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How to Connnect a Wii to the Internet

Connecting a Wii gaming system to the Internet will provide essential updates to the Wii and provide users with a better overall experience by enabling the system to download games, news, weather info and more. Users can also play games online against each other or as a team against a common foe.

The most common way to connect a Wii to the Internet is through an existing wireless network within the home. If a wireless network does not exist, you can connect the Wii through an existing hardwired local area network (LAN) with the purchase of an additional piece of equipment, the Wii LAN adapter, available from Nintendo's website.

Things You'll Need

Nintendo Wii game console
Computer with Windows XP, Vista or higher OS
Cable or DSL modem
Broadband or wireless router
Wii LAN adapter (if applicable)
Broadband Internet cable

Instructions

Connect to a Wireless Network
- 1
  Turn on the Wii console and go to the Wii System Settings Menu. Select "Internet "and then "Connection Settings" on these menus. A screen with three connection ports will open.
- 2
  Choose an open connection; it will be indicated by the word "none" in its status. On the next screen choose "Wireless Connection."
- 3
  Click "Search for Access Points" on the next screen. The Wii will search for any wireless access points. Select the correct access point from the list and enter the proper security information, if needed.
- 4
  Save the information on the next screen. The Wii with then prompt you test the connection. Click "OK" to test the connection.
Connect to a LAN/Wired Network
- 5
  Ensure that the Wii console is turned off.
- 6
  Connect the wired router to the Wii LAN adapter, and then the Wii LAN adapter to the Wii console. The Wii cannot be connected directly to a cable or other broadband Internet line; the Wii LAN adapter must be purchased separately.
- 7
  Power on the Wii console and navigate to the Wii System Settings Menu. Select "Internet" then "Connection Settings."
- 8
  Choose an open connection port that is indicated by the word "none" in its status. In the following window, choose "Wired Connection."
- 9
  The next window will show "Initializing Connection Test." Click "OK" to test the connection.
Setting Up a Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
- 10
  Purchase and install the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector and software on the computer that the wireless connector will be plugged into.
- 11
  Turn on the Wii Console and navigate to the Wii System Settings Menu. Select "Internet" and then "Connection Settings."
  
  Choose an open connection port that is indicated by the word "none" in its status. Confirm that the Wi-Fi Connector on the PC is ready, then select "Wireless Connection."
- 12
  Select Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. A window will pop up: "Install the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector software on your PC." Ensure the software is installed and the USB connector is ready and select "Next."
  
  Another window will appear: "Use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector registration tool on your PC to grant this Wii permission to connect."
- 13
  Find the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB icon on the computer's Windows task bar. Double click this icon to launch the tool. It should show all the Wii consoles within the connector's range by nickname. Select the appropriate console and click "Grant permission to connect" from the menu.
- 14
  The Wii console should now state that the "Wi-Fi USB Connector setup is complete." Click "Next" and then click "OK" to begin the connection test. When the test is complete, the Wii console is wirelessly connected to the Internet through the USB connector on the PC.

Nintendo Wii