Hacking How to block updates for my Wii U, while still being able to use internet on it.

[Irastris]

Hello, newcomer to GBAtemp and Wii U homebrewing, and I'm looking to block out updates on my Wii U, while still being able to use the internet browser.

My router sadly isn't supported by DD-WRT, and the factory firmware it comes with doesn't have an IP blacklist, so I can't filter the domains directly on the router.

I've heard something about OpenDNS, but I'm unsure about how to set that up with a Wii U.

Worst case scenario, I can just completely take it offline, I just wanted to keep the convenience of being able to check guides during gameplay and a few other things.

Thanks to any kind users willing to work with me around my noobiness.

 

[bache]

OpenDNS is relatively easy. You make an account, add IP addresses to the blacklist through their website, and then go into the connection settings on your Wii U, and change DNS to not auto-obtain, but instead use the two OpenDNS addresses.
If your internet connection has a dynamic IP, you'll need to run their software on your computer so that they always have your new IP on hand.

 

[Irastris]

OpenDNS is relatively easy. You make an account, add IP addresses to the blacklist through their website, and then go into the connection settings on your Wii U, and change DNS to not auto-obtain, but instead use the two OpenDNS addresses.
If your internet connection has a dynamic IP, you'll need to run their software on your computer so that they always have your new IP on hand.

Thanks for your help! That would seem to have worked, getting the software installed currently so I'll comeback in 10 minutes or so if my Wii U is still online.

 

[bache]

Thanks for your help! That would seem to have worked, getting the software installed currently so I'll comeback in 10 minutes or so if my Wii U is still online.

No worries . It can apparently take up to 3 minutes for your changes with OpenDNS servers to sync, so you might want to wait a few minutes before testing the system update on the Wii U.

 

[OuahOuah]

Great tuto used : https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-blocking-wiiu-update-domains-with-opendns.386110/

But you will not be able to update games though, like MK8

I suggest you make 2 connections in your Wii U settings :
- one with DNS from OpenDNS
- one with auto-obtain DNS

Make the OpenDNS one as default and change to the "normal one" just when you want to update a game, then back to OpenDNS one.

Works great for me

 

[Irastris]

Great tuto used : https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-blocking-wiiu-update-domains-with-opendns.386110/

But you will not be able to update games though, like MK8

I suggest you make 2 connections in your Wii U settings :
- one with DNS from OpenDNS
- one with auto-obtain DNS

Make the OpenDNS one as default and change to the "normal one" just when you want to update a game, then back to OpenDNS one.

Works great for me

I'm confused, whenever I were to switch over to the normal connection, wouldn't that give the Wii U an opportunity to update the system firmware? Or is that not how that works?

 

[Irastris]

No worries . It can apparently take up to 3 minutes for your changes with OpenDNS servers to sync, so you might want to wait a few minutes before testing the system update on the Wii U.

Huzzah! System Update produced an error when I ran the check, while the browser still works fine. Thanks for your help!

 

[OuahOuah]

Just change when you want to update a game. Never change to play online.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

I'm confused, whenever I were to switch over to the normal connection, wouldn't that give the Wii U an opportunity to update the system firmware? Or is that not how that works?

Yes, it would, but the Wii U appears to only try to download updates when it goes into standby, so as long as you change it back to the connection with OpenDNS settings applied before you turn the console off you'll be fine.

Edit: Also, OuahOuah's link to the tutorial seems to be broken, so here

 

[Irastris]

Yes, it would, but the Wii U appears to only try to download updates when it goes into standby, so as long as you change it back to the connection with OpenDNS settings applied before you turn the console off you'll be fine.

Edit: Also, OuahOuah's link to the tutorial seems to be broken, so here

Ah, I see, thank you for the info! I guess I'll set it up OuahOuah's way now.

 

[Slartibartfast42]

You know that when an update comes out, the Wii U will refuse to let you launch your games until you update, if it has any internet access. When that happens you will have to either update, or block it completely from the internet.

 

[Irastris]

You know that when an update comes out, the Wii U will refuse to let you launch your games until you update, if it has any internet access. When that happens you will have to either update, or block it completely from the internet.

At the moment, I don't even have any games for the Wii U, so that won't be a bother yet.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

You know that when an update comes out, the Wii U will refuse to let you launch your games until you update, if it has any internet access. When that happens you will have to either update, or block it completely from the internet.

What? I thought it was just online mode

 

[OuahOuah]

You know that when an update comes out, the Wii U will refuse to let you launch your games until you update, if it has any internet access. When that happens you will have to either update, or block it completely from the internet.

Wrong.

Yesterday, as my Wii U was blocked, I launched MK8 even when it tolds me : there is an update for the game (4.1 update for MK8 = 200cc + mirror mode).

I played MK8 then changed the connection to remove OpenDNS settings, then launched again MK8, updated then blocked Internet settings the OpenDNS way.

 

[Irastris]

Wrong.

Yesterday, as my Wii U was blocked, I launched MK8 even when it tolds me : there is an update for the game (4.1 update for MK8 = 200cc + mirror mode).

I played MK8 then changed the connection to remove OpenDNS settings, then launched again MK8, updated then blocked Internet settings the OpenDNS way.

Thank you for clarifying that, I was confused if I'd even be able to play games now since I want to be prepared for homebrew in the future. Had me worried since I had just ordered DKC Tropical Freeze.

 

[OuahOuah]

Ok.
DKC needs firm. 4.0 so just update your Wii U if you want, launche the game, update it if needed, then quit game and use OpenDNS connection

GG

 

[Irastris]

Ok.
DKC needs firm. 4.0 so just update your Wii U if you want, launche the game, update it if needed, then quit game and use OpenDNS connection

GG

My system came with 5.3.2 (bought it used, previous owner had updated it), but thanks anyway!

 

[Slartibartfast42]

At the moment, I don't even have any games for the Wii U, so that won't be a bother yet.

Why would you buy a Wii U without games? The main purpose of the Wii U is to play Mario Kart and Smash, and those require up to date systems.

 

[Slartibartfast42]

Wrong.

Yesterday, as my Wii U was blocked, I launched MK8 even when it tolds me : there is an update for the game (4.1 update for MK8 = 200cc + mirror mode).

I played MK8 then changed the connection to remove OpenDNS settings, then launched again MK8, updated then blocked Internet settings the OpenDNS way.

That's for the game, not the System Menu. If you let the Wii U sign into the Nintendo Network and there is a new System Menu, it doesn't really let you launch your games.

 

[Irastris]

Why would you buy a Wii U without games? The main purpose of the Wii U is to play Mario Kart and Smash, and those require up to date systems.

This was only a few days ago, 'hence why it's already on 5.3.2, and why I don't have any games yet. DKC Tropical Freeze is on it's way though.