Hardware Wii U black screen after update (no homebrew)

[snake7777]

Hi all,

I've tried to look for a solution to this everywhere but I haven't found any.

I have an EUR Wii U and after a long time without use, I turned it on again and I wanted to update to the last version. However, after some time updating, it got stuck at 52% so after some time I decided to shut the console down.

Now the tablet does not sync, the tv screen shows nothing and the console only shows the static blue led.

I've even tried by removing the battery but this did nothing.

Is there any way to restore it? It's Zelda's special edition and I would like to recover my game in there

Regards.

 

[Lostbhoy]

Sounds like the old "do not turn off your console when updating" issue, which you did I'm afraid.

You would need to contact Nintendo directly for a possible repair.... maybe cheaper to buy a second hand one though and in future.... Read the warnings!

 

[godreborn]

nintendo no longer repairs wii u's: https://en-americas-support.nintend...~/troubleshooting-your-wii-u-or-wii-u-gamepad

it would probably be cheaper just to buy another console anyway as I'm sure Nintendo would've charged at least $100. not enough about the wii u is known to send to anyone either as it sounds like it's a nand problem.

 

[snake7777]

Sounds like the old "do not turn off your console when updating" issue, which you did I'm afraid.

You would need to contact Nintendo directly for a possible repair.... maybe cheaper to buy a second hand one though and in future.... Read the warnings!

I think you're right. Clearing my mind, I believe this happened to me in the past but, by that time, I just let the stuck screen for several hours and after that I turned the console off. This time I was not that patient. I know about the warning, but what do you do when you are seeing the same screen for a long time? Do you stare at the screen forever?

However, I'm waiting for a ethernet device to try recover from this somehow. I read from someone saying that the console had something like a security system to recover from this kind of issue if it has internet connection.

I will let you know if I manage to solve it but I appreciate if anyone has any more ideas.

I thought Nintendo was not repairing anymore any Wii U consoles, but I will try talking with them.

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nintendo no longer repairs wii u's:

it would probably be cheaper just to buy another console anyway as I'm sure Nintendo would've charged at least $100. not enough about the wii u is known to send to anyone either as it sounds like it's a nand problem.

Yes, that's what I thought. I would like to recover mine since it's the Zelda's special edition. Although I hope at least the tablet still works paired with a different console.

I guess if I'm not able to fix it I will have to buy a second-hand console (I've been looking for new ones but I don't find any). I have a lot of games bought that I still want to play with.

 

[Lostbhoy]

Apologies, i didn't know they stopped repairing them.... Kinda sucks!

I know what you mean about the hanging and patience lol.... I do however think that the update can be left to run in the background while you still use the console and then install it manually when ready but I also get if the update is mandatory for your game to be played.... Again kinda sucks ro be made to wait that long.

I'm sure I had to update to the latest version and it did take a while but my internet connection also sucks so i just left it as it didn't affect anything else i needed to do at the time.

I do hope you can maybe find a work around and post back if you do for others! Fingers crossed for you man!

 

[godreborn]

it's doubtful that the tablet is bricked as well. every brick I've ever heard of -- just the console itself was the problem. I don't know if anything firmware-related is ever done to the tablet.

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there's no recovery menu unfortunately. the ps3 didn't even have a recovery menu 'til 2.50 iirc, so it's still kinda a new thing especially for when the wii u was released. slim ps3s came out with around 2.80 firmware, I believe, so it was a couple years at least into the ps3's lifespan. nintendo most likely has some sort of usb dongle to kick the system into diagnostics mode, so only they would be able to fix it. I got a bricked nand on my switch a couple years ago. it was legit, so I was able to get a replacement from Nintendo. they were unable to recover the saves though. who knows what they actually do with nand issue systems cuz the one I got back had a different serial number. it was still hackable though, but I don't plan to hack it. I was also able to download my games without contacting Nintendo. I assume they use your account info to transfer it over to the new system without needing the nand.

