Hardware Wii U GamePad buttons and touch screen not responding

[CarinioBrutal]

My Wii U gamepad has been experiencing anomalies with the buttons and touch screen. Only the R&L and ZR and ZL the X, B buttons are working and by working I mean only on the main menu to go back and forth the main screen / switch the screen to the different apps screen. I cannot choose a game anymore since the A button is not responding.

I tried to restart, neutralize the control sticks, and re-sync the console but nothing worked

The gamepad was fully-charged, cleaned and has no crack or any sort of damage done to it. I do not have any screen protector installed on the gamepad.

I haven't used it for over 5 months and I placed in at a safe location with nothing touching it.

Can someone help me with this debacle? I wanted to play something on my Wii U but this a deterrent in using the console.

Helpful replies are very much appreciated!

 

[V10lator]

Do you have another controller (Wii mote, Pro Controller) to test for the unlikely chance of a software malfunction? Other than that, if you know a bit of electronics, try to open the gamepad and clean the PCB.

 

[CarinioBrutal]

Do you have another controller (Wii mote, Pro Controller) to test for the unlikely chance of a software malfunction? Other than that, if you know a bit of electronics, try to open the gamepad and clean the PCB.

yeah I have the wii u pro controller... but it is the same problem button function as the wii u game pad... do you think it is just that? I do not have background in electronics but I know someone who fixes consoles... I really hope it is just that simple like you said

 

[V10lator]

yeah I have the wii u pro controller... but it is the same problem button function as the wii u game pad...

If both controllers show the exact same issue I don't think it's a hardware issue anymore. Sorry to say but I'm not sure about how to continue from here. You would need to either restore a NAND backup or do a forced firmware update (reinstall the current firmware). Not sure if any of this is possible without working controllers and/or a hardmod.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Normally I would have said it's the touchscreen causing the issue (permanent "ghost" input). Wii U Gamepad and 2|3DS consoles behave erratically when permanent touch input is detected (most buttons don't work).

The Pro Controller not working does not fit into this though.

Please try the following anyway:

• Using the Pro Controller while the Gamepad is turned off (since turning the Gamepad off turns the console off: place the Gamepad so far away it looses connection to the Wii U)
• Disconnect the touch panel from the Gamepad motherboard. Refer to ifixit guide. The connectors and the ribbon cables are delicate. Be careful!

Good luck!

 

[V10lator]

Since turning the Gamepad off turns the console off: place the Gamepad so far away it looses connection to the Wii U

Or simulate the battery running empty by pulling it out.

 

[KleinesSinchen]

Or simulate the battery running empty by pulling it out.

Yes works. I don't recommend it though. Violent shut-off is like pulling out removable storage media without safe eject. Works 999 from 1000 times without problems. If it doesn't work the file system might corrupt beyond repair.

When li-ion battery is discharged (modern devices shown 0%) there is still some energy left. Enough for safe shutdown and enough for holding clock several weeks and enough for the cell not to suffer damage from extreme deep discharge. Modern electronics don't like violent shut-off. I destroyed a phone with that method (hardware damage).

To be honest: Nothing bad should happen to the Gamepad when doing that once.

 

[CarinioBrutal]

Thanks for all the replies Peeps! I happened to find an electronics store here that repairs Wii U units. Lucky for me he had parts...unlucky for me I had to shell out $ 100 for the repair. He had to replace the board of the Wii U game pad and he did something to the unit since the HDMI port and AV port were a total black out....I never knew Wii u was this shitty stuck up when not played for quite a while....