The way I used to do it was tedious and was quite complex, however with the v2.0 release of the wafel_setup_mlc plugin, region changing has become much simpler.

It is identical to just rebuilding the MLC, but this has region changing specific notes added.

This does not change the region of the Gamepad, however you can still use an out-of-region gamepad with Aroma, which can be loaded with the wafel_payloader Stroopwafel plugin, so you don't need to worry about getting a Gamepad from the region you are changing to. If you do want to change the Gamepad region, there is a section at the end of the guide with instructions.

It also does not change the vWii region. If you want to region change the vWii as well, use vWii Decaffeinator on Light Mode to region change. I think you also need to regenerate the setting.txt.

Following this guide will wipe the MLC. You should back up any saves you care about before following. Its possible to do it without wiping the MLC, but you're on your own should you ta

Keep an OTP and SEEPROM backup. Nothing should go wrong, but it is better to have the most important backups and not need them vs. need them and not have them.

DO NOT UNINSTALL ISFSHAX AFTER ERASING THE MLC AND DELETING THE SCFM UNTIL YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY REBUILT THE MLC AND CONFIRMED EVERYTHING IS WORKING.
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU FAIL TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PROPERLY.
If you need support, you can join my server and ask in #help

What you need

• Install isfshax. This is a requirement. You cannot region change without it. (You can also use de_Fuse, but at that point you probably already know what you are doing.)
  
  • Stop at the "Booting" section.
• The release of the MLCRestorerDownloader for your OS.
• The latest release of the MLC setup plugin.
• The latest release of the Payloader plugin.
  • Get the 5payldr.ipx.
• The latest Aroma files (If you have Aroma already, ignore this.)
  
  • Read and tick the 4 boxes -> Click on Download Payloads and Download Base Aroma

Downloading the MLC Titles

1. Extract the MLCRestorerDownloader you downloaded.
2. Copy the otp.bin into the extracted folder.
   
3. Open a command prompt / terminal (Linux/Mac only).
4. cd into the directory with the MLCRestorerDownloader (ie. cd /Downloads/MLCRestorerDownloader) (Linux/Mac only).
5. Run the application (ie .\MLCRestorerDownloader for Linux/Mac users). Windows users can just double click the .exe
6. Type in 1 the for MLC titles.
7. Type in the number for the region you want to change to (ie 2 for USA).
   
8. Wait for it to finish downloading. You can do part of the next section while you wait.

SD Setup

1. Copy the wafel_setup_mlc.ipx to sd:/wiiu/ios_plugins.
2. Copy the 5payldr.ipx to sd:/wiiu/ios_plugins.
   
3. Copy the two wiiu folders from the Aroma .zip files to the root of the SD.
4. Make a folder called wafel_install on the root of the SD and copy all 52 MLC titles here.

Region Changing

1. Boot the console.
   
   • If it does not automatically go into minute_minute, go install isfshax.
2. Navigate to Backup and Restore.
3. Select Erase MLC and then press EJECT to confirm.
   • If it tells you MLC Erase not allowed!, go install isfshax.
4. Select Delete scfm.img and press EJECT to confirm.
   • If it tells you SCFM delete not allowed!, install isfshax and quit trying with no safety measures.
5. Go back to the main menu and select Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc).
   • During the setup you won't use the screen and stay at the GO GO GO minute message. You have to go by the power led.
6. Wait for the LED to start blinking blue, this means the setup has started. Wait for it to stop blinking, that is when the setup has finished.
7. Shut off the console and put the SD back into your PC.
   • Almost everything should have returned 00000000.
   • SetInitialLaunch will have returned 1.
   • If Set Region to X returned error FFFBFFEE, ask for help. That should not happen.
   • Otherwise boot the console again (select Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc)), and you should be greeted with initial setup. Success!

Region Changing the Gamepad

1. Download the latest release of DRXUtil and copy it to sd:/wiiu/apps.
2. Launch DRXUtil from the Wii U Menu.
   • If it doesn't show up, press L + DPAD Down + Select on the Gamepad and set the "Hide all .rpx" configuration in the "Homebrew on Wii U Menu Plugin" to false.
3. Select Flash firmware.
4. Select Built-in Firmware Patches. Read the warning, then select Continue.
5. Read the second warning, then select Continue.
   • With the patched firmware, the Gamepad will now show "Modified Firmware" while booting up.
6. Select Set region and select the target region.
   • Note that Japan/Americas/Europe are the only regions that are actually used.
7. Press A to confirm. Press B to go back to the main screen.
8. Select Show DRC/DRH information and verify that the region under DRC info has been set to the one you selected.
9. Press B to go back to the main screen and select Flash firmware.
10. Select Original Firmware. Read the warning then select Continue.
11. Read the second warning, then select Continue.
12. Wait for the firmware to flash. Press B once finished and go back to the Wii U Menu.
13. Launch System Settings, select Console Information (Icon with a red Console/Gamepad), select Set System Language, and select the target language. This will change the Gamepad language.
14. Once it's finished, you're done!