 

[snake7777]

I've got good and bad news.

Good news is I managed to get to the menu again with the ethernet adapater plugged in and by pressing for more than 15 seconds the power button (with the console turned off - red led). Somehow what I read about having inet connection was kind of true (or I was just lucky after trying a lot of times since yesterday).

Bad news is that games don't work. I tried running my wind waker game installed in the console memory and I get a 160-0103 memory error. If I try running my Hyrule Warriors game (disc game this time) I have to download updates and every time I try updating the system again, I always end up with a 162-4065 error. It downloads the update but after finishing the installation process I get that error.
I'm also trying to update only the firmware from the settings menu but I get always the same error again (I'm on 5.5.1E right now).

I've tried to delete wrong updates from the disk management tool. Besides, I've tried removing my old wifi connection and trying creating it again, but it also fail the update no matter if I use cable or wifi.

I don't know what else I can try from this point. I'm scared of trying to use the factory reset from the menu because I don't know if this can break forever my Wii U (and now that at least it is turning on that would be really awful). Besides, I don't know if this will solve anything and the firmware is not going to change even doing this.

Any help?

 

[godreborn]

hmm...updates are stored in a temporary folder. I think the app version is in the version.bin file, which can be modified, but I have no idea if that's the problem.

 

[snake7777]

hmm...updates are stored in a temporary folder. I think the app version is in the version.bin file, which can be modified, but I have no idea if that's the problem.

I don't know how to check that from the console. I saw one corrupted update after trying to update when I tryied running the Hyrule game. But after that, I do not see any other corrupted file in there. Every time I try to update the firmware it downloads the update again.

 

[Lostbhoy]

Wow! I've no idea how the ethernet trick worked but getting back into the menu is cool.

If it was my own console I'd be thinking I have two options. Mod it and try peeking around the nand with ftpiiu everywhere or bite the bullet and do a factory reset. In theory that should remove all traces of corrupted updates/firmware but i stress the 'in theory'!

I'm not telling you to do that as its your console, not mine! But I can't see any other options at this stage. I could be wrong!!

 

[jeannotte]

I've got good and bad news.

Good news is I managed to get to the menu again with the ethernet adapater plugged in and by pressing for more than 15 seconds the power button (with the console turned off - red led). Somehow what I read about having inet connection was kind of true (or I was just lucky after trying a lot of times since yesterday).

Bad news is that games don't work. I tried running my wind waker game installed in the console memory and I get a 160-0103 memory error. If I try running my Hyrule Warriors game (disc game this time) I have to download updates and every time I try updating the system again, I always end up with a 162-4065 error. It downloads the update but after finishing the installation process I get that error.
I'm also trying to update only the firmware from the settings menu but I get always the same error again (I'm on 5.5.1E right now).

I've tried to delete wrong updates from the disk management tool. Besides, I've tried removing my old wifi connection and trying creating it again, but it also fail the update no matter if I use cable or wifi.

I don't know what else I can try from this point. I'm scared of trying to use the factory reset from the menu because I don't know if this can break forever my Wii U (and now that at least it is turning on that would be really awful). Besides, I don't know if this will solve anything and the firmware is not going to change even doing this.

Any help?

Hello,

Unplug any external storage device, then try to update your console from settings.

These are just guesses:

Or delete games from "" data management "that you think won't start, or not working. Can everything be deleted from" data management "?

Try several solutions, to see the result.

 

[snake7777]

Wow! I've no idea how the ethernet trick worked but getting back into the menu is cool.

If it was my own console I'd be thinking I have two options. Mod it and try peeking around the nand with ftpiiu everywhere or bite the bullet and do a factory reset. In theory that should remove all traces of corrupted updates/firmware but i stress the 'in theory'!

I'm not telling you to do that as its your console, not mine! But I can't see any other options at this stage. I could be wrong!!

