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.)

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.

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.

MAC Filtering

Check your router's settings to see if MAC Filtering is turned on. 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.

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"

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.