How to Fix Sound Issues on Nintendo Wii U

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Resolving sound issues on your Wii U

Types of issues this guide will tackle:

• No sound output.

What you will need before you start:

• Wii AV Cables or Wii Component Video Cables
• HDMI cable
• Make sure that there's no physical damage on the cables being used
• The latest system update must be applied

2. Switch Apps on Wii U

• Not all games support surround sound. If the system is being used in an application/game that does not support surround sound, the system will default to stereo sound.
• If your receiver does not support six-channel linear PCM audio output, you will not be able to use surround sound in Wii U mode.

If you're using a receiver, switch, or other devices, see if sound will continue after switching applications (such as Mario Kart 8 to Netflix, or Netflix to YouTube). If this solves your issue, please use it in the future and always keep your system up to date.

3. Use Surround Sound on the Wii U

1. From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.
   

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2. Scroll to the TV icon and press the A Button.
   

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2. Tap TV Audio-Output Type.
   

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2. Select Surround for audio-output type for the TV.
   

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2. Tap Sample to preview the sound-output from your TV.
3. Select Audio Test and Yes, I can hear them when you hear the sample.
4. If you do not hear the sample, select No, I can't hear them and read the on-screen information.
5. Adjust the AV Amplifier to a setting that supports six-channel linear PCM.
   If your AV Amplifier does not support the use of six-channel linear PCM audio output, then you will not be able to utilize full surround sound.

4. Launch the Wii U Game or Application

Test the system to see if the issue is resolved.

5. Bypass Receiver for Wii U

Bypass the receiver and connect the Wii U directly to your television.

6. Connect to your TV

1. Place the Wii U console at least 4" (10 cm) away from walls or other surfaces that may block ventilation.
2. Make sure that your television is turned off.
3. Connect the HDMI cable to an available HDMI port on your television.
4. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to the Wii U console.
   

1. Turn your television on and select the correct input channel on your television.

7. Use Stereo Sound on the Wii U

1. From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.
   

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2. Using the Left Stick, scroll to the TV icon and press the A Button.
   

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2. Tap TV Audio-Output Type.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Select Stereo for audio-output type for the TV.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Tap Sample to preview the sound-output from your TV.
3. Select Audio Test and Yes, I can hear them when you hear the sample.
4. If you do not hear the sample, select No, I can't hear them and read the on-screen information.

8. What's next?

9. Ensure TV Sound is Working

1. Ensure that the television is not set to mute and that its volume is not turned low.
2. Test other channels to see if it is working.

10. Configure the TV Sound Settings on Wii U

1. From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Scroll to the TV icon and press the A Button.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Tap TV Audio-Output Type.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Select an audio-output type for the TV.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Tap Sample to preview the sound-output from your TV.
3. If Surround is selected and you have installed the latest system update, you will need to select Audio Test and Yes, I can hear them when you hear the sample.
4. If you do not hear the sample, select No, I can't hear them and read the on-screen information.

11. Try a different cable for Wii U

Try a different cable if one is available.

• If the issue persists, the Wii U console and the cable will need to come in for repair.

12. What's next?

13. Connect Using AV Cable

1. Place the Wii U console at least 4" (10 cm) away from walls or other surfaces that may block ventilation.
2. Make sure that your television is turned off.
3. Insert the colored connectors on the Wii AV Cable into the input connectors on the television. Make sure you are plugging the connectors into the holes labeled "Input" or "In." Holes labeled "Output" or "Out" will not work. Plug the connectors into the following inputs
   
4. Yellow: Video Input
5. Audio Input Left (or Mono)
6. Audio Input Right
   

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2. Insert the AV Multi Out plug on the Wii AV cable into the AV Multi Out connector on the back of the console.
   

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2. Turn your television on and select the correct input channel on your television.
3. Set the Wii U's TV Connection Type to Non-HDMI.

14. Connect the Wii U to a Television using Wii Component Video Cable

1. Place the Wii U console at least 4" (10 cm) away from walls or other surfaces that may block ventilation.
2. Make sure that your television is turned off.
3. Insert the colored connectors on the Wii Component Video cable into the input connectors on the television:
4. White: Audio Input Left (or Mono)
5. Red: Audio Input Right
6. Red / Orange: Pr/Cr (Red)
7. Blue: Pb/Cb (Blue)
8. Green: Y (Green)
   

1. Insert the AV Multi Out plug on the Wii Component Video cable into the AV Multi Out connector on the back of the console.
   

1. Turn your television on and select the correct input channel on your television.
2. Set the Wii U's TV Connection Type to Non-HDMI.

15. Ensure TV Sound is Working

1. Ensure that the television is not set to mute and that its volume is not turned low.
2. Test other channels to see if it is working.

16. Configure the TV Sound Settings on Wii U

1. From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Scroll to the TV icon and press the A Button.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Tap TV Audio-Output Type.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Select an audio-output type for the TV.
   

1. 
   
   
2. Tap Sample to preview the sound-output from your TV.
3. If Surround is selected and you have installed the latest system update, you will need to select Audio Test and Yes, I can hear them when you hear the sample.
4. If you do not hear the sample, select No, I can't hear them and read the on-screen information.

17. Try a different cable for Wii U

Try a different cable if one is available.

• If the issue persists, the Wii U console and the cable will need to come in for repair.

18. Ensure Wii U GamePad Sound Works

1. Unplug any headphones that may be connected to the Wii U GamePad.
2. Using the slider control on the top of the GamePad, adjust the volume to its highest setting.
3. Ensure nothing is covering the Wii U GamePad speakers.
4. Check to see if the GamePad sound is working.

19. Ensure Wii U GamePad Headphone Jack Works

1. Using the slider control on the top of the GamePad, adjust the volume to its highest setting.
2. Securely connect your headphones to the GamePad's headphones jack. Ensure the cable is fully pushed in.
3. Test the sound to see if the headphones are now working.
4. If the sound continues to not work from the headphones then try another pair of headphones:
5. If a second pair of headphones works then the issue is likely the original set of headphones. They may need further troubleshooting or replacement.
6. If a second pair of headphones also does not work then the issue might be that the GamePad is defective.

20. Manually recalibrate the volume on Wii U

1. Turn the volume on the Wii U GamePad to its lowest setting and restart the system.
2. Once the system starts back up, slowly turn the volume on the Wii U GamePad back up to its highest setting.

• If the step above didn't fix the issue, proceed to the next step.

21. Configure the Wii U GamePad Sound Settings

1. From the Wii U Menu, tap System Settings.
2. Using the Left Stick scroll to the Wii U GamePad icon and press the A Button.
   

1. Scroll down and tap Select GamePad Audio-Output Type.
   

1. Tap the desired audio-output type based on your setup.
2. When you are finished, tap OK.

22. Ensure Wii U GamePad Sound Works

1. Unplug any headphones that may be connected to the Wii U GamePad.
2. Using the slider control on the top of the GamePad, adjust the volume to its highest setting.
3. Ensure nothing is covering the Wii U GamePad speakers.
4. Check to see if the GamePad sound is working.