Yeah, me neither. I don't know if it was just the holding the power button longer than 15 because I saw later that you can configure the cable connection from the menu (and so I did later), but I read the ethernet device is supposed to work without any config at least in stand by so... I do not really know. I don't know if I can paste links with my account but here is where I saw that: (I apologize but I'm not allowed to paste links with my account. The threat is from gbatemp at /black-screen-of-death.538951)

I'm scared about the factory reset, not because I would lose saved data but more about the zelda I think it is not recoverable thorught eshop (it was pre-installed in the console with the pack I bought). Besides, I read sometime it may leave the console in a total brick on these situations so, I don't know what to think about it

Honestly, I never thought about modding the Wii U, indeed I do not have any other interest at all right now apart from trying to save it from this "semi-brick"??? state.

I would appreciate if any of you can guide me throught the steps I may follow now to solve it.

Just as a summary/reminder, I'm getting 162-4065 error when the update finish, or a 160-0103 memory error when I try playing the pre-installed game. I'm no able to play my cd copy of Hyrule Warrior because it says I have to install updates first and I am not able to do that. So, any help is really appreciated.

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Hello,

Unplug any external storage device, then try to update your console from settings.

These are just guesses:

Or delete games from "" data management "that you think won't start, or not working. Can everything be deleted from" data management "?

Try several solutions, to see the result.

I don't have any other external storage device plugged in so I don't think that's the problem. I also tried with other digital game I've got (101) and I also get 160-0103 memory error-

I don't think deleting these games will be the solution because all must be related to the nand somehow. I mean, if I was able to update the firmware but not playing games, then I would try to delete the games but this is not the case right now.

 

[Lostbhoy]

I'm not entirely sure that modding it may yield a result here now. Peeking round the nand won't tell you much unless you know exactly what your looking for and have a reference to go against.... Modding to a cfw could bypass your problem but I am really guessing at that.... It may not take it at all. Accessing homebrew launcher can be done with the browser exploit if you wanted to try ftping.

The more I do think, I keep returning to formatting the drive back to out the box state. I cant really see why it would brick but again it's your call man! You could also try moving your Zelda game and saves to an external usb device (even a usb stick as its only temporary) to preserve them and reinstall later. They could only be transferred back to that exact console however.

Not very helpful i know! Just trying to think out loud but options are very limited!

 

[snake7777]

I'm not entirely sure that modding it may yield a result here now. Peeking round the nand won't tell you much unless you know exactly what your looking for and have a reference to go against.... Modding to a cfw could bypass your problem but I am really guessing at that.... It may not take it at all. Accessing homebrew launcher can be done with the browser exploit if you wanted to try ftping.

The more I do think, I keep returning to formatting the drive back to out the box state. I cant really see why it would brick but again it's your call man! You could also try moving your Zelda game and saves to an external usb device (even a usb stick as its only temporary) to preserve them and reinstall later. They could only be transferred back to that exact console however.

Not very helpful i know! Just trying to think out loud but options are very limited!

No, please. I really appreciate your help.

I was also doing some research and I haven't found anyone in the same situation being able to fix it by modding the console. It seems to me that if I do not have a copy of the nand in a working state I don't havea anything to do. It is really sad that the only way to recover from failures is hacking the console previously. Really well played by Nintendo.

I tried to do more things like opening the mii editor or trying to create a new user for the console and both end up with the 160-0103 memory error (so the update error may be related to that failure in memory too). That's why I believe that trying to use the factory reset may break completely the console. Because maybe after that I'm not even able to acces the menu. However, I do not have any more options (provided by the console at least) I guess.

If modding is not an option to fix it, I guess I'll try that and if it doesn't work I'll have to call Nintendo to see if they still repair this or I'll have to buy a new one (second-hand really, I haven't found any place selling new ones). If Nintendo still repairs Wii U consoles it may be cheaper than buying another.

 

[snake7777]

Well... I'm updating here with last things I tried but to summarize, finally I tried to restore factory settings and now I'm not able to pass from the logo screen.

