Hardware My WiiU 32GB premium console makes a grinding buzz noise on first startup for about 2mins

[UranusKiller]

It's done it ever since I bought it from new last December. So I am out of warranty by a month now. Iv'e probably only ever turned it on about 15 times in that whole year.

It occurs during cold startups, if I leave console on for a while, turn it off for about 15mins, it wont make the terrible noise.

I'm sure it's coming from the fan, perhaps a bad bearing, and takes a while to smooth out.

Anyone else had the issue before?

 

[The Real Jdbye]

It's not just the disc drive looking for a disc is it? That makes a pretty loud buzz, although it shouldn't last for several minutes.

 

[UranusKiller]

It's not just the disc drive looking for a disc is it? That makes a pretty loud buzz, although it shouldn't last for several minutes.

No, does it with or without a disc, the disc drive bootup without a disc sounds the same as the Wii, which sounds good. This is a horrible gurgling grindy noise, like the fan isn't center until several thousand rpm's have forced it into a correct sitting.



27 seconds in it smooths out to normal because I already switched her on/off a few times. I will do a better video from cold start in the morning.

It doesn't sound as bad as that, but it's audible from me sitting 10feet or so away if no disc is in until it stops!

 

[UranusKiller]

Ahh it sounds exactly like 0:07 tone in this fellas fan problem video.



Grrrr....

 

[shinkodachi]

I wonder if something has got clogged up in the fan and if canned air will fix it?

 

[UranusKiller]

I wonder if something has got clogged up in the fan and if canned air will fix it?

Been like it since first bought from new. Iv'e only switched her on about 20 times in just over a year lol.

 

[shinkodachi]

Been like it since first bought from new. Iv'e only switched her on about 20 times in just over a year lol.

Don't Nintendo products have 2 years warranty? If so, I'd claim warranty and see if the unit could be replaced/repaired.

 

[UranusKiller]

Don't Nintendo products have 2 years warranty? If so, I'd claim warranty and see if the unit could be replaced/repaired.

1 Year in the UK :| .... but they have been given a big email and i'll call them tomorrow.

 

[shinkodachi]

You have 6 years (Sale of Goods Act, I believe) for making a claim according to your statutory rights. Elsewhere in EU it's 2 years minimum. Good luck!

 

[sideskroll]

Ahh it sounds exactly like 0:07 tone in this fellas fan problem video.



Grrrr....

Those are the fan bearings. 100% sure.
You have 2 (well, 3 if you still have warranty) options
1- Take it to a repair shop.
2- Disassemble the console case, dismount the fan, take off the bearings, submerge them in solvent (90% isopropyl alcohol would be fine) and relube them with grease (no "oil" but grease. Multipurpose/gears grease). That should fix it.
It sounds much more difficult than it is actually. But if you're not confident enough doing that kind of stuff I would recommend you take it to a shop.