Warning

This tutorial is only for advanced users and has a serious risk of bricking the console. Make sure you read it completely before executing any step and that you understand every step and its implications. With de_Fuse everything should be unbrickable if you know how.

You should at least have a backup of SLC and SLCCMPT, as we can’t rebuild them at the moment. (can be done in minute_minute, so there is no excuse). We had two cases where the SLC corrupted for an unknown reason, so a backup is essential.

What is this for?

This tutorial goes into rebuilding the MLC from scratch on a clean media. This can become useful, if

• the MLC (eMMC) chip died or corrupted the filesystem
• the SCFM (SLC cache for MLC) became inconsistent
• you want to upgrade the capacity of the internal storage.
• you want to set up a redNAND without SCFM

If you have a bad eMMC chip, but the recovery still works (which is most likely), then there are also ways to fix it without a complete reformat.
If the LED is blinking blue, you have a SLC problem and not a MLC problem, so this tutorial won't help with that.

It will format your MLC, so all data on the internal Wii U memory will be lost.

Update

13.03.2024 - The wafel_setup_mlc.ipx now uses a built in IOSU function to create system folders, that should make sure the permissions are right, which caused problems with game updates in the past. It will also recreate the update folder (so system updates won't be blocked by that)

Prerequisites

• Have either ISFShax installed: https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-set-up-isfshax.642258/#post-10280366
  OR de_Fuse 0.7.1 (or later): https://github.com/shinyquagsire23/wii_u_modchip/releases
  Defuse requires some soldering, so ISFShax is probably right for you (if you can still launch the installer).
• A 5.5.x firmware is expected and the only configuration tested. It might work on older firmwares or might be adoptable to those, but it will require special care.

Backing up save games

Do a backup of what you want to preserve, like savegames and Miis.
For Backing up Save games, it is recommended to use SaveMii. That requires that you have Tiramisu or Aroma running.
You can also move your savgames (or whole games) to USB, which should still be readable. When recreating the users after the rebuild, you just have to be carefull to create the users in the right order, to make the ID’s match. A backup by other means (Like savemii) is still recommended.
If you are using this tutorial to fix a failing eMMC you might not be able to use the other Backup options. In that case use the Dump MLC option in the Recovery. You can extract your data from there using wfs-extract.

Storage Options

The Wii U has two ways of connecting internal memory, each with its own drawbacks:

• SDIO – On retail consoles the internal memory is a eMMC chip connected through an internal SDIO bus to the Latte chip. This SDIO bus can also use SD cards (hence the name SD IO). Access to media connected on the SDIO is cached through a file on the SLC, presumably to reduce writes on the MLC. This cache is called SCFM and it is the reason why you always need to backup / restore SLC and MLC together and doesn’t allow easy swapping of multiple SDs.
  IOSU also only supports 3 sizes of media on this bus: <=8GB, 32GB and 64GB. The size will be limited to the biggest it fits, the rest is unusable. This bus is limited to 26MB/s (4bit@52Mhz). For replacing the eMMC with an micro SD you can use MLC2SD or a similar Interposer. Soldering and micro SD adapter using wires, works too.
  It is recommended to use a 64GB Sandisk Max Endurance card (But similar card should also be fine), since the Wii U is known for writing much.
  
  
• SATA – The Disc drive is connected through SATA, the connectors are different but the electrical signals are still the same. Some Kiosk consoles used this Interface to connect to a HDD. The type of the SATA device can be configured in the SEEPROM, so we can configure our retail consoles to also use a SATA HDD / SSD.
  NOTE: @QuarkTheAwesome is building an SATA adapter for that purpose, available soon™.
  
  The advantage of using this interface is, that the size isn’t limited (well WFS is limited to 2TB) and it doesn’t use SCFM, which makes some things easier and improves performance in some circumstances. The obvious disadvantage is that you can’t use your disc drive anymore. Without the Disc Drive vWii System Menu doesn't work. vWii Injectes / Wii VC from the eShop can still be used, but only when installed to USB. Also you still might need to disable the MLC on the SDIO bus, or else the wii u might still use the SDIO one if the SATA device takes too long to init.
  
