What can you do with an e4wii membership?
>>STOP PAYING FOR GAMES
>>DOWNLOAD, BURN, PLAY
>>DO YOUR OWN REPAIRS
>>PLAY NON-Wii GAMES
>>NO VOIDED WARRANTY
>>GET UPDATES & SUPPORT

General Wii Repairs | Error Codes | Dismantle Wii | Disk & Game Problems | Wiimote Issues | Power Problems

Wiimote Issues & Repair

Why Won't It Sync?


Ever have your Wiimore just not respond, it just won't sync up no matter what you do?

Here is what I went through, hopefully it will save you some time. The first thing I did while the Wii was turned on was that I tried to sync the Wii Remote by pressing the "1" + "2" buttons at the same time. The lights at the bottom of the controller flashed for about 30 seconds, but never received the signal from the Wii. The next step was to hit the sync button on the Wii Remote (Wiimote). Then immediately opened the cover for the opening where the SD Flash card goes and pressed the sync button on the Wii. 30 seconds of flashing, and no result. Double bummer. Finally, after some Google searching, I found a couple of message boards where people had to press the Sync button on the Wii (not the Wii Remote) for 15 seconds to reset it. I performed this step and then pressed sync on the Wii Remote. The 2nd controller synced up almost immediately. What a relief! Apparently the problem lies in the fact that the Bluetooth technology being used has to be manually synced in order for it to connect to the Wii. It does not make much sense at all. You would think they could be pre-authorized in order to minimize time and ease of use. In addition, you really have to be careful that your other controllers are turned on while syncing or else the controller that you are trying to put on channel 3 might end up on channel 2!

All Wii Remotes will not Sync!
If you need to sync up all of the remotes, you can possibly run into an issue where the remotes will not sync. However, some of the other Wii remotes to keep their sync. In this case it has to do with the time-out during the one-time sync mode.

Here is how you fix the issue:
When syncing or re-syncing Wii Remotes with One Time Mode, if you wait between syncing each Wii Remote, each new Wii Remote you to sync will take longer. This can cause one or more Wii Remotes not to sync at all if too much time has passed. To avoid this, quickly press the 1 and 2 Buttons on each Wii Remote during the sync process, in the order in which you want to the player numbers to be assigned (1 through 4). Too long of a pause can take the sync longer, or prevent it from syncing all Wii Remotes.

Wii Cursor is Off-Center, Jerky, Erratic, or Disappears
Another common problem with the Nintendo Wii includes an issue where the Wii cursor is behaving badly. By that, I mean it is either off-center, jerky, erratic or disappers frequently. I have had this experience with my Wii Nunchuk controller, but not my Wii Remote (Wimote). That fix was easy, I just unplugged the Nunchuck from the Wii Remote and then plugged it back in. Of course, first check and make sure you have a good set of batteries -- this is a common

Here are the details of how you want to fix this problem of the cursor not appearing on your Nintendo Wii.
Verify that the Wii Remote's pointer lens is free of obstructions and contamination (stickers, heavy smudges, etc.). The pointer lens is the tinted rectangle at the end of the Wii Remote. Try using another Wii Remote, if possible, and check to see if you experience the same problem. If only one Wii Remote is not responding correctly, there is likely a problem with the Wii Remote..
If more than one Wii Remote is not responding correctly, or if you only have one Wii Remote, please continue with troubleshooting. Check the Directional Sensor Functionality by turning the Wii Remote upside down so that the buttons face the ground. If the cursor doesn't point down, this indicates a problem with the motion sensor in the Wii Remote. Verify that there are no bright light sources, including sunlight, behind or near the TV, shining towards the Wii Remote or reflecting off the TV screen. Avoid sources of infrared light in the gameplay area such as electric, propane or kerosene heaters, flames from fireplaces or candles, and stoves or other sources of heat. If there are bright lights shinning directly behind the TV or on the screen, turn the lights off. Make sure that the Sensor Bar is setup correctly: Check the cord on the Sensor Bar for any frayed wires or kinks, and verify that the Sensor Bar is free of obstructions. Verify that the Wii Remote is being used between 3 and 8 feet directly in front of the TV, and that the Sensor Bar is placed properly (see Sensor Bar setup). Make sure that the Sensor Bar sensitivity is properly set:
The Sensor Bar sensitivity determines the distance the player can be from the TV. If you move out of the range of the Sensor Bar the cursor can become erratic. The higher the sensitivity is set, the more susceptible the Sensor Bar is to light and infrared heat sources. Make sure there are no bright light sources, including sunlight, behind or near the TV, shining towards the remote or reflecting off the TV screen. Avoid sources of infrared light in the gameplay area such as electric, propane or kerosene heaters, flames from fireplaces or candles, and stoves or other sources of heat. Verify Sensitivity Setting dots: Go to the Sensor Bar's sensitivity setting in the Wii menu. If only one or no dots appear on the sensitivity screen, there is likely a problem with the Sensor Bar. If there are more than two dots, then it appears there is an additional light or infrared heat source being picked up by the Wii Remote. Avoid sources of infrared light in the gameplay area such as electric, propane or kerosene heaters, flames from fireplaces or candles, and stoves or other sources of heat. If both dots appear and the erratic behavior continues even when you move closer to the TV, there is likely a problem with the Wii console and it will need to be repaired.

