How to Unfreeze a Wii

When your Wii freezes in the middle of operation, it presents two immediate problems. The first is that you are stopped mid-game and are faced with losing your unsaved progress. The second is that you must find a way to unfreeze the Wii to continue operation. More often than not, the problem is the result of a defective or dirty game disc and, while odds are you will lose a certain amount of game data, you will be able to unfreeze your Wii without much issue.

Press the “Eject” button on the front of the Wii console to remove the disc. Wipe the bottom of the disc gently using a dry cloth. Insert the disc again and wait two to three minutes. Sometimes the game will read the disc, and you will be able to continue your game. This method does not work consistently, but it is worth an attempt as it is the only way to unfreeze the game without losing your progress. If this does not work, move on to Step 2.

Press the “Reset” button on the front of the Wii console. You will be taken back to the Wii menu and will have the opportunity to restart your game. It is a good idea to remove the disc and inspect the bottom for smudges or scratches before reinserting it. In the event that the “Reset” button does not work, continue to Step 3.

Press the “Power” button. This is at the top of the Wii console and has a green light illuminated during operation. This will turn the console off completely. In the unlikely event that the system is still frozen after pressing “Power,” move on to Step 4.

Remove the power cable from either the outlet or the back of the Wii console. Cutting off the power supply will turn off the system. If once you reconnect the power cable the Wii is not functioning, there is likely an internal problem as opposed to simply a dirty disc.