  
• redNAND – redirects the read / writes to one or more of the internal storage devices to paritions on the SD card. You can create an arbitrary size MLC partition on the SD card and set it up using this tutorial. SCFM can be easily disabled for the redNAND. The 64GB limit does not exist for redNAND if the SCFM is disabled. For redNAND we have a dedicated Tutorial here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/fixing-...-soldering-using-rednand-with-isfshax.642268/

Does that mean we can’t get more than 64GB on the SDIO bus? No, BUT it requires ISFShax / defuse to boot the console every time. @GaryOderNichts created a patch to remove the limits and always use the maximum size of the SDIO media and it also disables SCFM, because SCFM doesn’t work with more than 64GB and disabling SCFM improves performance and reduces wear on the SLC, at the cost of increasing wear of the MLC media. I packaged this patch in wafel_unlimit_mlc.

Rebuilding the MLC

Now that you decided what media you want to use as MLC, we can start with the actual process:

1. Download all the mlc system titles for your region from NUS. This can be done conveniently with MLCRestorerDownloader by @Xpl0itU. Copy the otp.bin from the SD to the folder with the MLCRestorer Downloader so it can get the common key from there.
   
   You will get the output/MLC/{region} directory, which then contains a directory for each title. In total there should be 52 titles totaling ~1.1GiB.
   
   If your console has an old firmware it might also be necessary to get the latest SLC titles.
   
   
2. On the root of your SD card (the one that will go in the front slot, not the MLC replacement) create a folder wafel_install. Then copy all 52 titles to the wafel_install folder, so it now contains the 52 subfolders, one for each title. If you want to reinstall / update SLC titles, you would also put them there.
   
   
3. Attach your MLC media of choice. (If you are using SATA got to Backup and Restore, then at Set SATA Device in SEEPROM select GEN2-HDD (Kiosk CAT-I with HDD)).
   For installing MLC2SD look here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/using-n...emmc-fix-160-0103-system-memory-error.636361/ at the Soldering section.
   
   
4. If you install to eMMC / MLC2SD, got to Backup and Restore and select Erase MLC and Delete scfm.img. If the Erase MLC fails, you can ignore that if it wasn't formatted as MLC before (from a failed install or so).
   
   
5. Put the wafel_setup_mlc.ipx on the SD card in /wiiu/ios_plugins. If you want more than 64GB on SDIO you also need to put the wafel_unlimit_mlc.ipx there. If you install with wafel_unlimit_mlc.ipx, it will be permanently required and therefore also permanently requires ISFShax or defuse.
   
   
6. [Optional, only when using defuse] Open the serial monitor on the PC (Putty / minicom) for defuse to see the setup progress. There will be no display output in the Wii U itself. I attached the whole serial log of a successfull install as a reference.
   
   
7. Select Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) in minute to start the setup of your fresh MLC.During the setup you won't see anything on the screen. You have to go by the power led.
   The power LED will flash blue, while it is installing the titles.
   if something goes wrong the LED will turn orange, but it will continue as long as it is blinking.
   The LED will become static once it finished. You can now power off the console.
   If the led is blinking red, something fatal happend. Ask for help.
   During the setup a short log gets written to the SD: wafel_setup_mlc.log.
   In the end it will enable the initial setup on the next boot.
   
   
8. Remove the wafel_setup_mlc.ipx from /wiiu/ios_plugins on the SD.
   
   
9. Boot the console. Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc)
   
   
10. If everything worked, the initial setup should launch.

ISFShax only: Finalizing

If you are using the wafel_unlimit_mlc.ipx you need to keep ISFShax installed. If you haven't done already complete the "Booting without SD" step form the ISFShax tutorial but also add the wafel_unlimit_mlc.ipx renamed to 9unlimit.ipx to the /storage_slc/sys/hax/ios_plugins directory.
If you are not using the wafel_unlimit_mlc.ipx you can either uninstall ISFShax or keep it as a brick protection. If you keep it complete the "Booting without SD" step form the ISFShax tutorial.
The Wii U should now boot automatically if you don't have an SD in.
You probably also want to enable the autobooting now.