After Region Changing

You can keep isfshax installed, or you can uninstall it. I would keep it, so you can load Aroma on boot without needing to install PayloadLoader, or as some form of 'brick protection'. You can set up autobooting in minute to have it automatically load IOSU. Instructions for that are on the isfshax guide.

Credits

@SDIO: isfshax setup guides, the wafel_setup_mlc plugin, help get the PoC to work, cleaning up my code, making the region fixer more sane...
@shinyquagsire23: de_Fuse, minute_minute, and stroopwafel
@GaryOderNichts: Also help me get the PoC working, DRXUtil
@rw-r-r_0644: Finding isfshax and implementing it

 

[Ddddddddd]

HI i'm a newbie at modding my wii u and I have zero clue what to do at step 2 to 11 of fixing the sysprod or whatever.

 

[RicecerHD]

Hello I need your help, I have executed everything up to this "wafel_setup_mlc.log" without any problems.
When I read it out, I saw that "Set region" has an error and according to the instructions I should fix the sys_prod manually. Now I need your help, according to the plan I should download "Python" and "wubclient.py", I did.
Now how should I run it, via CMD or powershell, under which folder and how do I connect it to the WiiU, because I don't know which IP my WiiU has.
And one more thing, when I start my Wii U, I am automatically directed to the "minute menu", now how should I boot to the "Aroma" or "autobootMenu". Would appreciate any comments.

 

[Memes1921]

Hello I need your help, I have executed everything up to this "wafel_setup_mlc.log" without any problems.
When I read it out, I saw that "Set region" has an error and according to the instructions I should fix the sys_prod manually. Now I need your help, according to the plan I should download "Python" and "wubclient.py", I did.
Now how should I run it, via CMD or powershell, under which folder and how do I connect it to the WiiU, because I don't know which IP my WiiU has.
And one more thing, when I start my Wii U, I am automatically directed to the "minute menu", now how should I boot to the "Aroma" or "autobootMenu". Would appreciate any comments.

You can run Python via either of those but personally, I prefer the CMD. I'm not sure how you can check your Wii U's IP Address but for mine it was something like 192.168.0.xx (The xx depends on the device). Now, you can open Python with the command and if you have the wupclient.py in a folder (Like Downloads\ or Downloads\Wii U\ ), you can type "cd Downloads" or "cd Downloads\Wii U" and THEN type the command specified in the guide. Then make sure that "root.rpx" from "sd:\wiiu\enviroments\aroma" is also in "sd:\wiiu" to be able to boot into the AutobootMenu (Hold + on the gamepad while the logo is on the TV). After that, you can leave the Wii U alone and use an app that connects to an FTP server like FileZilla (I'm not sure if you have to get FTPiiu Everywhere first on your SD Card but just in case)

 

[Ddddddddd]

You can run Python via either of those but personally, I prefer the CMD. I'm not sure how you can check your Wii U's IP Address but for mine it was something like 192.168.0.xx (The xx depends on the device). Now, you can open Python with the command and if you have the wupclient.py in a folder (Like Downloads\ or Downloads\Wii U\ ), you can type "cd Downloads" or "cd Downloads\Wii U" and THEN type the command specified in the guide. Then make sure that "root.rpx" from "sd:\wiiu\enviroments\aroma" is also in "sd:\wiiu" to be able to boot into the AutobootMenu (Hold + on the gamepad while the logo is on the TV). After that, you can leave the Wii U alone and use an app that connects to an FTP server like FileZilla (I'm not sure if you have to get FTPiiu Everywhere first on your SD Card but just in case)

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RicecerHD]

You can run Python via either of those but personally, I prefer the CMD. I'm not sure how you can check your Wii U's IP Address but for mine it was something like 192.168.0.xx (The xx depends on the device). Now, you can open Python with the command and if you have the wupclient.py in a folder (Like Downloads\ or Downloads\Wii U\ ), you can type "cd Downloads" or "cd Downloads\Wii U" and THEN type the command specified in the guide. Then make sure that "root.rpx" from "sd:\wiiu\enviroments\aroma" is also in "sd:\wiiu" to be able to boot into the AutobootMenu (Hold + on the gamepad while the logo is on the TV). After that, you can leave the Wii U alone and use an app that connects to an FTP server like FileZilla (I'm not sure if you have to get FTPiiu Everywhere first on your SD Card but just in case)

yeah but when I try to boot the Wii U menu, the Wii U LED flashes blue and only the Wii U menu logo is shown on the screen and the gamepad, with a few black pixels in the middle of the gamepad.

 

[Memes1921]

yeah but when I try to boot the Wii U menu, the Wii U LED flashes blue and only the Wii U menu logo is shown on the screen and the gamepad, with a few black pixels in the middle of the gamepad.

You don't necesarilly have to go to the Wii U menu just yet (Because you haven't completed the initial setup), you can just stay on the autobootmenu (Don't go into any option, just leave the console for now). Actually forget about the FTP client, I forgot you have to access Aroma or Tiramisu. Remeber to specify your console's IP address on the wupclient.py (Line 140) and then you can connect with the command "python -i wupclient.py". It should show "0x0" on the cmd and from there continue with the guide.

