3dBloke

Introduction

This is a step-by-step guide to getting a Nintendo Wii connected to the Internet.

Assumptions

• We will do this using the Wii’s built-in wireless LAN adapter.  Cabled connection is possible, but requires a USB-attached adapter, purchased separately.
• You already have a WiFi access point (wireless router) within range of the Wii.
• If you are planning to watch streamed video, such as BBC iPlayer, you have at least 1 Mb/s broadband.
• You know the details of your wireless router:
  • How to log in and access the admin features of your router.  This may be password protected.
  • The SSID of your wireless network, and whether this is being broadcast.
  • The security settings: WEP or WPA, security key and whether MAC address validation is active.
  • Whether the router (or some other service on your local network) is configured to provide DHCP (dynamic assignment of  IP addresses).

Note: If your router does not use MAC address validation and you know the WEP or WPA security key and whether DHCP is configured, you can perform the Wii connectivity exercise without any log in to the router.

MAC address validation

If your router does not have this set, you can skip to “Create a Connection on the Wii“.

Overview of this step

The configuration of your wireless router must be updated to include the MAC address of the Wii’s wireless network adapter.  Without this, the Wii will not be able to connect to the router.

Determine the Wii’s MAC address

Switch on the Wii and click your way to the “System Settings 2″ page, as follows:

• Click the circular “Wii” button at the bottom left of the main Wii screen.
• On the next screen, click “Wii Settings”.
• On the “Wii System Settings 1” screen, click the right arrow to move forward to settings screen 2.
• On the “Wii System Settings 2” screen, click the “Internet” button.

At this point, if you have Parental Controls enabled on the Wii, you will be asked to enter your 4-digit PIN.

• On the Internet options screen, click the “Console Information” button.
• The information display shows the MAC address of the Wii’s wireless network adapter.  Carefully write down these details.

Update wireless router config

Go to your computer and log in to your wireless router.

Add the Wii’s MAC address to the list of permitted MAC addresses for wireless connection.

Create a Connection on the Wii

The steps in creating a wireless connection on the Wii are quite simple, particularly if your wireless router is configured to broadcast its SSID.  In the steps that follow, I outline the Auto-detection method (requires broadcast SSID) and the Manual method (for non-broadcast SSIDs) of setup.  In both cases you will need other information outlined at the top of this page.

Auto-detected access point

Follow these steps:

• From the “Wii System Settings 2″ page, click the Internet button (enter your PIN, if required) and you see the Internet screen.
• On the Internet screen, click the “Connection Settings” button.  You will see three connection buttons.  The Wii can have up to three Internet connection configurations, although only one may be selected to be active.
• Click the “Connection 1″ button, and then “Wireless Connection” and “Search for an Access Point”.
• The Wii scans for local access points (those broadcasting an SSID) and displays a list of any that are found.
• With luck, your wireless router SSID will be listed.  Select it.
• If you have wireless security (WEP or WPA) configured on your router, you will see a screen asking for the security key.  Enter the key.
• When prompted, click OK to save the connection settings.
• You will be asked to click OK to perform a connection test.  The test takes about 15 seconds.
• If the connection test was successful, you may be asked to perform a System Update.  This does not mean an update is available; it will check for an update and download if there is one.  For now, say “No” to skip the update… you can perform your first System Update later, as described below.
• You will see the “Connection 1″ options screen.  At the top is “Use this connection”… click it.  This tells the Wii that this is the connection you want it to use.  (As you only have one connection, this step is not really necessary).

If this auto-detect method worked for you, you can now click “Back” a few times to return to the “Wii System Settings 2″ screen.  Skip past the next section to “Parental Controls“.

If auto-detect did not work, follow the steps described below.

Manual set up of wireless connection

One thing before starting, concerning non-broadcast SSID:

When I first got my Wii, in December 2006, I found I could not configure its WiFi connection with an SSID that was not broadcast by the wireless router.  I had to change the router to broadcast the SSID.

At the time I was not pleased to have to do this as it weakened my LAN security; I was using WEP which is very weak.   Since then I have switched from WEP to WPA so I am fairly happy to have the SSID broadcast.

In the meantime, there have been several Wii system updates so it is quite likely that this will have fixed the earlier SSID problem.  I haven’t tried it, though.