See Also

https://gbatemp.net/threads/wii-u-internal-storage-upgrades-are-possible.635629/

Pictures

512 GB SD card:

@QuarkTheAwesome 120 GB SSD:

Thanks

• @GaryOderNichts for IOSU patches and code I took from the recovery
• @shinyquagsire23 for defuse, minute and stroopwafel
• @QuarkTheAwesome for IOSU format patch and SATA Adapter
• @V10lator for implementing Quota support and some improvements
• @Xpl0itU for MLCRestorerDownloader
• @Lazr1026 for testing and some fixes

 

[AceCuba]

@AceCuba Yes, you can use this tutorial when you plan to upgrade the storage anyway. You can go up to 64 GB without the Pico beeing connected all the time (just need it for setup). Over 64 GB you need the Pico every time to boot.

Anyway, have a look at this, too: https://gbatemp.net/threads/using-nand-aid-to-replace-a-hardware-damaged-mlc-160-0103-error.636361/ - Might be better suited to your usecae but you need to be able to still boot UDPIH with the "dead" NAND. Also note that the linked tutorial is a WIP, so in case you have any questions: Just ask.

//EDIT:

We highly recommend the NAND-AID for this:

But ofc. it's also possible to DIY with some cables, a cap and a micro SD to SD adapter:

View attachment 383781
View attachment 383779
(note that these pictures are from the first tries, so there's a small mistake (3.3V line beeing grabbed from at the wrong spot)).

hey thanks for the reply , i cant get a nandaid becouse im from cuba ,only option permanet install of a micro sd card . what is the value of that cap ?

 

[V10lator]

what is the value of that cap ?

IIRC it was 0.1uF but it's not that important (it might work even completely without the cap... basically anything between 0.1uF and 1uF should work (IIRC)).

//EDIT: Also are there no PCB manufacturers in cuba or at least shipping to there? Printing 5 NAND-AIDs is like $5 (and you would have 4 to sell to others).

 

[fringle]

I am going to attempt this at some point when I receive my nand-aid. Just want to ask are two sd cards required for setup? With step number 3 to copy the 52 folders to the sd card requires more free space than what is available on a 1gb and also a 2gb sd card after writing the boot1.img file for defuse and formatting the partition.

I'm just assuming here but I guess I would first boot the minute_minute menu with defuse and then swap to a larger sd card with all of the titles to be installed? Does the size of the second sd card with the titles matter as much as the first if this is correct? I've read so much about this in the last couple of days that this may have been answered in another thread and I've just overlooked it, so I apologize if this is the case.

 

[SDIO]

no, the 2GB card should be big enough. Maybe you didn't resize the partition? the 52 titles should take around 1,1GiB and a 2GB SD should give you 1,8GiB of usable space

 

[fringle]

no, the 2GB card should be big enough. Maybe you didn't resize the partition? the 52 titles should take around 1,1GiB and a 2GB SD should give you 1,8GiB of usable space

Ah, wasn't aware resizing the partition was an option. I did look in windows disk management and the expand option was greyed out so figured it might have been somehow set to that size for a reason. I'll look into some partition software that should allow the resizing. Thank you.

 

[SDIO]

try resizing after you formatted the partition. I dont knowwhat other tools might do to the sd, that yould breal defuse. Make sure to only move the end and not the start of the partition.

 

[fringle]

I just gave it a shot. Removed all partitions from the sd, wrote boot1.img, it created a 1gb raw partition. I was able to either shrink or delete this partition, expand was still greyed out. Formatted as Fat32, then the only option was to delete the partition with both shrink and expand being greyed out. I'll give a shot with partition manager and see what options it has so it doesn't destroy defuse. Still have yet to solder in a pico and receive the nand-aid so just making sure I got the steps down before messing with it so, no real way to test it just yet.

This is what the partition looks like now so I think it should be ok. Just didn't resize it to the full size as it would have also removed the 64mb at the beginning.

 

[SDIO]

@SDIO I drew up the diagram for locating the TPs on Gary's discord; @Lazr1026 can verify this as I gave them permission to use it for whatever they'd like. If you wish to use it for something like a guide, you're more than welcome to do so as well.

I think it would make sense, if you contribute it to the defuse repo as it is very helpful fr everyone installing defuse.

hey thanks for the reply , i cant get a nandaid becouse im from cuba ,only option permanet install of a micro sd card . what is the value of that cap ?

I think you could also order the PCBs directly from China or find someone who can ship you a NAND-AID. Maybe @Lazr1026 has some?

@fringle what problem does your wii u even have? maybe it can be solved without defuse, so you don't have to solder as much.

