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Wii 4.2 update bricking some systems

Latest firmware causing problems for some gamers; Nintendo points to modified consoles as the culprit, pledges to repair affected unmodified systems for free.

This generation of consoles has seen firmware updates become frequent and routine. Nearly as commonplace have been the post-patch gamer complaints that the latest update has rendered their systems inoperable.

The 4.2 firmware update is turning some Wiis…

The 4.2 firmware update is turning some Wiis…

The latest system to repeat the cycle is Nintendo's Wii. On Monday, Wii owners received a message from Nintendo informing them that the system's 4.2 firmware was available for download. The notice of the firmware explained that the update would not affect any existing features "but will improve the overall system performance." It also contained a cautionary note for users of homebrew applications and other unsanctioned programs.

"Because unauthorized modifications to save data or program files may impair gameplay or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.2 will also check for and automatically remove such save data or program files," the notice said.

The effects of the update have apparently caused an upswing in activity for Nintendo's customer service team, as the company's official forums include a stickied announcement for anyone whose system has been rendered inactive after installing version 4.2.

…into one of these.

…into one of these.

"The symptoms most people are describing usually occur when the Wii has been modified. However, some of you also mention your system has never been modified," an administrator on the forums wrote. "We'd like to help get your system working properly again. If you're experiencing problems with your Wii console after downloading Wii System Menu 4.2, and you believe your system has not been modified, please give us a call. If we find that you have a normal system and the update caused your system to not work, we'll repair it at no charge."

Those who choose not to update the Wii firmware are unable to access the Wii Shop Channel, making it impossible to purchase Virtual Console or WiiWare titles or download additional utilities, like the News Channel or Forecast Channel. Nintendo of America's customer service line is 1-800-255-3700 and is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time every day.

456 Comments

  • NiteShadeX

    Posted Jan 9, 2011 10:40 pm GMT

    Back it my day when a console "bricked" it meant you probably dropped it down the stairs.

  • SolidTy

    Posted Jan 7, 2011 6:24 pm GMT


    Nintendo was sneaky with this update, lol...funny thing about the Wii updates. You don't need to do it unless you like to buy stuff from them, lol.

  • gamerx360wps3

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 3:34 am GMT

    nintendo is tension internet channel is useless

  • gamerx360wps3

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 3:33 am GMT

    you must give free games and data to thosewho had got wii bricked nintendo

  • gamerx360wps3

    Posted Dec 22, 2009 3:30 am GMT

    i have a wii i want to go shop chanll i m useing intrnet channel i dont want my wii to get brick what is this nintendo i will never buy any other nintendo

  • zaveline

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 4:40 pm GMT

    i really gotta do this now unbricking it

  • mario-nin-freak

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 12:35 pm GMT

    Fortunately it didn't affect me. But for those it does they lose they're save data. Atleast some people are, which I think nintendo should offer a free game to. Losing your save data would be extremely annoying
    And why is nintendo always making these stupid mistakes

  • lotris

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 9:54 am GMT

    Umm.... Has anyone here actually *READ* a EULA? You do *NOT* own the machine/software/cd you are being allowed to use it and some of the things you agree to are quite scary (for example in "The Witcher's" EULA you agree to the company not being responsible if it wrecks your machine *EVEN* if they (Atari/cdprojkt) *KNOW* that the game will royally screw you over) Now i don't own a Wii 360 or PS3 (I'm a PC Gamer) so i don't know for sure but id imagine that the EULAs for the consoles (and the firmware upgrade) are rather similar. So *NO* you do *NOT* have the right to do what ever you want with your console, and while i do not agree with what the computer/gaming/all-software-in-general industry is doing, *LEGALLY* its the same as me borrowing your car and *WITHOUT* your permission replacing parts or selling it, maybe Nintendo's response was a little extreme but im pretty sure it's their legal right to crack down on those who violate the *LEGALLY BINDING* contract they entered, Since there are to many people who mod and it being to hard to find each and every one of them(to expensive too) Nintendo has done the next best thing, to force those who broke the rules to buy a new console, while at the same time offering those caught in the crossfire a free repair.l

  • dkjjabs

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 4:14 am GMT

    You fan boys suck this is about wii, the only pp that are true are the ones who purchased it second hand or on-line and did not no they had a modified
    wii, this update was to catch the ones cocky an-uf to go online with there ripped games, good they make me sick (xbl rules). lol

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 1:48 am GMT

    sucks if it happens to you. Mines been fine though

  • uberjannie

    Posted Oct 6, 2009 12:33 am GMT

    Sucks for people who is affected. But still, lol.