Begin by getting to the Connections screen, as described in the first two steps of the Auto-detect method.  Now follow these steps:

• Click the “Connection 1″ button, and then “Wireless Connection” and “Manual Setup”.
• Select “Wireless Connection” and enter the SSID of your wireless router, as noted at the start of this guide.  Click the right arrow to move to the next screen.
• The next screen is the “Type of Security”.  Select WEP or one of the WPA options (if unsure which WPA to use, try the first one).
• At the prompt, enter the security key for the wireless connection, as configured on the router.  Confirm this when prompted and click the right arrow for the next screen.
• On the “Auto-Obtain IP Address” screen, select “Yes” if your router (or another network device) is configured as a DHCP server.  If you are unsure, “Yes” is probably the correct answer here.  If you know that DHCP is not available on your network, select “No” and then use the “Advanced Settings” to enter the IP address details manually.  When done, click the right arrow for the next screen.
• On the “Auto-Obtain DNS” screen, select “Yes” and click the right arrow for the next screen.
• On the “Proxy Server” screen, select “Don’t Use” and click the right arrow for the final configuration screen.
• On the “MTU Value” screen, leave the value as 0  (that’s zero).
• Click the “Save” button and allow the Wii to test the connection as for the Auto-detect option, above.  The test takes about 15 seconds.
• If the connection test was successful, you may be asked to perform a System Update.  This does not mean an update is available; it will check for an update and download if there is one.  For now, say “No” to skip the update… you can perform your first System Update later, as described below.
• You will see the “Connection 1″ options screen.  At the top is “Use this connection”… click it.  This tells the Wii that this is the connection you want it to use.  (As you only have one connection, this step is not really necessary).

Parental Controls

If you have children that may use the Wii, and you have not enabled Parental Control, this may be a good time to do so.  This is done from the “Wii System Settings 2″ screen.

Your first System Update

The final thing to do, once you have a working Internet connection on the Wii, is to run a System Update.  I’ve had my Wii for about three years during which there must have been about five or six System Updates.  Since this is your first one, it may take a little longer than normal (whatever that is).

To run the System Update, here’s what you do:

• Find your way to the “Wii System Settings 3″ screen and select “Wii System Update”.
• Enter your Parental Controls PIN, if you have set this up.
• Confirm that the Wii can connect to the Internet.
• Confirm that you accept the conditions of the update.  If you decide not to go ahead at this time, your only way back from there is to follow the instructions in the message on screen.
• The Wii tests the connection and then starts the update.  It is very important that you do not turn off the Wii during the update, as doing so could leave it unable to operate and may have to be sent back to Nintendo for repair.
• Follow the instructions that are displayed on the Wii during the update and when it completes.

Next steps

Explore the Wii Shop channel

You’re now ready to take your Wii online.  If you’re in the UK, you may want to install the BBC iPlayer channel,  released 18 Nov 2009, available free from the Wii Shopping channel.  While you’re there, take a look at the other WiiWare software and the retro console titles.  You will need to buy some Wii points; these are available by credit card in the Wii shop.  There are some very high quality WiiWare titles… I recommend “World of Goo” and “Lost Winds”, but there are plenty of others to choose from.

Help your friends get their Wii online

If this guide has enabled you to get your Wii connected to the web, why not do the same for one or two of your friends?

Nintendo Europe are currently (Nov 2009) running a promotion called “Connection Ambassador” which allows you to earn Wii Shop points by helping friends get connected.  The helper and the “helpee” each receive 500 points, which is enough to buy a retro console game from the Wii Shop channel.  Or save your points and add them to some you’ve bought.

If this guide has  helped you, you can get your first 500 points straight away as a helpee.  Go to Wii Shop channel and register my Wii console number 5638 1842 7370 2477 as the helper.  Leave a reply here in my blog with your Wii number and I will register you as a helpee.  Both numbers must be registered within 30 days of each other, and then we both should receive 500 points from Nintendo.

Need to know how to find your Wii number?  It’s easy… follow these steps.

For full details of the Nintendo “Connection Ambassador” promo and how to register as a helpee or helper, follow this link.

And finally…

Please do let me have your comments on this guide.  I hope it has been useful.  Suggestions for improvements welcomed.  :-)