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Nintendo Acknowledges Wii Update Problems

Tom Ivan's picture

By Tom Ivan

October 2, 2009

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[Update: Added Nintendo UK statement]

Nintendo is offering free Wii repairs to a number of users that have experienced problems with their consoles after trying to install the latest system update.

According to numerous reports on the Nintendo Of America support forums, users have seen their consoles freeze during the process of installing system update 4.2. A number of users have then been unable to reboot their consoles.

While some of the problems can be attributed to modified systems, a number of consumers are reporting issues with newly bought units.

“Some of you have reported problems with your Wii console after updating to the Wii System Menu 4.2. 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,” wrote a Nintendo Of America tech support member.

“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.

“Please call our Customer Service Department at your earliest convenience, 1-800-255-3700. We are open 6 AM to 7 PM, Pacific Time, 7 days a week.”

These problems aren’t only occurring in America, with Nintendo UK telling us that it is “aware of a very small number of reported problems with Wii consoles after updating to the Wii System Menu 4.2”.

The company said that it too will offer free repairs to unmodified systems damaged via the update process. It said that consoles should not be returned to its customer service department without contacting the division first for advice. Contact details follow:

Nintendo UK Customer Service department (Monday - Friday 8:30am - 7:00pm):
Nintendo Service Centre, Codestorm House, Walton Road, Farlington, Hampshire. PO6 1TR
Telephone: 0870 6060 247 (Calls are charged at the National Rate to the caller)
Email: NintendoServiceCenter@codestorm.co.uk

quietIdentity's picture
On October 4th quietIdentity said:

Sony should take another leaf out of Nintendo's book. If only every screw up could be handled this quickly and honestly.

SimonMaxwell's picture
On October 2nd SimonMaxwell said:

I had no problems at all updating to 4.2E. It did seem to take a bit longer than usual to update, but it got there in the end.

muddville's picture
On October 2nd muddville said:

Generous of them to offer.

Raul23's picture
On October 4th Raul23 said:

Generous how?

Duncan_Stewart's picture
On October 2nd Duncan_Stewart said:

Is this just the US?

Tom Ivan's picture
On October 2nd Tom Ivan said:

We've asked Nintendo and will update the story if we hear back from the company