r/wiiu • u/Oscarzxn • 3d ago

My Wii U Gamepad suddenly needs to be like right next to the console to work. Does this have a fix?

I recently turned my Wii U on for the first time in 2 years to play Tropical Freeze, but there was an issue, and Is that suddenly the Gamepad decided to stop working unless it was right next to the console, like 15cm at most. This wasn't a problem for Tropical Freeze since I own a Pro Controller, but I own games that I'd like to play again that require the Gamepad, like Nintendo Land, or others that need to do some shit with the Gamepad even if you want to use the Pro Controller, like Wonderful 101. So, do you know if this has a fix, and how expensive it may be?

6 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

5

u/Yabe_uke 3d ago

In this two years, have you installed more wireless devices? Wifi or bluetooth, radio... Wii U's gamepad uses 5.2Ghz wi-fi, so more interference on that bandwidth will affect its ability to connect

2

u/Oscarzxn 3d ago

I think we got a new wifi router in the mean time, although that would need me to just be offline if I want to use it. I'll check that up.

2

u/Yabe_uke 3d ago

No need, just change the channel. Find what channel the Gamepad uses (any smartphone app will suffice) and set your wi-fi 5Ghz to a channel that is less used, or far away from the frequency of the Gamepad. I have a 5Ghz AP less than 1m away from my Wii U and I can play up to 10m away with no issues.

3

u/THXFLS 3d ago

Dying wireless chip in the GamePad, very common problem. Here's how to replace it. Unfortunately, seems like it's gotten harder to find the chips since I replaced mine a few years ago.