Post automatically merged: Apr 22, 2024

Btw, I'm not sure if this is related but I got curious and changed the Area setting for the vWii side. I know you don't have to mess with that part but since I just region swapped the Wii U, it worked for me to region swap completely the vWii (Not just the video and game setting BUT the whole nand as well as the lanugage). And now I can boot Wii VC titles on the Wii U menu without showing the games in Japanese (Even if the game is USA region). I may be unprofessional for the vWii part but whatever happens I can just restore the original nand I backed up right (Especially since I can restore it from the Wii U side)? Either way, I just wanted to share this piece of info to everyone.

 

[Copai1]

Sorry

What is the point of region changing a Wii U console when Region free patches already exist? Just curious, thanks.

 

[RicecerHD]

You don't necesarilly have to go to the Wii U menu just yet (Because you haven't completed the initial setup), you can just stay on the autobootmenu (Don't go into any option, just leave the console for now). Actually forget about the FTP client, I forgot you have to access Aroma or Tiramisu. Remeber to specify your console's IP address on the wupclient.py (Line 140) and then you can connect with the command "python -i wupclient.py". It should show "0x0" on the cmd and from there continue with the guide.

Post automatically merged: Apr 22, 2024

Btw, I'm not sure if this is related but I got curious and changed the Area setting for the vWii side. I know you don't have to mess with that part but since I just region swapped the Wii U, it worked for me to region swap completely the vWii (Not just the video and game setting BUT the whole nand as well as the lanugage). And now I can boot Wii VC titles on the Wii U menu without showing the games in Japanese (Even if the game is USA region). I may be unprofessional for the vWii part but whatever happens I can just restore the original nand I backed up right (Especially since I can restore it from the Wii U side)? Either way, I just wanted to share this piece of info to everyone.

I am somehow stuck in minute menu, no automenu is executed and no aroma either.
also the CMD python does not find it although I have downloaded it.

 

[Memes1921]

I am somehow stuck in minute menu, no automenu is executed and no aroma either.
also the CMD python does not find it although I have downloaded it.

What do you mean? Can you show what does your screen look like?

 

[RicecerHD]

What do you mean? Can you show what does your screen look like?

now i am in the boot selector screen and somehow CMD says python not exist , but i have install it already, using the cd dowload path

Post automatically merged: Apr 23, 2024

now i am in the boot selector screen and somehow CMD says python not exist , but i have install it already, using the cd dowload path

sorry i mean python can not be found

 

[BeanMKW]

Sorry

What is the point of region changing a Wii U console when Region free patches already exist? Just curious, thanks.

that sweet sweet native language text

 

[Lazr1026]

Ive just updated the guide on where to get support, because I am not very active here.

HI i'm a newbie at modding my wii u and I have zero clue what to do at step 2 to 11 of fixing the sysprod or whatever.

Hello I need your help, I have executed everything up to this "wafel_setup_mlc.log" without any problems.
When I read it out, I saw that "Set region" has an error and according to the instructions I should fix the sys_prod manually. Now I need your help, according to the plan I should download "Python" and "wubclient.py", I did.
Now how should I run it, via CMD or powershell, under which folder and how do I connect it to the WiiU, because I don't know which IP my WiiU has.
And one more thing, when I start my Wii U, I am automatically directed to the "minute menu", now how should I boot to the "Aroma" or "autobootMenu". Would appreciate any comments.

I am in the process of trying to get those errors to not happen anymore. If you can wait a little bit, I may have a build that should patch out any "access" checks.

 

[TheChel98]

Hello everyone. Done everything that was on the guide, now I'm on the step of waiting for the blinking blue light.
I don't have it. The only blinking light I have is the yellow one. Any idea what it is?

Okay, I just wrote that and the LED became just yellow, no blinks. wth is going on?

 

[Lazr1026]

shut off the console and send the wafel_setup.log

 

[TheChel98]

Here's the wafel_setup.log
idk, the logs seem to be fine, but the console was stuck not even at the black screen, but the screen of patching and booting ios and the gamepad was looking for wii u but couldn't find it
(Not a .log but a .txt, cuz gbatemp doesn't allow these)

 

[Lazr1026]

Weird, i dont see anything wrong. its probably fine to delete the setup from the sd and then try booting.

 

[TheChel98]

Ok, I'll try to boot up without it. I'll write as soon as i can.

Post automatically merged: Apr 27, 2024

So it kinda booted up and kinda didn't
It seems as it kinda doesn't like that the update folder exists and shows me it everywhere, is that supposed to be or I'm missing something? Here are the photos
the led is purple btw

 

[Lazr1026]

That is normal. just press A to continue

 

[TheChel98]

"Failed to write to the sd card. Please restart the console and make sure the sd card is not write locked"

With a wii u error underneath saying error code: 150-3030
But I do have progress! It speaks in proper English!
But man that kinda cut off my wings, I was so exited seeing th english loading screen

 

[Lazr1026]

check the sd card lock. that is usually the cause for that error