How to Hook Up the Nintendo Wii to the Internet

by Elvis Michael
You'll need an Ethernet cable to make wired Wii console connections.

You'll need an Ethernet cable to make wired Wii console connections.

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The Nintendo Wii is a gaming console released by Nintendo in late 2006. In addition to its numerous offline features, the Nintendo Wii allows players to enjoy their favorite games over the Internet. Through an active connection to a broadband network, people from all over the world can play in simultaneous or competitive multiplayer action. Nintendo's popular console allows various methods to establish such a connection through the device's main settings menu.

Step 1

Turn on your Nintendo Wii console and press "A" to load the main system menu. Click the "Wii" button on the screen to enter the main console options.

Step 2

Click "Wii Settings" to continue. Press the blue arrow to the right side of the menu.

Step 3

Select "Internet" followed by "Connection Settings." Click an empty connection field, which is simply marked as "None."

Step 4

Select your main form of connectivity. Click the "Wired Connection" if your house does not have a wireless access point. Connect the Wii LAN Adapter to the Wii's USB port, located on the back of the console. Skip to Step 6 if you want to establish a wireless connection.

Step 5

Insert the Ethernet cable from your modem to the Wii LAN Adapter's built-in Ethernet port. Click "OK" to initialize the connection test. Allow 10 to 15 seconds for the procedure to complete. Once the console is connected, select whether to perform a Wii system update by pressing "Yes" or "No" from the dialog box displayed. Press the "Back" button to revert to the console's main system menu. Note that at this point, your wired connection setup is complete.

Step 6

Select the "Wireless Connection" to connect your console through a wireless access point. Click "Search For an Access Point" followed by "OK" at the subsequent confirmation dialog box.

Step 7

Select the desired access point from the available list of connections. Click "OK" to confirm your selection, followed by "OK" again to initialize an automatic connection test. Once the console is successfully connected, you are given the option to perform a Wii system update with the subsequent dialog box. Once finished, press the "Back" button to go back to the console's main menu.

Warning

  • Consult your router's manual or your Internet service provider if you are experiencing connection problems.

About the Author

Elvis Michael has been writing professionally since 2007, contributing technology articles to various online outlets. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in information technology at Northeastern University.

Photo Credits

  • Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images