How to Hard Reset a Wii

By Maxwell Payne

Updated September 22, 2017

i Heather Milward/Demand Media

The Wii gaming console by Nintendo is a multimedia device capable of playing both Wii (motion sensor based) games and Nintendo Game Cube games. It can also play audio CDs and connect to the internet. Over time the Wii's system processes or memory can slow. While there's no button to press for a "hard reset," you can perform your own reset. Hard resets are useful when the Wii is running very slow or the screen is frozen.

i Heather Milward/Demand Media

Locate the "reset" button on the front of the Wii console. Hold it down for a few seconds to reset the device.

i Heather Milward/Demand Media

Wait for the home screen to appear, then hold down the "power" button on the front of the Wii until the power light turns red and the Wii shuts down.

i Heather Milward/Demand Media

Unplug the Wii's power supply from the wall outlet or power strip.

i Heather Milward/Demand Media

Leave the Wii console unplugged for at least five minutes. Reconnect the power supply and press the power button to turn the Wii back on and complete the hard reset.

×