Wii U/3DS General FAQ

[Flop]

Sometimes the board gets clogged up with threads inquiring how to this or how to do that. I've decided to attempt keeping things more organized by making a thread dedicated to answering your questions about the main two current Nintendo devices, their applications, and to provide accurate information with minimal misconceptions.

If you have any questions about troubleshooting, feel free to post them here. If you have any tips/solutions to any potential problems that anyone can run in to, please contribute to the thread. I guess I'm hoping this thread will be by the people of TBT, for the people of TBT. This may be completely unnecessary, but I'm going to see how it goes. Hit the thread up with any concerns or helpful (and relevant) information you may have!
(No, the thread won't always be ugly!)

Relevant discussion is allowed, but please keep it to a minimum, thanks!

Wii U​

Spoiler: Starting up for the first time

Spoiler: System will not connect to internet

Make sure your system has the current version to date. If the system is unable to update through the System Settings (gives error message halfway through), try starting a game in the Wii U menu. You will be prompted to update to the current version.

Spoiler: Unable to register Nintendo Network ID

Be sure to include correct information when signing up for a Nintendo Network account. If one already exists on your 3DS system, you should be able to link it to that and pair the two devices together. If you are unable to register for Nintendo Network, check to see if you have requested a valid, unused username. If the Wii U prompts you to update the system prior to creating a Nintendo Network account, go to System Settings and click on "Update to Latest System Version." If that does not work, consult the spoiler above.

Spoiler: System does not show display on the television

Be sure to check your TV connection type. If your system is connected via HDMI, ensure that both sides are firmly plugged into the TV console and check the correct "Input" on the television. If you have a wired cable box, that may accomodate "Input 1," so you may need to plug the HDMI cable in to "Input 2," where the display should be shown on the television. If you are connected via the original Wii AV cable (not included), be sure that the TV resolution is set 480p (Standard Definition) in the System Settings.

Spoiler: LED indicators

Spoiler: Wii U console

Red- The Wii U restricts all wireless communication while the power is off. Data will not be received.
Yellow- The Wii U is in Standby Mode. This enables the system to check for internet connectivity and automatically download any updates even if the power is off. If you do not want this feature, disable it in the System Settings.The features of Standby mode include:
-Processing downloads in Data Management such as updates, software patches, and add-on content.
-Periodically connecting to the internet automatically to check for SpotPass data and/or updates
-Installing completed downloads automatically.

The Wii U console will display an orange LED and power on any connected USB storage devices while performing these functions.

Spoiler: Wii U GamePad

Orange- Wii U GamePad is charging.
Blinking Red- Wii U GamePad has a very low battery. Charge ASAP.
Blinking Blue- You have received a notification from either an application or Nintendo (if you have enabled promotion notifications on your Wii U).

Spoiler: Unable to access Wii U eShop

Check your internet connection. Does your browser work? Yes? Are you still unable to access the eShop? Chances are they are conducting one of the (very frequent) updates. Chances are nothing is wrong with your console. If all else fails, make sure that your console is up to date on the latest version. The problem is very likely to be temporary.

Spoiler: How do I mod my console?

I'll avoid the technicalities. Just don't. You'll void your warrenty and run the risk of bricking your console permanently.

3DS​

Spoiler: Error code 018-0512

If you have been cursed with this unfortunate plague of an error, you may be out of luck. Nintendo has announced that it is unable to provide an effective fix to the problem. If you have played ACNL online problem-free for a long time and are experiencing this code for the first time, chances are you can fix it with just a few configurations. Some basic tips to consider:
-Make sure the console and software are up to date with the latest patches.
Make sure your WiFi switch is ON.
-Turn off other internet-enabled devices that take up bandwith.
-Disable your router's firewall. They often block unnecessary network traffic.
-Try turning it off and on again. Age old method. Doesn't hurt to try, now does it?

Find Nintendo's Error Code lookup HERE!

 

[nard]

Hell ye. We needed this to be honest.


Yesterday when I was playing Hyrule Warriors, my Wii U Gamepad screen turned black and started making a weird noise. The noise stopped and then I had to unplug the Wii U and plug it back in. After that, it worked fine.


Should I be concerned?

 

[Flop]

Hell ye. We needed this to be honest.


Yesterday when I was playing Hyrule Warriors, my Wii U Gamepad screen turned black and started making a weird noise. The noise stopped and then I had to unplug the Wii U and plug it back in. After that, it worked fine.


Should I be concerned?

Were there any obstructions that may have interfered with the connection such as a blanket? With one of the last updates, the GamePad was given capabilities that enabled it to give an alert to the player at any time. Have you checked in the System Settings to see if the volume on alerts was turned down?