Wii Remote Buttons are Sticky
Over time and with a lot of use, the buttons on the Wii Remote (Wiimote) can get sticky due to dust and other debris getting caught up inside of the Wii Remote. This process can be greatly accelerated if you do not wash your hands before playing your Nintendo Wii or eat at the same time you are playing. If your buttons are getting sticky, here are the steps you can follow to clean with Wii Remotes and make them “unsticky” again:
Try cleaning the buttons of the Wii Remote using the cleaning instructions below, being sure to follow the directions carefully or you can damage your Wii Remote permanently.

What you will need:
1 clean toothbrush (no toothpaste on it)
1 cup of warm tap water
1 paper towel
Instructions: Remove the batteries from the Wii Remote. Get a clean toothbrush (no toothpaste) and a cup of warm tap water (not hot). Do NOT pour or submerge the Wii Remote in any type of liquid or it will cause permanent damage. Slightly dip the toothbrush in the water (the toothbrush should not be dripping wet) to moisten and scrub the area of the Wii Remote around the edges of the buttons. Work the bristles down around the sides of the buttons to give it a deep cleaning. After cleaning the Wii Remote, dry it off as much as possible with a paper towel. Let the Wii Remote air dry with the buttons facing down for at least two of hours although overnight is recommended. Test the Wii Remote for proper response. Repeat the steps if necessary. If the buttons are still sticky after cleaning, the Wii Remote will need to be replaced. Our experience shows that this type of problem is usually caused by physical damage and is not covered under Nintendo's warranty. You can purchase a replacement at retail stores that sell Nintendo products or perhaps one of the advertisers on this page.

Wii Remote Buttons are not Responding
This can be a painful problem, especially if it occurs during the middle of game, or before you can even start playing the game. It is important in most cases, Wii Remote (Wiimote) buttons not responding is one of two things – either a Wii Remote that needs repair, or a specific game setting. Once a button stops responding you will usually need to send it in for repair.

Here are the instructions:
Problems with one game: Check the game's instruction manual to make sure the game uses the button(s) that is not responding. Some games do not use all of the Wii Remotes buttons or features. Click here to see if the game is listed in Nintendo’s individual Game Disc troubleshooting. If it is, please follow the specific Nintendo instructions in order to get the buttons working on your Wii Remote. Check the game's instruction manual for any controller configuration settings that may affect the button's uses (such as reversing the Control Pad's functions). If the above information did not solve the problem, then the Wii Remote will need to be repaired. Please click here for repair information. Problems with multiple games: If you are experiencing problems with multiple games, then the Wii Remote will need to be repaired. Please click here for repair information.

"Crackling" noise or no sound from Wii Remote speaker
Do you have a crackling or static noise coming from the speaker in your Wii Remote? (Wiimote) Admittedly, it can be a very annoying sound and eventually can turn into a situation where there is no sound coming from the Wii Remote at all. This is especially a bummer in games like the “The Bigs” where the speaker sounds when you make contact with the baseball. However, while in some case the Wiimote needs repair – that is not always the case.