I tried first copying the games/saved data to a USB drive and first problem I had is I wasn't able to copy all the files. Some of them were throwing an error when copying from internal memory to USB, so I was only able to save some of my saved games. I also tried migrating data instead of copying, but the result for those games failing was the same. And I had to do it one by one because sometimes when trying to copy several files it was failing too.

I continued trying to look for any alternate method but I didn't find any, so I've tried today to perform the factory reset. That went well. However, after I configured the language, time and internet connection, it throwed the 160-0103 memory error. Now, everytime I turn on the console, after the logo, it is showing the error. I'm not even able to get through the menu.

I knew this would happen but I had to try since I didn't have any more options. I guess I will be giving a call to Nintendo to ask for help and if I do not find any I will have to buy a second hand unit.

 

[Lostbhoy]

I am sorry to hear that man. The problem obviously lies within the hardware then and this is what I would stress to Nintendo when making your call.

They make a system that can only be repaired by themselves and should not have failed within the time period you have owned it. I would then suggest they have a duty to repair it as you cannot and should not be made to buy another unit or buy their latest console and stress cash does not grow on trees..... Play the absolute victim which you are in this situation!!

I am sorry for your loss (sounds too dramatic but I'd be gutted if it were me) and i certainly hope they play ball here. Please keep us posted and I will keep my fingers crossed for you man.

 

[snake7777]

I am sorry to hear that man. The problem obviously lies within the hardware then and this is what I would stress to Nintendo when making your call.

They make a system that can only be repaired by themselves and should not have failed within the time period you have owned it. I would then suggest they have a duty to repair it as you cannot and should not be made to buy another unit or buy their latest console and stress cash does not grow on trees..... Play the absolute victim which you are in this situation!!

I am sorry for your loss (sounds too dramatic but I'd be gutted if it were me) and i certainly hope they play ball here. Please keep us posted and I will keep my fingers crossed for you man.

It's ok. I didn't have any more options so... But, yes. It's a shame that only they can fix it but even worse that the problem is generated by them too (because at the end I do not have any more options than turning off once the console is stuck).

I called Nintendo today and they will pick my console up. They said to me that for a full recognition of the problem they usually ask for the console to be sent along with the tablet. However, I asked to send only the console since I don't want to lose the Zelda's edition tablet (it could be damaged because of the shipping or maybe they don't return me the same edition). I told them the problem is in the console but not the tablet and they agreed with sending only the console. I just hope the technicians don't refuse the repair just because I only sent the console. I hope there isn't any trouble with the tablet too. I don't think so, but since I'm not sending it I guess I will have to wait to really know.

What I was not able to confirm is if I will have to pay for the repair. I told them it is really their fault but they told me that because the warranty period is expired, it will be the technicians who decide how much I will have to pay for or if it is for free. In any case, I asked about the maximum cost of this kind of repair (usually at least) and it is supposed to be less than what it will cost a second hand unit so, I guess it is the best option after all even I have to pay for it.

I will let you know in a few days once I have more info.

 

[snake7777]

Hi all,

Well. I know i'ts been a long time since the last time I replied, but Nintendo support has been slow as hell.

To summarize a bit, I had a lot of problems with the shipping company and I had to call Nintendo quite a lot of times. At the 4th try they picked my console up for sending it to Nintendo. Nintendo did a horrible job there too, I had to call after three weeks because they didn't notify me that they already had the technical review done. And after all, I had to pay for a "new" console (reburfished) 105.77€. I paid because it still cheaper for me than buying a second-hand unit and at least Nintendo gives you 2 a year warranty period so... They also gave me for free as a gift (because of how the behaved??? idk) a Wii Remote Rapid Charging Set. At least they were nice...

This update is just to let you all know how this finished and that you better don't try formatting the console if you don't want to lose all saved game like I did...

