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

 

[Beber666]

hmm just have one issue indeed. The Vwii doesn't seems to work. It show a red screen, and then crash and go back to Wii U menu with green ahlos colors... Any idea ?

 

[Beber666]

Edit: Desinstalling isfshax fixed the problem

 

[Beber666]

I've installed next vWii decafeniator V2 and to a light mode (also tried the agressive mode as well), but I cannot launch the vWii anymore.
Before, the vwii booted correctly but in japanese.

Now the vWii is not working and display a red screen before going back to the wii u home screen

Any help ?
thank you !

 

[Kikkman]

What to do if I turn on Wii U and I have an error: 157-1104 And Wii U Menu won't start

 

[Vezix]

@Beber666
The vWii displays in redscreen potentially meaning it missing files potentially from light mode itselve, this can be fixed by performing proper update after using vwii decaffeinator v2 light mode.

okay first thing first,

are you using isfshax? if so , are you booting into Aroma through wafel_payloader (stroopwafel plugin)? the one where in minute menu you select > 10. Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) to boot straight to aroma without autobooting?
if so
1st. make sure you have installed environment loader onto the new H&S (using payload loader installer) ,
Make sure Autoboot is OFF

downgrade it to isfshax patch to v1 (replace wafel_isfshax_patch with this one isfshax/wafel_isfshax_patch/releases/tag/v1.0 ) and remove the wafel_payloader (stroopwafel plugin)
From minute , use Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) to boot normally > you will see it loaded into normal wii u ,
then, open H&S into Environment Loader > select aroma and remake update folder (if you deleted it after region change) > Load into aroma
Open vWii decafeniator V2 and do the light mode > Dont update now , Open H&S and go back to normal wii u (Not Aroma) / or reboot the system

Perform system update NOW.

you will see it will update normally as god intended and you can use your vwii again!

am sorry if this sound like a mess, english isnt my first language and am fairly new to wiiu modding

I've installed next vWii decafeniator V2 and to a light mode (also tried the agressive mode as well), but I cannot launch the vWii anymore.
Before, the vwii booted correctly but in japanese.

Now the vWii is not working and display a red screen before going back to the wii u home screen

Any help ?
thank you !

 

[MetroidTalon]

I removed wafel_setup_mlc.ipx after confirming everything in the log, but when I redo the 3rd option in minute it doesn't move from Jumping to IOS... GO GO GO

 

[Zacharybinx34]

After Erase MLC and Delete scfm.img I run Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) but this is all it does.

I check the "wafel_setup_mlc.log" and all it shows is

OpenDir /vol/sdcard/wafel_install: 0
OpenMCP /vol/sdcard/wafel_install: 0
InstallInfo 00050010100040ff: 00000000

Nevermind. I needed to let it sit there until the blue light stopped blinking and turned blue.

 

[tehtawaranget]

Hi,

the light not become blue but become yellow? what does it mean?

edit: never mind, now blinking blue. I mistakenly put wafel install folder inside wiiu folder

 

[LeekSoup]

Just successfully used this guide to change the region of my console from JP to EU. Process went smoothly. For anyone wondering, the blue flashing light stage took about 6min 20sec for me. Thank you for the guide.

 

[JamesWA]

GREAT GUIDE! I just changed my jap wii U to USA without errors in the process. i ended up using the option "autobooting from sd" with the sd:/minute/minute.ini

I am fine with the wii U showing minute when you boot it up for some seconds

But i have some questions, maybe someone knows the anwers:

1) i don't understand why when you are already on the WII U menu, and if you go to "system settings" and you EXIT from system settings, it shows minute again, and looks like it does a Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) every time you exit "system settings". and then returns to the Wii U menu, Is that normal?. (this also happens for example if you are on the vWii and you launch the Wii U channel, it shows minute for some seconds and then launches the wii u menu)

2) The other question i have is that.. this Wii U previously had the vWii modded with homebrew channel, does this region change resets the vWii modd and i need to mod the vWii again?

3) Suppose you followed the guide and the region has been changed to USA, what happens if someone accidentally goes to system settings and does a "factory reset" of the wii U ? will it brick?

4) the vwii decaffeinator light mode link. on the first post, does not exist anymore, is there a detailed guide on how to install it in order to make the vWii to appear in english?

5) I turned on the wii U while pressing "B" button, and i get the menu to select nand dumper, i wanted to do a dump of the nand but when i select the options inside nand dumper and press A, again it goes into minute and it does what it looks like to be a " Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) " and then it just returns to the wii U menu, so how do you do a nand dump then?

