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.)

• Did this connection previously work but has suddenly stopped? "Power cycle" your modem and router by unplugging them from the power outlet. Wait a few minutes, and plug the modem back in. Wait a couple of minutes for the modem to initialize, then plug in the router. Try to connect the online and test for proper response.
• Verify that your home internet connection is compatible with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

• 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).

• Click here to check if your ISP is mentioned on our list of Internet Service Providers with known compatibility issues with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experiencing Slow Download times or receiving errors while connecting?
  This is typically caused by Wireless interference. For more information, click here.
• 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).
• 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. Click here to find the MAC Address of the Wii.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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 call 1-800-895-1672 for assistance.

 

Situation:

• The correct access point name is not appearing during wireless online setup

What to do:

• The access point will not show up if the router broadcasting is set to "No" or "Disable." Some routers also refer to this security as "Stealth" mode. Change the broadcast setting to "Yes" or "Enable," or manually enter the network name (SSID) in the manual setup screen of the Wii console. The SSID for the router is typically found in the router's setup tool. For help accessing router settings, try using our wireless router information.
• If your brand and model are available, information about locating the SSID should be available in your router's setup utility. If your router is not listed, call 1-800-255-3700 for assistance.

Information:

• Wireless interference can cause slow downloads, time-outs, or dropped connections.

What to do:

• Receiving an Error code?
  If a five or six-digit error code is displayed when you try to connect the Wii console online, click here to use our error code lookup tool. We have specific troubleshooting for individual codes that may help solve the issue.
• Change the wireless router's channel to 1 or 11
  By default most routers broadcast on channel 6. Changing the wireless channel on the router may help. Typically, the channel settings for the router will be found in the router's main "Wireless" tab. For information on accessing the router settings, click here.
• Where is the wireless router located?
  Move the router away from walls and off the floor and try placing it in a central location. Also, keep it away from metal objects such as metal filing cabinets, which can cause interference.
• Look for other devices
  Noise from cordless devices (cordless phones), or wireless electronics (wireless keyboards, headphones, cell phones), especially those using the 2.4GHz frequency, can interfere with wireless signals. Also, older microwave models can cause wireless interference. avoid electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency, instead look for devices that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.
• Is the router and/or ISP compatible with the Wii?
  It has been 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.

Situation:

• The Wii console takes a very long time to download an item (such as a Wii System Update or a Virtual Console game) or never finishes

Important Note!

• Even though you may see a message on screen warning against powering off the console during a download, it is okay to do so!

What to do:

1. Hold the power button on the front of the console until the light turns red.
2. Press the power button again to turn the system back on. On the "Health & Safety" precautions screen, press the A Button to continue to the Wii Menu.

• If you were attempting to download a Wii System Update, try the update again. (How To)
• If you were attempting to download something from the Wii Shop Channel, simply return to the item and retry your download for no additional Wii Points.

3. Wireless interference can cause slow downloads or result in downloads never finishing. Try interference troubleshooting here.

Situation:

• Trying to connect the Wii online for online game play results in error codes or disconnects

Information:

Before playing games online, the Wii console must first be connected to a home internet connection. (How To)

If the Wii is successfully connected online, online game play issues are often caused by firewalls within the router or home network.

What to do:

• Try turning off the router's firewall:

If the router's security software (firewall) is turned on, it may block communication that is required for online game play. To fix this, try disabling the router's firewall. Most firewall settings are located under the "Advanced" or "Security" tab in the router settings.

If the problem still persists with the firewall off, ports on the router might need to be opened through the Port Forwarding feature. (How To)

• Trouble connecting to a friend?

If the above steps have not resolved the issue and the problem is happening with specific friends, the problem could potentially be on their network. Your friend will need to perform these same troubleshooting steps with their home network.

Situation:

Several wireless networks appear but you're not sure which is yours or you don’t see your wireless network.

What to Do:

You see several wireless networks but you're not sure which is yours:

• In order to find out which wireless network is yours, you will need to log into the router using a connected device, such as your computer. If you are not sure how to log in to your router and where to find this information, click here and select your router brand and model. We will provide the steps to log in, and where to find the wireless network name in the "Network name" portion.

You don't see your wireless network:

• Are you sure it's a wireless router? If you're not, click here for tips on identifying a wireless router. If you are using a wired connection from your router or modem to the Wii console, you will not need to "Search for an Access Point." Simply choose "Wired" as the connection type and try a connection test (more info).
• How far away is your wireless router from your Wii? If the router is a good distance away from the Wii, or if there are many walls and objects in the way, move the router closer to the Wii and try again.
• Check the broadcast settings of your router. Wireless routers usually have a feature that allows you to either hide the network's name, or even turn off wireless altogether. You can typically find this information by logging into your router's settings, and looking in the "Broadcast" area. For help logging into your router, try our wireless router connection information.

If you still cannot find your wireless network, please call 1-877-347-0079 so that we may assist you further.