Nintendo Wii U Fan Replacement

Written By: Reid Fleishman
  • Comments: 6
Nintendo Wii U Fan Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

10

Time Required

15 - 30 minutes

Introduction

The fan is one of the most essential parts in a device such as a computer or game console. The fan helps keep the CPU, GPU, and other vital parts cool. Without a fan your device might overheat and fry. This guide will help you replace the important fan in your Wii U.

  1. GWEjIj2RQSEmEj1U

    • Using a flathead screwdriver, spudger, or tweezers, remove the stickers covering the screws on the bottom of the Wii U and on the side of the Wii U.

    • Do not try to use your fingernails. It would only hurt.

  2. nBJmOPEPYtuSsHhh
    nBJmOPEPYtuSsHhh
    NIyrKIlA5xjPRqVe
    gPVfoJVtHgTqWkTu

    • Remove three Phillips screws with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Remove three Tri-Wing screws with a Y1 Tri-Wing screwdriver.

  3. TQJAcOTjJvCc3q6B
    TQJAcOTjJvCc3q6B
    psJZnslNSydHcSTP

    • To remove the battery, unscrew the screw holding it in place with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Then pull the battery free.

    • Once you reassemble the Wii U, you might need to set the date and time.

  4. VnGuA1dbHVqAZJlt
    VnGuA1dbHVqAZJlt
    qcwE1w2OJJ2xJZuB

    • Unscrew the two screws on the side of the Wii U near the air vents with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • EDIT 9/26/16: There are stickers covering these screws too. Remove them.

  5. 4q5I2YZIClq6dIKk
    4q5I2YZIClq6dIKk
    PqMaF6W41ONt3QL4
    jmmLJKwTAOGI5sbF

    • Slide the side cover to your right.

    • Lift the side cover off.

  6. HirC1XdqenCT5AZR

    • Remove three Tri-Wing screws with a Y1 Tri-Wing screwdriver.

  7. YQUuO3R1NIpbK34V
    YQUuO3R1NIpbK34V
    HUjpUWqLpsVLnOEl
    iFll5TCrdgXeE3fE

    • Lift the top cover.

    • Pull the top cover towards you.

    • Do not lift the top cover up all the way at first! Make sure to pull it towards you (shown in picture #2 and the video on the next step), then lift it up all the way. If you don't remove the top cover this way, U may damage your U. ):

  8. Video of removing the top cover.

    • Video of removing the top cover.

  9. L3BTZawujCuAGUWW
    L3BTZawujCuAGUWW
    UVo51Clc6DiFkxlv
    6AhJApMCCNCDINau

    • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the fan in place with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

    • Use a magnet or a magnetic screwdriver to lift up the screws once they're fully loosened, as seen in the second picture.

    • Screwdrivers with a black tip usually mean that they're magnetic, as shown with the black arrow in the second picture.

    • Remove the fan from its socket.

    • Set the fan's wires free from under the clamp (see the yellow box on picture #3).

  10. Unplug the fan's power cable by tugging on its wires.

    • Unplug the fan's power cable by tugging on its wires.

    • Do not tug the fan.

    • Do not tug the wires from too far or else the wires/power connector may break.

Conclusion

Congrats if you've made it this far! Click the button below if you successfully replaced your fan! To reassemble your Wii U, follow these instructions in reverse order. Note that you will not be able to put the stickers back on that were covering the screws on the bottom cover of the Wii U — well, who really cares about a sticker covering a screw!?

Thank you all for viewing this guide. Keep on fixing!

Author

Reid Fleishman

Member since: 12/02/16

1432 Reputation

6 comments

Is it red = +5V, black = GND, grey = ¿PWM? - can't find original fan to buy [don't want to order from overseas] so trying to go with a 40mm 5V replacement, reusing the original connector.

facebook -

No that doesn't seem right. If someone knows the pinout with some certainty, please do tell.

facebook -

Here’s the fan pinout if someone’s going to splice in a new 40mm fan while reusing the original connector:

Black - Ground

Red - RPM signal

Grey - +5V

Ran across the pinout while splicing in a new 40mm fan because the original broke

Yevgney Sliosarenko -

so, has anyone had any luck with replacing the stock fan with a noctua fan? I’m gonna try it myself and see if its any quieter since the stock fan is really loud

Joshua Bishell -

No luck for me with Noctua fan unfortunately. But I suspect some defect with the WiiU itself. All fans always run at full blast for me. Tried Noctua, and Aliexpress replacement part which looks like original also same color wires.

facebook -

This is a link to the fan I bought on Amazon. I used this guide and my WiiU works like new! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07KK4MPF...

Samantha Costello -