PS: There has been a lot since I played for the last time and I didn't remember the Wii U was that noisy. I believe it is because of the disc drive always spinning even when you are not playing the game but... I guess that is normal and I can't do anything about it. PS4, in example, is really a nightmare in comparison

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Hi all,

Well. I know i'ts been a long time since the last time I replied, but Nintendo support has been slow as hell (I received the console two weeks ago).

To summarize a bit, I had a lot of problems with the shipping company and I had to call Nintendo quite a lot of times. At the 4th try they picked my console up for sending it to Nintendo. Nintendo did a horrible job there too, I had to call after three weeks because they didn't notify me that they already had the technical review done. And after all, I had to pay for a "new" console (reburfished) 105.77€. I paid because it still cheaper for me than buying a second-hand unit and at least Nintendo gives you 2 a year warranty period so... They also gave me for free as a gift (because of how the behaved??? idk) a Wii Remote Rapid Charging Set. At least they were nice...

This update is just to let you all know how this finished and that you better don't try formatting the console if you don't want to lose all saved game like I did...

PS: There has been a lot since I played for the last time and I didn't remember the Wii U was that noisy. I believe it is because of the disc drive always spinning even when you are not playing the game but... I guess that is normal and I can't do anything about it. PS4, in example, is really a nightmare in comparison

 

[Lostbhoy]

Hey man! I'm glad you finally got it all sorted! Shame they could not salvage your save data though.

As you say, the price is not bad since they are giving you a 2 year warranty with this one and the rapid charging set is a nice touch... I'd have pushed for more lol

The disc spinning is stupid, if there is no disc it should not spin imo but just another one of Nintendos eccentricities. My own one makes a slight click noise but i always have a disc inserted. I certainly hope the noise from your 'new' one isn't a sign of a problem down the road with it as it's a refurbished unit..... 50/50 whether it'll be a problem or not but at least your covered by the warranty. Maybe send them an email mentioning it so they cannot play the blame game later incase you need to claim the warranty later on..... I will hope it doesn't cause any further inconvenience for you though!

Glad to hear your back among the games now and look at it this way.... You get to enjoy your games all over again from the start to build up your saves again lol (trying to put a positive spin on it!!) Now get it all updated before the fun begins and we'll see you back here when you want to mod it

 

[snake7777]

Hey man! I'm glad you finally got it all sorted! Shame they could not salvage your save data though.

As you say, the price is not bad since they are giving you a 2 year warranty with this one and the rapid charging set is a nice touch... I'd have pushed for more lol

The disc spinning is stupid, if there is no disc it should not spin imo but just another one of Nintendos eccentricities. My own one makes a slight click noise but i always have a disc inserted. I certainly hope the noise from your 'new' one isn't a sign of a problem down the road with it as it's a refurbished unit..... 50/50 whether it'll be a problem or not but at least your covered by the warranty. Maybe send them an email mentioning it so they cannot play the blame game later incase you need to claim the warranty later on..... I will hope it doesn't cause any further inconvenience for you though!

Glad to hear your back among the games now and look at it this way.... You get to enjoy your games all over again from the start to build up your saves again lol (trying to put a positive spin on it!!) Now get it all updated before the fun begins and we'll see you back here when you want to mod it

Well, yes I'll have to enjoy playing the games from the beggining again lol (let's keep us positive as you said)

I may have explained it wrong. The noise comes only when the disc is inserted (no matter if you are playing or at the menu screen). It is quite silent when there isn't any disc. It is just I have both the console and the TV so close to me and the Wii U makes a lot of noise when playing from disc so I have to volume up the TV more that I would like to (maybe not quite a lot, you know, it depends of the person). I would like to think that's normal but I do not remember how it was before. I guess I'll have to get used to (as I said PS4 is terrible for me. I have to used headphones )

I've been thinking about "modding" it. But, I'm to lazy to start learning how to do that The real interest I've got on it right now is to be able to recover from another brick like the one I had by making a backup of the NAND. But, I hope it doesn't break again, at least for a long time. I wouldn't like to have to send it again to Nintendo even if it still on warranty