  • ColtFanTim posted Oct 5, 2009 3:12 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ColtFanTim

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 3:12 pm GMT (hide)

    people still use Wii's ??? lmao

  • ColtFanTim

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 3:10 pm GMT

    @thekey your one of the dumbest kids on this site lol

  • keith577500

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 2:36 pm GMT

    i think people are liars when they say there system broke by the update

  • geoff-uk123

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 12:51 pm GMT

    Hmm, I downloaded the update and to be honest, it worked fine.

  • partytimekegs

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 11:20 am GMT

    I actually don't bad mouth the modders too much.
    Considering that 80% of all Wii games score below a 5/10 on almost every rating scale.
    That and renting becomes rather expensive. Which is why I stick with computer gaming. Save a little money, build it myself, got a hd projector, get some demos, and play old retro games with a 360 Windows controller lol.

    I still don't think consoles are worth 200-400$ at all.

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 10:51 am GMT

    @Atari_7200
    Well said about business. I can't stand a lot of soulless, faceless, huge corporations, with no regard to consumer/gamers' rights.

    Let's just say I've had enough of business studies, which is why I'm now a biologist. And hearing one too many times of family business and family business that, is the reason why I rebeled and become such a "anti-capitalist" hippy. Or was that socialist hippy?

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 10:39 am GMT

    And I never said I owned a Wii! Not yet anyway.

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 10:28 am GMT

    @TheImporter
    I've traded in a lot of old games and consoles just to be able to afford a 360 elite last year. Then the price was about the same as the slim now. I just simply can't afford it now. Also by the time the console drops in price further, I got real annoyed by it. I have worked my sweat, blood, guts and tears off, only to find a price drop. Some of you wouldn't understand how it feels. To me personally, it felt like a kick in the teeth.

  • Baconbits2004

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 10:00 am GMT

    Looks like Nintendo is copying Microsoft this time...

  • thekey

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 7:42 am GMT

    I still would take a Nintendo Wii over a 360 any day of the week. why just for the simple fact that the Wii is more reliable than the 360, with it's Red Ring of Death and Ring around the games.

  • TheImporter

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 7:30 am GMT

    @FF_fan2004,

    How is the PS3 overpriced now?

    You have heard that the PS3 Slim is just $299 now, the same price as the 360, which you have, and $100 more than the Wii, which you also have? The argument that the PS3 is overpriced is currently a dead argument.

  • Jimminyfixit

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 5:01 am GMT

    You guys understand that you are having an argument over an inanimate object right? The Wii broke and Nintendo are fixing it - simple really.

  • keith577500

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 4:26 am GMT

    @Atari_7200
    plus if you don't want to start a fight then why post what you did?

  • keith577500

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 4:24 am GMT

    @Atari_7200

    i'll drop it but you have your opinion i have mine just leave it at that

  • Atari_7200

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 4:19 am GMT

    @keith577500

    I am not going to have an argument over the internet about a console. So let's just get on with it. Keith, you need to understand how a company works. No Company is about your benefits. Nintendo does not care about you, as long as you fork out for their latest "upgrades and shuffle ware" then they will continue to grow. I do know you're not paid by Nintendo, I never even said you're being paid. Sony and Microsoft lowered their prices, not soon after Nintendo lowered their prices. Nintendo claims it was "More Accessible for people with low income." But you know it, I know. That's crap, they just want to stay on the market. Business is business.

    - End of discussion

  • ruffluffs posted Oct 5, 2009 3:02 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ruffluffs

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 3:02 am GMT (hide)

    silly Nintendo a modded wii is much better than your crappy update

  • ruffluffs posted Oct 5, 2009 2:56 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ruffluffs

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 2:56 am GMT (hide)

    people wouldn't have to or be tempted to mod their wii if there were more good games for it

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 2:43 am GMT

    @keith577500
    Tell me about it. I have to fork out for a wireless adapter for a 360. And pay monthly/quarterly/yearly for online membership just to play online.

    Another burning hole in my pocket goes to Microsoft's Windows 7. Come to think of it.

    @chrisda
    PC definitely is QUALITY, Windows 7 ultimate (release client) is the most beautiful, and nigh perfect OS I have ever laid my eyes on. It runs most of my old XP games soooo beautifully smoooooth!

  • keith577500

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 1:56 am GMT

    @Atari_7200

    you know thats not true nintendo never made me pay for internet or a hard drive plus the wii community is way better not to mention if nintendo cared about nothing but money the wii would be more than $200 not to mention nintendo has never sold me a system that broke after a month

  • keith577500

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 1:50 am GMT

    good to know that not every 360/ps3 gamer is a fanboy

  • mightEone

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 1:30 am GMT

    @tamir1014

    I agree lol. On a side note, now fanboys can stop talking crap on the 360 about RROD. Obviously, no console is perfect. It amazes me how fanboys deny it.