 

[DoctorGallifrey]

While playing Animal Crossing on Friday my touch screen flashed, this is the first time that I ever noticed it to happen, and I was somewhat concerned about it considering my 3DS is fairly new (about a year old) and I don't know if this is a normal thing for it to do. I haven't noticed it today or yesterday, but I would like to know if I should be worried about it happening later on down the road, and what I need to do to solve the issue to prevent it from happening anymore.

 

[Flop]

While playing Animal Crossing on Friday my touch screen flashed, this is the first time that I ever noticed it to happen, and I was somewhat concerned about it considering my 3DS is fairly new (about a year old) and I don't know if this is a normal thing for it to do. I haven't noticed it today or yesterday, but I would like to know if I should be worried about it happening later on down the road, and what I need to do to solve the issue to prevent it from happening anymore.

Are you using 3D mode? Many people have reported that sometimes the screen flickers when they switch to 3D mode on their 3DS system. Unless it is a persistent issue, I would not worry about it.

 

[n64king]

On the WiiU, any idea why the Yellow light comes on so often for me or everyone now? It never use to, I plugged in a hard drive and every so often it comes on after I've not turned it on and it's doing something and looking in the hard drive, because the HD light flashes too. I asked once and people said it's doing the Start Menu or they're doing an update, but that couldn't be the case since it'll do it maybe 3 or 4 times a day and it won't be after I have just turned off the console (which would imply it preparing the start menu) and there's not an update that many times, I don't get any notifs about updates or even when opening a game (which I play many of them still) there's no mention of updates so I'm thinking it can't be that. It's not causing any issues, so I'm just wondering if it's Nintendo looking at something and if so why. Or if it keeps connecting to the internet to check something for some reason? I can't even say. I've interrupted it by turning it on in the middle of the Yellow and it doesn't effect it. Mystery?

 

[oranges_ate_you]

My 3DS flashed yellow one time in the main led not the side led and we never found out what that was. Any idea?

 

[n64king]

My 3DS flashed yellow one time in the main led not the side led and we never found out what that was. Any idea?

That's weird. One time my friend had his flash white and no one could tell us what that was either, but we did have a couple others in another Nintendo forum saying they also had a white flash one time. Just once. Never happened again and nothing appeared to have changed.
We all got told that was impossible because the LED can't turn white, implying it's only Red Green Blue, but if it's a multicolor LED it could have been a glitch and it tried to do another color but came out white/yellow/other.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Also when looking at the 3DS official specs, there are no mentions of any white or yellow LED flashes being possible from the main LED. So it's likely a glitch.

 

[Flop]

On the WiiU, any idea why the Yellow light comes on so often for me or everyone now? It never use to, I plugged in a hard drive and every so often it comes on after I've not turned it on and it's doing something and looking in the hard drive, because the HD light flashes too. I asked once and people said it's doing the Start Menu or they're doing an update, but that couldn't be the case since it'll do it maybe 3 or 4 times a day and it won't be after I have just turned off the console (which would imply it preparing the start menu) and there's not an update that many times, I don't get any notifs about updates or even when opening a game (which I play many of them still) there's no mention of updates so I'm thinking it can't be that. It's not causing any issues, so I'm just wondering if it's Nintendo looking at something and if so why. Or if it keeps connecting to the internet to check something for some reason? I can't even say. I've interrupted it by turning it on in the middle of the Yellow and it doesn't effect it. Mystery?

Are you talking about the yellow LED light on the console or on the GamePad?

 

[n64king]

Are you talking about the yellow LED light on the console or on the GamePad?

On the console. Sorry I forgot there's more than one haha

 

[Flop]

On the console. Sorry I forgot there's more than one haha

Updated. Does that answer your problem or not? Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Cress]

When I was playing Hyrule Warriors today, after Zelda did her victory animation, the screen went black and didn't load the results screen. I waited for maybe 2 minutes before unplugging it and plugging it in again. I wasn't really concerned other than it didn't save the progress for the match. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[n64king]

Updated. Does that answer your problem or not? Thanks for the feedback!

Yes it does! That's the specific thing I needed, I wasn't sure if it was connecting to the internet and if it was why, but it's obviously checking for spotpass, updates and maybe the time haha Which would explain why it's looking into the external hd to see if it needs updates.

 

[Flop]

When I was playing Hyrule Warriors today, after Zelda did her victory animation, the screen went black and didn't load the results screen. I waited for maybe 2 minutes before unplugging it and plugging it in again. I wasn't really concerned other than it didn't save the progress for the match. Anyone else had this problem?

Sounds like it's a minor glitch with the game rather than the console. The newest update for it may have caused it. Unless it's a recurring issue, I wouldn't worry. Let me know if it happens again though

- - - Post Merge - - -

Yes it does! That's the specific thing I needed, I wasn't sure if it was connecting to the internet and if it was why, but it's obviously checking for spotpass, updates and maybe the time haha Which would explain why it's looking into the external hd to see if it needs updates.

Glad I could help! Anything like that only helps this thread become more useful.