How to sync your Wii remote

Before you can set up your Nintendo Wii, you need to know how to sync your Wii remote with your console. If you want to play Wii games on your computer using a video game emulator, you may also want to know how to connect your Wii controller to your computer via Bluetooth.

The instructions in this article are for Windows computers and the Nintendo Wii console, not to be confused with the Nintendo Wii U console.

How to pair your Wii remote with your Wii

The controller that came with your Wii may already be connected to the console. If not, follow these steps to sync your Wii remote to your console:

1. Make sure the motion sensor bar is connected to your Wii.

   

2. Turn on your console and open the memory card slot cover on the front of your Wii to find the red sync button.

   

   If you have a Wii Mini model, the sync button is located next to the battery compartment on the left side of the console.

3. Remove the battery cover on the back of the Wii controller, then press and release the red sync button underneath the batteries. The first LED on the front of the Wii remote should begin blinking.

   

   On some Wii remotes, the sync button is located in a hole in the rear battery cover, in which case you do not need to remove the cover.

4. While the LED on the Wii remote is blinking, press and release the red Sync button on the Wii.

   

5. When the connection is successful, the LED will stop blinking. The remaining solid blue LED indicates which player (1-4) the controller is assigned to.

You can connect additional Wii remotes by following the steps above; however, if the controller was previously synced with another Wii, it will no longer be paired with that console.

How to temporarily sync additional Wii remotes

If you’re playing on a friend’s system and want to temporarily connect your Wii remote, follow these steps:

1. Press the Home button on the Wii controller assigned to the player number XNUMX.

   

2. Select Wii Remote Settings .

   

3. Select Reconnect .

   

4. On the controller you want to sync, press the 1 + 2 buttons simultaneously.

   

5. To sync multiple Wii remotes, press 1 + 2 simultaneously on each controller in the order you want to pair them.

All controllers synchronized using this method will automatically unpair when the console is turned off.

If you have trouble connecting additional Wii remotes while playing, close the software and try to sync your controller from your home screen.

How to connect a Wii controller to a computer

If you want to play Wii games using a Dolphin emulator or similar program, you’ll probably want to sync your Wii remote with your computer:

You will need a motion sensor strip on your computer to use the Wii controller with the emulator.

1. Launch the Dolphin emulator and select Drivers at the top.

   

2. Press and hold 1 + 2 simultaneously on the Wii remote.

   

3. Select True Wiimote from the drop-down menu next to Wiimote 1 .

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4. Check the box next to Continuous Scan , and then select OK . The LED on the front of the controller should be solid blue.

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You should now be able to use the Wii remote, provided you have a sensor connected to your computer.

Every time you restart your computer, you must pair the Wii remote with the computer. To unpair your Wii remote, right-click the Bluetooth icon in the system tray and select Disconnect Device .

How to Fix Wiimote Not Syncing

If the lights on your controller start blinking and then turn off, try the troubleshooting steps below one at a time. After each step, check if you can sync your Wii remote:

1. Reset the Bluetooth of the Wii console. While in the health and safety screen that appears when you first start your Wii, open the memory card slot cover on the console, then hold down the red sync button for 15 seconds.

2. Remove the batteries from the Wii remote and leave them for three minutes, then insert them again.

3. Try to sync another Wii remote. If it syncs, you know there’s a problem with the other controller, so you’ll need to repair or replace it.

4. Try a different sensor strip. If no controllers sync with the Wii, the Wii motion sensor strap may need to be replaced.

5. Repair or replace the Wii console. If your Wii remote is still not syncing with your Wii console, there is a problem with the console’s internal hardware. Unfortunately, Nintendo no longer offers repairs, so you’ll have to either fix it yourself, take it to an electronics repair shop, or buy another console.