How To Reset Your Wii Remote - ItStillWorks

Home Media How to Reset Your Wii Remote

By Shea Laverty

Updated September 22, 2017

Like any electronic device, the Nintendo Wii's remotes can occasionally become unresponsive and stop working. While in some cases this can indicate a serious fault that signifies the remote needs replacing, in many cases it is an error that you can correct by resetting the remote. Depending on the nature of the freeze, resetting the Wii remote requires either resyncing the Wii remote, resetting the Wii itself or pulling the batteries from the remote.

Resyncing the Remote

In some cases, the remote is no longer in sync with the Wii and you will need to reset the connection between the controller and the system to resume functionality. Flip open the small latch on the front of the Wii and press down the red "Sync" button to begin syncing. Using a pen or similar thin object, press the red sync button on the back of the Wii remote. The remote should resume normal function if the sync was successful.

Power Cycling the Wii

By shutting down the Wii using either the user menu or the power button, all connected remotes will also power down. If the remote had been in sync but has become unresponsive, shutting down the Wii should force the remote to power-off as well. If the remote shuts down, powering the console back up and pressing any button on the remote should reset it to its normal operations.

Pulling the Batteries

If powering down the Wii console doesn't succeed in also powering down the remote, pulling the batteries is the only option. Once you remove and reinsert the batteries, the remote should also reset and start up normally during either the Wii's power up cycle or using the remote's power button. If the remote still doesn't function, you will need to replace or repair it.

References

• Nintendo: Wii Remote Not Working or Syncing Correctly

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