How to Fix Issues with Netflix On a Nintendo Wii U

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn How To:

Fix most common Netflix issues with your Nintendo Wii U

Before We Begin:

Have a working Netflix account

2. Restart

Press and hold the Power Button on the front of the device until the Wii U powers off.

Wii U controller with power button highlighted.

If your Wii U does not power off, unplug the power cable from the wall outlet, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in.

3. Reboot

One of the main causes with the inability to get on the Internet is that your networking equipment could have malfunctioned. Sometimes performing a reboot will resolve this issue.

Your network may consist of one or more of the following networking devices:

Modem

This is the primary device used to get you on the Internet.

Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
Typically has 1 or 2 Ethernet ports which connect to a router.

Gateway

This is an all-in-one device that has both a modem and a router built in. It is a primary device used to get you on the Internet.

Has either a coaxial cable, fiber cable, or phone cord plugged into it.
Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
Typically has Wi-Fi built into it

Router

This device allows you to connect multiple devices to your Internet connection using a single external IP address.

Typically has 3 or 4 Ethernet ports which connect to a your computers and smart devices.
Typically has Wi-Fi built into it.

Switch

This device helps to extend the wired functionality of devices by providing your additional Ethernet ports.

These are typically plug and play.
This device is not a router.

Access Point

This device will provide wireless access to your existing network.

Used to extend the range of your network
Usually plugged into a router / gateway via Ethernet connection.

Range Extender

This device will extend the range of your existing WiFi network by rebroadcasting your WiFi network.

Standalone device plugged into a power source.
Usually located 15-30 feet from the router.

Next we will want to power cycle the networking devices.

Modem / Gateway

Unplug the power from the device.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug the power back into the device.
Wait for the device to go online.

Router

Unplug the power from the device.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug the power back into the device.
Wait for the device to go online.

Switch

Unplug the power from the device.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug the power back into the device.

Access Point / Range Extender

Unplug the power from the device.
Wait 30 seconds.
Plug the power back into the device.

4. Wii U

From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.

main menu with system settings highlighted

Using the Left Stick, select the Internet icon and press the A Button.

Select Connect to the Internet.

internet settings with connect to the internet highlighted

Press the X Button or tap Connections located in the top-right corner.

Select your Internet connection from the list.

internet connection set up with existing connection highlighted

Select Connection Test.

When connection test is complete, click OK.

5. Test the App

Open your Netflix app and test if it works.

6. What's next?

7. Connect Wi-Fi

Select System Settings.

Nintendo Wii U home screen highlighting the System Settings icon.

Select Internet.

Nintendo Wii U System Settings menu highlighting the Internet icon.

Select Connect to the Internet.

Nintendo Wii U Internet menu highlighting the Connect to the Internet button.

Select your Wi-Fi network name.

Nintendo Wii U Internet Connection setup menu displaying a list of available Wi-Fi networks.

Enter your password, then select OK.

Nintendo Wii U prompting the user to enter the Wi-Fi password.

Your Wii U will test the connection.

Nintendo Wii U Testing the connection using the settings provided.

When the test is successful, you'll see the green check marks at the top. Select OK.

Nintendo Wii U successful connection test screen, with the OK button highlighted.

Finally, you'll be asked if you want this to be your default connection; the one you use most of the time. Select Set.

Nintendo Wii U Internet connection setup prompting the user to save and set this connection as default. Set button is highlighted.

8. What's next?

9. Reset Password

Reset your password by sending yourself a password reset email from Netflix.

Navigate to https://www.netflix.com/LoginHelp.

Type the email tied to your Netflix account and choose how to reset your password.

Selecting email will send you an email with a link to resetting your password.
Selecting text message will send you a verification code through your cell phone.
Selecting voice call will call your selected number with the verification code needed to reset your password.

10. Change Your Language and Subtitles

If prompted, select your profile picture.

Visit the Account section of the Netflix website.

Under My Profile, select Language.

Select your preferred language.

If your preferred language is already selected, select English and sign out, then repeat the steps above.
Return to the device experiencing the issue and sign out and sign back in to save this setting.
Changing the language for your profile will also change the subtitle and dubbing options you see, putting your preferred language first on available titles.

11. Uninstall Netflix

From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.

Wii u home menu with system settings selected

Using the Left Stick, scroll to the Data Management and press the A Button.

Wii u settings menu with data management selected

Select Copy / Move / Delete Data.

Select the location of the data you wish to delete. Update data and save data are located in each game's folder, but not all games will have update data.