Hardware Gamepad randomly turning itself on

[vassildador]

Hello everyone,

So I've had a Wii U since october 2013 (Wind Waker bundle) but the past couple of weeks something strange has been going on, and I can't seem to pinpoint the cause.

At seemingly random times the gamepad turns itself on and displays a message about not being able to detect the Wii U system. At first I thought this could be caused by interference of some sorts, as did Google, so I turned off the power for all the electronic devices in the room (PC, TV, Wii U, speakers and other consoles) before I went to bed. Later that night it happened again and it woke me up cause I forgot to turn the sound of the gamepad off

Has anyone had any similar issues and/or ideas of how to fix this?

 

[calmwaters]

Are you sure the tablet isn't just in sleep mode? I would turn it off, then turn the console off, and then see if the tablet wakes up after a while.

 

[vassildador]

Are you sure the tablet isn't just in sleep mode? I would turn it off, then turn the console off, and then see if the tablet wakes up after a while.

Can you even put the tablet in sleep mode when the console is powered down (actually unplugged) :o?

 

[calmwaters]

Can you even put the tablet in sleep mode when the console is powered down (actually unplugged) :o?

I don't have one yet (wish I did). I was thinking more along the lines of, the Wii displays a message saying communications with the remote have been disconnected; please reconnect. But maybe the opposite is happening with the tablet/console: the console turns off or something and the tablet gives you this message.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

Can you even put the tablet in sleep mode when the console is powered down (actually unplugged) :o?

First, it's not a tablet it's Wii U's GamePad, and second, you can turn off the screen by going to the settings but you'd then need an additional controller to use the on-screen menus/game.

A tablet is something that works without the need of another device which the GamePad can't except for basic TV use.

 

[vassildador]

First, it's not a tablet it's Wii U's GamePad, and second, you can turn off the screen by going to the settings but you'd then need an additional controller to use the on-screen menus/game.

A tablet is something that works without the need of another device which the GamePad can't except for basic TV use.

I don't want to be a dick, but did you even read what you quoted? It seems you only replied to point out a debatable mistake in my terminology. I'll refrain from making an equally "constructive" post to point out your grammatical/punctuational errors as I'd rather not ruin my own thread.

I know it's possible to turn off the GamePad's screen when the console is on. I clearly stated that the console is off. As far as I'm aware there is no way of keeping the GamePad on when the console is off (outside of TV mode).

When I have some more time I'll see if I can provide some proof that this is actually happening

 

[Elusivo]

The gamepad's wifi is always on as long as it has battery charge, whether the wiiu is on or off, so either some wireless signal is interfering with the gamepad or it's faulty. Maybe try to get a friend's gamepad to test or resynch the gamepad to the wiiu...

 

[loco365]

If that's not the reason, you may want to invest in an exorcist. The Wii U gamepad shouldn't be turning itself on unless there's something wrong with one of your buttons.

 

[vassildador]

WiFi interference sounds quite possible, as my phone is constantly connected I'll try capturing it this weekend to give you guys an idea.

Edit: unfortunately due to the randomness of the problem I was unable to record it I let my phone record video for about 5 hours in which it did not occur. Of course, as soon as I went to bed and fell asleep I woke to an incredibly bright and noisy Wii U gamepad .... I think it's watching me sleep

 

[tbgtbg]

Keep a screwdriver near the thing and open it up and disconnect the battery when not in use. That's what I do (but just to conserve the battery, not because mine is haunted).

 

[vassildador]

Apparently it doesn't occur when the gamepad cradle is still powered with the Wii U gamepad in it. This makes less sense by the day
Perhaps the new update will fix it as it seems they've changed some Wii U <-> Gamepad communication stuff in standby. I'll give it a try tonight ^^