  • Atari_7200

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 12:52 am GMT

    @FF_fan2004

    I know, how could you put those words any clearer than that? I agree with Yahtzee 100%.

  • shadowysea07

    Posted Oct 5, 2009 12:48 am GMT

    i updated and so far everything is working fine except for the news channel which wasn't working before the update and i can't seem to get online in ssbb.

  • prettytony_x2

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 10:30 pm GMT

    like i said before i have a wii key in my system and i import games and up til now the updates never did anything. so i think its wrong that i pay for my imports and now due to the update i cant play them anymore til my wii key get and update. i dont get it if you pay for a system any system you have the right to do what you want to it.

  • tamir1014

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 9:51 pm GMT

    My question is, If you have your wii modded why the F--- would you download the firm ware from nintendo when you know that will brick your system LOL

  • jamesh-42

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 9:35 pm GMT

    @dzimm: the story describes the update as trying to delete files it considers to be unauthorised. If it is this part of the update that is bricking consoles, then people are right to blame Nintendo.

    Nintendo could have designed the update to instead refuse to install on systems where they detect content they object to. This would reduce the chance of bricking people's systems while still preventing modders from installing the update (which will presumably also prevent them from connecting to network games, etc).

  • zombehman

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 8:02 pm GMT

    @TWilliamz
    you are probably right about that, but I could use my Wiimote and nun-chuck as a nun-chuck!

  • dzimm

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 5:27 pm GMT

    Leria: "This is the reason why these companies need to STOP BRICKING CONSOLES when they have been modified. There is simply no reason for it."

    I doubt it's intentional. The problem is that you can't expect Nintendo or any other company to verify that their system update will work with unauthorized third party software for reasons that should be obvious. If an official update bricks a console that has been modified with unauthorized software then that's on the consumer.

  • PatrickMurphly

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 5:10 pm GMT

    @Leria

    Except that for most people modifying their Wii, Homebrew = a route towards playing downloaded/stolen games

  • Leria

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:37 pm GMT

    This is the reason why these companies need to STOP BRICKING CONSOLES when they have been modified. There is simply no reason for it. If they would support the homebrew stuff OUT OF THE BOX, the problems would disappear.

  • TWilliamz

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:35 pm GMT

    @Chainer323
    LOL I see you're going to pretend Sony didn't have an update that was bricking systems a couple months ago. I understand. Its only a sin when it happens on the other consoles

  • Flint247

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:33 pm GMT

    Fanboys are what ruin gaming, these days.

  • chrisda

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:16 pm GMT

    really, no system is perfect, every system has flaws, xbox has the RROD, wii has last gen graphics and very few good games, and the PS3 has mediocre multiplatform games, seriously, take COD4 and compare them side by side with xbox and ps3, you will notice a difference, and fallout has glitches galore, and the blu-ray format is slow and it gets annoying having to install the game and having to wait for 8 minutes. The exclusives are great though.

    I don't want any crap about how i'm just a (insert console here) hater, i have all the consoles and play all of them, there's just flaws that i have to point out......PC's rule.

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:11 pm GMT

    I may own a 360, but I will buy the Wii, for its good game exclusives. Fire Emblem, House of the Dead Overkill, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Tomb Raider Anniversary, and the list goes on.
    I just simply want one that I can play my Japanese GC game Super Robot Taisen GC, since I'm a fan girl for mechas.

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:08 pm GMT

    The quality system that Sony made? PS2. The PS3 is too pricey no matter how much I want it. My 360 goes to show that you don't make consoles like they used to. Unreliable and prone to break downs, much like Microsoft's Windows ME.
    Now as for the Wii... it's just this article, that's all.

    What do Nintendo Wii and Sony PS3 have in common? They are both Japanese consoles. The Japanese are definitely true quality at its best. Reliable and functional. That includes Sony's other products like their TV.

  • Chainer323

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 4:03 pm GMT

    and thus we now have one system without major problems. gotta love the quality system that Sony Makes

  • giddyupgroudon

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 3:31 pm GMT

    i'm not taking any chances. i'll update when they fix it

  • Buzzboy339

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 3:17 pm GMT

    I did it and nothing happend to me

  • FF_fan2004

    Posted Oct 4, 2009 3:09 pm GMT

    You got that line off me, didn't you? No worries, I got it from Zero Punctuation. :p

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