 

[SDIO]

1) i don't understand why when you are already on the WII U menu, and if you go to "system settings" and you EXIT from system settings, it shows minute again, and looks like it does a Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) every time you exit "system settings". and then returns to the Wii U menu, Is that normal?. (this also happens for example if you are on the vWii and you launch the Wii U channel, it shows minute for some seconds and then launches the wii u menu)

Yes that's normal. If you leave the settings, it reloads the IOS, so it has to go through minute again to apply the patches.
If you eave vWii, it has to load the Wii U System again, so it also has to go trough minute for that.

2) The other question i have is that.. this Wii U previously had the vWii modded with homebrew channel, does this region change resets the vWii modd and i need to mod the vWii again?

Only if you also do the region change on the vWii through decaffinator.

3) Suppose you followed the guide and the region has been changed to USA, what happens if someone accidentally goes to system settings and does a "factory reset" of the wii U ? will it brick?

No, it will just delete the hax folder form the slc, but ISFShax is stil there and you can still load the plugins from SD or have it boot in fallback mode. Or if you uninstalled ISFShax, then it will just work like normal.

4) the vwii decaffeinator light mode link. on the first post, does not exist anymore, is there a detailed guide on how to install it in order to make the vWii to appear in english?

https://github.com/GaryOderNichts/vWii-Decaffeinator/releases

5) I turned on the wii U while pressing "B" button, and i get the menu to select nand dumper, i wanted to do a dump of the nand but when i select the options inside nand dumper and press A, again it goes into minute and it does what it looks like to be a " Patch (sd) and boot IOS (slc) " and then it just returns to the wii U menu, so how do you do a nand dump then?

You can dump the slc in minute. If you want the mlc, you have to use the format redNAND option, which will write the MLC to an extra partition on the SD.

 

[nhockon_cm]

This will change language of error xxx-yyy pop-up? Thank you.

 

[creedof69]

Hi @SDIO , @Lazr1026 , in this guide and others each time you talk about "erase" Mlc. Does that mean that then, We have to use an sd card as mlc forever or is it just a step and then We can restore the true internal storage of the Wii U (eMMC) ?

 

[SDIO]

This will change language of error xxx-yyy pop-up? Thank you.

Yes

Hi @SDIO , @Lazr1026 , in this guide and others each time you talk about "erase" Mlc. Does that mean that then, We have to use an sd card as mlc forever or is it just a step and then We can restore the true internal storage of the Wii U (eMMC) ?

You would usally rerase the MLC, if you want to rebuild it. And once rebuilt, it will work again like normal, without SD card.

 

[creedof69]

You would usally rerase the MLC, if you want to rebuild it. And once rebuilt, it will work again like normal, without SD card.

Thanks for your reply. So today a Wii U can be restored entirely like the Wii ?

I just didn't understand at What step the MLC is restored, between erase mlc delete scfm and patch sd boot slc.
The Wii U just download by herself the mlc files of the mlc install folder thanks to the wafel setup mlc plugins ?

 

[SDIO]

The wafel setup formats the mlc, if it was erased, creates some folders, installs all the titles from the wafel_install folder to the mlc and enables the initial setup

 

[nhockon_cm]

This changed my life. Thank you, japanese console is too cheap these days in Vietnam.

30$ 32GB white console with gamepad, HDMI, sensor bar, both japanese charger, but no remotes.

AND 16$ for 2x black Wii U pro controllers for me.

 

[Zangetsu276]

Guys, for those who have not changed the language in the vWii menu (mostly owners of Japanese consoles), I found an easy way to change the language and region without using FTPiiU!!!!
You will need an application that should be run exclusively inter Tiramisu: https://github.com/GaryOderNichts/vWii-Decaffeinator.
In this application select regenerate setting.txt. That's it, your vWii menu is synchronized with your region!
Why is this better than swapping the file via FTPiiU and using Settingedit? Because with it there is a high chance of getting a brick, especially through Aroma. So everyone use it and don't be afraid!

God bless you my friend, this was the only solution that worked for me after spending hours trying to run Decaffeinator light mode or whatever, is was simple as regenarating the settings.txt file!

 

[creedof69]

God bless you my friend, this was the only solution that worked for me after spending hours trying to run Decaffeinator light mode or whatever, is was simple as regenarating the settings.txt file!

Warning though because regenerating the .txt file "before" wiping and restore channel result to have your system of your region but channel from former region (most are region free but for exemple Wii manual and file transfer are locked) and if your run these app the Wii says that can not be used and freeze the console. You will have to power it off hardly

 

[Zangetsu276]

Warning though because regenerating the .txt file "before" wiping and restore channel result to have your system of your region but channel from former region (most are region free but for exemple Wii manual and file transfer are locked) and if your run these app the Wii says that can not be used and freeze the console. You will have to power it off hardly

Oh, I'm glad I ran decaf light mode before regenerating it then, it's working fine. Thanks for the heads up anyway.