Here are the steps you can perform to determine whether your controller needs repair or if you can adjust the settings.

It is important to understand that not all games use the Wii Remote's speaker. Check the game's instruction manual to verify whether the game uses the speaker. If the game does not use the speaker, then you are in good shape! Otherwise, use the HOME menu to adjust the Wii Remote's volume Press the HOME Button on a Wii Remote that is synchronized with the Wii console. Select the Wii Remote Settings option from the Home Button menu. Press "-" and "+" buttons to increase or decrease the volume levels. You will hear a sound from the speaker each time you adjust the setting. The sound approximates what the volume level would be at that setting. Crackling or distortion can happen if the volume is set to high, so in many cases you want to try making the volume lower. If the batteries are changed too quickly, occasionally you might get a crackling noise or no sound from the Wii Remote's speaker. Take out the batteries, wait for one (1) minute, then re-insert. This is generally a rare occurrence. Wireless interference (RF) can, in rare cases, cause sound problems with the Wii Remote. Turn off or move away from any wireless devices, such as cordless phones, microwaves, wireless computers, etc. If the speaker still isn't working, there is likely a problem with the Wii Remote and it will need to be repaired..

Fixed! Wii Remote Won’t Rumble
What happens if your Wii Remote (Wiimote) does not rumble? While it may required a repair, in many cases some simple adjustments may be required to turn the functionality on. Especially if you ran your Nintendo Wii with low batteries for a period of time. It is important to remember that not all games support the rumble feature. First verify with the game’s manual that the game itself supports the rumbling feature. If it does, please follow the instructions below in order to enable the rumble feature on your Wii Remote.
Go to the HOME Menu and verify that the battery power isn't low on your Wii Remote. Next, go to the Wii Remote settings and verify that the rumble feature is turned
"on” – if it is not, change this setting to “on”, save the settings, and return to the game. Go to the Wii Menu and point at the Wii button on the bottom-left corner of the screen. The Wii Remote should rumble slightly. If it rumbles, your problem is fixed. If the Wii Remote doesn't rumble, there is likely a problem with the Wii Remote that requires maintenance / service.

Help! Wii Battery Life Saver Tips and How to
Do the batteries in your Wii Remote (Wiimote) run out too quickly for you? I generally get 20-30 hours out of mine depening on how much the Wii Nunchuck controller is used when playing games. I have seen reports of people getting much lower life out of the their Wii Remote batteries. In my case, I have been using the AA Duracel batteries in the huge battery pack from Costco.
If you're interested in how you can increase the life of your batteries or the right batteries to use with your Nintendo Wii, here are a few suggestions. In addition, if your Wii Remote is going through a long period of time without the batteries being used, it is best to remove the batteries from the Wii Remote controller:
Are your Wii Remote batteries drain too fast? A fresh set of alkaline batteries should last, depending on amount and type of use, up to 30 hours. This can vary greatly based on certain factors, such as Wii Remote Speaker Volume, Rumble, battery quality and age, and type of game being played. For more battery information, click here. If you are using rechargeable batteries, the only type of battery recommended are Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. When it comes to using rechargeable batteries, you must follow manufacturer guidelines for safety and proper usage. Failure to do so could cause damage to the Wii Remote and void the warranty. For more battery information, click here. The Wii Remote will go into sleep mode if the console is turned off, if the console goes into Burn-In Reduction mode, or after 5 minutes of inactivity. This will help to conserve battery power. If you still feel that the Wii Remote is draining batteries too fast, then it may need to be repaired. Please contact Nintendo for any repair information.

