Hardware Wii U HDD question

[WiiU_user]

Hello!

I‘m planning to expand my Wii U‘s storage and buy a HDD. I‘ve heard that it‘s recommended to use an y cable. My problem: 1 USB Port of my Wii U is broken and I need at least 2 free USB ports. My Question is: can I plug 1 USB of the y cable into my Wii U and the other one (for power) into the wall outlet?

Sorry for my english, it‘s not my mother language.

Thanks in advance.

 

[godreborn]

I'm not sure, I think someone said he tried that and it had bad results. wait until someone else replies before you do anything else. you can use a powered hdd though and only one port then.

 

[WiiU_user]

Ok thank you

 

[crea]

Well, the Y cable is needed for USB devices exceeding USB 2.0 spec, which is using more than 500 mA.

My advise is to just get a USB HDD which uses one USB port, as such using less then 500 mA. Personally I use a SSD with one USB connector, works like a charm and offers the fastest possible solution (slight overkill, but if 30$ more is not n issue I'd use that).

 

[WiiU_user]

Thank you very much!

 

[crea]

Ah sorry slight correction, mySSD in fact uses more than 500 mA and thus is probably running below speed spec. Look for any external HDD/SSD using a single USB 2.0 port (the old ones), preferably mentioned 500 mA or below power consumption in technical specifications and you're good.

 

[Deleted User]

You can just buy an external that plugs in the wall and then the y cable is not necessary. I believe you also plug the other port of the y-cable into something other than the Wii U as long as it's powered it should work believe it or not, but you do realize there's two ports on front and back right.

 

[V10lator]

To finally answer the original question: Yes, you are able to plug the power only end of the Y cable into a wall charger. In fact this is even the preffered way as some HDDs have > 1A peaks, so two USB ports of the Wii U will work 99% of the time but fail randomly.

To answer some side questions:

• Don't use SSDs with the Wii U. These will die fast, most likely have the same power problems and can't even slightly reach their limits.
• External HDDs with a single USB port and no Y cable are violating the USB specs and will have power issues on the Wii U, no matter what the manufacturer tells with his marketing speak. You won't find a HDD which peaks under 500 mA.

 

[WiiU_user]

To finally answer the original question: Yes, you are able to plug the power only end of the Y cable into a wall charger. In fact this is even the preffered way as some HDDs have > 1A peaks, so two USB ports of the Wii U will work 99% of the time but fail randomly.

To answer some side questions:

• Don't use SSDs with the Wii U. These will die fast, most likely have the same power problems and can't even slightly reach their limits.
• External HDDs with a single USB port and no Y cable are violating the USB specs and will have power issues on the Wii U, no matter what the manufacturer tells with his marketing speak. You won't find a HDD which peaks under 500 mA

Thank you very much for the detailed answer!