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What to Do With Broken Wiimotes?

If you suspect your Nintendo Wiimote has broken, you have a few options to consider. To avoid wasting money, be absolutely certain it̵7;s truly irreparable before you find a way to get rid of it. If you can̵7;t fix it, you can try to make money off of it. If all other options fail, dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way -- some cities and states have laws against sending electronics to landfills.

Troubleshoot Them
- Wiimotes have two main parts that can break: the Wiimote itself, and the wrist strap. Straps on Wiimotes purchased prior to December 31, 2006 are eligible for free replacement by Nintendo. If you purchased your Wiimote after that date, you can purchase a replacement strap directly from Nintendo. If the Wiimote itself, rather than the strap, has a problem, be sure to go through Nintendo̵7;s list of Wiimote troubleshooting steps before declaring your Wiimote a lost cause. Nintendo̵7;s documentation offers solutions to several problems, including buttons not responding and tilt or cursor problems.
Sell Them for Parts
- As long as there are video game consoles, there will be people who like to take them apart and repair them for fun and profit. While you may not find the idea fun, you can make a little of the money you spent on the Wiimote back by selling it on sites like Craigslist or eBay. As long as you̵7;re honest and say that it̵7;s broken and you̵7;re selling it for parts, you̵7;ll target the customers who would be most interested in buying your broken Wiimotes.
Get Them Repaired
- Some video game stores offer console and accessory troubleshooting and repair. While it̵7;s still possible that your Wiimote may be beyond hope of saving, it can̵7;t hurt to ask. If you̵7;re lucky enough to have a friend who̵7;s skilled at console examination and repair, ask for a diagnosis and possible repair. Nintendo also offers a telephone hotline for Wiimote issues at 1-800-255-3700, and can advise you about whether your Wiimote is repairable or should be replaced.
Recycle Them
- If your Wiimote is truly broken, don̵7;t throw it out. Instead, take it to a nearby facility that participates in an electronics recycling program. Some large chain stores such as Best Buy have electronics recycling receptacles that accept video game equipment. Earth911.com offers a free look-up service where you can locate facilities that recycle video game equipment and consoles near you. All you have to do is type in your ZIP code to find convenient locations.

Nintendo Wii