If you are facing several problems with your Wii controller, there are certain troubleshooting techniques that you can follow. This article includes some solutions that will help in tackling certain problems.
The Nintendo Wii is the largest selling video game console all around the world, and the new and upcoming trend of motion sensor gaming can be attributed to this marvelous device. Though the console has now fallen far behind (technology wise) to the Sony PlayStation Move and the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect, its worldwide sales figures of 85 million units are still impressive. Unfortunately, with more consoles sold, come more complaints, and Wii controller issues are some of the most common problems that people have reported.
The Wii controller, also known as the Wii Remote, is the primary device for playing Wii games and it is the ease with which the movement of this controller can be synchronized with the gaming avatar of the gamer that has opened up a new demographic of Wii gamers. Like all other pieces of technology, the Wii Remote is also not immune from certain problems from time to time, and it is only natural that certain cases will arise wherein the controller stops functioning the way it is supposed to.
About the Wii Controller
The Sensor Bar on the Nintendo Wii game console has certain LEDs which respond to the accelerometer and the infrared signals emitted by the Wii Remote. This enables the console to recognize all kinds of gestures made by the controller, and it also enables it to respond to certain button presses. The controller also contains an inbuilt speaker, Rumble (vibration) feedback and it connects to the console through Bluetooth technology. There are several other proprietary devices and Wii accessories that can also be synced with the controller for advanced gaming, and the most common device is the Wii Nunchuk which comes bundled with the Wii package itself.
While all this sounds impressive, it also means that there is a greater chance of the Wii controller experiencing problems. This is something that is to be expected in any electronic product, and now we will tell you how to solve certain problems associated to it.
Sync Problems
This is the most basic problem that people face with their Wii controllers. This implies that the cursor simply does not appear on the screen when the interface is open, or that the gamer is unable to replicate his gestures accurately on the screen. Here are some possible solutions.
- Press and hold the Sync button on the Wii console. This will re-sync the connection between the console and the controller. Next you must press the Sync button on the controller, and then immediately press the Sync button on the console once again.
- The next corrective measure that you can take is to check if the Sensor Bar is attached properly to the back of the console. Also ensure that there is no interference between the Sensor Bar and the controller, and this can be done by eliminating external heat, light or radio signals that may be causing the interference.
- Lastly you must wipe the pointer lens clean of any residue or fingerprints, as this may also be causing certain problems. This is the dark area near the Power button on the Wii Remote.
Battery Problems
Sometimes, Wii classic controller problems arise simply because the batteries inside the controller have worn out and have become weak. In such a scenario you need to simply replace the batteries. In case you are using rechargeable batteries, ensure that they are recharged properly and that you are using compatible batteries as well. Usually, two AA batteries are used inside the controller, and the company strongly discourages people from using rechargeable batteries. But if you must use rechargeable batteries, then you should stick to nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, and should strictly avoid lithium ion (Li-ion) and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries.
If certain problems persist, then you need to take the controller (and the console as well) to a repair store, whether it is an official Nintendo dealer, or a third party dealer. It is impossible to ascertain the real cause of the problem without scrutinizing the entire system.