I've actually been having similar issues. I would like to access home screen but am unable to as even when I click home twice then close from homebrew launcher it just goes back to homebrew launcher. On start-up there's no autobooting message.
Bought a Wii U off ebay and it has no gamepad or SD card. It has cbhc on it as when I turn it on I eventually get a "-3" if there is no SD card and a "-5" if I insert an SD card on it. Any suggestions on how I can access boot menu without a gamepad?
Edit: Nevermind. Got it to get to Homebrew...
Man we were gonna have a game night at my buddy's house but he wasn't feeling great so he canceled, which throws my dinner plans up into the air, so I guess it's time to order a pizza or something