Wii Cusor Does Not Appear on your Wii Console Game
This particular post deals with the problem when the cursor either does not appear on the screen or within a game on your Wii console. Here is the troubleshooting information from Nintendo, supplemented by me.
Please note that our experience shows that this troubleshooting is best performed using only one (1) Wii Remote at a time. If another Wii Remote is turned on, turn it off or remove the batteries. Some games do not use the cursor feature of the Wii Remote; Make sure the game you are attempting to play uses the cursor by reading the game's instruction manual. You can also exit out of the game to return to the Channel Menu and use the Wii Remote to see the cursor. If the cursor still does not appear, continue with the steps below. Otherwise restart the game after verifying the game uses the cursor mode. Trying to use multiple Wii Remotes in the Mii Channel or Photo Channel? These Channels only allow the Wii Remote designated as "Player 1" to function only. If you are not using the first player Wii Remote, switch to that Wii Remote. Verify that the Wii Remote's pointer lens is free of obstructions and contamination (stickers, heavy smudges, etc.). The pointer lens is the tinted rectangle at the end of the Wii Remote. Check the battery power level by turning off the Wii console, then opening the battery cover of the Wii Remote. Press and release the red "SYNC" button to check battery strength. The number of lights flashing indicates the Wii Remote's battery strength. Four flashing lights indicates full strength. Our experience has shown that as your battery strength decreases to one (1) or less lights flashing, the cursor may not appear. For troubleshooting, if possible, try using fresh batteries so that all four lights illuminate. If after inserting brand new batteries, you are still seeing less than all four LEDs flash, then your Wii Remote will need to be repaired.

Is the Wii Remote properly synced?
Press the POWER button on the Wii Remote to see if the Wii console powers on. If it does, the Wii Remote is synced with the system. If the power doesn't come on, power on the system manually and try syncing the Wii Remote. If the Wii Remote will not sync, there is likely a problem with the Wii Remote. Please click here for repair information. If the Wii Remote will sync and the cursor still does not appear, try another Wii Remote if possible. If at least one Wii Remote is working, there is likely a problem with the first Wii Remote and it will need to be repaired. If you have only one Wii Remote, or none that are working, please continue troubleshooting. Make sure that the Wii Remote is being used between 3' and 10' directly in front of the TV and that there are no bright light sources affecting the Wii Remote's operation (review Game Play Guidelines for more information), and that the Sensor Bar is placed properly (see Sensor Bar setup).
Check the cord on the Sensor Bar for any frayed wires or kinks, and verify that the Sensor Bar is free of obstructions. Check the button functionality, and that the Sensor Bar is operating correctly, by accessing the Wii Main Menu. Use the "+" and "-" buttons to scroll side-to-side through the Wii Channel screens. If you are able to scroll with the "+" and "-" buttons, but the cursor is not appearing, then there is likely a problem with the Sensor Bar. If there is no response, there is likely a problem with the Wii Remote.

Tilt Problems with the Wii Remote
The Wii Remote (Wiimote) is a pretty flexible controller that in addition to a control pad is able to sense not only movement, but the force of that movement. In fact, games may require sensitive movements in order to effectively play games. when you are having issues with the Wii Remote detecting your tilt or rotating movements it can make for frustrating outcomes on your gaming experience. If you are having problems with your Wii Remote tilting or rotating, there are a couple of things you can do to try and fix it. First, check to see the motion sensor functionality by holding the Wii Remote with the "A" button side down. Without using much force, lightly tap the button side of the remote against the palm of your other hand a couple of times. Doing this does not take a lot of force, so be sure not to tap the Wii Remote hard. Now try placing the Wii Remote in a neutral position by resting it on a flat surface during game play. If the character or cursor still tilts on its own, there is a problem with the Wii Remote and you will need to contact Nintendo support at 1-800-255-3700 to discuss available options.

"There is no Mii save data on your Wii Remote. Format this save data?"
Mii's are portable on your Nintendo Wii. This means there are a several places where Nintendo Mii's can be saved. The primary storage is on the Secure Digital Card (SD Card) flash memory that you can insert inside your Nintendo Wii. Another way you can save your Mii is on the save data for the Wii Remote. However, the first time you try to save the Mii to your Wiimote, you may encouter the following message: "There is no Mii save data on your Wii Remote. Format this save data?" While this message may be concerning, simply select "Yes" if this message appears.
It simply means that you have never saved a Mii to your Wii Remote, and the Wii Remote needs to be prepared before a Mii can be saved to it. After your first save, you should no longer encounter this message when you attempt to save Mii data to your Wii Remote.