 

[Lazr1026]

I have a few nand-aids i can send. $5 + shipping is fair i think. @AceCuba

 

[fringle]

I think it would make sense, if you contribute it to the defuse repo as it is very helpful fr everyone installing defuse.


I think you could also order the PCBs directly from China or find someone who can ship you a NAND-AID. Maybe @Lazr1026 has some?

@fringle what problem does your wii u even have? maybe it can be solved without defuse, so you don't have to solder as much.

At the moment I'm not sure as it won't be here until tomorrow. I needed a gamepad and power cables for the Japanese model I bought for 30 dollars so just decided to grab a bricked system complete with gamepad off ebay since it was actually cheaper then buying the gamepad and cables alone. I figured it will be one, that if I can fix it, will be used for tinkering with the hardware since that's something I like to do in my spare time. It maybe as simple as changing the coldboot title with recovery menu but I'd still like to install defuse and play with the hardware a bit. I could also resell it but there's not as much fun in that.

 

[AceCuba]

IIRC it was 0.1uF but it's not that important (it might work even completely without the cap... basically anything between 0.1uF and 1uF should work (IIRC)).

//EDIT: Also are there no PCB manufacturers in cuba or at least shipping to there? Printing 5 NAND-AIDs is like $5 (and you would have 4 to sell to others).

nop o pcb manufactures and no shiping oly if a friend travels to cuba and carry the aid with him , but that can take month or years

 

[Ysecond]

nop o pcb manufactures and no shiping oly if a friend travels to cuba and carry the aid with him , but that can take month or years

I sincerely believe that permanently installing an SD card is a good idea.

 

[fringle]

Well I got the broken Wii U today and to my surprise it actually works without me doing anything to it. I must say I'm kind of disappointed though cause I wanted to fix something. haha Maybe there is an issue with the disc drive, I'm not sure as I have no disc to check it with, but it otherwise seems to function. Might give this one to my kids and take theirs to work on since I've been told theirs freezes randomly but that could be an issue with the enclosure and Y cable since it was just a cheap one I used on it.

 

[Ysecond]

My console has nand aid installed and uses a 32GB TF card. I want to use Wafel_ Destroy_ Mlc.ipx to format, but serial monitor printed these:

Results:
Winner! 0xf40c
01
02
03
04
05
08
09
0a
0b
0c
0d
0e
13
14
15
18
1b
1c
1d
1e
1f
25
88
00
00
[pico] Changed state: WIIU_STATE_NEEDS_DEFUSE -> WIIU_STATE_DEFUSED
[pico] Changed state: WIIU_STATE_DEFUSED -> WIIU_STATE_MONITORING
U▒U▒U▒U▒U▒U▒U▒U[Pico] Switching to data mode...

fe 00 02 07 21 00 00 43 46 25 10 00 28 4d 45 4d
32 4d 45 4d 30 50 52 53 48 5d 5d 00 01 5d 5d 00
02 84 00 00 00

Wait for a while, serial monitor printed these，It doesn't seem to stop, and there are also flashing red + yellow LED.

f0 0f aa aa 00 00 00 00 f0 0f aa aa 00 00 00 00
f0 0f aa aa 00 00 00 00 f0 0f aa aa 00 00 00 00
f0 0f aa aa 00 00 00 00 f0 0f aa aa 00 00 00 00

May I ask where the problem is?

 

[SDIO]

Do you use a 2GB or smaller card for the minute / stroopwafel in the front slot?

 

[Ysecond]

Do you use a 2GB or smaller card for the minute / stroopwafel in the front slot?

Yes. I tried using 1GB and 2GB SD card, and they were in De_ Fuse v0.51 works very well because when i dump OTP and seeprom, It succeeded.

Edit:
Is my file correct?
SD:\fw.img
\otp.bin
\wiiu\ios_plugins\wafel_core.ipx & wafel_destroy_mlc.ipx

 

[SDIO]

Is minute loading?

 

[Ysecond]

Is minute loading?

YES

 

[SDIO]

You need the lastes de Fuse .07. Just saw that you are still on 0.51

 

[Ysecond]

You need the lastes de Fuse .07. Just saw that you are still on 0.51

I have updated to 0.7. And then I got the code above.
If I use 0.51, the console will enter the Minute Main menu.
Perhaps I should try downloading all the relevant files again, such as de_ Fuse 0.7, Wafel_ Destroy_ Mlc.ipx