to this security as "Stealth" mode. You can either change your broadcast setting to "Yes" or "Enable," or you can manually enter the SSID in the manual setup screen of your Wii console. For assistance with specific routers, click here and select your router (if available).

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  • MAC Filtering
    Check your router's settings to see if MAC Filtering is turned on. For information on locating this setting, click here and select your router (if available). Click on the "FAQ" button of our router page to view MAC Filtering information for that router. Otherwise, it's often listed in the "Wireless" tab on your router's setup utility.

    If you are unable to determine if the setting is on or off on your wireless router, it is likely that MAC Filtering is not being used.

    If MAC filtering is turned on, you will need to enter the Wii console's MAC Address into one of the available fields. The MAC address of the Wii can be found by:

    1. From the Wii Channel menu, select "Wii Settings" (the round button on the bottom-left of the screen with "Wii" on it).
    2. Select "Internet," then "Console Settings."
    3. The MAC address of the Wii console is displayed on the first line.

     

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  • Is your wireless router a "Pre-N" model?
    If your router is designated as a "Pre-N" router, it may default to only the "N" band. This setting will not work with the Wii. Check your router's settings (typically in the "Wireless" tab) and make sure that it is set to "Auto," "Mixed," or something similar.

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  • Wireless Channel
    If there are other wireless devices in the area, they can interfere with the signal so much that the Wii console will not be able to connect to the router. Changing the wireless channel on your router may help. Most wireless routers have a channel range of 1 through 11. The best channels to try are usually 1, and 11, as they do not overlap with other channels. Typically, the channel settings for your router will be found in the router's main "Wireless" tab.

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  • If the above options didn't help, you may need to use the "Manual Settings" and change your Wii console's settings to "Static IP"
    Try assigning the Wii a static IP address.
    1. Access your router's settings and find the available range of IP addresses. (This is typically found within the DHCP information.)
    2. When you find this information, select one of the available IP addresses and enter this, along with the Subnet and Gateway addresses, through the manual settings on the Wii (how to).
    3. If you can't find the range of IP Addresses in the router settings, you can usually view them through your computer's IP configuration settings (see "View Your IP Configuration Settings" section below). Add "10" to the number in the last slot and enter the IP address in the manual settings of the Wii.
    4. You will then need to enter the DNS server information of your computer into the Wii as well. To do this you will need to determine your IP configuration settings (see "View Your IP Configuration Settings" section below). This will give you the basic information for all network devices installed on the PC. Included in this will be the DNS Servers information you will need to enter through the manual settings on the Wii. If only a primary DNS is listed, use that number in both the primary and secondary slots of the Wii's system settings.
    5. Once this information is entered, try to test the connection again.

      To View Your IP Configuration Settings:

      1. Click the "Start" button in the lower left-hand corner of your computer.
      2. Click "Run."
      3. Type "cmd" into the box and press Enter.
      4. Type "IPCONFIG/ALL" and press Enter.

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If the above information does not solve your problem:
If you have contacted your router manufacturer and they are not able to help get your router settings to work with the Wii console, please click here to send us an email through our online form.